Vaughan's absence - blessing in disguise??

[AussieCricketLover]

In the famous words of a particular Simpsons bully ... AHHHH HAAAA!!!
This is just the start.

[Seamer]

I don't think we should get TOO carried away ACL. While it is heartening that Australia are improving, they still have a LONG way to go to get back to their best. ODI's are a little bit of a lottery, and while Australia did'nt play at their best, it must be said that England did'nt either.

[greg]

I think both sides have shown so far that they have matchwinners and it is going to be a tight summer with the odd spell of bowling or a sessions batting deciding the series.Would love to think it will be England but Australia have more matchwinners so we will probably dip out.At least we won't roll over and give up like previous years.

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Trescothick

But Solanki and Flintoff are kinda steadying the ship!

Perhaps it should be mentioned at this time that Solanki's 34 under pressure against a rabid and tail-up Australian attack was probably a better display of batting than say an unbeaten hundred against Bangladesh or a few big hits in a Twenty20 game v. Australia - where, let's face it, there isn't any pressure, because everyone HAS to get on with it from ball one, because that's pretty much the name of the game.

Surely Solanki has cemented a Test spot for himself later in the summer.

Furthermore, could someone please tell Flintoff, that Pietersen is a better hitter than the Englishman, and he (Flintoff) shouldn't keep trying to show how much better he (Flintoff) is. Because he isn't.

Flintoff's approach, when Pietersen comes to the middle is decidedly not working.

[Moss]

A bit late, but never mind!

I thought Gough's innings, and the fact that Australia could not bowl us out gave us the moral victory.

<straws>

[Mongoose]

It was great to see Goughie smacking it around, even if the circumstances made it a bit hollow. It took me back to 1994/5, when I stayed up all night to watch the Dazzler hit 51* after walking out to the middle with the words 'Hold on to yer hats, ther'll be some fireworks'. As more of a tset match person, I sometimes have to remind myself that Gough is still an important ODI player. He seems to belong to a different era to the rest of the team. Ah, nostalgia!