Third Man - An Ashes Blog

22 dec 2006

2006-12-22T09:35:00.000Z

First Martyn, then Warney and then Harmie. Will McGrath be next?

I'm surprised that Warney didn't decide to call it a day at the MCG. He will have taken his 700th wicket and its his home crowd, but the SCG is a great place to play cricket and the atmosphere for him will be great there too. The Aussies love him, and rightly so. Shame the match doesn't really matter.

England's one day squad looks a shambles, so if your a betting person I'd keep your money in your pocket if you were looking to put it on England. I'd be surprised if they got through the league section. Paul Nixon must be the maddest selection ever??

Oh well, same old same old. Merry Christmas and enjoy the Melbourne Test!!

third test - day five - over and out

2006-12-18T12:30:00.000Z

Congratulations to the Aussies. Sorry we didn't make a better contest of it, which is what you would have wanted.

On Day 4 England fought well - Bell and Cook in particular, but it was too little too late. Who knows if Cook could have hung around for another 16 balls on Day 4 and started Day 5 fresh, then just maybe we would have been in with a shout.

I am a big fan of Freddie's, but I don't think he is captain material. He is all heart, but if it really was him that wanted Giles and Jones, then that shows poor judgment. It similarly reflects badly on Fletcher. His captaincy must also come into question on Day 4 and then Day 5 at Adelaide and here on Day 3, when he allowed Gilchrist to dominate and get the Aussies in a position that they could declare before the end of play and get England into bat.

Poor old Jones must be consigned to the role of back-up keeper for this tour and England need to look at a young keeper to back up Reid for the future. Reid will need to work on his batting if he is to keep the gloves.

Part of me hopes that England can salvage something from this tour, not least for the thousands of fans who will be at the SCG and the MCG, and who have paid through the nose to see England play in two dead rubbers. Another part of me would like them to get whitewashed, as if they were to only lose 3-2 people might forget how easily they have relinquished their grasp on the little urn.

third test - day three close

2006-12-16T10:58:00.000Z

Andrew Strauss must hate the game of cricket at the moment. He has now been given out in his last three innings when he was not out, and they have been crucial decisions. He is one of England's key batsmen and he is not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

People will say that it all works out in the end, and that he will get a few decisions that go his way, but by that time England will have lost the Ashes. Is it time for video appeals? I think captains or team managers should be allowed two appeals against umpiring decisions per innings.

So what of England's chances now. They need the small matter of 556 to win and they now only have 9 wickets left. The pitch still looks reasonable, but Warne will be able to bowl with men around the bat, so the slightest mistake and England will be punished. The bookies say 25-1 the draw and 20-1 the win (hardly generous that). The Aussies are 1-100 to win.

The first session tomorrow will be crucial. You have to say that England's chances of batting out 6 sessions look pretty bleak, but if they could get through the first session without losing a wicket, then their spirits will be lifted from the depths of despair and you never know. If the odds on England wimnning were 100-1 then I might even be tempted to have a flutter. It's a funny game cricket and if Gillie can hit a 57 ball hundred then who knows what Pietersen might do? He'll need hundreds from a couple of the others - Monty step forward!!

third test - day two close

2006-12-15T09:57:00.000Z

Another disappointing day for English cricket as their batsmen failed miserably on what is obviously still a decent pitch, as Messrs Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar showed with bat in hand, and as the Aussies have done in their second innings.

Collingwood failed, as people initially feared he would in Australia, outdone by the extra bounce and pace trying to force off the back foot. Flintoff looked woefully out of touch and Geraint Jones may just have played his last Test match after falling again to a skewed drive outside his off stump. Pietersen did his best, and the bowlers batted bravely, Panesar looking as good as any of them, which made a nonsense of Fletcher's claims for Giles' inclusion in the first two Tests.

But at the end of the day, the batsmen have let England down, and with the Aussies already 144 ahead and only one wicket down I pity those who are going out to Aus to see the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, although they are both great city's to be in.

