The Ashes 2006/07: The Brisbane Test Thread - Day Three

[adamberry]

I think I probably agree with Fraser, Freddie could probably have done with bowling himself more. I think the captaincy has made him weary of over-bowling himself, even though he's the only one that's looked consistantly threatening.

I don't, however, think his captaincy has negatively affected the team, I mean everyone seemed in good spirits after the tea interval on Friday, I think there may have been an inspirational team talk behind that. Didn't work much though.

[Irish Left Armer]

No point whatsoever in England bowling Freddie in the 2nd innings in my opinion. May as well try and keep him fresh.

Harmison, on the other hand should bowl as much as possible.

[DomainK]

Found this interesting information on the net. Could be one of the reasons why Australia does not want to force a follow on

Only thrice in the history of test cricket has a team come back from following to win a test match. Strangely enough Australia has been at the receiving end on all three occasions. At the SCG in 1894-95 Australia lost by 10 runs, having scored 586 in the first innings (the highest score by a losing team) and asking England to follow-on. The second time it happened was at Headingley in 1981 when an inspired Ian Botham and a devastating Bob Willis helped England win by 18 runs. The last occasion was in 2000-01 at Calcutta when a VVS Laxman master-class helped by Rahul Dravid and Harbhajan Singh helped India win by an amazing 171 runs after following on.

Source:http://www.crictrivia.com/TestCricket.html

[gangstacocacola]

WOAH! just saw the scorecard for the first time this series and Australia are seriously eating englands guts for garters. pretty much as i expected really, even with the so called "dads army" england dont really stand a chance. i think they underestimated the australians really. whenever they underestimate thier opponents they are always on the backfoot. hapened with pakistan last year and they got a drubbing 2-0. however, they didnt underestimate the indians and managed a good looking draw without their full team. they also underestimated sri lanka at home and only manged to draw the series when they should have really won it on home soil. i think they have underestiated the australians because of their age. well they are being learnt that old is gold. i think 3 or 4-0 to the aussies this series. with harmison playing all the tests 5-0 to the aussies lol.
i think ponting enforced the follow on to bat england out of the game and to dig it in. also to give his pace bowlers a rest. warne will be interesting to see in the second innings bowling his spin. for me englands main batsman are collingwood and bell. these two i believe are englands only hope.

[Mr Hutt]

If i was Flintoff and im not... i would tell my players the following things


1) tommorow morning when they bowl, waste as much bloody time as possible.. yes to hell with the crowd booing and match fees and everything.. prides at stake here.. waste time

2) When you bat see above... call for runners.. go down at every instant the ball hits you do everything legally possible to extend it to the last day!!!

Get to that point and then we will find out what the Aussie nerves are made off.. although i know England players would say something like oh thats just not cricket captain.. we are honourable and stuff like that.. well right now when they have their backs to the wall!!! if they can do it somehow... they will retain the ashes.. this is a big mistake by ponting in his over confidence make it count england!! if you can

Im not saying cheat.. but take it down to the wire , it can be done... Hanif muhammad once made 337 Brian lara has made more.. it can be done!!

[sambino239]

I bet Monty, Saj and Chris Read are enjoying the goings on its making them look even better players!! Read might have hung round longer than Jones as well
I still think we would have faired better under Strauss as I think he would have handled Flintoff as a bowler much better than Fred is himself