Eng vs Aus - Back to normal then...

[English_Al]

Although the game isn't finished yet it looks like the Aussies have walloped us today. The loss isn't the main thing for me, it's the way we've lost, it's just so familiar.

To be honest though, I wasn't too surprised, the signs were there in our last game with Aus. Even though we got 3 Aussies out in an over last time and thought we had them subdued, they still ended up with a good score. Then when we batted we looked quite pathetic until Pietersen came in to make an amazing match winning innings. All the talk after the game was about how Australia was still struggling etc, etc, I couldn't believe that no-one could see that it was England who had the problems.

Australia's win today isn't just a good win on the day, I fear it's the start of things to come. Australia has so many class batsmen that we could get the first 5 out in the first over and they'd still get a reasonable score. And then our batting. Australia clearly have worked out all our batsmens weaknesses. We thought our openers had been superb, but removed clinically in a few overs today by having their weakness exploited. And the other problem we've had in the last 2 Aussie games as well as over the years is our lack of being able to play spinners. Brad Hogg, an average spinner comes on and we just cant cope. We allow ourselves to get tied down, not get singles and then end up slogging out.

After our excellent victory over them last year in the ODI semi final I really thought that we had addressed all these issues, but after the last 2 ODIs against Oz, I am not so sure.

I'm a huge England follower and been so chuffed with England over the last 2 years that I'm gutted to say all these things, but I am not an optimist, I'm a realist, and I call it how I see it. I hope I am wrong...

[Ernest]

Hey A Al,

England have lost a game, that's all.
For once out openers did not click, not a lot has changed, tell you what though, it was silly to elect to bat under the lights.
welcome to the board.

[Mike]

Welcome to the board English_Al. I don't think you need to be so pessimistic because I'm sure the game would have been different had England batted first in the best light. The pitch also got slower as the game progressed which made batting difficult. In the Australia batting innings when the pitch was at its best the England bowlers did well to restrict the run-rate in the middle overs. The England batsmen haven't had much of a chance to face Lee's bowling so he had the wood on them today but they are good enough to adjust as they face more of his bowling.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

it was silly to elect to bat under the lights.

Why? There was nothing wrong with the conditions batting under lights, this ain't Cape Town.

[Leafy Seadragon]

I'll be chucked out of the country for saying this, but I agree with Mike & Ern. Its one match. Wait another month and I hope the doom and gloom will be justified (I am an Aussie after all), but one better performance does not an Ashes campaign make. There's all sorts of tantalising questions floating out of this match. Has Gillespie cracked it and on the road to the bowler we know him to be? Will Ponting be Harmison's bunny? Are the Aussies relying too much on thier lower middle order? Does the Egnlish ODI team have more to offer than Pietersen? Will the English top order find form (or even the ball)? Give it another couple of matches and we'll answer a couple of these questions and pose a few more. For now, just enjoy it. Let's face it, even if your worst fears come true, you'll feel pretty miserable later, so why not enjoy it while you can. If they don't its a double bonus, good cricket and good feelings

[Mike]

The commentators are disappointed that England won the toss and put Australia in to bat. They felt that England should have batted first to dictate the game. Having already beaten Australia and having the momentum going their way it would have sent a positive signal to Australia. A basic psychological ploy. Let's hope the England team don't get too discouraged by this loss.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Mike

The commentators are disappointed that England won the toss and put Australia in to bat. They felt that England should have batted first to dictate the game.

I thought England should have batted first too. But for a while they've been better at chasing down scores rather than setting them. And with the conditions not differing dramatically, I guess Tres thought that they'd be better off chasing.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

I'll be chucked out of the country for saying this, but I agree with Mike & Ern. Its one match. Wait another month and I hope the doom and gloom will be justified (I am an Aussie after all), but one better performance does not an Ashes campaign make.

Maybes. But equally, one victory against Australia in a ODI that was practically a 2 man show for England (KP and Harmison), doesn't make an Ashes capaign either

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

Why? There was nothing wrong with the conditions batting under lights, this ain't Cape Town.

When you win the toss, as rare as England do, then best to make use of it.

Batting in natural light in any country, is by far better than batting under artificial lights, in particlar when a bowler of Brett Lee's pace is bowling, proof of the pudding, Strauss Tresco and co, had no answer.

[Beny]

Ohh it's the end of Enlgand!

Does anybody have the score? I didd'nt get to watch.