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Ashes First Test - Cardiff, 8-12 July


stevegrant
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Collingwood, Monty, Anderson and Swann to a certain extent showed the grit and determination which makes me proud to be English. We were utterly awful and outplayed for most of the match and yet we still come through with a draw.......... what a superb match, bring on the rest of the series!!

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What a fantastic result, at 70-5 it looked like there would only be an Australian victory. However, as sometimes happens, it's the ones you least expect that get the praise.

 

Monty, Collingwood and Anderson showed real determination and spirit. I've always thought Collingwood was mentally strong and capable of dealing with pressure. When he was out my heart sank as I just couldn't see Monty and Anderson having the mental application to deal with what was to come.

 

They were magnificent[along with Swann too] and left me filled with pride again.

 

Psychology plays a big part in sport, even if we are not aware of our habitual mental responses and I was concerned that we would come away from today's game feeling down and anxious about the second test on Thursday.

 

However, those last ten overs may have swung the mental edge back towards ourselves and we will go into the game upbeat, despite the fact that the Aussies were by far the better side and didn't even get to bat their second innings.

 

Overall we were poor, but thanks to some sheer bloody-mindedness from the rear guard, it feels like we actually won the game. Roll on Thursday.

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It caught my eye that Captain Andrew Strauss claimed that:

 

England will hopefully come back stronger in the nest Test.

 

Would someone like to point out the losers mentality word in that statement..? With that kind of attitude, Australia are going to have England for breakfast and spit out the bones.

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I note Ponting is having a good old fashioned Aussie whinge over what he claims were England's 'delaying tactics'.

 

When I was young, the Australains were nicknamed moaners and whingers for never accepting a disappointment gracefully. Somehow, somewhere along the line the Aussies twisted this to call us Whinging Poms but it's good to see the leopard hasn't changed its spots after all.

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I note Ponting is having a good old fashioned Aussie whinge over what he claims were England's 'delaying tactics'.

 

When I was young, the Australains were nicknamed moaners and whingers for never accepting a disappointment gracefully. Somehow, somewhere along the line the Aussies twisted this to call us Whinging Poms but it's good to see the leopard hasn't changed its spots after all.

 

As if they would not have done the same ! Didn't make any difference in the end.

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I would drop Broad and Monty and bring in both onions and harmisson

 

Yep, me as well. I'd also bring in Hildreth from Somerset who has a good technique and in-form for Cook who needs 12 months of work with Graham Gooch to get his feet working and relocate where his off-stump is. Failing that, Denly of Kent looks sound as well. Cannot see Cook scoring any more runs for England this summer (or any summer) without some help. Bopara is a risk but could just as easily score a hundred as a duck if he comes off, I don't see the same risk/reward with Cook, fine start though he had for England. Worries me how like Monty, he has stalled then declined in his development.

 

Kabir Ali of Worcs is bowling 90-94mph regularly at the moment and taking wickets since his reuturn from injury and worth including in the squad.

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I note Ponting is having a good old fashioned Aussie whinge over what he claims were England's 'delaying tactics'.

 

When I was young, the Australains were nicknamed moaners and whingers for never accepting a disappointment gracefully. Somehow, somewhere along the line the Aussies twisted this to call us Whinging Poms but it's good to see the leopard hasn't changed its spots after all.

 

Meh. You're just whinging about Ponting's whinging.

 

We most certainly would have tried to waste some time but surely you can admit it went a little bit over the top when the physio came on as well?

 

Nobody is taking away from the effort of your last few batsman.

 

Interesting that people like Nasser Hussein can at least acknowledge as much.

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Meh. You're just whinging about Ponting's whinging.

 

We most certainly would have tried to waste some time but surely you can admit it went a little bit over the top when the physio came on as well?

 

Nobody is taking away from the effort of your last few batsman.

 

Interesting that people like Nasser Hussein can at least acknowledge as much.

 

No what most of us find a bit rich is Ponting whingeing about time wasting and sportsmanship. He forgot about the Aussies doing the same in 2005 when the 12th man came on with a towel to Glen McGrath!!!

How can anyone who chose to bowl underarm to save getting beaten by a 6 off the last ball talk about sportsmanship!

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No what most of us find a bit rich is Ponting whingeing about time wasting and sportsmanship. He forgot about the Aussies doing the same in 2005 when the 12th man came on with a towel to Glen McGrath!!!

 

As I said, you expect the 12th man to come on with a pair of gloves or a bottle of water to pass on a message and waste a bit of time. We'd be no different. But when the 12th man was sent on a second time, followed by the physio, surely that's going a bit far?

 

Look, I don't think it made a difference. The way Anderson and Monty were batting they didn't even look like going out. It's hopefully the start of a great series. I'm just surprised you don't think Ponting is entitled to be disappointed with the tactics, especially in light of many people over there agreeing with him.

 

 

How can anyone who chose to bowl underarm to save getting beaten by a 6 off the last ball talk about sportsmanship!

 

Probably because that was 28 years ago, not three days. But by all means blame Ponting and McGrath for that as well. :)

Edited by Melbourne Saint
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  • 1 month later...
It caught my eye that Captain Andrew Strauss claimed that:

 

England will hopefully come back stronger in the nest Test.

 

Would someone like to point out the losers mentality word in that statement..? With that kind of attitude, Australia are going to have England for breakfast and spit out the bones.

 

Very nice to be wrong. :)

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