2nd Ashes Test v England @ Lords, the home of MCC/Cricket

[wycbloods]

The 50 run last wicket partnership between Anderson and Onions in the first dig may really come back to bite us on the bum, it stole us of some much needed momentum and those 50 runs would be great if we had 50 less to chase.

[silicone skyline]

I will root Michael Clarke if we win. Bingle can join in too

poof.....

You would too.

[Dogwatcher]

Just a question: which wicket celebration is more offensive?

I've seen Brett Lee cop plenty of criticism in the past for what is basically an exuberant leap when claiming a wicket. People have claimed he's showboating.

Yet, whenever Andrew Flintoff takes a wicket, he stands with his arms raised, triumphantly, waiting to be exalted by the minions who play alongside of him and the masses lucky enough to be in the crowd to witness such a bowling display. It smells of arrogance to me.

However, I haven't heard any criticism of it. It's the sort of carry on that if an Aussie had done it, would've been discussed adnauseum.

[silicone skyline]

Something like this...

[cennals05]

Come on Australia, you have to stick it up Strauss. Show him up for the bad captain and cheat that he is.

I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt yesterday with the catch but after seeing the replay and photos, I don't think there is anyway he could say he defnitely took that catch. Which makes him a cheat in my book and as they say 'cheats never prosper'.

Come on Pup and Haddin. You can do it!

[redden whites]

I agree May-Z, everyone is carrying on like it was a half volley - he actually had most of his fingers underneath it, he got more of the ball than what hit the ground and I think thats fair enough, you are always going to have similar ones....if it had clearly bounced before acceptance then we would have cause to complain but it didnt....

Has Rod Rooster found his dummy yet?

Aussies will win from here....

AAahhhhhhh sanity returns to the site

[04 Premiership Coach]

I agree May-Z, everyone is carrying on like it was a half volley - he actually had most of his fingers underneath it, he got more of the ball than what hit the ground and I think thats fair enough, you are always going to have similar ones....if it had clearly bounced before acceptance then we would have cause to complain but it didnt....

Has Rod Rooster found his dummy yet?

Aussies will win from here....

AAahhhhhhh sanity returns to the site

He did have his fingers under it,but only after he picked it up off the ground.Even a blind man will tell you that was not a catch,but we cant blame Strauss.Blame the idiots who were officiating.

[redden whites]

I've seen Brett Lee cop plenty of criticism in the past for what is basically an exuberant leap when claiming a wicket. People have claimed he's showboating.

Let's not forget the leap with bonus ankles tapped together(LEE) or the Glenn McGrath run straight through without looking at the umpire for an LBW decision. Then we can move up to the Greg Matthews division

[Dogwatcher]

Yeah that's fine to bring that up, I'm no Lee fan BTW.
As for McGrath, if you remember, the umpire's struck back on that one and players started to get fined for not appealing to the umpire. There was a real effort to clean that up, to the point where bowlers were turning correctly and appealing to the umpire when catches were taken at gully at head height (as an example).

But why no criticism of Flintoff?

[smac]

I agree May-Z, everyone is carrying on like it was a half volley - he actually had most of his fingers underneath it, he got more of the ball than what hit the ground and I think thats fair enough, you are always going to have similar ones....if it had clearly bounced before acceptance then we would have cause to complain but it didnt....

Has Rod Rooster found his dummy yet?

Aussies will win from here....

AAahhhhhhh sanity returns to the site

He did have his fingers under it,but only after he picked it up off the ground.Even a blind man will tell you that was not a catch,but we cant blame Strauss.Blame the idiots who were officiating.

I thought he was trying to smother it. Didn't appear too under it, players know when it hits the ground - we all know that.

[am Bays]

I've seen Brett Lee cop plenty of criticism in the past for what is basically an exuberant leap when claiming a wicket. People have claimed he's showboating.

Let's not forget the leap with bonus ankles tapped together(LEE) or the Glenn McGrath run straight through without looking at the umpire for an LBW decision. Then we can move up to the Greg Matthews division

And finally onto the Bahji run to third man complete with swallow dive onto the turf followed by glance to the umpire....

[Gozu]

But why no criticism of Flintoff?

Because it would look a bit hypocritical given Brett Lee carries on like a two bob watch every time he gets a wicket. Sure Flintoff's is poor and annoying but I've always found Brett Lee's more offensive.

[Dogwatcher]

An enthusiastic leap?

And hypocrisy has nothing to do with criticism, as there are fors and against for everything.

Okay, so if no one has a problem with Flintoff's Messiah stance, why not?

[Gozu]

A bit more than an enthusiastic leap. Even on deliveries ending up a metre outside off stump or the prize scalp of some tailender he more often than not leaps as high in the air as he can, does that heel click thing and comes trotting down the pitch with his FIGJAM smirk. It seems Lee does that a lot more than Flintoff does his "messiah stance" too.

Both are punchable offences but I'm not going to say Flintoff's is worse just because he's not Australian, I find Lee's far more irritating.

[CoverKing]

Gozu, Flintoff's is PURE ARROGANCE. it is far worse then Lee's jump that he does. Its just a jump with the heels together, there is nothing wrong with that at all.

I can not see where u are coming from whatsoever. Flintoff's is pure arrogance and iv hated it since i first saw him do it in the 05 ashes. Ur not that good flintoff.

And with the strauss decision Gozu and similar to lbw rule. Ridicolous IMO. the suggestion of the whole ball must seem to touch the ground. the fact is, if ANY part of the ball touches the ground, it is NOT OUT. Strauss' CLAIMED CATCH clearly touched the ground and therefore hughes should have been judged NOT OUT.

POOR BY STRAUSS. DISGRACEFUL BY THE UMPIRES.

how can the umpires not be certain when they had a better view of hauritz's catch and call for the replay when they were 5 metres or so away, yet come strauss' when doctrove was 30m away he was positive he caught it? THEY ARE A DISGRACE

in saying this, if we win this test, it will be a magical win by the aussies. especially considering the umpiring.

[hearts on fire]

Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, i love you, keep going. Even if we lose this Test, i will be very happy with the way they went about it.

[saveyourlegs]

Something like this...

When your a gun player like he is you can do what you like!!

[saveyourlegs]

GO THE POMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[saveyourlegs]

[quote="CoverKing"]Gozu, Flintoff's is PURE ARROGANCE. it is far worse then Lee's jump that he does. Its just a jump with the heels together, there is nothing wrong with that at all.

I can not see where u are coming from whatsoever. Flintoff's is pure arrogance and iv hated it since i first saw him do it in the 05 ashes. Ur not that good flintoff.



that is the australian team

[am Bays]

IMO, first 20 overs are crucial if we can get through them without losing a wicket all good, get through to lunch giddy up!!!!

Clarke needs to set himself to bat through until the finish so others can bat around him.
Haddin once set should play his natural game make Struass think.
Johnson as per Haddin should be allowed to play his game too, if he gets going....
Hauritz and Siddle try and stay with Clarke who hopefully will still be there.

Stiff ask but do-able,

To dream the impossible dream.....
To live the impossible...