Two Winters and One Summer of English Cricket and Continued Adventures

[Mikeyboy9361]

Just as you said Louis, a "tedious draw" !!  

[Logie66]

Ponting and Co ... not sure how much noise there will be back home (or how much they will care).

I think you might be surprised Louis, the inability to bowl out Panesar will not be lost on the Aussie media or the public.  Don"t forget he has a reputation for being one of the worst batsmen around.

[Honeybadg]

Ponting and Co ... not sure how much noise there will be back home (or how much they will care).

I think you might be surprised Louis, the inability to bowl out Panesar will not be lost on the Aussie media or the public.  Don"t forget he has a reputation for being one of the worst batsmen around.

Monty"s an all-rounder now ... (great at fielding too!)

Who do you think will be dropped (and who to come in?)

L

[Logie66]

I expect only one spinner to be played at Lords, I would add Harmison to the squad as he will add some much needed venom to the attack. Unfortunately, the only way I can see the selectors picking him will be if Broad is too injured to last 5 days, reports are saying he has a slight calf strain.

My team would be:

Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior, Flintoff, Swann, Onions, Anderson and Harmison

Tail loses a bit of batting capability, but the bowling options look more solid.

[Mikeyboy9361]

Good pick, that would be my 11 too !

[Honeybadg]

... aye this team might be able to take 20 wickets ... which is the min requirement in selecting a team for me.

There is the danger of a batting collapse - but I think that means the top order will just have to play proper patient cricket.

Watching some highlights - thought Swann did very well after getting peppered by Siddle.

Broad looks out of nick - injured or not.

L

[Swinebag]

Aye...Broady not doing it at the mo.

Good team Don

[Logie66]

[Logie66]

Well, well, well !!! 1-0 up in the series  

Still up in Scotland, treating my Mum to a week of relaxation and some of my time.  Been travelling around today visiting Stirling Castle and a drive up to St. Andrews just so I can say I have been there !

The bonus of driving was being able to listen to Test Match Special, great effort by the team and Freddie in particular, amazing that he hasn"t taken 5 wickets at Lord"s before !! We rode our luck and certainly had the rub of the green with some of the decisions on Sunday, but you have to take the rough with the smooth, eh Ricky  

Now in a peaceful location next to Loch Ard in the Trossachs, so peaceful and quiet and some lovely scenery.

Heading off to a Highland Games tomorrow at Inveraray Castle, hopefully won"t be too wet.  Will try and get a couple of pictures to highlight the peace and quiet, it"s great !!!

[Logie66]

Have had four great days in Scotland  

Have also been lucky with the weather, there has been a lot of rain but have managed to miss the majority of it by being in the car or indoors when it has fell and some days boy has it fell !!!

Completed many miles giving my Mum a good glimpse of Western Scotland, the Inveraray Highland games were very good although the organisation was very school sports day.  The handicapping system used for the track events was bizarre, some of the runners didn"t have a chance, but some were handicapped well.  The strongmen in the heavy weight events travelled from all around and it was a very international field.

Managed to travel over to Oban, a very nice place, negotiated the coast road and nipped through the valley at Glen Coe.

Today went down a single lane track and found ourselves on the edge of Loch Lomond awaiting for a cruise ship, so peaceful and quiet, Scotland is a great place to visit and has many hidden gems.



View from the Hotel



Loch Lomond



On the boat

Heading back down south tomorrow.

[Logie66]

Finally got home after a nightmare drive on Friday, all going well until Manchester !!

Best part of the weekend was receiving details for the South Africa tour this winter, reviewed details and have reserved a space.  The tour will cover the second test starting on Boxing Day and the third starting on the 3rd January.

So Durban for Christmas and Cape Town for New Year   More live action shots and daily updates on my days at the tests    

[Logie66]

Straussy has said this is the pivotal test in the series, looking more like the wettest test in the series at the moment   Will be a shame to lose out on any momentum and the good old English weather is coming to play, could be a good toss to win with the ground very wet, the wicket surely to have a bit of green and could favour the bowlers.

Fully expect England to keep the same bowling attack, which is a shame for Harmison as he is bang in form, the conditions will probably favour Onions ahead of him still, but I may be.  Bell in for Pietersen, should be able to do the job and happy that Bopara has been kept at three.

[Logie66]

Weather going to ruin this test by the look of it, good recovery yesterday by England.  Even with the weather could regret the last two wickets putting on 60.  Strauss leading from the front again, Aussie bowling attack looking very ordinary, can"t remember ever being able to say that !!

[Logie66]

A boring last day after no break through before lunch, but hey more rain and we win the Ashes  

Looks like a few injury concerns on both sides, so final selections could be interesting, for me regardless of his youth, potential and skills with bat our fourth seamer has to have more of cutting edge, so Broad has to make way in my opinion.  Could be happenning with Roger Daltrey called into the squad.

Weather forecast still poor so it could all hinge on the Oval test.

South Africa booked, roll on the 23rd December.  

[Logie66]

Freddie crocked, our talismatic all-rounder unable to play, will be a big loss to the team.  Good to see Harmison recalled as he has been bang in form.  Tail could be more fragile, but hopefully the top order will get the runs required.

Interesting that the Aussies have gone without a specialist spinnner and that Brett Lee is still not fit, bonus !! Aussies obviously looking for the English conditions to suit the seamers.

Could be a very interesting test if the weather holds.