ASHES: Are rusty Aussies in danger at Lords

[Trescothick]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

That isn't the point I was making. I was replying to Trescothick's comment that England's batting crumbles easily.

You failed to pick up on my sarcasm, this is the view of many while you should know by now i find the opening 8 batsmen of England very reliable.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Trescothick

So come on, whitewash to the Australia and lets laugh at any opinion thats states England have a good chance because quite frankly that defys logic!!

I can understand you sarcasm Tresco. I don't think you have heard one pessimistic word from an Aussie in this forum - we are all supremely confident. Don't misunderstand this thread as any form of pessismism on my part in regards to the series. I have said all along that Aussies will win 3-1. I just think the one we will lose is the first at Lords. If that comes to pass, it will really set the series alight and will well and truly catch the imagination of the English populace. In a way, i won't be displeased of we do lose the first test - will make things interesting

[Paoli]

Pessimism if ever I saw it Seamer!!! I was extremely surprised upon seeing this thread. McGrath was starved of any action before the Indian series last year and ripped them to shreds in India. Warne played one game for the Victorian 2nd XI and came back to take 28 wickets in three tests in Sri Lanka. Dizzy Gillespie has come over numerous injury setbacks to hit his straps perfectly. Kasper has come back and is bowling beautifully.

Will there be any signs of rustiness? No. As Mongoose said, it'll all be wiped out in the NatWest Series and the NatWest Challenge.

[Mongoose]

I think rustiness only really affects a whole team if it's made up of players who aren't entirely happy with their game. Australia are an awesome outfit, and even with a few guys not having played loads of cricket, at least two or three will still put in top performances. If Australia are below par, I still theink they'll do no worse than a draw. England don't seem to be on top form yet, despite whalloping Bangladesh. Strauss is struggling, Vaughan keeps getting himself out, no-one below no.5 has batted, and Hoggard and Harmison haven't quite found their range. So I don't think England are in the form they need to show in order to beat Australia. By July 21 it could be a different matter of course. But I think Australia will be ready by then.

[Wiljoy]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

HI Wiljoy! Quick question for you, you seem very pro-Australia, yet you say you are a Yorkshire fan too! In my time, I can't remember meeting many Yorkshire supporters who would support the Aussies against England. I'm just wondering what your background is?

Personally, I have a lot of time for the Aussies. They play good cricket and its good to watch. I personally think that Gilchrist is one of my favourite cricketers of all time. Not only is he great to watch, he's a good honest sportsman and is a shining example to young cricketers. Similarly, Glenn McGrath is a fantastic example. I'd give my right arm to have a coaching session with any of the Aussies because think of what they could teach you in half an hour!! However, I can't imagine that if I moved to Australia, I'd start supporting Australia over England!!!

On another note, it was good to see Harmison passing on some of his knowledge to some Bangladeshi youngsters on the highlights last night. Its good to see that our modern cricketers don't think themselves as untouchable like some professional footballers seem to.

I was born & bred in Leeds and I left England for the "Lucky Country" Australia in 1967,when I was 37 years old,I am still proud to be a Yorkshireman,and I like to see them do well in everything,particularly in sport,I always liked England to do well against the Aussies until after the poms dropped Geoffrey Boycott when he had scored (ithink)a double century against India,after that I gave up all my allegencies to my motherland and became a true blue Aussie,and enjoying every minute of it,especially the fact that the only things I can remember you beating us at,in the last umpteen years,is the rugby union world cup,and today when Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu, Yes, we even beat you at soccer when you changed all 11 players at half time.

Just one other thing Andy,Don't you ever believe it when you read of a "friendly" match between Australia & England, I can assure you there is ABSOLUTELY NO SUCH THING, not even if it was Tiddley Winks.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

Pessimism if ever I saw it Seamer!!! .

Originally Posted by Paoli69

Will there be any signs of rustiness? No. As Mongoose said, it'll all be wiped out in the NatWest Series and the NatWest Challenge.

Hope you are right Paoli. But there is a vast difference between one day cricket bowling 10 overs at 80% effort as opposed to 20 overs at max effort in a five day test. Remember, these guys are no longer spring chickens and a far more susceptable to pulling muscles than they were when they were in their twenties.
A one day series and a hit out against a weak county team is a hardly ideal warm-up for the batsmen either. Hope you are right but i must say, i have a bad gut feeling regarding the Lord's test. Still think we will win the series easy enough though.

[Leafy Seadragon]

Seamer, count me in with Paoli & Mongoose. I think that there's a myriad of reasons why the Aussies might lose the first test (injuries, very different conditions to the lead-in matches, a damn fine English performance, trying too hard, etc) but I think given the professionalism of the Aussie camp, the two least likely reasons are rustiness and overconfidence (the other reason touted elsewhere).

[Zainub]

Australia have stopped over briefly in France to visit the memorial sites of WWI.

Some fascinating pictures below

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=2&tag=2

[acker]

[quote=Zainub Razvi ]Australia have stopped over briefly in France to visit the memorial sites of WWI.


I wonder if Moulan Rouge is also on that leg of the tour ?
Hope they also visit Jim Morrisons grave so some of them can get a realization where self destructive behavior can lead..

[Seamer]

Bit harsh don't you think Acker? The whole team should'nt be damned because of the actions of Symonds surely? The Aussie camp could and should have covered that one up anyway.