3rd Ashes Test: Old Trafford, 11-15 August: Pre-Match Thread

[greg]

Certainly when Durham have no game that week he should be.But i would like him to play for Durham when possible because i think he is next in line for a call up should there be an injury or team change.Good point though.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by greg

But if the roles were reversed and we had a record similar to what the Aussies have at Lords at say Adelaide the ACB would drop it from the schedule and use Hobart.Just because it's Lords doesn't make it a special case in my opinion.

I know what you mean, Greg, but in this case tradition is always going to outweigh logic. Fact is that there are international players all over the world who would give their eye teeth to play at the self-styled "Home of Cricket". Maybe we could drop Lord's and invite them to Hambledon instead ... ?

[Wiljoy]

Originally Posted by greg

But if the roles were reversed and we had a record similar to what the Aussies have at Lords at say Adelaide the ACB would drop it from the schedule and use Hobart.Just because it's Lords doesn't make it a special case in my opinion.

Asking to drop the Lords Test in England,is Just like asking to drop the test match at the MCG, NEVER in 1,000,000. years, why? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[greg]

Because we never win there.Why give the opposition a penalty kick to go ahead in a series.We should play to our strengths.Lords is not a strength for us v Australia.

[English_Al]

I agree with the others Greg, Lords is the most significant ground in the world, it will never be dropped however badly England play there. It's just a real bummer that Australia (particularly McGrath) seem to go so well there.

Talking of McGrath I've noticed in recent times just how much Australia rely on McGrath and Warne - and in these last two tests it's been their magic bowling that has turned the game on its head above anything else. I think the talk of them being an old spent force was totally rubbish, I reckon they are almost as good now as they've ever been. They also allow the batsmen to play with so much freedom and confidence. When they retire I think it will be like it was for the W.Indies when they lost Ambrose and Walsh, Australia will become a good side rather than the great one they have been.

[Andy Mellon]

I don't think we give Gillespie and Kasprowicz enough credit. McGrath was injured for a year, coinciding with when Warne was suspended. Australia still defeated all comers with Gillespie and Kasper providing a significant cutting edge. What the Aussies are finding at the moment is that Gilly and Kasper are out of form and McGrath injured all at the same time. Once/if Gilly and Kasper find their form, they will show that they are top class bowlers. Write them off at your peril!

Also, this talk of Lords being a bad ground for England is superstitious mumbo-jumbo (great word!). If England had played well throughout the Lords test and kept their concentration, it would have been a lot closer. When England have a better team than the oppo, they can win at Lords. We won twice there last year! This talk of Lords being a bad hunting ground for England is just another line of spin from a media anxious to find something to talk about.

[Occasional Fan]

I may be wrong, Andy, but I think Greg was talking in the context of matches against Australia - and we haven't beaten them at Lord's since 1934.

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

I may be wrong, Andy, but I think Greg was talking in the context of matches against Australia - and we haven't beaten them at Lord's since 1934.

I'm sure he was, but I'm saying that it shouldn't be relevant. There's no reason why we can't beat them at Lords. They aren't allowed to field extra players there!!! McGrath just made better use of the slope than the English seamers. When the English seamers are as accurate as McGrath - if they get there - then they'll be able to make similar use of it and will give the Aussies more of a game. Don't remove Lords from the Ashes calendar on a superstition or history of losses. You never know which year the end of that losing streak will come. It could have been this year.

[Occasional Fan]

Selectors meet later today, Monday. According to this report from the BBC, the Aussies are considering calling up all-rounder, Shane Watson. Glenn McGrath is not expected to make it back in time for Old Trafford, but Ricky Ponting says it is realistic to expect him back at Trent Bridge, where the fourth test starts on 25 August. No problems are expected for Brett Lee, however, who is expected to play on Thursday.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Don't remove Lords from the Ashes calendar on a superstition or history of losses. You never know which year the end of that losing streak will come. It could have been this year.

I agree completely - but, as I have suggested above, the whole discussion is pretty academic. No-one is going to tour without getting a test match at Lord's.