Unless someone can pull something out of the bag tomorrow England look likely to go 3-0 down in this series, and to be honest they probably deserve to be. Then the recriminations will start and no doubts some heads will roll. My bet is that Fletcher won't be in charge for next year's World Cup - perhaps they could give the job to Andy Robinson!!

third test - day one close

2006-12-14T10:22:00.000Z

A good day for England with Monty at the heart of things.

As suggested yesterday the Aussies are not that clever, with the exception of Hussey, who is a rock. If Ponting goes early Australia look fragile and England exploited that today with good pressure after the first hour's play.

This pitch is not as docile as everyone believed. The ball is coming through nicely, but if a batsman gets in on this wicket he could be hard to shift, as Hussey proved. England need Strauss or Collingwood to play that role, with contributions from all the rest. If Pietersen can curb his initial desires to smash everything out of the park, particularly off Warne, then this could be his type of pitch. Another big hundred from him tomorrow and England will be in a strong position.

The edge was taken off the day by another soft dismissal for Cook lunging forward outside his off stump, and Bell's early exit, but could Warne's miss at slip off Collingwood come back to haunt him. I certainly hope so.

Well done Monty! Now batsman get us into a position to win this Test!!

and on to Perth

2006-12-13T17:04:00.000Z

Didn't someone once say that 10 days was a long time in cricket...or am I paraphrasing?

The Aussies have named the same side for Perth, with the notable exception of Damien Martyn, who stunned everyone by retiring shortly after the second test. It means Hussey and Clarke will move up the batting order and the wild-haired Andrew Symonds comes into the team at 6.

I really don't think the Aussies have a strong team and they are there for the taking, but I am not sure England are up to it. Monty must play at Perth, but the pressure on the poor bloke to take wickets is now immense. I hope he comes off and is England's hero, but the Aussies will give him a torrid time, and if the WACA pitch is as slow as everyone says it is going to be, he could get a hiding.

Once again the toss will be vital and if England could win it and bat sensibly then they may be able to exert some pressure on the Aussies. Hayden and Langer look fragile, and Ponting must be due a failure. England haven't worked out Hussey yet and Clarke and Symonds can get out early. Clarke reminds me of Derek Randall, the former Notts and England player - a bundle of nerves.

My money would be a on a draw here, but then it should have been a draw at the Adelaide Oval. Surely England cannot be that inept again.....can they?

second test - day 5 close

2006-12-05T08:36:00.000Z

Pitiful!

It brings back the bad memories of 4 years ago.

England's performance today was abject. They were unfortunate with a couple of decisions (Strauss and Harmey), but they deserved to lose the way they batted. They just lost their nerve. Whoever is the team psychologist they need shooting. Geoff Boycott must have been spitting feathers in the TSM commentary box.

Where do England go from here? They must now win two out of three Tests, but their bowling has not looked penetrative in either of the first two Tests. Giles should be dropped and Panesar should play. Giles has added very little with the bat and his bowling has been mediocre at best.

Everyone keeps berating Anderson, but I don't think he has done that badly and has had no luck - viz Jones's dropped catch off the inside edge off him today. I think he is a better bat than Harmey too, and possibly Hoggard.

If Perth really is a pudding then one of the quicks may have to give way, and it won't be Hoggie after his efforts here. Fletch will stick with Harmie, but he will be a waste.

The prospects are not bright. I think Flintoff is more injured than England would like us to know, and as I have said before he looks dreadfully out of touch with the bat. Cook needs to work out where his off stump is and stop dabbing at balls a foot outside it. Colly and Bell are doing well, and Pietersen either fires or falls flat. His dismissal today was schoolboyish.

These guys are supposed to be professionals, but they looked far from that today.

second test - day 5 - tea

2006-12-05T05:15:00.000Z

England all out for a dismal 129, and the Aussies need 168 from 36 overs.

