Australian's wobble

[Richard Jenkins]

The Australian line up looks jaded, out of form and old. The've not played cricket for a long time and england (and Somerset) look ready for the ashes. Ponting tried to laugh off the 20/20 loss as 'a bit a laugh Sheila/Bruce' but losing to Somerset (who didn't have the services of the injured Andy Caddick) just must be a difficult pill to swallow. Bangladesh could land a few blows and I hope England go for the jugular.

I'll back England for the Ashes and to all those humbled Aussie fans, don't worry, you'll get used to it. It's our turn for 10 years of dominance.

The Ausies are cornered. Send in the dogs. (or the vet with the humane killer)

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Richard Jenkins

'll back England for the Ashes and to all those humbled Aussie fans, don't worry, you'll get used to it. It's our turn for 10 years of dominance.
The Ausies are cornered. Send in the dogs. (or the vet with the humane killer)

I am glad you are enjoying the good start to the tour that England has enjoyed Richard, and to be honest, it is what i was hoping for as well. This has raised the optimism and spirits of England, long emasculated by Australian sporting dominance, and will no doubt catch the imagination of the English public and add to the anticipation of the ashes series. From Australia's point of view, we needed a good work out (and working over) to snap us into gear. A breezy start to the tour and success in the Natwest would have done us more harm than good. If England win the Natwest series, it will be of even further benefiet to Australia for the following reasons:
(1) The media and public expectations on England to win the Ashes will be unbearable high and will place too much pressure on them and give the Australians the unfarmiliar bonus of being underdogs. Unlike Australia, England have not had to deal with expectaion of victory against tough opposition.
(2) Australia will fall into "siege mentallity", will bond closer as a team unit (they are already close as it is), will use media attacks on them as pshycological tools, and they will not fall into complacency which has lost them many tests in the past.
(3) The English media - no need to say what will happen to certain members of the English team if those hopes and expectations are not forfilled - they will turn very nasty indeed! Australia on the other hand are insulated from our own media due to the fact they are on the other side of the world.
(4) Unlike the three previous tours, a win here will actually have credibility and value, thus will be all the more sweeter for the Aussies when they win the series.
The Aussie team or supporters do not feel "humbled", as no matches of consequence have been played yet. History will judge the performance of Australia on this tour on one thing only - who wins the ashes - all else is a sideshow and of no consequence. Who remembers who won the one-day series in the previous tours for example?
Richard, you remind me of myself in the eighties and early nineties when the all conquering Windies toured down under, getting my (and the media's) hopes up when they played poorly during the tour matches at the start of the series, only having my hopes dashed when they wiped the floor with us in the matches that counted. Just remember, this team is one of the greatest and most succesful in the history of the game, write them off now at your peril

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Seamer

(1) The media and public expectations on England to win the Ashes will be unbearable high and will place too much pressure on them and give the Australians the unfarmiliar bonus of being underdogs. Unlike Australia, England have not had to deal with expectaion of victory against tough opposition.

You must think we're really stupid over here! The Aussies will still be favourites even if England win all seven possible One Day matches between now and the Ashes beginning. We've lost every series for the last 18 years, we're not going to be favourites until we've won one!!

Originally Posted by Seamer

(4) Unlike the three previous tours, a win here will actually have credibility and value, thus will be all the more sweeter for the Aussies when they win the series.

Whey they win eh? And the Aussies claim we're arogant!

Originally Posted by Seamer

The Aussie team or supporters do not feel "humbled", as no matches of consequence have been played yet.

Like you would have said that had you won on Monday evening? A match is only of no consequence when you lot lose. The excuses appear to have started! I don't think Ricky Ponting will have taken those two matches as a joke. He will be a little annoyed at how his "team" (collection of alleged cricketers) played in those two matches.

For the record I believe England will be hammered by the Aussies on Sunday at Bristol. However, England are pretty useless at One Day cricket therefore I expect nothing less. The Test series will be interesting. Playing against a confident England side (something that hasn't happened for many years, despote the confidence of our press and pundits) will be a far different challenge. I do hope that the guys wearing those stupid Baggy Green things are as arrogant as most of their supporters because Michael Vaughan will be lifting the Ashes at the end of the summer if they are! It'll take something quite remarkable if the Aussies apply themselves properly, however.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

You must think we're really stupid over here! The Aussies will still be favourites even if England win all seven possible One Day matches between now and the Ashes beginning. We've lost every series for the last 18 years, we're not going to be favourites until we've won one!!.

Sensible mental approach Notts Exile. But don't be surprised if the English media gets carried away. It is their commentry that carries the most weight, and their pens that will turn to acid if they are dissapointed.

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Whey they win eh? And the Aussies claim we're arogant!!!.

Merely a typo I meant to say "if"

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

Like you would have said that had you won on Monday evening? A match is only of no consequence when you lot lose.

Lets face it, it is the ashes that count - the rest will be consigned to the dustbin of history

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

I do hope that the guys wearing those stupid Baggy Green things are as arrogant as most of their supporters because Michael Vaughan will be lifting the Ashes at the end of the summer if they are! .

Ummm..... Notts Exile..... read Richards post that began this thread in the first place.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Lets face it, it is the ashes that count - the rest will be consigned to the dustbin of history

Yes, and they don't start for another 5 weeks. Plenty of time for Australia to get settled in, get some real practice under their belts and find top form. the way they are playing now is irrelevant, because even if they play 4 or 5 bad games at the start, they will still have belief in their ability, and the confidence that they are going to win the Ashes.

[Maranello]

Exactly Mongoose. And this is why nearly all of us are agreed that the scheduling of this summer's cricket plays right into Australia's hands. England might have had a chance if Ashes were starting next week, as the Aussies would have been seriously undercooked, but not when they have six weeks to acclimitise.

[Seamer]

The schedule is the fairest, will ensure both sides are playing their best cricket, and Australia will have no excuses when they lose the Ashes

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Seamer

The schedule is the fairest, will ensure both sides are playing their best cricket, and Australia will have no excuses when they lose the Ashes

No typo there? IF ?

I think Richard's comments were typed firmly with tongue in cheek!

I'm sure we all look forward to a summer of competitive cricket. After all, some have been trying to claim that Australia-India is the biggest series in Test cricket. We have to get the Ashes back to where it belongs as a competition, at the forefront of international cricket.

[Andy Mellon]

Hear, hear! I want to see the best possible cricket this Ashes series. If England are going to win, I want them to be playing, and beating the best possible Aussie XI. There will be no pride in beating an off-form, off-colour and half-crocked team of Aussies. Personally, I hope that both teams are firing on all cylinders to treat us to a fantastic spectacle of test cricket. May the best team win!!!

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

If England are going to win, I want them to be playing, and beating the best possible Aussie XI. There will be no pride in beating an off-form, off-colour and half-crocked team of Aussies.

My sentiments exactly, Mr Mellon. There will always be questions if we win with Australia having sent McGrath, Ponting and Gilchrist home injured.