Gillespie's bowling becoming a concern.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Seamer, are you really as despondent about these Ashes as you seem? You seem to have given up on Australia's chances already. I wouldn't be against Aus winning 3-1, with Dizzy finally showing some form. And I'm a Pom!

I am not despondant Mongoose, just being realistic. This English outfit looks like a team on a mission. So long as Aussies will give 100% and try their best i will be satisfied. Just look at the game the other night. Sure, the English got the better of the conditions but the wicket was still hardly a batsmens paridise. The Aussies bowled well yet apart from the dropped catch and no-ball catch by Lee, the English bats played chanceless innings. They looked so ..... comfortable. Even Gillespie did'nt actually bowl badly, he just lacked the penetration that he would have got against other nations.
Harmison is virtually unplayable, Jones is dangerous and we all know how well Hoggard is bowling. Giles will get wickets on the back of the pressure of those three and in any case he is an excellent bowler in his own right. It is not so much as Australia is playing below their best - they are not - it is just that England is too strong and too powerful for them. I fail to see Australia winning one test let alone the series. But at least if it goes that way, they can say they were beaten by the best in the world.

[greg]

Originally Posted by Seamer

I am not despondant Mongoose, just being realistic. This English outfit looks like a team on a mission. So long as Aussies will give 100% and try their best i will be satisfied. Just look at the game the other night. Sure, the English got the better of the conditions but the wicket was still hardly a batsmens paridise. The Aussies bowled well yet apart from the dropped catch and no-ball catch by Lee, the English bats played chanceless innings. They looked so ..... comfortable. Even Gillespie did'nt actually bowl badly, he just lacked the penetration that he would have got against other nations.
Harmison is virtually unplayable, Jones is dangerous and we all know how well Hoggard is bowling. Giles will get wickets on the back of the pressure of those three and in any case he is an excellent bowler in his own right. It is not so much as Australia is playing below their best - they are not - it is just that England is too strong and too powerful for them. I fail to see Australia winning one test let alone the series. But at least if it goes that way, they can say they were beaten by the best in the world.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the sweet smell of bull****!!!!!!!

[Seamer]

Come now greg. Lets face it, theonly Aussies who have performed are McGrath, Symonds and Hussey and the last two are not in the test squad. I think it is only fair that Australia claim underdog status now. Does'nt mean you won't get a little banter if the Aussies start winning against the odds.

[R W S]

Originally Posted by Seamer

. I think it is only fair that Australia claim underdog status now. Does'nt mean you won't get a little banter if the Aussies start winning against the odds.

Hokum! The odds (as of right now couresty of oddschecker) are:
Aussies 1/2
England 5/2
Draw 5/1

[Mongoose]

Australia are still clear favourites for me. They have Warne and Langer to come into the team. Ponting will find form and make significant contributions in at least two tests. Same for Hayden. Martyn is class, and if these top four fail (unlikely) you've still got three top order batsmen to come. Brett Lee would open the bowling for most test teams, and he can't get into the side. So you've got real options if Dizzy or Kaspa continue to play like a canine. McGrath is still the best bowler in the world, bar none. Come on, Australia should win this series, there's no getting away from the fact.

[Irish Left Armer]

Seamer is taking the **** out of all the England fans thinking they will win the Ashes and the Aussies are in decline before they've even taken the field in the tests which will be a lot different than the one dayers.

Seems fairly obvious to me.

Either that or he is one downbeat Aussie

And I thought it was ingrained in all Australians that they assume they will beat England 5-0.

[Mongoose]

Exactly my suspicions, ILA. Seamer, if you're having us all on, now is the time to come clean. Go on. You really think it will be 5-0 to Aus don't you?! You're going to explain to us all at the end of August that you spent most of July with your fingers crossed behind your back!

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Exactly my suspicions, ILA. Seamer, if you're having us all on, now is the time to come clean. Go on. You really think it will be 5-0 to Aus don't you?! You're going to explain to us all at the end of August that you spent most of July with your fingers crossed behind your back!

Gee fellas, cant a guy express his feelings without his honesty being called into question? The English have to be hot favorites. The batsmen have the eye of the tiger and are set to ruin reputations and careers. Harmi and co are making the Aussie bats look like monkeys and will tear them a new a........... OH ALL RIGHT! The game is up.
The Aussies are gonna getcha
Tresco little bat dangle outside off will find more edges than a carpenter finds on a hexagon shaped table
When you hear the name Strauss, you will subconciously hear the sound of stumps being knocked over
The media will be calling for Vaughans head by the end of the third test.
Collingwood will be averaging less than McGrath with the bat but every one will say "he is a very good fielder though."
Bell will be replaced by Petersen, who will be replaced by Key, who will be replaced by bell again.
Thorpe will cover his butt by playing for a not out, and will work singles to the tail enders.
Jones the wicket keeper's poor batting will be overshadowed by the failures of the top order, and a lack of penetration from the English bowlers will ensure does'nt get many nicks to drop.
Flintoff will withdraw from the series by the forth test citing "back problems"
Giles little lolypops will be like an episode of Batman (BANG, POW, KERSPLAT)
Hoggard - well everyone niggling suspicion will be confirmed - yes he REALLY IS hopeless.
Harmison will be crying like a baby and will need lots of comforting hugs from his teammates (There there Harmi, they are just bullies - ignore them)

GO AUSSIE GO - 5-0

Oh and to get back on topic - Gillespie 0-42 off seven 1 English wicket at an average of over 300. Kasprowicz 2-42, Lee 5-41. I think we may have our bowlers worked out now for the first test McGrath, Kaspa, Lee, Warne

[Trescothick]

Originally Posted by Irish Left Armer

Seamer is taking the **** out of all the England fans thinking they will win the Ashes and the Aussies are in decline before they've even taken the field in the tests which will be a lot different than the one dayers.

Seems fairly obvious to me.

Either that or he is one downbeat Aussie

And I thought it was ingrained in all Australians that they assume they will beat England 5-0.

Of course he was having us on.. That much was too blatant too be true however he doesn't recognise the irony in what he says... Its fair enough though, he should support the Aussies to the fullest why they are still at the top. We shall get all of his comments at the end of the Ashes and laugh at them...

[Seamer]

When i posted the thread " Why Australia will win the Ashes - winning mentallity" it got people's nose out of joint and the thread was killed as were all other Ashes threads. Spoiled my fun really. Just banter after all - it's what Aussies do.
So i decided to take the opposite tack and found i was getting, if anything, more amusement. But then it started driving people crazy and they insisted i come clean. So i have.
I think the "bantering" seamer is far preferable to the "suck up to England" seamer. Don't you agree? It is all good fun. Both teams will do well at different stages this series so we should all join in some good natured bantering and enjoy the series. I will and have given credit to England when credit is due, but if they play poorly, i will have no choice but to point that out to. Won't be limited to England either. I have already given Ponting, Clarke and Gillespie a roasting this summer, but i will equally laud them as greats if they turn it all around.
If nothing, i am consistant (and fickle)