Prime Minister's XI give England a touch up
You know Ashes interest is at fever pitch when Foxtel and ABC Radio cover the Prime Minister's XI versus England match. Last summer, there were international matches between Australia and New Zealand that ABC Radio weren't covering due to lack of interest. This summer, the scrutiny is so intense that even warm-up matches are getting broad media coverage, large crowds and in-depth analysis. Nevertheless, despite the fact that England lost to the Prime Minister's XI by 166 runs, I'm not getting too excited.
When Phil Jacques kicked off the game by scoring 112 of 110 balls, I reminded myself that England had barely got off the plane and were still clearing cobwebs. When the Prime Minister's XI went on to notch a massive score of 347, I noted that England's history of poor one day form is not a reflection of their #2 Test ranking.
When Shaun Tait dismissed Trescothick for a duck in the first over and later clean bowled Andrew Flintoff with a sizzling 150+kph delivery, I remembered Tait is low down in Australia's bowling pecking order and unlikely to play in Brisbane (although more likely after today). And when England were bundled out for 181 in 38 overs, I reflected on the fact that the young Australian players were been much hungrier than England for a win and more eager to prove themselves.
England can take some hope from the game. Andrew Strauss showed good form and most significantly, Andrew Flintoff bowled fast and well without any injury issues. Strangely, Monty Panesar only bowled 3 overs - I don't know whether England are trying to hide their new weapon or if Flintoff has trouble counting to 10 overs (that's what your fingers are for, Freddie). All in all, it was a satisfying day but I'm not getting too excited about England's big loss. Won't stop me enjoying it though.
| Posted by JC on Fri 10 Nov |  4 comments |
Yeah, from an English perspective this was very disappointing, but we're woeful at one day cricket, and we know it. I'm hoping that we can turn it around in the next warm up matches, and play some proper cricket...
Posted by Wayne (www.ashesblog.co.uk) on 2006-11-10 21:12:25
Posted by Wayne (www.ashesblog.co.uk) on 2006-11-10 21:12:25
Jaques not Jacques. Lets try and get his name correct if he is going to become a fixture in the Aussie team.
We all thought England were no chance two years ago. Lets not start to think Australia are unbackable favourites just yet!
Posted by Greg on 2006-11-10 23:33:51
We all thought England were no chance two years ago. Lets not start to think Australia are unbackable favourites just yet!
Posted by Greg on 2006-11-10 23:33:51
Will try and get his name right next time :-)
Re Australia being unbackable favourites, that's why I'm trying to "not get too excited" by England's loss. Still, at this point in the last Ashes tour, Australia had been caned by England in a Twenty 20 match and beaten by Bangladesh. Meanwhile England had come off a fantastic 12 months where I don't they'd lost a single Test. This time around the situation is nearly reversed. So signs are good albeit a tad early.
Posted by JC on 2006-11-11 00:19:22
Re Australia being unbackable favourites, that's why I'm trying to "not get too excited" by England's loss. Still, at this point in the last Ashes tour, Australia had been caned by England in a Twenty 20 match and beaten by Bangladesh. Meanwhile England had come off a fantastic 12 months where I don't they'd lost a single Test. This time around the situation is nearly reversed. So signs are good albeit a tad early.
Posted by JC on 2006-11-11 00:19:22
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