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Well done England.
WOW
Amazing series. Everything went right for England, and they made the most of it. They have been planning for a while for this i suspect, and it showed. Nice even batting wickets, with a good solid batting lineup. The bowlers to extract some awesome movement through the air, not off the pitch. Even the tosses landed right for them.
I just wish I could stay up later than 2-3am and still function at work. I went to bed bout an hour after lunch on the last day. That period straight after lunch was where it slipped out of our reach (if not when Warne dropped that catch). Lee was still trying to give it short to Pietersen, but he got right on top of it. After the best over of the series imo, Lee hitting him in the ribs, armpit and the next one nearly making him fall on his stumps just before lunch. it could have gone either way after the break, but fair play to KP, really made us pay. He wont have to play an innings as important as that for a while, maybe till next ashes series  .
Though it's fair to say England played all over us, in the end 2 runs and 3 wickets were the differences in 2 games. Hope this re energises cricket in the UK, making me feel better about the whole thing really, and already can't wait for the next time we play you guys.
Agree with you Ian regarding your assessments of the players. Katich really looked to be getting the better of your blokes after a while, especially the 59 in the fourth, before being given out with the worst decision of Dar's career. Crucial timing, that really hurt. i think it spurred me to make a series of silly posts in this thread . Looked purposeful at the crease, which is more i can say for most of the others (cept maybe Lee!).
Was underwhelmed with Pontings captaincy, and the majority of his batting. Always looked edgy/nervous when at the crease, though had every right to be  Started off too aggressive, and ended too defensive field-wise. Just couldn't come up with the answers. Clarke looked the goods on occasion, just needs to tighten his technique a little. Did play some silly shots, and at silly times in the context of the match.
Who would have predicted the complete absence of Gilly and Martyn...I would like to see Hayden go, replaced by Katich, and someone given a shot in his old spot. The majority of batsmen favoured by selectors to come in are all 30 anyway, maybe a Hodge or Hussey, though neither set my world on fire.
I've got a feeling you guys might be seeing more of one S. Warne in around 15 months? time. He still manages to perform, and still put batsmen off their game. What can you say about the man that hasn't bene said 10 times before. Still got amazing turn off custom made (i won't say doctored :stongue anti-spin pitches.
Lee may give away runs, but i've got a lot of time for this kid. Clearly holds nothing back, and can really put them under the pump when he's on song. took some great wickets
Not sure McGrath will be making the distance though. These injuries are just going to keep coming from here on in i'm afraid....certainly don't want to jinx him though, first English innings of the ashes showed what he is capable of when fit. Will be remembered as one of the best ever.
Gillespie's career is most likely over, unless he dominates Pura Cup...Was great for Australia, sad to see him go that way, but handled a tough situation like a true champion.
For England i would be pretty happy with the whole teams effort. All conributed at times, and went about their business well. The top order all made runs, though Vaughan might be a little disappointed with his series. Of the bowlers obviously Flintoff, Jones, Hoggard, Harmison early....well that's all of them isn't it. All were impressive. Even Giles. At times. That's hard to type for me. Only real problems were the baptism of fire for Belloutfornought, which he will take a lot from, the guy behind the stumps who waves his hands at the ball, and Pieterson, who couldn't catch cold. Tell you what, I would have traded a few of those for Warney catching him on 15.
Also the toss at the start of the match at the Oval was the best one to win since cricket began. My hopes went down a lot after that
Last edited by Tweak on Sep-15-2005 at 09:50
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