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Loading ...greatest series ? even before the series started!!! What happens if it ends up 5-0 for Aussies ?
England v Australia, 1st Test, 5th day
By Will last year, mid-July Add your comment below
Can England survive three sessions on a wearing pitch? Can they balls.
Previously
Day four. It all went horrifically wrong for England.
Previously…
Day three. Ponting and Katich are well-set. It’s looking horrible for England…
Previously…
Day two is upon us. England are in a healthy position but still need 400. Can Stuart Broad heave them over the line?
Previously…
At last. The greatest series of them all is upon us, and once again we can waste several weeks of pontification, argument and deliberation while watching it. Well, you lot can, I’ll be working, but still – this is what every English and Australian fan lives for. And quite a few who don’t even support those two countries. Bring this beast on.
Follow me on Cricinfo’s commentary throughout the series, and there’ll be a post here each day of the series for you to chat if you’re so inclined.
Tags: 2009-Ashes, ashes, australia, england, live-coverage, the-ashes |
22 Responses to “England v Australia, 1st Test, 5th day”
July 8th, 2009 at 4.30 am
July 8th, 2009 at 4.48 am
Frog in the well syndrome, that’s what we call this. If you still think Ashes is the greatest series, I don’t have anything more to say. You need 2 evenly matched teams to have a great series. Something like Aus-SA or Aus-India. Not 2 teams of which one has won (not by much) 1 series in the last 25 years and lost all the other heavily. I am not sure if even the Aussies consider this their greatest test now. Yes, this series has the longest history. But, that doesn’t make it the best.
July 8th, 2009 at 9.30 am
Sorry JII your obviously not an Aussie or Brit or you’d realise that most of us do consider the Ashes as the greatest sporting contest/series there is.
In my lifetime the Brits have only won the series three times but that hasn’t waned the interest or confidence (that they’ll win the next series) of any Englishman I know. You are also mistaken if you believe that Aussies don’t regard it as the greatest sporting contest let alone cricket Test series, we’re in the middle of our winter and football season however the Ashes will have many an Aussie showing up for work with tired eyes after staying up to watch the later sessions of the matches (recording play just doesn’t cut it sometimes).
No other cricket series or sporting event comes close to matching the Ashes for me, maybe the FIFA World Cup, and I think most Brits and Aussies would agree.
July 8th, 2009 at 9.37 am
In that case, small correction. FROGS in the well.
July 8th, 2009 at 10.03 am
Hilfenhaus is my tip to really breakthrough and have big series, nice opening over from johnson so far
July 8th, 2009 at 10.19 am
I agree with you there, Richo. Anyway, if the Aussies win 5-0 it gives us Poms something to whinge about, doesn’t it?
July 8th, 2009 at 11.12 am
JII,
Regardless of the relative rankings of these sides, Ashes produces the most legendary moments of Test Cricket. It defines Test cricket. The Ashes are why Test cricket is the form of cricket that is still revered the most.
This is as good as it gets.
No matter how much money is behind a series from India or how even South Africa and Australia may be it doesn’t get any better than this.
England love more than any to stick it up the Aussies on the cricket field – any small victory, no matter how small will be celebrated and the Aussies love to brag about squashing the Poms.
You just can’t synthesize or manufacture over 100 years of history (200+ years of cultural history since convict days) that all contribute to the auspices of these series.
A few years of fierce rivalry that go into a great clash like South Africa and Australia can never trump the history and ceremony of an Ashes series.
Rant over…
July 8th, 2009 at 11.30 am
If that’s how you guys feel, so be it. But, it’s hard for a neutral to digest it. As a neutral, I look for an even contest of high quality. 2005 certainly fell into that category and I watched every test of that series. But, every other series has been one-sided and that doesn’t excite me much. But then again, you guys have the added incentive of rooting for your own teams. May the best team win!!! (I personally feel it will be 3-1 Australia)
July 8th, 2009 at 11.32 am
Oh bums, and we’re already two down and Pietersen comes to the crease. God help us.
July 8th, 2009 at 11.52 am
JII, we’re just a little excited right now 
It’s getting late and we’ve (Aussies) all had too much coffee, or stronger…
July 8th, 2009 at 11.56 am
Well, I’m surprised. I didn’t think Australia would dominate the 1st session as they have, and I didn’t expect much at all from Hilfenhaus. Good start!
July 8th, 2009 at 12.21 pm
Stu, Yeah:-) couldn’t have had a better start. Any takers for a KP 100? BTW, the timings work out perfect for us in India (provided you can convince your wife & son it’s ok to watch a cricket match not involving India @prime time)
July 8th, 2009 at 4.17 pm
Stone me. There I was watching an extended morning edition of Songs of Praise on Sky telly and then suddenly the awful Welsh singing stopped and they started showing cricket. What is going on?
July 9th, 2009 at 5.52 am
“This is as good as it gets.” I’m a Kiwi and I agree. I got up at 4 am here in Rarotonga to listen to TMS for the last session. Bloody tired today-only another 24 nights. Oh dear.
July 9th, 2009 at 9.48 am
Anyone thinking this is not “IT” as far as cricket goes should ask any Aussie or English player if they would swap an Ashes win for any other?
Can’t imagine you would get to many.
Day 1 was good but I cant help thinking we have put all our eggs in one basket with our bowling.
if Spin wont take wickets we are asking Broad and Anderson to do a huge amount!
July 9th, 2009 at 9.56 pm
Eminent Victorian Tony Hargreaves writes from Melbourne about one of the more vulgar legacies of the Vaughan era, referring to “the appalling white outfits being worn by the Poms.” He continues, “The Australian team looks resplendent (and very professional) in cream but the Poms appear satisfied with a look that resembles an employee’s outfit in a bakery shop (but with sponsors logos).”
Well said Tony. The re-introduction of the lambswool sweater would at least make England look like a cricket team.
July 10th, 2009 at 2.28 pm
Yes Mav, England do have all their eggs in one basket, but i aint spin, it’s Flintoff!
July 11th, 2009 at 2.49 am
Is Swan actually trying to spin the ball or is he some sort of medium pacer? Monty seems to have no variation. Isn’t the Ashley “the King of Spain” Giles a selector now. Monty appears to have picked up his negative tactics.
July 11th, 2009 at 4.25 pm
I see your poll now has England beating us.
…….
Really?
With the stunning display of cricket you’ve put on today, no doubt. Especially your fielding. And the larking about, handshaking and tomfoolery …
You’d think we’re playing the Barmy Army.
July 11th, 2009 at 4.41 pm
Wel, at least the Welsh rain gods are on our side.
July 11th, 2009 at 4.43 pm
By the way, three days on and unfortunately my comment from the 8th still stands 
July 12th, 2009 at 11.54 pm
Stand up and be counted all those who thought test match cricket was boring and that a draw would be dull.
Fantastic battle, can’t wait to break for England to rewrite history at Lords.
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