Australian's wobble

[Andy Mellon]

Fair enough mate, I wasn't annoyed at all to be honest; but was a bit confused. You are right though, I would take some pride from an England win against a below strength Aussie team, but to me it would be a hollow victory if even after a win, people could snipe that we hadn't beaten the best. Also, after years of being thrashed by the Aussies, I would be very, very happy to see a competitive and close series (though happier for an England win!)

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

After the dire eighties, all I hoped for is that the Aussies won a series, a match, or even a session.

Dark days they were indeed Leafy. You hear in Australia complaints (particularly from the younger generation) that they are sick of Australia winning all the time. If they were around in those days, they would'nt be keen on Australia losing. Yet, i do get nostalgic when i think back on those days - back then an Aussie victoty was really something to celebrate.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Sorry Richard, I obviously misinterpreted your post, i'm too used to emoticons/smileys to seperate attacks from jokes.

I do think that this series is being soured a bit already with the 'banter' getting a bit too over the top or personalised now, not just this thread but across many forums. I'm looking forward to a festival of cricket this summer, I desperately want England to win, and believe Australia will have to play the best cricket they've played in the past few years in order to win convincingly so either way we'll see some top notch cricket.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I would take some pride from an England win against a below strength Aussie team, but to me it would be a hollow victory if even after a win, people could snipe that we hadn't beaten the best. !)

No nation can always expect to have their best XI on the park. A test series is a contest between nations BEST AVAILABLE TEAM AT THE TIME. Even if Mcgrath broke down, Warne busted his right hand and Gilchrist came down with chicken pox, If the the best available Aussie team lost to the best available English team it is fair victory and certainly not hollow. When looking back on the Ashes history, the stat that counts is what the series scoreline was. Very few dig deeper to determine if certain players were injured.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Seamer

If the the best available Aussie team lost to the best available English team it is fair victory and certainly not hollow.

I'm not sure Vaughan would agree: sure, he wants a win more than anything else... but it is just possible that we have actually already seen the end of this quite outstanding Aussie side: I don't think it's likely... but it's entirely possible that if this summer doesn't see a stunning final fling from McGrath, Warne and co... Vaughan's more senior colleagues may have retired before they get the chance to prove themselves against truly sensational opposition.

I don't think this side is actually quite ready to emerge victorious from a challenge on that scale.. but I get the impression that Vaughan sees the team as well on the way to that level.. and if this Aussie side did just collapse in a heap amid injuries, poor form, retirements and the like... the sense of anticlimax would be horrific.

The great sides are remembered for winning great contests: few can take great satisfaction in beating the broken and sorry looking West Indian side of today... and the entire sport could do without England getting gifted the Ashes by a broken and sorry looking Australian side.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Rachael

the entire sport could do without England getting gifted the Ashes by a broken and sorry looking Australian side.

I agree there Rachael, but by the nature of our media, within a few days of any Ashes victory, the talk of the GBP would be of how England only won because the current Aussie side isn't as good as in the past (whether it was true or not) - we are not good winners in this country, and do a grand job of playing down any success we have!!!

[Seamer]

Yes very true Rachel. The same could be said for the great Windies sides of the eighties, but Australia never got the chance of revenge against Viv Richards and co because they all retired while they were still on top save Richarson and Walsh. But believe me, Australia did not consider the sreies victory 1995 a hollow win. We considered it the change of the balance of power in world cricket and celebrated long and hard.

[Richard Jenkins]

Well I'm genuinly shocked at that. is this a case of Australian panic stations now? They must beat England Today, (which they probably xill do) and try to rebuild from there.
Come on Ausrtalia. Good cricket needs great performers, and the aussies certainly are in that catogory.
Well done tigers. What a game!

[John]

I still believe Australia are going to win the Ashes. There were signs today they are coming back to form. The England batting was exposed Pietersen played a brilliant hiding the poor peformance of others.
Australia are going to get better they showed that today. They lost three wickets in one over and still made a show of it.

[Trescothick]

England were brilliant with the ball today except Lewis was genuinly outclassed and no real 5th bowler so some makeshift otherwise the Aussie total would be very low. Maybe we could pack in a 5th bowler somewhere although i think thats Giles in and Solanki out which i don't want Solankis depature but maybe only solution?