The Ashes

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Whew! England won and tied the series as I had hoped.

We won by 135 runs, with the Aussies all out for 263, but I don't think it was as clear cut as that. We were lucky that Smith went cheaply, as Wade did indeed get a hundred, and if Smith had also got one then I think the Aussies could easily have gone on to win.

A good test match and a good series, and only 1 match was badly affected by the weather!

[Jack the Stripper]

Disappointing for Australia not to win the series outright but they've only got themselves to blame which I outlined yesterday. In saying that, first port of call was to retain the ashes and they've done that so can't be too disappointed.

Full credit to England though, they out performed us with bat & ball in this final test.

Enjoyed the hell out of this series I must say, every test was on a knifes edge for a lot of the time and was played hard & tough but in fair spirits.

Already looking forward to the next Ashes series in 2.5 years time on Australian soil.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It must be about time England won the Ashes in Australia !

[Jack the Stripper]

Unless you unearth some batters that can handle our bouncy wickets you're no hope. Besides Archer none of your bowlers will trouble us on our decks either 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Just doing a bit of Necromancy on this thread as a new Ashes series is about to start in Australia this coming Wednesday.

5 cricketing tests between arch rivals Australia and England starts this week at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Jack has already predicted a 4-0 win for the Aussies with 1 likely to be rain affected! England's warm up matches were indeed rain affected so he could well be right! I'm thinking a 2-2 draw like last time

[Zzzptm]

When is the first test?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It starts Wednesday

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Not a good start for England, dismissed for 147 in their first innings and Australia finish the 2nd day on 343 for 7.

[Zzzptm]

343 is quite the hill to climb...

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Australia closed their first innings on 425... a few more than I would have liked! But England have recovered well and at the end of Day 3 they are on 220-2. If they continue in this vein then they may be able to get away with a draw! Jack may disagree!

[Zzzptm]

... or at least handicap that "may be able" statement. Australia look to be in top form. They may be able to win it all.

[Jack the Stripper]

I think the less said about the Ashes the better eh Kilo? England have been downright embarrassing.There’s no other way of putting it. 3-0 in a best of 5 and still 2 test matches to play.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Yeah, I think the Aussies havbe some sort of Voodoo curse over them. If this were any other opponent England would probably have done fine. While the build up was heavily disrupte by the weather, I'm not sure that accounts for any but the first match.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Well, we avoided the white-wash... just!!

[Jack the Stripper]

Was an enthralling last hour even though the series is done and one team was playing for a draw. I’m actually happy England held on for a draw, I honestly don’t care for Australia when they dominate on home soil, I even kinda barrack against them in a way. It’s only when they tour abroad that the patriotism really comes out in me. I’d like to see England win the last test in Tasmania