4th ASHES TEST: England v Australia at Leeds, Aug 7-11, 2009

[Ridders]

Almost forgot how fulfilling it was to watch S.Clarke in action. Great decision not to drop Siddle, boy did he do well with the tail. More i watch, the more i'm impressed with Watson. Imo he has outplayed Katich in everyone one of the times they have batted together. If only he could just get his bowling together, there is no way he could be dropped. While i would ultimately like to see him down the order, he's doing a very nice job for us atm.

 

[beads6]

I'd love to see Johnson pump another run a ball ton. WOuld be great to watch. Firstly Pup and Haddin to have a good partnership though.

 

[Broncodr01d]

Great start, glad to see Siddle (a personal favourite) bag a 5-for.

Johnson, whilst I would've dropped him last test, looks to be improving. A good sign.

Stu Clark, the man who should've been in for AT LEAST the 2nd Test, delivered. How we longed for that line and length earlier in the series. Well bowled Stu.

Surprisingly for mine, Watson is looking good atop the order. I still think we have made a blue in dropping the precocious talent that is Hughes, though Watson is repaying the selector's faith in him. Good to see the Queenslander doing well (just stay healthy FFS).

It's time, end the Test career of Mike Hussey. At his age, he has seen his best, we now just witness the inevitable slide of Mr Cricket who is being tagged in England as 'the Walking Wicket'. We have options, if we don't drop him now, AT LEAST do it after the series. He just ain't the player we have come to know. Sad, but true.

We are in the box seat, another brilliant display by Clarke in partnership with North will set this up for a dominant win to level it 1-1.

 

[Twizzle]

how ordinary does Clark and Hilfy make Johnson look, he is a shadow of his former self

a fit Lee in for Johnson would be our strongest bowling line up imo. Notch is getting better but how long can we wait for him to deserve his spot in the team, he is taking vary small steps

big scores needed from our in form batsmen Clarkie and North,

300 run lead would be pretty handy

 

[TheParraboy]

I reckon a 200 lead would be almost enough to win by an innings

once you get past strauss, cooky and collingwood, the rest will crumble like violet crumble

Poms are gonna get pummelled this test match

Freddy back for the 5th as their saviour.

Agree with twizzle, if Johnson doesnt do much in the 2nd dig with the ball, bring in Lee.

This test could be over well before tea day 3

 

[beads6]

They won't drop Johnson no chance he deserves a decent chance to find form.

 

[El Diablo]

They won't drop Johnson no chance he deserves a decent chance to find form.

he's had 4 tests and a couple of other games in England

 

[Broncodr01d]

And Johnson ain't no captain (in re: to Mark Taylor's famous slump :lol

 

[beads6]

He is still taking wickets. Either way he won't be dropped for the 5th Test because Australia will win the 4th.

 

[eddiesmith]

Just on Watson I am not sure if he is the long term answer, 3 half centuries so far then out shortly after, its an improvement on what Hughes was doing but you need openers who can score big, should probably bring back Hughes in Australia, Watson could always move down the order in place of Hussey

 

[Twizzle]

They won't drop Johnson no chance he deserves a decent chance to find form.

so does Hughes

Notch has had enough chances, do we have to wait till we loose the ashes before reacting to his poor form ?

 

[beads6]

so does Hughes

Notch has had enough chances, do we have to wait till we loose the ashes before reacting to his poor form ?

I agree Hughes should never have been dropped. Johnson is bowling weel enough now to hold his spot. Your nothing but a Johnson basher dreaming about him getting dropped. Lee should save himself for ODI's that is about all he is good at.

 

[Twizzle]

its called critical analysis,

I'll bash anyone who doesn't deserve to be in the team, much like you did to Lee

 

[beads6]

its called critical analysis,

I'll bash anyone who doesn't deserve to be in the team, much like you did to Lee

I don't recall bashing Lee I was actually looking forward to him bowling well again but now I can't see him forcing his way back into the side unless an injury strikes.

 

[Twizzle]

as mark Waugh says, if you were a batsman, who would you rather face ?

Lee had Watson jumping around in the nets and hit him a few times on the body, then he hit Huss on the helmet

 

[Spike]

I'm cocerned about the dodgy english weather saving the poms again. I like the sound of about 200/300 lead and putting them in again. I'd hate to the opportunity wasted by batting too long and the weather setting in.

 

[Broncodr01d]

Brett Lee would be in my team ahead of Johnson win, lose or draw. My ideal line-up would read: Hughes, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, North, Watson, Haddin, Lee, Clark, Siddle and Hilfenhaus.

 

[El Diablo]

I'm cocerned about the dodgy english weather saving the poms again. I like the sound of about 200/300 lead and putting them in again. I'd hate to the opportunity wasted by batting too long and the weather setting in.

Bowden is the one to worry about

he'll favour whoever we're up against us

worst umpire in the history of cricket

 

[Spike]

The guy is a queer, like one of those eccentric homeless guys you see talking to themselves and hitting themselves in the head.

 

[El Diablo]

he thinks he's the star of the show when really he is just an extremely poor umpire

here he is doing media interviews http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/extra/...lly_Bowden&in_article_id=715985&in_page_id=52

what a knob

he also thought he could pocket the ball http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ih_xCtjW3O-FxQY7HGfuztaA6s1g

Bowden was also caught pocketing the match ball from that Test.

He explained that he wanted the ball as a souvenir because it was his first Ashes series, and an unthinking England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones -- also in his first Ashes series -- handed it to him.

When the England and Wales Cricket Board stepped in, the ball was returned.

f**king clown