2009 Ashes, 5th Test, Day 1: The most important Test in the history of mankind

The 4th Test was hailed as the 2009 Ashes decider. Of course it wasn't - it never was going to be barring an English victory. But now, we come to the 5th Test which most definitely is the decider. An Ashes grand final, if you will. But more than that, it's the most important Test in Ricky Ponting's career. At the toss this morning, Andrew Strauss agreed it was also the biggest game of his career (although "probably, definitely" is somewhat damning with faint praise). That is, until the next high pressure game that comes along and everyone begins ratcheting up the hyperbole once again.

What this Test should be is an excellent opportunity for a drinking game. I would suggest rules such as take a sip everytime the commentators use the words Flintoff and talisman/X-factor in the same sentence. A swig everytime the Aussies sledge Trott. A sip whenever the 2005 Ashes are invoked, or empty the glass if it's followed up with the Aussie quest for redemption.

It's tempting from an Aussie point of view to write off the English side after their dismal 5th Test. But this series has seesawed from game to game so there's no telling what might happen. Flintoff will bolster the batting and bowling line-up. Harmison is a wild card - who knows whether he'll fire or not. And its impossible to predict how Trott will handle the step up to Test cricket. All the questions and the series will be resolved in 5 days...

Posted by JC on Thu 20 Aug

1521 comments

Terrelle Pryor begins practicing with Oakland Raiders

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I thought he did a good job, first day, and we weren't able Official Aldon Smith Jersey to give him a lot of information. All this Asante Samuel Jersey White happened very quickly but got him here. Obviously he's here, he's ours and we'll get him ready.''Pryor threw nine passes in team sessions, completing four of them with a few far off target. He also fumbled a pair of snaps on his seven running plays as he starts the process of learning how to be a pro.Pryor will not play in Oakland's third exhibition game on Sunday against New Orleans and then will have three more practices Frank Gore Jersey White before the preseason finale at Seattle on Sept. 2. Jackson said it was too early to determine if he'd be able to play then.After that, Pryor will be ineligible to practice Brandon Graham Stitched Jersey with the Raiders until serving a five-game suspension. When he was allowed to enter Monday's supplemental draft, Pryor was handed a suspension by Commissioner Roger Goodell for the same number of games he would have sat out Official Anthony Davis Jersey had he Anquan Boldin Jersey White returned to Ohio State. Pryor has said he will not appeal the suspension.      ''I didn't have to be in the supplemental draft, and I was allowed in,'' Pryor said. ''I'm just going to take the opportunity. I'm not going to NFL Football Saints Jerseys bad mouth it or give my opinion on the good side, bad side. It goes both ways. I'm just glad they gave me the opportunity.''Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team's memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job. He would not address what he told the NCAA about what went on at Ohio State.Pryor is coming off Asante Samuel Jersey Number 22 his best season statistically at Ohio State, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. 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Custom Bears Jerseys The Raiders haven't had anyone wear No. 2 since Anthony Davis Jersey Number 76 releasing JaMarcus Russell in May 2010 after three horrible seasons in Oakland.''Coach won't let me wear No. 2,'' Pryor said. ''Why, I don't know? You tell me. He won't let me wear No. 2. I'm just going off what coach tells me.''Pryor wasn't the only new player on the field for the Raiders' final practice before breaking camp in Napa and heading back to their headquarters in Alameda. Oakland also signed veteran cornerback Lito Sheppard and gave him a chance right away.Raiders at a glance     Looking for Frank Gore Jersey Camouflage more dirt on the Raiders? Get the inside slant, stats, scores, schedules and more scoops right here.    Sheppard is a former Pro Bowler who has bounced around the past few seasons and was out of a job at the start of training camp. He started two games last season for Minnesota before becoming a free agent. He started nine games for the New York Jets in 2009 and three for Philadelphia the previous season. He had been a Customized San Francisco 49ers Jersey starter for the Eagles before that, intercepting 14 passes between 2004-06.Sheppard said he's very comfortable playing man-to-man coverage, the staple of Oakland's defense.''That's what I primarily did the majority of my career,'' he said. ''It's definitely tough on the corners but hey, that's what I do, that's what got me into this league and obviously that's what's going to keep me around or take me out.''The Raiders are thin at cornerback following injuries to starter Chris Johnson and rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke. Oakland has only one healthy veteran on the roster in Stanford Routt, while young players like Van Dyke and second-year pro Authentic Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys Walter McFadden have struggled.

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