Pre Ashes Thread

[achilles]

Okay.

[vvvslaxman]

Losstralian players have to keep quiet until they start winning something. 9th loss in a row in all formats.

[achilles]

Losstralian players have to keep quiet until they start winning something. 9th loss in a row in all formats.

:secret: They are the #1 team. Rankings lie and results lie too. Ask MEK :cheer:

[vvvslaxman]

Australia's problem is their batting more than bowling. What happened to Andy Symonds. Retired?

[The Outsider]

From : "I'd like to have Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen in my pocket," said Bolly. To : 'Kevin Pietersen will be in my pocket' says Doug Bollinger

[vvvslaxman]

From : "I'd like to have Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen in my pocket," said Bolly. To : 'Kevin Pietersen will be in my pocket' says Doug Bollinger

why not all 11 players in his pocket :cantstop:

[Sachinism]

From : "I'd like to have Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen in my pocket," said Bolly. To : 'Kevin Pietersen will be in my pocket' says Doug Bollinger

Exactly what I saw.

[maniac]

Is doug the australian version of Mazhar Majid to have players in his pocket????:sherlock:

[RamP]

Losstralian players have to keep quiet until they start winning something. 9th loss in a row in all formats.

Losstralian - thats a wonderful piece of creativity. :adore: i'm sure this term is going to be used many times more in this forum. :yay:

[OriginalCopy]

What feed did you eat to report like the neighbors? Bollie didn't say KP will be in his pocket!

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Broad fire smashes WA England fast bowler Stuart Broad has ripped through Western Australia's top order in their three-day tour match at the WACA Ground, leaving the hosts at 3-45 at lunch on day one. More...

[achilles]

Keep up the good work and keep it on the money for the next 8 weeks.

[Mamu]

Was the sun shining?

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Poms struggle with bat Englandâ??s Ashes preparations took a major hit with a poor batting performance in their tour game against Western Australia, ending their first innings at 8-223 declared. More... Poms struggle with bat 06/11/2010 Jacob Kagi at the WACA England’s Ashes preparations took a major hit with a poor batting performance in their tour game against Western Australia, ending their first innings at 8-223 declared. The visitors were 7-117 early in the second session but ended up just 19 behind WA’s first innings total of 8-242 declared, thanks to strong efforts from tailenders Stuart Broad (53 not out) and Graeme Swann (37 not out). Kevin Pietersen (58) was the only bright spot for England’s batsmen, with the top and middle-order skittled as the visitors lost 4-29 early in the session. But Broad and Swann rescued England from total embarrassment, putting on a 64-run partnership off just 36 balls for the ninth wicket. Spinner Michael Beer was the best of WA’s bowlers, taking 3-108 in the three-day warm-up game at the WACA Ground. Steve Magoffin was unavailable for WA throughout the session after injuring his left knee earlier in the day. England slumped to 3-27 early on day two, before Pietersen and Trott put on a 61-run partnership before lunch to put their side in a decent position at lunch. But it quickly got worse when Beer claimed Jonathan Trott for 24 in the first over after lunch. The 29-year-old tried to cut a turning delivery but edged it through to the ‘keeper before England had added to their lunch total of 88. Paul Collingwood was next in but he fell for four to Michael Hogan, with Marcus North taking an unbelievable one-handed catch at gully to leave England at 5-101. Not long after Pietersen reached his half-century, he fell to Hogan after he edged an attempted drive to gully, where North took another impressive catch. Matt Prior then fell for a duck when he lifted a Beer delivery ball straight to Adam Voges at short cover. Pomersbach dropped Broad, and the chance to leave England at 8-117, in the same Beer over, but the all-rounder impressed after that. Broad, who scored 169 in his last Test innings, was lucky to survive on 26 when he popped up a Duffield delivery but it landed just short of North at gully, but WA claimed their eighth wicket soon after when Ian Bell (21) edged Beer to Pomersbach at slip. Broad and Swann brought up a 50-run partnership off just 30 balls, before the fast bowler reached his half-century with a slog sweep for four, which led to Andrew Strauss’ declaration. Tea was taken early due to the declaration. Western Australia 1st innings Robinson c & b Collingwood 62 Davis c Swann b Broad 0 Swart c Collingwood b Broad 0 North c Swann b Broad 19 Voges run out (Collingwood) 72 Pomersbach c Prior b Anderson 21 Ronchi c Anderson b Finn 32 Magoffin not out 17 Duffield c Prior b Swann 3 Beer not out 2 Extras: 14 (12lb, 2nb) Total: 242 (8 wickets dec; 72 overs) FOW: 1-0, 2-0, 3-42, 4-129, 5-183, 6-187, 7-225, 8-230 Bowling Anderson 22 - 6 - 48 - 1 Broad 18 - 5 - 47 - 3 (2nb) Finn 19 - 3 - 65 – 1 Swann 20 - 4 - 60 - 1 Collingwood 3 - 0 - 10 – 1 England 1st innings Strauss c Ronchi b Magoffin 14 Cook b Magoffin 5 Anderson c Pomersbach b Duffield 4 Trott c Ronchi b Beer 24 Pietersen c North b Hogan 58 Collingwood c North b Hogan 4 Bell c Pomersbach b Beer 21 Prior c Voges b Beer 0 Broad not out 53 Swann not out 37 Extras: 3 (2w, 1nb) Total: 223 (8 wickets dec; 62 overs) FOW: 1-8, 2-19, 3-27, 4-88, 5-101, 6-116, 7-117, 8-159 Bowling Duffield 17 - 3 - 57 – 1 (1nb) Magoffin 5.4 - 2 - 12 - 2 Hogan 13.2 - 6 - 36 - 2 Beer 24 - 4 - 108 – 3 (1w) Pomersbach 2 - 0 - 10 – 0 (1w)

