3rd NatWest Series ODI: England vs. Australia at Bristol

[R W S]

Back from the pub. I am the whitest man in Utrecht on the hottest day of the year here! Great game. Both teams showed up and the result was in the balance until KP went nuts.

Aussies +ves: Glenda bowled well (better than agaisnt the Tigers); Clarke & Hussey showed mettle (although the latter should have been snaffled by Collingwood earlyish on); All-round out-fielding;

Aussies -ves: trampoline gloved effort from Gilly off Hogg (can't remember who the batter was - could have been KP or MV); Dizzy G was awfull (and will have nighmares about the coffee'n'cream coffitured one); Big Kaz - I don't understand why a giant of a man has to deliver the ball with a 45 degree angle in his body/legs, he must be a foot shorter by the time he lets the ball go, a real waste); Ponting's captancy - he is affected by this recent run of poor form from the world champs, you could see it in his demeanour and in his reluctance to keep a slip in (there were a least three chances of a catch from a 1st and/or floating slip - he bottled it).

England +ves: Steve H clicked from the word go - a rarity us England followers will be most pleased about (we hope it continues <crosses fingers, touches wood, touches wood again>). KP - he is no flat track bully=Hick, this was not a great ODI pitch. Skipper Vaughan battled sensibly and captained well, the guy looks happy and hungry - which Riob Key will tell you is a nice feeling.

England -ves: Sorry to have to report but Lewis is not an international class bowler (except in May) and his winning runs may be the highlight of his career. GoJo didn't fail as such but it has been a long time since he has made a winning contribution with bat or gloves (and him taking loads of catches in one testmatch doesn't quite count for me); Freddies batting is suspect to pressure from outside in the form of macho challenges from the baggygreens and inside from KP, he needs to redefine his role if KP is around. Englands Infielding, too many missed shies at the stumps from the infielders (see Ponting/Gleechrist below)

Best moment: toss-up between the brilliant run-out of solanki by Gilcreast, the 3rd umpires 'not out' for the run-out appeal from Ponting against KP & Matty Hayden 'Shhhhh' & 'blowing kisses' celebration after catching GoJo on the long on boundry(Ha Ha)!


When was the last time Austrailia lost four (1,2,3,4) matches in a row? My guess would be over 15 years ago - does anyone know? And it will probably be five this time on Thursday~

Good game today, thanks to all who performed.

[Ernest]

Typical post from RWS .

Originally Posted by RWS

When was the last time Austrailia lost four (1,2,3,4) matches in a row?

No after quoting you I don't, but I don't think you will mind when I give you another interesting stat.(Ernest using stats)LOL.

England have beat Australia in their last 4 encounters.
1) We beat them on the last Test on the last tour (I hope).

2) We beat then in the ICCCCCC Trophy last year.

3) We beat them in the recent 20/20 match.

4) We beat them today.

Are we their bogy team nowadays?.

[Kirsty Harris]

I had to work this afternoon, so once again I missed most of the game - the ECB really should consult me before agreeing dates for England fixtures!! Had to make do with listening to my tiny portable radio while cooking a sunday roast for 8 clients on the hottest day of the year!


Harmison bowled bloody well today, on a pitch that, intheory, did nothing for him. That is a good sign for England.

England clearly missed Giles' in the mid part of the innings, which allowed the Aussies to re-group slightly, even though England were able to come back and finish strongly. Giles is very important to the England one day side, in a way that hardly gets noticed.

Some good batting for England, Pieterson was brutal, and Vaughan very sensible. Solanki seemed to do well also. I was a bit puzzled as to why Collingwood went out to bat so early - it just didn't seem like the right spot for him.

All in all, I think it was a good competative match, but it seems to me England clearly have the edge at the moment - they seem sharper and more focused. Of course, this may well change as the summer unfolds.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by John

Maybe Thorpe will do everybody a favour and retire. Save the selectors an unpopular decision.

I hope not - Pieterson may well be the man for the future, but I think England need at least one wise old pro for the Ashes series. It would be a BIG mistake to leave Thorpe out, and I don't think they will. The only one under threat is Bell, at least in the short term. I still say that while Pieterson is clearly a fantastic player, he has not had to prove himself in a test match situation, and I would not be taking a gamble. He may come into the frame later in the summer, depending on how things go.

It was a great effort by him today, however, and I have to say I am very impressed with both his batting, and his overall attitude to the game. A great prospect for England.

[Ernest]

Can you not use a small radio Kirsty?,I saw nothing I listened on line to the BBC.

Giles, yes we could have done with him, Vaughan is not good enough, in any case we need a bowler to turn the ball away from the bat.

Harmison bowled well, Flintoff bowled well, I think the extra pace England have, is the difference between the two sides at the moment, Gough bowled well, Lewis redeemed hiself with the bat.

ODIs are not a good guide to Test cricket as a rule, but Australia seemed to have lost some self belief, they could well put that right, and they will improve, the game for the ashes is on.

Brett Lee is a key, if he fires in the Tests, Australia will compete better, he has pace, and if he is accurate, he will be Australia's biggest weapon.

[Kirsty Harris]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Brett Lee is a key, if he fires in the Tests, Australia will compete better, he has pace, and if he is accurate, he will be Australia's biggest weapon.

I agree - it's interesting really, because Lee, whilest a good bowler, has always seemed to be the lesser bowler compared to Gillespie and McGrath, but the Aussies are badly in need of Lee now! Australia are down but far from out!

I am optimistic that Giles will be back soon, perhaps before the end of the ODI's, which will be a bonus for England! i hope Harmy can carry this effort forward through the summer.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by R W S 52987

Matty Hayden 'Shhhhh' & 'blowing kisses' celebration after catching GoJo on the long on boundry(Ha Ha)!.

I thought it was Damien Martyn?

Originally Posted by Ernest 52991

England have beat Australia in their last 4 encounters.

No, only in four out of the last nine Aus v Eng encounters actually.

England lost to Australia in the World Cup,remember. And prior to that encounter, Australia beat England four times in the VB series after England's win in the dead-rubber Test at Sydney (finished on 6 Jan 2003). Australia won ODIs after that Test on 11 Jan (Hobart) and 19 January 2003 (Adelaide), as well as the two finals on 23 Jan (SCG) and 25 January 2003 (MCG).

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Maranello

No, only in four out of the last nine Aus v Eng encounters actually.

Yes true, but sitting here loking at your figures, I will take comfort from the fact that that Australia have only won one more game than England in 9 matches.

I forgot about the one dayers.

[admin]

Execution: Good take-off, kept his eye on the ball, controlled landing.
Degree of difficulty: Ball was passed him and looping down as he caught it at full stretch.
Artistic impression: Launched himself effortlessly and caught the ball in his right hand with a twisting motion and gracefully landed on arms and knees.
Overall impression: Spectacular aerial work. Maybe the best overhead catch seen in England.

[Beny]

I think Michael Holding was correct when he said that the catch, was awesome, but more spectacular than difficult.