3rd Ashes Test - WACA

[locky801]

Yep, looked at the scorecard

Aust were in the poo at 5/69. A series of partnerships saw them get to 268
Great batting from Hussey, Haddin, Johnson and a bit of a bash at the end got them to 268

Show me a test Captain that sends the oppostion into bat and bowls them out for 268 that wouldnt be happy at the end of the day

Engl come in and are cruising at 0/78, in no trouble whatsoever, enter one M Johnson, the one alot of us have bagged who produced one of the best spells of bowling I have seen in a long time, at 0/78 and being less than 200 behind Strauss's decision to bowl first well and truly on song, the collapse due to some sensational bowling, big lead for the Aussies

BAck at the Crease again we are in strife at 3/64, Watson & Hussey bat well with some help from Smith who made an ugly 30 odd, then the collapse again, recent results at the WACA suggest that the total needed is well within reach by England, but alas our boys bowled very very well in the 2nd dig from the outset, result a win

Personally looking at that I dont think Aust being sent in had anything to do with the result, in this Test we were clearly the more aggressive and better side

[mal]

Hindsight is a wonderfool Tool
The conditions were similar throughout the game for the quicks, so logically it was a dopey decision by Strauss
Had this test gone deeper into a day 5 who would any Test batsman wanna face SMITH or SWANN

I can see a smidge of sense if it was a rain preperation, and the pitch was fulla juice
Then as a skipper you would consider bowling
But when its a hot weathered lead up Test match, where was the overwhelming advantage to bowl first ?

History shows MOST test match decks are hardest to bat on on day 5 [derrrrrrrrrr]

[mighty_tiger_79]

the english bowlers did the job day 1

the english batsmen failed to deliver just like Aust batsmen failed to deliver in the first innings here and then also in adelaide

[cripple]

I cant believe that there are people on here that are seriously suggesting that the call at the coin toss cost the english the match. Not only are you doing Johnson a great disservice for a great performance, you are missing the fact that it was the english batsmen that didn't perform as well as a couple of the Aussies in this match.
They had just walloped Australia by an innings in adelaide, the batting performance of the aussies there was far from assured in that test (as it was here with the exception of hussey, watson, haddin). Bowling had merit IMO, it was in the delivery where the english failed. I still thing they are going to smash the aussies in Melbourne on a placid pitch that is going to give no assistance to the bowlers what so ever.

[Bulls forever]

Rhino, Mitch, yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou beauuuuuty
Now all we need is a fit Douggie for the next test

Can't happen Mal, Mitch, Rhino and Hilf - bowled a beautiful spell into the doctor whilst Mitch was giving the poms the s...t. Siddle won't be a fan of "Beer" come boxing day.

[Bulls forever]

well had we shown some backbone on the last day in adelaide we'd be 1-0 up now, however they have showed guts, grit & determination which we didn't see much of in the first two test matches............well done to rhino & the boys

Cornsey, did you forget the first 3 days in Brisbane, seem to remember they had to make 1 for 500 to save the test match. Agree Adelaide was very poor.

[Bulls forever]

Hindsight is a wonderfool Tool
The conditions were similar throughout the game for the quicks, so logically it was a dopey decision by Strauss
Had this test gone deeper into a day 5 who would any Test batsman wanna face SMITH or SWANN

I can see a smidge of sense if it was a rain preperation, and the pitch was fulla juice
Then as a skipper you would consider bowling
But when its a hot weathered lead up Test match, where was the overwhelming advantage to bowl first ?

History shows MOST test match decks are hardest to bat on on day 5 [derrrrrrrrrr]

Have to take you to task here Mal. The first day was a seaming green top, had to bowl. The Poms got us early, helped by some ordinary shots (Hughes, Punter, Clarke), stopped seaming when the seam got softer and they didn't swing it, hence we limped to 280 odd. BUT, we got our wickets with genuine swing bowling, Mitch as usual when on song is almost unplayable at 140 and swinging it late. Obviously the grass on the pitch plays a part in the swing, keeping the ball new. Our second dig, once again the same three played poor shots and the others made runs. AND THE POMS, well if our effort in Adelaide was poor, that was disgraceful, spineless performance so typical of the POMS we have seen in Aus over the past 20 years. When the going gets tough and I hope we get two very hot Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney, they will be no where to be found, half of them are South Africaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaans anyway.