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England struggle in tour match Kevin Pietersen spent time in the middle but the same couldn't be said for the rest of England's batsmen at the WACA Ground. More... Kevin Pietersen says he has found his form again after hitting 58 against Western Australia From AAP November 06, 2010 England blaster Kevin Pietersen believes he has regained his magic touch after cracking 58 in the tour match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground. Pietersen, who has gone 20 months since his last Test ton, cracked nine boundaries in his 90-ball stay at the crease as England posted 8-223 declared in reply to WA's 8-242 declared on day two of the three-day clash. The 30-year-old said last month's playing stint in South Africa, where he caught up with childhood mentor Graham Ford, fixed some mental aspects of his game heading into this summer's Ashes series. "I've worked with him (Ford) since I was six, seven years old. He's a close family friend and I feel great at the moment," Pietersen said. "(It was purely the) mental (side we focused on). "I've never really been a technical player. "You've seen me play for six years, I play like a clown. "It's my mental approach I needed to change. "I needed to get a load of confidence back and I'm on fire at the moment, so I'm happy. "I just felt great." At stumps on day two, the Warriors were 1-109 in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 128, with Wes Robinson unbeaten on 46 and Michael Swart on 16. England were lucky to even make it past 200 after slumping to 7-117 and 8-159. Pietersen's knock was the only notable score among England's top seven, with Alastair Cook (5), Andrew Strauss (14), Jonathan Trott (24), Paul Collingwood (4), Matt Prior (0) and Ian Bell (21) all struggling. Only late hitting from tail-enders Stuart Broad (53no off 48 balls) and Graeme Swann (37no off 25 balls) saved England from total embarrassment against a WA side that sits equal last on the Sheffield Shield table. Pietersen, under immense pressure to produce some runs after failing to score a Test century since March last year, looked shaky early and received a life on 25 when Pomersbach dropped a tough one-handed catch at second slip. The England blaster soon found his stride and looked set for a big afternoon before a brilliant one-handed catch at gully by WA skipper Marcus North ended his knock. "I came back from South Africa ... and feel top draw again," Pietersen said. "It's always nice to get time out in the middle. South Africa was a tricky one because it was really horrible weather. "So for the sun to be out and to play on a really good wicket, I love playing Australia. "I had some really good success here personally last time so it was good to get out here and get another 50 at the WACA."