I think they will struggle to get there if we bowl sensibly, and Freddie sets the right fields.

England need to make every run a struggle. 4 an over on this pitch will be tough, particualrly if England can take a few wickets.

England have got to give no 4 balls. Just short of a length outside the off stump for the quicks, and Giles has got to bowl out of his skin. The Aussies will target him as soon as he comes on.

second test - day 5 - an hour after lunch

2006-12-05T04:12:00.000Z

Things are looking grim, unless the bowlers can pull something special out of the bag.

Jones went to a terrible shot. Giles was another Warne victim, and Hoggy fell to the googley, albeit with a big inside edge.

England now lead by 145 runs but there are still nearly 50 overs for the Aussies to bat.

Colly does not seem concerned about protecting Harmey, so I can't see us lasting much longer. They have to try and string this out as long as possible and then bowl their socks off.

second test - day 5 lunch

2006-12-05T02:34:00.000Z

And here's me thinking I could go to bed at lunchtime (2.30am) safe in the knowledge that England had saved this game, but 30 runs in the session and four wickets means I am forced to stay up for at least another 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Where does this match go from here? We are 124 runs ahead and the Aussies would have a maximum of 59 overs from here. In reality it will take them at least 10 overs to bowl us out, and we might score a few more in that time, so they'd need 150 in 49 overs, which is plenty of time.

England have to get to a situation where the Aussies need 4 or 5 an over to win, so 160 ahead and 40 overs left and we should be OK? That means we have to bat for at least another 90 minutes and score 40 runs in that time.

There is still nothing in this pitch. It is all in the mind. At this level they should be able to cope with it. I don't think this is the case with Jones, but I'll stick my neck out and back Colly and Gilo to pull us out of the clack.

20 minutes on...

2006-12-05T02:00:00.000Z

Flintoff goes to a poor shot.

Will Fletcher have the last laugh as Jones and Giles (if he gets in, or rather when he gets in) save the day. For England's sake lets hope so.

England are now so negative that they can hardly put bat on ball.

The Test series could be decided in the next two hours of cricket.

We've had 21 overs, scored 18 runs and lost 4 wickets.

second test - day 5 - first session

2006-12-05T01:35:00.000Z

Just over one hour into this session and oh dear!!

Strauss given out caught when he doesn't hit it; Bell is guilty of ball watching and is run out like a schoolboy; and Pietersen shows his naivety and is bowled behind his legs.

73 for 4 and we are deep in the mire, just 111 runs ahead.

The Aussies are on a high and this is going to take some saving from here...............

second test - day 4 close

2006-12-04T13:15:00.000Z

Still not convinced by Gilchrist despite his 62. He looked shakey even on this nothing wicket, but the fact that he scored runs means he'll be in for the rest of the series, which I don't think will upset England too much.

Great performance by the Hogster. His best haul against the Aussies and on a pitch that gave him nothing. Ironic that he was a real whipping boy out here four years ago. He is turning into England's Glenn McGrath (only younger!!)

England must regret not having Monty on the field. Gilo was ineffective, whereas Pietersen looked more likely to take wickets.

England did well not to lose 2/3 wickets in the closing session and are 97 ahead with 90 overs of this game to play. It would be good to see them play positively tomorrow morning and score 120 before lunch, and then declare mid-afternoon and have a late pop at the Aussies again. They would have nothing to win and everything to lose. A few egos could be deflated if nothing else.

As for Perth, well they say the wicket there is going to be even slower than here, if that is possible. This wicket has made for a pretty dull affair, so an even slower one is not going to be great entertainment. I think you would have to say that another draw could be on the cards.

Are Freddie and Anderson fit? Will Monty finally get the nod over Gilo? All will be revealed in due course, but let's get through Day 5 first.

second test - day 3 close

2006-12-04T13:09:00.000Z

I know its late, but its been a busy weekend. I'll try not to write with the benefit of hindsight.

