Cricket

[Alex]

I thought those odds were for the first test rather than the series?

[EwarWoo]

Brisbane will be a draw. Scatterred thunderstorms end of day 1-3, possibly all day days 4 & 5.

Weathers been rat**** here lately, no rain for 4 months, grass and all other vegetation dying, and suddenly none stop storms.

[Chazza]

Ashes 2013-14: James Anderson labels Michael Clarke 'paranoid' as tensions rise ahead of first test

18 Nov 2013 22:00

The brash Lancastrian was none too kind about Clarke in his book, and the Aussie captain has bitten back

The tensions between James Anderson and Michael Clarke will reach fever pitch in the Ashes after the England man branded the Aussie ‘paranoid’.

If Clarke found life uncomfortable around Anderson on and off the pitch before now, then things are set to go up a level following the taunt.

The Aussie skipper revealed in his ‘Ashes Diary’ a book on last summer’s contest, that Anderson went out of his way to ignore him.

He wrote: “I’m polite to all of the Englishmen and will say G’day to anyone. James Anderson is the one who prefers not to talk to me.

“I didn’t read his book, but from what I heard, he had a crack at me.

“That’s fine. He’s a fast bowler, and if I was his captain I’d want to see a bit of mongrel in him too.”

However the England bowler completely refutes the suggestion and when asked if he doesn’t like Clarke he said: “No. I think he is possibly being a bit paranoid.

“I’ve nothing against him at all. To be honest I don’t remember seeing him many times outside a game situation so if he goes on how I behave in the field, he might think that, I don’t know.

“I can’t speak for anyone else but I was brought up to think that actions speak louder than words.

“We will try to concentrate on performing well in these games and how we are going to try to beat the Australians. That’s where it matters, on the field, and that is where we will try to show people what we are about.”

Anderson can be more than a little prickly on the field where his job is to unsettle batsmen in order to get them out.

He’ll use a stare or a choice word to help in that end, but off the field he is often softly spoken and good humoured.

Perhaps Clarke remembers their run-in during the 2006/07 series when the now 31-year-old got worked up over a few drinks and listened to Damien Martyn’s advice in the dressing room.

“As I’d had a couple of beers, I didn’t need a second invitation,” wrote Anderson.

“So I picked this pad up and cuffed Clarke with it, making the biggest thud imaginable in the process, and causing everyone in the room to stop nattering. For a split second, there was complete silence.

“‘What the f*** ya doing?’ he (Clarke) snarled.

“While others chatted with opposite numbers about the game, Clarke was being a complete pain, whistling away to himself and carrying on in a most arrogant manner.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/ashes-2013-14-james-anderson-labels-2805535?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Reece]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10458601/Ashes-2013-14-Hotspot-expected-to-be-given-reprieve-in-conjunction-with-real-time-snicko.html

[captainfog]

[captainfog]

The Aussie press are just looking desperate now

[Shaggy]

Mark Butcher covering Steely Dan

He's good

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4asm46y7aqo"]Mark Butcher - Any Major Dude Will Tell You (Steely Dan Cover) - Ont' Sofa Gibson Sessions - YouTube[/ame]

[RichC]

Playing right handed as well, impressive he taught himself to play left handed as a cricketer

[Liverpool]

Thought id get to see a far bit of this series being in India, however its too far late to stay up and too early to get up for

[Cormack74]

Highlights nightly on Pick (it's a free satellite channel but I don't know if it's carried by Virgin) apparently for anyone who doesn't pay for sky sports.

[Alex]

So this starts tonight at 11ish yeah?

[Shaggy]

Play starts at midnight ffs. Will just be able to do the morning session I think.

[Alex]

Ahh **** that then. Ill just get up early and watch the afternoon (our morning) session. 8 Hours of play right? So I think I can TMS a couple of hours of it.

[captainfog]

Still at work at so can only stay up till lunch.

Next test I'll be aiming for tea.

[captainfog]

Warner slagging off KP now as well...... They really have reverted to type and are acting like a bunch of Harvs.