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England on course England are on course for victory in their first match of their Australian tour, a three-day tour match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground. More... England on course 07/11/2010 England are on course for victory in their first match of their Australian tour, a three-day tour match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground. The visitors are 2-76 at tea on day two, needing 167 more for victory, with 31.3 overs left to reach their target. They need to score at 5.30 runs per over in the final session to win. Andrew Strauss (43) was the not out batsmen at tea, after opener Alastair Cook failed for the second time in the game, falling to Michael Hogan for nine and Jonathan Trott was dismissed by Luke Pomersbach for 23 on the last ball before tea. WA started the last day at 1-109, with a lead of 128, but impressive bowling efforts from Graeme Swann (4-101), Steven Finn (2-50) and Stuart Broad (2-26) changed the game. The hosts lost 4-12 and 7-55 as they were bowled out for 223 in their second innings, with Wes Robinson's 54 one of few shining lights. Test batsman Marcus North was one of many Warriors batsmen to disappoint, run out for just one. England claimed the final two WA wickets early in the second session, but it came after number 11 Hogan scored 21 off 12 balls, with a pair of fours and two sixes making England's task slightly harder. The tourists had to score at 4.67 runs per over for 52 overs to win at the start of their innings, but their chase became more difficult when Cook, who averaged just 22.60 in his last 10 Test innings and 26.21 in his 10 Tests against Australia, was bowled by Hogan (1-9) in the fifth over. Ryan Duffield wrapped Andrew Strauss on the pads in the next over while he was on two, but their confident appeal was rejected, probably due to a hint of an inside edge. But the England captain hit consecutive fours later in the over and he and Jonathan Trott continued in that fashion. England brought up their 50 in the 15th over as Strauss and Trott continued to look comfortable against WA's weakened attack, which was missing star quick Steve Magoffin, who injured his left knee on Saturday in his first game for the state since recovering from a knee injury. But part-time medium pacer Pomersbach claimed Trott just before the break, when he tried to leg glance and couldn't get it past WA keeper Luke Ronchi.

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McGrath: Australia will win Ashes Glenn McGrath ridiculed critics for considering Australia's bowling weak and backed them to regain the Ashes. More... Sunday 7th November 2010 McGrath: Australia will win Ashes Glenn McGrath ridiculed critics for considering Australia's bowling weak and backed them to regain the Ashes. Australia have been on a losing streak in all forms of the game and critics pinpointed lack of "swagger" and "arrogance" as a sign of collective weakness in Australia's pacemen. Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan felt Australian bowling lacked talent, while former England skipper Michael Vaughan also criticised the Aussie attack, saying it lacks the "X factor" and even suggested the bowlers could ultimately be responsible for Ponting losing his captaincy. "It makes you laugh, doesn't it?" said McGrath, who retired in 2007 after taking 563 Test wickets. "They were [once] saying we were too arrogant; you can't win either way. "It just amazes me ... when the Australian team was too strong, No. 1 in the world, it was bad for world cricket, bad for this and bad for that but now because all of a sudden they've lost a few games, Australia is now accused of hurting cricket because the team isn't strong enough. "I think it's ridiculous. Before Australia lost to Pakistan in England, they'd won 13 in a row ... the players know they're good enough and with one or two wins under their belts, they'll be OK," he added. McGrath also backed Ponting's men to regain the urn during their five-match Ashes series against England starting November 25 in Brisbane. "I was away on holiday when Australia played over in India but I have total faith in our boys," he told 'The Sun-Herald'. "The Test series will be played on our wickets and guys like Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris will do great. I know what they can do and I am confident they'll do it," he said. McGrath reposed faith on the Australian pacers, especially Siddle who has been away for almost a year because of injuries. "When he first came on the scene, Peter grabbed that role as the enforcer to get stuck into the opposition," said McGrath. "You need that kind of guy in the team and Peter has done it before and I can see no reason as to why he won't again. That was more my role within my team, and when I first retired, Brett [Lee] bowled so well and then Mitchell Johnson came along so it's about consistency as well, and I think there's plenty of guys who can do that. "When we [the attack he spearheaded in the West Indies in 1995] first started, we had big shoes to fill with Lillee and those who'd gone before, too. "I think Mitchell Johnson has shown how good he is, Dougie is a quality bowler - especially in Australia - while Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris have all done exceptionally this year. "Look, it's just been a flat time for the Australian team. To play in India is always tough and while the first two one-dayers against Sri Lanka would've knocked the wind out of them, they'll bounce back," he said. McGrath also threw his weight behind Ponting and said he is the perfect person to lead Australia's revival. "I always thought Ricky would finish his career as leading Test run scorer of all time but I think [india's] Sachin Tendulkar is trying to put that out of reach," he said. "I have total faith in Ricky as a person, a batsman and captain and would support him 100 per cent. To have his experience in a team is invaluable - he has to be there and he has to be leading the way," he said.

