Ashes 2006 / 2007

[kopdan]

Nobody been watching?

Been watching it and cant believe we are still in this albeit a small chance. I still think there will be a collapse somewhere along the line...probably starting at Flintoff and Jones

[ARIMAN]

I woke up and turned the radio on and thought it was over - as there wasnt any commentary!

I knew the pitch would flatten out, but am surprised the aussies havent rapped it up already

Ponting is a rubbish captain though

However, aftert these two, there isnt amyone who`ll dog it out - the only hope is that England can get 250 away by the time Pietersen gets in and they try to score it

[Guest]

I woke up and turned the radio on and thought it was over - as there wasnt any commentary!

I knew the pitch would flatten out, but am surprised the aussies havent rapped it up already

Ponting is a rubbish captain though

However, aftert these two, there isnt amyone who`ll dog it out - the only hope is that England can get 250 away by the time Pietersen gets in and they try to score it

Welcome Ariman. Always confused you with that Royal Air force pilot.

[Shaggy]

Nobody been watching?

Been watching it and cant believe we are still in this albeit a small chance. I still think there will be a collapse somewhere along the line...probably starting at Flintoff and Jones

Yup, me too mate. Woke up this morning guessing we'd be 190-6 and was delighted to see us 183-2 with Bell just gone.

If Cookie and Colly can see off this session you just never know...!

We need, at the very least, to restore some pride.

[kopdan]

I just need sleep really...and a shave

and there goes Colly.

****

[Shaggy]

I just don't believe it.

[kopdan]

one more and its over. Flintoff and Jones are no good to us at the moment.

[Shaggy]

Agreed that if we lose either of these two in this session it's finished. For some reason though I'm hopeful if KP and Cook can see off the impending new ball then we're still in there!

We need a century from Pietersen, desperately.

[kopdan]

and there goes the Ashes

[Shaggy]

Gutted. Foolishly, I was starting to hope.

[Red Chilli]

We were only ever batting for pride.....or a 2 day thunderstorm

Cook did well, at least he's learning. Another wobble by Colly It's a shame Bell missed out on a ton again I thought he really deserved it.

I'll be doing my rain dance later on, that's our only realistic chance of getting a draw.

[animal magic]

i dont think it will last long tonight bell and cook batted really well ,
my best wishes go to ashley and his wife

[Red Chilli]

No it won't last long, I'd be surprised if it's still going after lunch.

[animal magic]

especially with g jones in the side

[Red Chilli]

Indeed

From bbc.co.uk

Gooch proposes selection overhaul

Graham Gooch is England's leading run-scorer in Test history
Former England captain Graham Gooch feels there needs to be an overhaul of the selection system on future tours made by the national side.
He was speaking out after it took spinner Monty Panesar three Tests before being named in he starting side.

And he was also surprised that Geraint Jones had won back his wicket-keeping role ahead of his rival Chris Read.

Gooch told Five Live's Sportsweek: "There are big questions over the selection and make-up of the side."

A former England captain and a member of sides to have won the Ashes home and away, Gooch added: "One of the best parts of English cricket over the past 12 months has been the emergence of Panesar as a class bowler.

"I do not think against Australia you can afford not to have your best bowlers in the side - even if it affects the balance of the team.

I would have thought a senior member of the selection panel being on hand would be something to be considered

Graham Gooch

"He is a potential match-winner.

"The wicket-keeping position is another one. Jones has been picked for a reason because he is the stronger batter, but he has not been getting runs.

"The selection process was put in place in the summer where Read and Panesar were playing, then as soon as they go on tour, that was changed around.

"I think there have to be some checks and balances with the selection system."

Once the selectors had decided on their squad to tour Australia final team selection was down to coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Andrew Flintoff, with assistance from some senior players.

The two selectors who assist Fletcher when picking squads for home Tests, David Graveney and Geoff Miller, had no say in the matter.

Duncan Fletcher is the best coach England have had

Alec Stewart

Gooch, once touted as a future supremo of English cricket after retiring in the early 1990s, feels that's wrong, adding: "You need a different view from someone to oversee the whole situation.

"When I started, there used to be a tour manager, to give a dispassioned view on the side and I would have thought a senior member of the selection panel being on hand would be something to be considered.

"Because if England lose the Ashes, and it looks that way, then the question is going to be 'who is accountable'?"

Gooch, former head coach at Essex where he remains in an ambassadorial role, backed Fletcher as a "superb coach", a sentiment echoed by another former England captain, Alec Stewart.

Stewart told Sportsweek: "Duncan Fletcher is the best coach England have had and we have lost something like one series in the last 10."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6187887.stm

Spot on Goochie, except maybe the last bit