It was a long day's play, and I know coz I watched it. I was going to do an immediate post when Hayden went early, and then when Martyn went, things looked really promising, But Punter and Mr Cricket plugged away gamely and have probably saved the game for the Aussies. Grabbing both their wickets before the close has given us a sniff of a chance, but we will need to take wickets early, and this pitch still looks like a pudding.

second test day 2 close

2006-12-02T12:07:00.000Z

England are in the box seat.

Colly and Pietersen have done the job they are paid to do and done it well. The Aussie bowling looked just as ineffective as it had done in the second innings at the Gabba. I hope you all took the 5-1 about England winning this game?

McGrath was clearly not fit and should not have played, and the fact that Warne kept putting on a big jumper suggests that all may not be right with him too. The tide may be turning.

The Aussies can still bat though, and England will have to bowl accurately and with a bit of luck, and they will have to persevere. It will not be easy, but if we can keep the pressure on and bowl outside Ponting's off stump, we can win this game.

second test - day 1 close

2006-12-01T08:48:00.000Z

Not too bad.

Colly has played exceptionally well. This pitch really suits his style.

Pietersen is a law unto himself and had he been out in the last over of the day I think I may have crossed him off my Christmas card list, but he is still there.

If England can convert 266 for 3 into something close to 500 then they will be right in this game. All they will need to do then is take 20 wickets for not too many runs?!?

I cannot see Harmison having much of a role in the Aussie first innings. His bowling will just sit up and say hit me on this wicket. Even Freddie might not look too clever, but I'd back Jimmy Anderson to get amongst the wickets, and probably Gilo if he bores them out. I don't like this new flighted round the wicket Gilo much though, because he doesn't actually spin the ball much. I think the Aussies will get after him if they can. If we have enough runs then they may cause their own downfall. I really think England will miss Monty and I hope we don't draw this test because Fletcher/Flintoff were not brave enough to pick him ahead of Giles. We didn't have to have two spinners - one real spinner would have done.

second test - just after lunch

2006-12-01T03:41:00.000Z

Well Freddie did his stuff with the coin, but England have not made the most of it. Cook and Strauss will be kicking themselves not to have made more on this great wicket. 58 for 2 at lunch was a poor return.

Now the Aussies have Mr Borethemout and the jibbering, yelping Warney. England have to stay patient, but put away the bad balls.

As for leaving out Monty, well that decision may come back to haunt Fletcher, but not if the batsmen fail.

Come on Colly and Bell! Dare I say it that things are looking up at 73 for 2?

here we go again...

2006-11-30T19:05:00.000Z

Just 5 and a bit hours now until the 2nd Test gets underway at Adelaide.

Will Glen McGrath play? Will Monty play? I think no and yes, but who knows.

Once again I think that whoever wins the toss will win this match. Please Freddie get it right. If he does then England have got to bat sensibly and rack up 450 plus. If they do that then they can win, despite taking so few wickets at the Gabba.

I back Freddie to bowl well and just hope that Monty and Gilo can back him up. Who knows what Steve Harmison will do, but if he does not get it right here, then he may be a casualty come Perth.

If Freddie wins the toss then snap up the bookies' 5-1 for an England win!

vaughan nonsense

2006-11-28T10:55:00.000Z

Am I the only person to be utterly fed up with the constant references to when Michael Vaughan is going to return to the England team. The guy has played NO cricket at all since June 2006, but people seem to think that a couple of games for the Academy and he will be back to prime form, and will walk back into the England team. He should be discounted for this series completely!

That is not to say that I do not rate him, or think that he is an astute captain, but lets go with what we have got and work with it, and not keep hankering after something which probably won't materialise, and if it did would probably destabilise the team.