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Ashes: Andrew Strauss hundred sets up England tour win Andrew Strauss hits 120 not out as England beat Western Australia by six wickets in their opening tour game. More... Ashes: Andrew Strauss hundred sets up England tour win Andrew Strauss was in sparkling form on the final day in Perth Tour match, Perth (day three): England 223-8 dec & 243-4 beat Western Australia 242-8 dec & 223 by six wickets Match scorecard Skipper Andrew Strauss hit 120 not out as England beat Western Australia by six wickets in their opening warm-up game ahead of the Ashes series. The Middlesex batsman's 141-ball knock featured a six and 15 fours as he led his side home on 243-4 in Perth. England's only concern was a second failure for Alastair Cook, who fell for nine after they had bowled out the state side for 223. Spinner Graeme Swann was the tourists' most successful bowler, with 4-101. Developing a winning habit early in the tour was one of England's goals on arriving in Australia and the manner in which they went about their run-chase at the Waca Ground was a reflection of the confidence within the camp. After Cook's early dismissal, bowled by Michael Hogan after planting his front foot down the track and shaping to play the ball to leg, Strauss took charge and was well supported by the other members of the top order. He shared stands of 65, 66 and 54 with Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood before he and Ian Bell, who finished with 22 not out, knocked off the remaining runs.

[Bradman99]

In order for Australia to win the Ashes, the selectors need to grow some balls and start making the tough decisions. This includes dropping Hussey (his time is up) and possibly North and putting in either of Ferguson/Kwawaja/Smith.

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Australia may increase the Ashes squad The Australian selectors may increase their Ashes squad to 15 as they are still uncertain about the best possible team. More... Ashes squad may expand to 15 ahead of first Test Daniel Brettig From: AAP November 08, 2010 AUSTRALIA'S squad for the Ashes Test in Brisbane may be swollen to as many as 15 by a selection panel still uncertain about their best team. Next Monday, November 15, has been set down for months as the date on which the squad will be named. That deadline renders the subsequent round of Sheffield Shield matches, plus England's tour match against Australia A in Hobart, less meaningful than they might have been. NSW will face Victoria and Tasmania play Queensland in two Shield matches beginning on Wednesday, while South Australia play England from Thursday. The first Test team of an Ashes summer is always the source of heightened interest, and in recent history 13 players have often been chosen to take to Brisbane before one is cut on match eve. However the depth of conjecture about Australia's best XI to face England at the Gabba may be demonstrated by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch naming an even larger squad than that. His choices have been complicated by numerous factors, the most pressing being the injury-affected preparations of pace options Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris and opener Simon Katich. Another issue has arisen in the shape of a worrying lack of form demonstrated by the supposed first choices. Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson in particular have yet to show enough evidence they are ready to face England, and will not play again before the announcement. Among the younger aspirants, Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Indian Test debutant Peter George will also want to press their cases in those final Shield matches if included in an extended Australian squad. The incumbents are well aware of the need to make runs for their states between now and the first Test, lest a young upstart sense an opening.