Ashes 2nd Test preview
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Going into the second Ashes Test, we're in a remarkably similar situation to 2005. Australia just scored a comfortable 200+ run victory in the 1st Test. England are bringing out that old chestnut about not becoming a bad team overnight. They're scratching around finding positives all over the place (my favourite was Flintoff's optimistic quote "Normally, it's a good thing for the fielding side when the first ball of a match ends up in second slip's hands"). The media have written England off. Geoff Boycott is bitching and moaning (actually, that's always the case). Glenn McGrath has a sore ankle. Our loss in the 2005 Edgbaston Test was the turning point of the series. Momentum swung England's way and Australia never managed to gain an upperhand for the rest of the series.
Can history repeat itself? I think (and hope) not. England's 2006 bowling is a pale shadow of 2005. Harmison would have to produce a miraculous turn of form to make inroads on the flat Adelaide pitch. Australia's once vulnerable middle-order looks solid and in good form (Adam Gilchrist excepted although I feel he has a big innings around the corner). Our third seamer (Clark) is bowling a lot better than our 2005 seamer (Gillespie).
Nevertheless, there are many unanswered questions. Will McGrath be fit? (yes) Will Panesar be selected? (yes) Will Brett Lee's bowling average be less than his batting average? (no) Will Strauss continue to compulsively pull? (yes) And the biggest question is can Harmison turn things around? I think he'll bowl better but not well enough to win the match. So my prediction? If England win the toss, they'll put on a big score, we'll put on an equally big score and it'll peeter out to a draw. If Australia win the toss, we'll put on a huge total, dominate throughout but England will save the match by batting out day 5. Anyone else care to go out on a limb?
| Posted by JC on Thu 30 Nov |  4 comments |
England need to find that double sided coin that Virgil had in 05. Either that or rely on George W to put us is in like he famously did in the 2nd test last year. Come on Punter...do it for your ancestors - we need the help. And if you can put a stray ball or two at the foot of Pigeon's stairs, all the better. Gonna go out on a big whim though - England to win by a nose, Monty with a five-fer.
Posted by Angus Pace & Bounce Tour on 2006-12-01 06:45:52
Posted by Angus Pace & Bounce Tour on 2006-12-01 06:45:52
Love your cartoon. If Glen isn't fit, let's play the leftie and hope he isn't another Brendan Julian. Hope this is a close one as it's about time we won a closie. Not really. Let's win by an innings inside of three days!!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-01 10:21:45
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-01 10:21:45
It is never over untill its over.
I hope AUssie Tabloids do remember the humble pie Johny Wilkinson served when they wrote of England in the rugby world cup.
Mate it ain't never over until it is truly over.
Thats what we all love cricket for isn't it?
Ciao
Posted by Tarun on 2006-12-02 22:39:54
I hope AUssie Tabloids do remember the humble pie Johny Wilkinson served when they wrote of England in the rugby world cup.
Mate it ain't never over until it is truly over.
Thats what we all love cricket for isn't it?
Ciao
Posted by Tarun on 2006-12-02 22:39:54
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