I am quietly confident in England's batting for the next test. My only concerns are Strauss and Freddie himself. With the exception of Harmie I don't think the England bowlers looked much worse than the Aussies, particularly in England's second innings. It was a flat, nothing pitch, so it was a slog for all of them. I would actually play Plunkett instead of Harmie and Monty instead of Gilo, but I don't think England will. They will stick with Giles, and Monty will only get a shot if it looks like a "bunsen burner", but with the Aussies leaving out MacGill, this does not seem likely. Sorry Monty you may be watching again. But your time will come, if not on this tour!

stumps on day 5

2006-11-27T16:52:00.000Z

England duly lost and they deserved to do so. Once Pietersen had gone to the fourth ball of the morning there was little hope, and Jones flattered to deceive yet again. He played some exquisite cover drives, but the shot he got out to was horrible with bat about a foot from his pads.

And so we move onto Adelaide. I think we still have a very good chance in this series. The Aussies are not at their best, especially their bowlers, and if we can just win the toss there and bat sensibly and put 400 on the board, then it will give us a decent chance. Monty must play on a spinners wicket, if that is what Adelaide looks like.

stumps on day 4

2006-11-26T18:11:00.000Z

England have finally come to the game, but it may be too late. We managed to lose only 5 wickets after Ponting finally declared when Langer got his hundred. However in the meantime he had managed to tweak a muscle in his back. How ironic if this keeps him out of the next Test.

Strauss gave his wicket away again on the pull, and Bell failed, as did Freddie falling for the club cricketer's long hop from Warney. Cook looked pretty good, but a bit too free against Warney and fell to the forward prod. Collie then set to and deserved his hundred, until a sudden rush of blood to the head.

So we are left with Pietersen and Jones at the wicket and the new ball due. McGrath and Lee looked pretty innocuous, but the first hour tomorrow will settle this game, and it is likely to be in the Aussies favour.

But who knows it might rain??

stumps on day 3

2006-11-25T14:06:00.000Z

Another abject day from England, leaving them the small matter of 626 runs behind.

Quite why Ricky Ponting did not enforce the follow-on we shall never know. Perhaps the powers that be were concerned that the game might not get into a fourth day if England were to bat again, and the lost revenue would have been enormous. Cynical? Perhaps, but what good cricketing reason was there for the Aussies not to enforce the follow-on?

I accept that it is still a good pitch as the Aissies showed in cruising past our pathetic first innings total when they batted again, but Ricky Ponting cannot really beleive that England were going to score 545 in their second innings and set the Aussies a tricky 100 to win in the last innings?

As it is Punter has given England a glimmer of hope of saving this game. They will only have to bat for about 5 and a half sessions (about 165 overs). I say a glimmer because they only managed to bat for 61 overs in their first innings, so it will be very very tough, particularly as it appears that a small earthquake is taking place just on Glenn McGrath's length, leaving a crack large enough for Justin Langer to fall down if he is not careful.

The Aussies bowled better than us. If we could bowl like McGrath to Punter then he would struggle much more, but we will insist in bowling straight or leg-side to him and he just whips it through the onside for runs!

The only good thing is that at least I have not paid £5K to actually be there this time!!

stumps on day 2

2006-11-24T08:24:00.000Z

So all our worst fears were realised.

The Aussies did get to 600 and we lost early wickets. Strauss's pull was unforgiveable, Cook got squared up, and Collingwood failed to move his front foot far enough forward, so played on the walk from the crease and paid the price.

KP and Bell will have to hold the show together tomorrow. Can KP play a responsible innings? I am not sure that it is in his nature, but the true pitch should suit his style and he might come off, even though he will not bat all day. This will put pressure on Bell, Flintoff and Jones. Let's hope Fletcher's faith in Giles as a batsman is rewarded, although if it is, this could make it very difficult to drop him for Panesar at Adelaide. Perhaps they will both play and Harmie can get in some more net practice.

lunch on day 2

2006-11-24T02:42:00.000Z

Well it has not got any better, but then it was never really likely to was it? 427 for 4 and Punter still going strong. He seems likely to reach his double century. The only joy was to see the back of Mr Cricket, bowled by Freddie who looks a class above the other bowlers, although Jimmy has looked reasonable.

