the 2005 series proved the point in a way though...

England played out of their skins collectively and the Aussies as badly as they ever have in their lives, and yet they STILL came within one dodgy umpiring decision of retaining the Ashes.

England's achievement then was so fantastic because they managed to play so far above their normal level for a whole summer and they deserve all the plaudits they got. But if the the Aussies play anywhere near their usual standards even a repeat of that phenomenal effort won't be enough.

This isn't a criticism of England, who are as good as anyone else in the world apart from Australia, but an appreciation of just how good these Australian players are. On their own soil they are pretty much unbeatable.

Posted By: mr carra on November 23rd 2006 at 09:32:51

Message Thread

Depressing comment from Terry Alderman (General Chat) - Partial Angler, Nov 23, 09:20:09
- I admire the blind optimism of... (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:25:47
  - oh shut up (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 09:27:35
    - the 2005 series proved the point in a way though... (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:32:51
      - rubbish (General Chat) - megson, Nov 23, 09:35:50
        
        agree the conditions are crucial (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:41:08
        
        That I will agree with (General Chat) - megson, Nov 23, 09:43:16
        
        A LOT is going to hinge on how Engalnd bat in their 1st innings here (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:49:55
        
        Cook will hit 100 (n/m) (General Chat) - Brandonio, Nov 23, 10:02:02
        
        agreed (General Chat) - megson, Nov 23, 10:01:43
        
        I seem to recall... (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 10:07:11
        
        Oh the pain (General Chat) - Gitters, Nov 23, 10:16:05
        
        lol yeah (General Chat) - megson, Nov 23, 10:15:52
      - Not at all....... (General Chat) - InTheAbsenceOfAHorse, Nov 23, 09:35:24
        
        Wasn't it Kasprowicz, old man? (n/m) (General Chat) - Gitters, Nov 23, 09:46:41
        
        Possibly, possibly...... (General Chat) - Abbers, Nov 23, 09:48:06
        
        It was Kasprowicz. (General Chat) - Bearders, Nov 23, 09:54:33
        
        Oh well done Bearders, splendid effort (General Chat) - Gitters, Nov 23, 09:57:17
        
        oh I agree we deserved to win (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:38:11
        
        Had so much of the OT test (I think) not been rained off England would have won 3-1 (n/m) (General Chat) - Sir Thomas, Nov 23, 09:37:09
    - I will happily bet that we will not win one test (n/m) (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:29:24
      - I'll have that bet. (General Chat) - Arizona Bay, Nov 23, 09:32:00
        
        So will I, we are a good side a bowling today was shocking but our batting will (General Chat) - lovely old job, Nov 23, 09:38:57
        
        OK I will bet you ?10 each, I cant afford to lose ?40!!! (n/m) (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:39:52
        
        peasant (n/m) (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 09:41:14
        
        and proud of it (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:53:09
        
        do i look bothered? (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 09:55:10
        
        I think you missed the joke (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 10:01:25
        
        lol (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 10:03:03
        
        amatuer!! lol (n/m) (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 10:04:06
        
        more lazy (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 10:05:18
        
        Oh I say (General Chat) - Gitters, Nov 23, 09:51:32
        
        yeah just seen it's for charidee (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 09:54:14
        
        Right, ?10 then. You're on. (n/m) (General Chat) - Arizona Bay, Nov 23, 09:41:05
        
        Yeah OK, you are on (n/m) (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:38:11
        
        Brill. What's your charity? (General Chat) - Arizona Bay, Nov 23, 09:40:15
        
        The online site is still running until January (n/m) (General Chat) - conker, Nov 23, 09:50:21
        
        Ill go for Gunnys Charity (n/m) (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:42:40
        
        I am reading Gunny's book at the moment, what a legend he is, I will donate to his charity (General Chat) - lovely old job, Nov 23, 09:44:08
        
        Is the book good? My bro has bought it for my mum for xmas (General Chat) - DiscoDaleGordon, Nov 23, 09:46:28
        
        Only a few pages in but like what I am reading thus far. (n/m) (General Chat) - lovely old job, Nov 23, 09:56:17
        
        we usually get a consolation one at the end (General Chat) - mr carra, Nov 23, 09:33:48
      - doesn't mean we don't retain the ashes (n/m) (General Chat) - SCC 26, Nov 23, 09:31:17
- Or as TMS said....... (General Chat) - InTheAbsenceOfAHorse, Nov 23, 09:23:05
- Was Harmison's first ball to Flintoff at second slip because... (General Chat) - Partial Angler, Nov 23, 09:22:42

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