England v Australia, NatWest Challenge, The Oval, Game 3

um.
just started a post back at my place, and am torn whether to do the thoughts here or on me blog…

And mcGrath could have had 5 overs, 1 for none, except Gillespie’s tour just got worse. After a clumsy misfield earlier, he dropped Vaughan at 9 off a sitter.
Now Gilchrist has gone and dropped Strauss- a kier, but a straighforward one.

I know it might sound weird coming from an Aussie, but i really hope England can post near 300, in fact the higher the score the better, because i’m really up for a an exciting run chase on what looks like a good pitch!

i will add, if we get you out for 150 and get the runs inside 25 oves i won’t be upset!

looks like happening already, Harry

heading home now. Hope these 2 are still together when I get home. There will be some fireworks to watch then. (though I believe Collingwood should have come in by now- more resilient and stable)

Collingwood to the rescue again. Freddie has gone, and Pietersen isn’t dominating the attack just yet. Still, there is time for a score of 270+ if they work hard.

Is KP really still in with a chance of being in the Test team, even though he’s had just one good knock against Australia?

dizzy finally gets a wicket. he has looked much better

I quite agree, Will. England’s bowling lineup is still pretty good, but losing Jones means that they don’t have the freedom they once had.

back. interesting sub, that. but england really looks in tatters here. I suppose there is a part of me that hopes there will be a KP blitz, but i really don’t know if he will be able to…If he does we have a match on our hands. if he doesn’t, I doubt it
(though the summer this far has harrdly been predictable)

Ok, so KP has had 2 good knocks against Australia, and according to his manager Ian Botham he’s now guaranteed a place in the Test team.

irrespective of what happens inthe last game, my admiration for the australia team will continue.the last(i.e.) second game proved to me why i had admired the aussies for such a long time.they ,simply, wont go down ,without giving a hard fight.

a great recovery considering, people will look at mcgraths figures and think he bowled very average, but 5 overs for 2 runs, is outstanding
giles batted well at the end, still 229 is not a given… but i reckon the aussies should make it, also good to see dizzy back, despite some poor fielding from him early on

True. I hate to say it, because I thought I saw him all rejuventated and gungho at the start of the season, but he really looks done with now. Will be surprised if he figures in future ODIs. would be regressive, i think….

45 off 5.
They’re murdering the bowling

Suppose it would be even nice to be Gilchrist…

now now will. easy does it.
only 8 days to go. steel yourself.

awright, I’m crashing.
this series was not half as exciting as it had promised to be. what a pity.

Okay, I watched the English innings-when I dozed off they were 6 for 120 so a bit annoying to see they got 100 more but then it allowed Gilly to do his stuff.

Its a nice feeling waking up to a scoreline like that.

I’m with you there, Will … I wouldn’t read too much into this victory. It’s nice to win this series, but Test Match cricket is a very different beast, and I think we should expect a better England performance in the 5 day game.

Having said that, Gillespie and Kasper look good again, Gilchrist can still hit a ball, and Ponting has confirmed his return. Australian confidence has been restored, and that’s a big thing for this team.

You’re right Will – you can’t read too much into these series. Which is why I said on my blog that only bad can come of this 3 match series, for England – and it has. We already thought they were a serious challenge, they didn’t need to prove anymore. All it has done is allow Australia to shake the remaining “monkeys from their backs” and put the focus of the wonderful English press back on England. You can sense the anxiousness from here – and you couldn’t a week ago.

When Ponting took that ludicrous catch on Sunday and went on to score a century, I think we witnessed the turning point of the tour. A team’s catching and fielding reflects their confidence and spirit – England were ascendant when Collingwood caught Hayden in the tri series, and outplayed Australia throughout. But the worm has now turned – the Australian bowling display and Gilchrist’s rampage confirmed that they’re peaking at the right time. You might not want to read too much into the Natwest series result, but this time next week and confident and in-form Australian walk out onto the Lord’s turf will all the momentum. I still reckon it’ll be 3-1 to Australia.

That’s Kasper’s strength – he doesn’t fill anyone with fear, next thing you know he’s taken 5 wickets.

What about the rumour that England substituted Jones instead of Goughy yesterday, to avoid putting Darren out, without taking any part in what is his last international game?