Poor old Harmie looks like a fish out of water, but Freddie might as well just let him bowl. He is no more expensive than anyone else and containment is all that England can do now really until the Aussie's declare, sometime after tea.

Hoggard has just bowled the first ball after lunch, so it is back to the vigil.......

stumps on day 1

2006-11-23T08:23:00.000Z

Finally the first day ends. Australia are on 346 for 3 with Punter on 137 not out and the rock that is Mr Hussey on 63. Day 2 is likely to be just as long.

In theory this match must be heading for a draw, as this looks to be as good a batting wicket as you will ever see. Everyone keeps saying that it is a great Test wicket, but I would have to disagree, as it has given the bowlers absolutely nothing, and I don't think that will change much over the course of the next 4 days.

That is not to say that England will not contrive to lose this game. After two long hot days in the field they will be asked to bat at the end of Day 2, and fatigue could easily account for the the first few wickets and then we will be into the tail. England's top 5 have got to bat like their lives depend on it and not give their wickets away as we chase 600. It will be a tall order, but hopefully Strauss, Cook and Bell can set the tone, and Pieterson can reign himself in.

lunch on day one

2006-11-23T02:40:00.000Z

Well it was the anti-climax I feared.
Giles in for Monty - very negative
England lose the toss and are in the field
Harmy's first ball goes straight to 2nd slip!
Too many overs going for 10 or more.
109 for 1 at lunch. This could be a very long day in the field for England

the final countdown

2006-11-22T16:13:00.000Z

It's now 16.05 here in England and darkness is almost upon us. In less than 8 hours the first ball will be bowled in this Ashes series, which surely cannot live up to all the hype!

It will be a relief to all to actually get down to some cricket. Let's hope it is not an anti-climax. Freddie if you win the toss, please, please, please BAT.

I plan to get some kip early evening and will then be up again to watch the first ball at midnight, and eyes willing, will probably watch the whole days play live. I will have the laptop to hand during the night, so may well add a few more impromptu blogs as the night progresses.

As for predictions - well I think Monty will play. I think whoever wins the toss (and bats) will win the game. I hope it is England with the Monster claiming 6 wickets in the Aussie second innings.

cat and mouse

2006-11-17T15:28:00.000Z

Monty gets the nod over Gilo against South Australia, but Fletcher now says that this does not mean he will start the 1st test, due to the fact that Tresco is now out. Not sure I follow the logic there, but heh hoh.

Perhaps it is actually the fitness of Harmie which is of more concern. If he does not make it and they bring in Saj Mahmood, this may be better for Monty again as Saj looks quite respectable with a bat in his hand - better some would say than with a ball!

I am liking the look of Anderson and think he may be the key out here. Hoggard had a nightmare out here last tour, but is a better bowler now and should keep things quiet, as will Monty. That will allow Freddie and Jimmy to be aggressive in short bursts, which could prove to be very effective.

tresco - out

2006-11-14T12:07:00.000Z

I was going to write last night that Tresco's form was worrying and then I go and read this morning that he is out of the tour, due to stress.
It may be a blessing in disguise if he was not right, as Fletch would probably have played him in at least the first two Tests whether he scored any runs or not - and not seemed like the likeliest option.
The way now seems clear for Cook to open with Strauss, which means Colly will get a game. Jones will be the keeper, and the only other question is whether Monty will be picked ahead of Gilo, or with him at the exclusion of possibly Hoggard or Anderson. So starting line-up may be
Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff, Jones, Anderson, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar, but who knows what will happen in the next few days?

reiding between the lines

2006-11-13T12:20:00.000Z

So Reid is no longer the number one keeper, due, it seems to a rather poor ICC Champions Trophy performance, although on that front half the team should not be playing in the 1st test.

