There are many reasons why England have not been competitive, not least the skill and determination of the Australians. England’s biggest mistake, bigger even than leaving out Monty, is the lack of preparation time they allowed before and during the series.

They should never have flown home to be with their families after the Champions Trophy, particularly as it appears that half the team had their families fly out to Australia for the start of the tour (which they could do as long as it was at their own expense) while the rest of the spouses have come out after the second Test.

Instead, we should have had two proper first-class warm-ups before the first Test so we could tell who was fit and in form. Even if you think Giles is a better player than Panesar, it was a hell of a risk to pick him on the back of a two-day hit and giggle.

There should also have been a four-day game between the second and third Test instead of the Lilac Hill one-dayer and the two-day WA match. People like Flintoff and Bell desperately needed batting practice, but instead we gave an innings to Joyce and Vaughan, and the latter didn’t even bat.

Good teams take time to come to the boil, it was extreme arrogance to think we could just rock up and retain the Ashes. Bad preparation is not really Fletcher’s fault, but surely he wields enough power to insist that his team should have the best of chances. It is just so horridly reminiscent of why Clive Woodward left the RFU after winning the World Cup. He could see that England could only get worse.

You lot really make me laugh. Every time YOUR countries sportsmen even looks like failing then you start devouring your own team. Show some spine and back ‘em up. Typically English I suppose,,,,,

Ricky lost The Ashes for us - but he’s still there.

Mind you, it’s delightful watching you lot imploding and eating each other.

Bilbo

Will,

I knew somebody would fall for it. Gawd you lot are so predictable. You were sucked in a BEAUTY mate,,,,,,,

“Countries” is correct in this context.

England,,,,,,South Africa,,,,,,,,Australia (yes - you had an Australian Bowling coach when you won The Ashes)

Oh dear,,,,,

Bilbo

Bilbo

“Country’s”, as in one (singular) country. “Countries(’)” is a plural for “country”, i.e there is more than one. In this case, one country, therefore “country’s.” And I’ve been raised on the Australian system.

Bilbo, even if you consider the England team to be made up of players from several countries, you missed the apostrophe. May I be the first to say, “Sod off you arrogant lout”. And Will, I fully support your frustration over this loser . . . even if you are too much of a gentleman to say it.

I was always taught it is poor manners to flout your ‘qualifications’, too.

Dammit! I knew that would happen. Is it too weak to blame the laptop?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Caroline - I get off being so offensive when the mod of this forum apolgises for the most offensive remark you can make to a person that emigrated - divided loyalties, loyalties of convenience, THAT is VERY offensive to me. In Australia, it represents the ultimate insult.

All this acrimony was started by the moderator of this forum who called me an “Australian of Opportunity”, a person that chose to be on the winning side only out of convenience. Prior to that point, I came on here for a bit of friendly banter. But it seems the English can give it out but can’t take it when the going gets tough.

Your team have done you proud against a superior force. That WACA ground is one hell of a hot place when the weather is the way it is right now. I’ve been there amny times in the past. (I stopped going when the Australian Lager Louts were pissing on peoples lunches - true story)I’m not surprised that Hoggard collapsed. There were many at the WACA that were shipped to the ambulance yesterday and they were in the crowd, not out in that stinking hot hell hole. But I wander a bit,,,,,,,,

Your team are doing thier best and except for a valiant few here, you’ve pilloried them for trying thier guts out. Freddie must be heartbroken and I really feel for him, Hoggy, Monty, Collingwood - the ones that are trying. I’m entitled to attack your team. I’m the opposition. But you are bigger traitors than I’ll EVER be.

In typical English fashion you’ve not seen the funny side of “my qualification’s”. They are pathetic - 2 GCE’s !! My math’s are abominable! As is my punctuation. You just don’t get it do ya. It’s all a bit to subtle for a nation that not only wants to attack its opposition but also its own team. That’s all you ever see. That’s all the English have ever done - drag everything down if it looks like getting above its station in life. The English Class System is alive and well. Perhaps poor Freddie was put up as Captain for this trip because The English Establishment knew that England would not be able to retain the Ashes. You see, Freddie is a Lancashire Lad. We couldn’t have Michael copping the blame for losing the Ashes could we? So, I suggest collective, nationwide surgery, an oprectomy. That’s the operation that cuts the nerve that runs from your eyes to your sphincter. It stops you having a shitty outlook on life.

Your team deserves better than you lot and we’d take half of ‘em tommorrow as Australians. Why? WE love ‘em because they’re trying. They’re giving 110% of all they’ve got. They’re not sitting around moping, slashing thier wrists, renting clothes and gnashing teeth sitting in an English living room. They’re out here getting pasted just so you can abuse ‘em. It’s just a shame they’re getting hammered. The Barmy Army aren’t knocking ‘em.

Yes I knew Symonds was English/West Indian. Like me he chose Australia over England and somehow you can’t forgive us can you.

Today could be the day. I hope not. Your lads deserve something to hope for. There’s not much to come home to is there? There never was.

Bilbo