[am Bays]

Looks like Punter will be out for the rest of the series

Huh why?

Will probably play in Melbourne.

IF he misses hope he's not prepared to look AB or Heals in the eye....

FFS a broken pinky on his top hand give me a break....

I reckon he'll play

[Dutchy]

Gotta give a huge amount of credit to Ponting to turn this team around is fantastic leadership, certainly was a different attitude, aggression and steely resolve about the team this test.

Who would have thought the Aussies would now have the momentum 2 days ago?

[Hondo]

I take it as the first test was honours even on a road. Yes, England got 1-500 but it was to save the match and we didn't get to see what we could have done second time around on the road.

Adelaide, they belt us. Perth, we belt them.

So, arguably, despite the vitriol from the fans and the media since Adelaide I think the series is now about even. One more win from them and they retain the Ashes so they have the edge there as a drawn series is still a W for them. However, as Dutchy says kudos to the lads for turning things around and from here it's game on!!!

[smithy]

I take it as the first test was honours even on a road. Yes, England got 1-500 but it was to save the match and we didn't get to see what we could have done second time around on the road.

Adelaide, they belt us. Perth, we belt them.

So, arguably, despite the vitriol from the fans and the media since Adelaide I think the series is now about even. One more win from them and they retain the Ashes so they have the edge there as a drawn series is still a W for them. However, as Dutchy says kudos to the lads for turning things around and from here it's game on!!!

Imagine if we picked our best side from the start of the series, or even the most recent test match.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I take it as the first test was honours even on a road. Yes, England got 1-500 but it was to save the match and we didn't get to see what we could have done second time around on the road.

Adelaide, they belt us. Perth, we belt them.

So, arguably, despite the vitriol from the fans and the media since Adelaide I think the series is now about even. One more win from them and they retain the Ashes so they have the edge there as a drawn series is still a W for them. However, as Dutchy says kudos to the lads for turning things around and from here it's game on!!!

Imagine if we picked our best side from the start of the series, or even the most recent test match.

Good point.

[Hondo]

There were only 3 differences between the 1st and 3rd test teams:

- Hughes for Katich (injury)
- Smith for North (at this stage Smith hasn't done much better)
- Harris for Doherty (4th quick for the WACA but Harris will keep his spot)

I think it's far more due to attititude than selection decisions. Unfortunately selectors can't pick confidence or attitude. The players need to find those things themselves with help from the coach, etc.

[MAY-Z]

Gotta give a huge amount of credit to Ponting to turn this team around is fantastic leadership, certainly was a different attitude, aggression and steely resolve about the team this test.

Who would have thought the Aussies would now have the momentum 2 days ago?

but does any of that really matter?

look at teh last 8 tests between these teams

2009
cardiff - all australia engalnd escape with a draw
lords - england win by miles
edgbatson - evenish draw
headingly - australia massive win
oval - england massive win

2010
gabba - australia probaly better for 3 days england for 2
adelaide - all england
perth - all australia

not many instances of teams dominating for more than one match in a row

im surpised considering how even the teams that there is such a lack of close results lately

[Dutchy]

Would be amiss of me to not mention that No Katich = Aussie win

[Booney]

Good decision by Strauss to dob us in?

And another dopey skipper who sent the opposition in and lost a Test Match

Aussies 268 and the Poms 0/70....did you bag him then for sending us in?

[Media Park]

Would be amiss of me to not mention that No Katich = Aussie win

No, but it might be remiss...

[spell_check]

His replacement did a lot better, too.

[Dutchy]

His replacement did a lot better, too.

You not wrong there, happy days