One day cricket and Test matches are not the same and Reid's form in India should not prevent him from starting with the gloves here. He has hardly been given a fair crack of the whip, as Jones was before him, despite few runs and poor form behind the stumps. Jones has had ample opportunity to show that he is a better batsman, but he has failed miserably.

In my view he has a concentration issue, with both bat and gloves. He looks good, but in cricket a momentary lapse and you spill a catch or you get out. I would love him to prove me wrong so that Fletch has the option of picking Monty instead of Gilo, but I just don't think it will be the case. The proof of the pudding...............

warning bells

2006-11-07T16:47:00.000Z

Well that didn't take long. England have not even played their first warm-up match and already Fletcher is telling us that he is going to have to play 5 bowlers in the 1st Test as Freddie cannot be relied upon to bowl many overs! So who will miss out? My guess is Paul Collingwood, so the probable line up would be
Strauss, Trescothick, Cook, Pieterson, Bell, Flintoff, Reid, Anderson, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
That's one very long tail, which might lead Fletcher to reason that there is no place for Panesar as he needs to include Giles to bat at 7. Not a good idea, but I reckon its more likely to happen than not, if Giles proves his fitness in the warm-up games.
Not a good start.

fixtures

2006-11-07T08:31:00.000Z

just for the record...
November
10 v Prime Minister's XI, CanberraPlay starts 9 November 2300 GMT
12-14 v New South Wales, SydneyPlay starts 0000 GMT
17-19 v South Australia, AdelaidePlay starts 0000 GMT
23-27 1st Test, BrisbanePlay starts 0000 GMT
December
1-5 2nd Test, AdelaidePlay starts 0030 GMT
8 v CA Chairman's XI, Lilac HillPlay starts 0230 GMT
9-10 v Western Australia, PerthPlay starts 0230 GMT
14-18 3rd Test, PerthPlay starts 0230 GMT
26-30 4th Test, MelbournePlay starts 2330 GMT (from 25 Dec)
January
2-6 5th Test, SydneyPlay starts 2330 GMT (from 1 Jan)
9 Twenty20 International, SydneyPlay starts 0830 GMT
Commonwealth Bank Series
12 ODI v Australia, Melbourne (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
16 ODI v New Zealand, HobartPlay starts 2300 GMT (15 Jan)
19 ODI v Australia, Brisbane (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
23 ODI v New Zealand, Adelaide (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
26 ODI v Australia, Adelaide (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
30 ODI v New Zealand, Perth (d/n)Play starts 0530 GMT
February
2 ODI v Australia, Sydney (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
6 ODI v New Zealand, Brisbane (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
9 1st final, Melbourne (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
11 2nd final, Sydney (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT
13 3rd final (if needed), Brisbane (d/n)Play starts 0315 GMT

four years on

2006-11-03T17:10:00.000Z

What a difference four years can make?
Here is the original squad from 4 years ago
Nasser Hussain (capt), Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Alec Stewart, James Foster, Ashley Giles, Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Richard Dawson (Thorpe was replaced by Robert Key when he pulled out before the Tour even started)
and here's today's touring party
Andrew Flintoff (capt) James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Ashley Giles, Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, Liam Plunkett, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Marcus Trescothick

Once again we are taking players who are possibly unfit - last time it was Gough, Flintoff, Butcher and Thorpe. This time it is Anderson (?), Giles, Harmison (?), Plunkett and Trescothick.

It is a very different squad, but we do have potential match winners in Flintoff, Pieterson and Panesar.

one man's ashes

2006-11-03T15:36:00.000Z

Four years ago I was just getting myself prepared to fly out to Australia to watch the entire Ashes Tour. It was a great trip although the cricket was not that great, apart from Sydney, and I wrote it all up into an unpublished book called One Man's Ashes.

Now I will have to resort to watching the matches on Sky, but I thought I would blog my thoughts about the tour this time. It won't be quite the same and I am not sure that I will get to see every ball of every Test Match as I did four years ago.

Onward to Brisbane and the first Test, but a lot can happen before then as it did 4 years ago...................