Ashes

[mark]

It will be a shame if they do drop Johnson as at about 2:30am UK just when the lunch break is coming to an end I start getting tired and it is normally only the thought of watching that clown bowl that wakes me up through laughter if the Aussies dont include someone who cant hit the pitch when bowling how do they expect us "Poms" to keep awake?

[Firkinelle]

WEST Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been axed from Australia's Ashes squad for the second Test in Adelaide after his recent poor form.

Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris surged closer to Test recalls with lively spells in the Adelaide Oval nets on Wednesday amid reports that Mitchell Johnson has been dropped for the match.

Watched by selectors Andrew Hilditch and Jamie Cox, Bollinger and Harris had many a batsman hopping around on grassy practice pitches to press their case for inclusion to freshen up a team that was exceptionally weary by the end of the fifth day in Brisbane.

Hilditch was later seen in conversation with Johnson and website sportsnewsfirst.com.au has reported that the left-arm paceman will not be included in the final XI.

Former selector Merv Hughes has argued that to drop Johnson now would be to strike a fearful blow to his fragile confidence, and Michael Clarke reckoned the left-armer would emerge from the episode a stronger cricketer.

[Firkinelle]

You could almost say it's explosive stuff

[Firkinelle]

"In Johnson’s case, however, it would most likely detonate directly underneath Simon Katich’s trousers at short leg"

[Firkinelle]

Some great newspaper around at the moment -

Martin Johnson 'Its hard to see Australia bowling England out twice even if they changed the K'burra ball for a grenade.....

[mark]

I agree the price of evens on the draw does appear a little too short. If Australia include both Harris and Bollinger that should make them slightly stronger in the bowling department and England bowled fairly well on that flat pitch and with a little more luck could of claimed alot more wickets on the 3rd morning.

[Firkinelle]

From an Aussie paper -

WHEN Australia were toiling in the field a twitter message whistled around the Gabba press box revealing the RSPCA had been called to the ground.

The Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Australians had been called in to investigate whether what was happening to Ricky Ponting's side was inhumane.

Such were the barbs unleashed yesterday by a buoyant English press corps at their Australian counterparts in the wake of the most celebrated draw in recent Test history.

But there was no such merriment in the Australian dressing room as the selectors went back to the drawing board to confront the chastening realities of this gamem, which included:

1 - That Mitchell Johnson needs a break from the game and an urgent appointment with the team psychologist.

His technical issues such as the height of his bowling arm made be difficult to sort out but a big start would be getting his head right. His shoulders are down. When he talks aggressively before a game deep down he is a lamb wearing a wolf's clothes.

He may simply be too nice to be a sustained Test match assassin.

2 - That Australia cannot win the Ashes with the bowling attack it fielded in Brisbane.

3 - That Ben Hilfenhaus must quickly justify his place in the XI or be replaced by a more aggressive bowler.

People compare him to swing king Terry Alderman but it's worth remembering Alderman - a better bowler than Hilfenhaus - played just one wicketless Test at this week's venue, the Adelaide Oval, and was never considered a suitable choice for the venue.

Just being dangerous with the new ball is not quite enough in a series where Australia could be facing more than 100 overs an innings.

4 - That finger spinner Xavier Doherty may lack the weapons to be a Test bowler.

Because he bowls so quickly through the air he lacks the flight to tease and - also as a consequence of bowling so quickly - fails to turn the ball much.

No one questions his temperament. But he needs more. The problem is, after a decade of first-class cricket, you are what you are.

5 - You can't play half-fit players like Michael Clarke. You might get away with it in the fill-your boots series against the West Indies, but not this summer.

6 - That England have no fear of Australia. They are playing the ball and not the man and the ball is coming beautifully on to the bat.

7 - That England have planned well and seem the better prepared side.

From bouncing Clarke and Ricky Ponting to letting Mitchell Johnson's across the body balls go, they did their homework well.

8 - That England fast bowling spearhead Jimmy Anderson has toughened up.

He had no luck at all yet he was as relentless as a cattle dog.

9 - That England, despite their astonishing batting form, have their soft spots and the gap between the sides is not as wide as the momentum they will take from Brisbane will suggest.

England's pace attack, while sound, is gettable if Australia hold their nerve and spinner Graeme Swann, England's key weapon, still averages worse than 40 per wicket against Australia.

10 - That many of England's batsmen seemed to have worked hard on their weaknesses.

Last tour here Alastair Cook had more nicks than a Greek cafe and was caught behind six times.

Now he looks far better organised and will still average more than 40 in the series if he has six ducks in a row.

Even by the confident way he walks to the crease Ian Bell looks to have matured and Andrew Strauss is a commanding leader.

[Firkinelle]

The price for the second Test is around evens, much too low I reckon. The game may well be a draw but it will trade much higher than that.

[proxious]

ended on a draw

[Firkinelle]

Given the fact that England suffered a hat trick which is rare and probably the only one this series and Dar's 2 wrong calls in Australia's innings, one he called Hussey not out which on referral was overturned and then gave Hussey not out when it clearly showed him to be out but there was no referral left for England, I think England are coming out of this game in front - although I don't think they'll try to rattle up 150 more then put Australia back in for an edgy few hours.

[mark]

They did play well on a very flat pitch, they basically learned from Hussey and Haddin who also played superbly the previous night. Another thing to draw from this might be the fact that England when they failed to take a wicket certainly kept a higher energy level in the field than Australia did and I was very surprised how quickly Ponting went on the defence yesterday despite England still trailing. England are still quite capable of a collapse though I am sure we all remeber South Africa etc.

[Firkinelle]

Hopefully Day 4 has shown the Ashes will stay with England, well done boys :Thumbs

[mark]

Well now both teams have batted I feel it is right to have a look at what we have seen. Obviously a poor first day from England and well done to Peter Siddle who bowled straight but what a massive overreaction by everyone, was 260 such a bad score? Again no-one really knows until the opposisition bat and after seeing last nights offerings then yes it was less than what they should of got but I would have to agree with Ian Bell and not David Lloyd that it was just a bit below par. A confident Aussie team would of smashed past that last night and begun grounding England down but instead they looked hesitant and a little meek which allowed England to get back into the game. I personally will stick by my pre series thoughts, in fact if anything I have become slightly more confident in England retaining the Ashes after seeing how the match is developing and what both sides potential looks like for the rest of the series . From a trading point of view the massive overreaction to that first day was most welcome.

Hope it is going very well for everyone too as the nights are not welcome!

[Firkinelle]

New ball due early tomorrow, could be very interesting

[Firkinelle]

Andy Flower has cancerous melanoma removed from his face. Hopes to be back at game on Monday