| The Ashes Summary
This is my opinion on the 2006/2007 Ashes please give me all your opinions. Yes it was a very one sided series but both teams took a lot out of it. Young English players got experience, we were able to say goodbye to two legends and two very good players. We got to show the English that Australia is not racist Panesar would be safe coming to the country, the barmy army were eventually allowed to use there trumpet and there were a lot of songs and beer. The series was played in good spirit, and the weather was good there were always results unfortunately too early on some occasions. 2009 series is on its way it will be interesting to see how the two sides shape up then.
BATTING
Best Aussie batsman: Ricky Ponting was outstanding throughout the series he scored 579 runs at 82.28. Ponting's scores: 196, 60*, 142, 49, 2, 75, 7 & 45. His first three innings were just unbelievable. He would not give the English an inch until the Ashes were back in Australia’s possession. Ponting was a man possessed which showed how much it hurt when they lost the Ashes in 2005. Only one man averaged more in the series an that was Mr. Cricket who was averaging 91.60.
Best English batsman: Can't go past Kevin Pietersen he was alone fighting for the pride of England he had attitude and was the only English batsman to get in Warne's face and not get humiliated. Collingwood was also very good. Pietersen - 490 runs at 54.44. Scores 16, 92, 158, 70, 60*, 21, 1, 41 & 29.
Best Aussie individual innings: He was a caged lion for most of the series but it was only a matter of time until he was going to get out and do some destructive hitting. It was Gilchrist with the second quickest century in the history of test cricket. 102 off 59 balls, 57 balls to bring up his ton which was one short of Big Vivs record.
Best English individual innings - Paul Collingwood's solid 206 in the second test that made ever Aussies heart drop when Colly and Pietersen's massive 310 run partnership that put the thought of 2005 in convict’s minds.
Worst Aussie batsman: This one is a little harsh due to this man only playing two tests but the second lowest average from a recognized batsman was Langer with 43.28. It's the forgotten Australia retiree Damien Martyn three innings 45 runs at 15.00 & a High score of 29. He was very unlucky and sadly retired because of the media. Through out his career no other batsman has made batting look as easy as Martyn has, one of the only men I have seen that was able to block balls through cover and point for four. We will miss you Marto.
Worst English batsman: Strauss he was unlucky but he was the worst out of the recognized batsman, he looked in good form then he would find a way to get out. When I say worst I’m say runs wise, he was brave through all his innings and he some how got up after one of the most sickening blows that you will ever see from Brett Lee. He’s a battler he reminds me of Justin Langer.
Best Australian team innings: It’s a toss up between the first innings of the first test & the one that I have chosen which was Australia’s second innings in the 3rd test in Perth. 5/527 dec. After Langer went out on the first ball of the innings it was all smiles to Australia. Clarke 135*, Gilchrist 102*, Hussey 103, Hayden 92, and Ponting 75. Great all round innings to torn the hearts out of all the English fans around the world. It was an amazing innings.
Best English team innings: Easily be the first innings of the second test 6/551 dec is a winning position. Collingwood 206, Pietersen 158 & Bell 60. They kept Warne to 1/167 which is an extremely good effort.
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Bill Ponsford - The only one who could play in Bradman’s company and make it a duet. |