McGrath in Jones out!!!!

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First blood to Australia

This is going to be awesome!!!!!!

[partygirluk]

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This is going to be awesome!!!!!!

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[Vince Young]

I have no idea what you're talking about. /images/graemlins/confused.gif

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I have no idea what you're talking about. /images/graemlins/confused.gif

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There are about 5 - 6 posters here who are thinking about only one thing at the moment.

The 5th and final test which will determine the winner of the Ashes.

The Ashes is a 5 test cricket series contested between Australia and England. It has been contested for over 100 years and is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in sport.

[Crveballin]

Is McGrath a running back?

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Is McGrath a running back?

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LOL

What's a running back?

He's a pace bowler who has taken over 500 test wickets.

Very important component to Australia's chance of retaining the Ashes.

[chezlaw]

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Is McGrath a running back?

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LOL

What's a running back?

He's a pace bowler who has taken over 500 test wickets.

Very important component to Australia's chance of retaining the Ashes.

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One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. Huge advantage to you lot if his fit, now that we have lost Jones - our most succesful bowler of the series.

Good that his fit though. He deserves the chance to end his ashes carear in a game like this rather than on the sidelines. Much as we hate the guy I'm sure he will get an amazing reception.

chez

[kyro]

You're all cigarettes.

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Is McGrath a running back?

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LOL

What's a running back?

He's a pace bowler who has taken over 500 test wickets.

Very important component to Australia's chance of retaining the Ashes.

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One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. Huge advantage to you lot if his fit, now that we have lost Jones - our most succesful bowler of the series.

Good that his fit though. He deserves the chance to end his ashes carear in a game like this rather than on the sidelines. Much as we hate the guy I'm sure he will get an amazing reception.

chez

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With all his disruptions on this tour it remains to be seen just how much McGrath can provide. He will need to be at his brilliant best as I maintain he is the only Aussie quick who can skittle Englands top order.

It was obvious very early on at Old Trafford that he shouldn't have been playing, it wont take many overs to establish whether his inclusion here is desperation or not.

It will probably turn out to be a bit of both.

I'm sure this will be the last time Warney and Pidgeon will set foot on English soil wearing the baggy green, but both might be eyeing out the next ashes series in Oz as a swansong.

Warney balling his last balls on a fifth day turning SCG wicket, I'm sure thats they way he'd want to go out.

[jdl22]

note: I'm really only asking this to show off one of the 4 or 5 things I know about cricket.

Is Australia's cricket team still cheap as hell? Are they still the masters of the lbw? Do they ever walk off when they're out on a slightly tipped ball the referee (umpire?) couldn't possibly catch?

On to asking about that about which I have no understanding. How many balls can one bowl without getting too tired to continue? How many bowlers typically bowl for each side during a test match? How big is the gap between this McGrath 'bloke' and the second best guy for the Aussies? Same question for Jones and England.

[chezlaw]

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On to asking about that about which I have no understanding. How many balls can one bowl without getting too tired to continue? How many bowlers typically bowl for each side during a test match? How big is the gap between this McGrath 'bloke' and the second best guy for the Aussies? Same question for Jones and England.


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Maximum number of balls for a fast bowler without a break is about 60. (Unless your C Walsh in which case you can bowl forever). They can bowl 2 or 3 spells in a day with breaks in between.

Number of bowlers per side is typically 4 or 5 plus small contributions from part timers.

Mcgrath is in a different league to the Australians other fast bowlers. They do also have one of the greatest spin bowlers (picture on left) who has ever lived.

Jones is probably not Englands best fast bowler but has been the most succesful in this series.

chez

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Chez

The papers here are suggesting that Paul Collingwood is going to get the nod.

Would bolster Englands batting but would mean extra overs for Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison.

What do you think?

[chezlaw]

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Chez

The papers here are suggesting that Paul Collingwood is going to get the nod.

Would bolster Englands batting but would mean extra overs for Flintoff, Hoggard and Harmison.

What do you think?

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I think its the right decision. The options for a replacement specialist bowler are very limited. Anderson is fragile mentally, same for Tremlett. Caddick was an interesting idea but he can crack under pressure as well. Gough isn't good enough any more.

Mental toughness is going to be vital and Collingwood has that as well as being good enough to strengthen the batting significantly. Still leaves us 4 specialists, collingwood and two other part time bowlers (bell and vaughn) which isn't too bad.


chez

[ThaSaltCracka]

What makes cricket interesting to you? I say this with complete seriousness and curiosity, and not in a way as to mock the sport.

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What makes cricket interesting to you? I say this with complete seriousness and curiosity, and not in a way as to mock the sport.

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It's a combination of things.

Firstly it's like asking an American why they like baseball or basketball. These sports are very popular in your country so that exposure is there for all at a young age.

Cricket is the most popular summer sport in my country. So in Australia you are brought up on it.

There are two forms of the game but for the benifit of this response not getting to long I will only talk about test cricket.

A test match is contested over 5 days which makes it certainly different from any other sport.

Cricket has a beautiful ebb and flow to it, one team can be on top and then the momentum can shift and then back again.
The shape of the game can change so many times over five days until a winner is decided. One moment the game can be chugging along and then all of the sudden there is high tension.

The reason that cricket fans are going bananas over this series is that we have witnessed 4 test matches of the highest quality. The matches have been relentless,gripping and tension packed. Not many sports could sustain I high level of intensity for 5 days with virtually no dip.

As a spectacle watching fast bowlers charge in a bowl the ball at 90+mph is pretty awesome as is watching a batsman smash it back over his head and into the stands.

So theres an entertainment + the highly tactical, psychological aspect. Blended together it's intruiging to those who love it.

i hope that explains it bit for you