Things that matter

[Gob]

No, not by a long shot!

[Long Run]

I was just chucking some cricket humour out there.

[Gob]

Ah, my bad...

On the good news front!

Michael Carberry given England call for Australia T20 series

Hampshire's Michael Carberry has been called up by England for two Twenty20 internationals against Australia.

The 32-year-old opener, who won his only Test cap in 2010, scored 502 runs in this season's FLt20.

Captain Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Joe Root are the only members of England's Ashes winners in the 14-man squad, Root having been added three hours after the original announcement.

The series begins in Southampton on 29 August and ends in Durham on 31 August.

"With only eight international T20 matches until the ICC World T20 next April, this NatWest series is an important chance for players to show they are capable of performing well at this level," said national selector Geoff Miller.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Final test starts tomorrow!

That's when its over?

It's over next week.
Or when the drunk guy pees.
whichever come later.

[Gob]

31 Aug 2013 | T20
Live Scores
England Australia Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground 11 30 PM AEST

03 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
Scotland Australia The Grange Cricket Club 7 30 PM AEST


06 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
England Australia Yorkshire County Cricket Ground 7 00 PM AEST


08 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
England Australia Old Trafford, Lancashire County Cricket Club 7 00 PM AEST


11 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
England Australia Edgbaston - Warwickshire County Cricket Ground 11 00 PM AEST


14 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
England Australia SWALEC Stadium 7 00 PM AEST


16 Sep 2013 | ODI
Live Scores
England Australia

[oldr_n_wsr]

Round the clock cricket?





OR




water boarding?





I'll take water boarding for $1000 Alex

[Gob]

Fifth Investec Test, Kia Oval (day one):

Australia 307-4



Shane Watson dismantled a new-look England attack to blast his first Ashes century and put Australia in a commanding position in the final Test at The Oval.

Watson scored a superb 176 - his highest Test score - and Steve Smith made an unbeaten 66 as the tourists reached 307-4 at the close of a disappointing day for the home side, who are targeting a first 4-0 series victory over their oldest rivals.

The duo, who replaced Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan, both went wicketless, with left-arm spinner Kerrigan allowing nerves to get the better of him as he conceded 53 runs in eight overs.

The Lancashire bowler's main tormentor was Watson, who plundered 80 runs before lunch on his way to his first Test hundred in 48 innings.

Batting at number three - his fourth different position of the series - Watson put a difficult tour behind him with a dominant innings, featuring several powerful drives and pulls to the boundary.

[oldr_n_wsr]

who plundered 80 runs before lunch

There's the problem, they are always "out toooooo luuuunch".

[MajGenl.Meade]

Poor Kerrigan looked a bit lost. After stumps Watson enjoyed underplaying his vicious mugging of the spinner! Pity Bresnan'a Broad's not available so we could get some fast LBW work going there. A bit early to call but I'm thinking draw on this one. Or an Oz win. Or an England come-back. One of those

Meade

I meant Bresnan, d_ _ _ it!

[Gob]

LOL!! A draw, I think, is the best result we can hope for.

[Gob]

Fifth Investec Test, Kia Oval (day two):

Australia 492-9d, England 32-0


Steve Smith struck his first Test century as Australia continued to dictate the course of the final Ashes Test against England.

Smith made an unbeaten 138 as the tourists piled up 492-9 declared against England on a rain-hit second day at The Oval.

England's openers then survived a testing spell from the Australia pace attack in the evening session to reach 32-0 at the close, with Alastair Cook on 17 and Joe Root 13.

On a day when heavy showers and England's slow over rate tested the crowd's patience, Smith delivered the highlight when he crashed Jonathan Trott for a straight six to reach three figures.

At 24 years and 81 days, Smith became the youngest Australian to score an Ashes century since Ricky Ponting in Leeds in 1997 and all-but cemented his place in their team for the first Test of the return series down under in November.

An inconsistent and unorthodox batsmen with a Test average under 30 before today, Smith has been in and out of Australia's side since making his debut against Pakistan in 2010.

But just as Shane Watson had done in scoring 176 on Wednesday, he put a mixed series behind him with an innings of power and timing.

[Gob]

Fifth Investec Test, Kia Oval (day three):

Australia 492-9d, England 247-4


A conservative batting performance steered England towards safety in the final Test against Australia and lifted their chances of ending the Ashes series undefeated.

The hosts scored only 215 runs in 98.3 overs on a soporific third day to move within 46 runs of the follow-on at 247-4 in reply to Australia's 492-9 declared.

Joe Root found some form with 68 and Kevin Pietersen made a patient 50, but there was another failure for captain Alastair Cook, who was caught behind for 25.

Ian Bell ended the day unbeaten on 29, alongside debutant Chris Woakes, who drove the first ball of his Test career through the covers for four on his way to 15.

With significant rainfall forecast for Saturday, England's approach should ensure they salvage the draw they require to win the series 3-0.

But after an underwhelming performance from the home side with bat and ball, it looks as though Australia will finish the series in the ascendancy and carry more momentum into the return series down under, starting in November.

England's openers, who survived a testing period on Thursday evening to reach 32-0, advanced to their highest partnership of the series - 68 - before Cook perished.

[Gob]

Handbags at the Oval!!!

Geoffrey Boycott, on the BBC radio commentary, heard the verbal sparring on the stump microphone and said it had begun when Clarke told Pietersen that "nobody likes you", with Pietersen responding: "You're the captain, and nobody likes you".

It was also reported on Friday that Watson had welcomed Bell to the middle with spray and told Pietersen he would be batting with a "child". Pietersen reportedly reminded the all-rounder, who had scored a first Test century in nearly three years on Wednesday, that Bell has three tons for the series, asking Watson how many he had in his career.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ash ... z2cqE8x19c

[Lord Jim]

Handbags at the Oval!!!

Geoffrey Boycott, on the BBC radio commentary, heard the verbal sparring on the stump microphone and said it had begun when Clarke told Pietersen that "nobody likes you", with Pietersen responding: "You're the captain, and nobody likes you".

It was also reported on Friday that Watson had welcomed Bell to the middle with spray and told Pietersen he would be batting with a "child". Pietersen reportedly reminded the all-rounder, who had scored a first Test century in nearly three years on Wednesday, that Bell has three tons for the series, asking Watson how many he had in his career.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ash ... z2cqE8x19c

[MajGenl.Meade]

er... I think that's a no ball and a free hit?

Day 4 play abandoned - exactly as England planned. Bat like oatmeal and pray for rain (again). I did enjoy today (before the abandonment) an absorbing discussion about the history and development of the cricket bat with numerous examples of size (thickness) change. I was not aware that betimes all bats were willow made in England but are now manufactured in India. At issue was the greater prevalence of sixes in the modern game and whether bat technology caused the change. It was suggested that while this made a contribution, possibly a bigger factor was the 20/20 game which caused batsmen to change tactics (and demand bats more heavily weighted at the toe). Wider stances and "baseball" style swings (not at all like baseball really), thicker edges for boundaries, striding down the pitch and reverse sweeps have changed the mental aspects of the game - batters are more free now to push for runs and bigger swipes. Add to the the sheer physicality of the players of today - I remember when it was all weedy geezers and fat blokes like Cowdray.

Yet still no one has beaten Trott's 1899 record hit into the pavilion at Lord's with a bat the size of Harry Potter's wand (well, a bit bigger)

Meadse

[Gob]

Give me the chance for an early night.

[Gob]

BBC Weather's Nick Miller said: "It's not often it rains all day in London in August but after Saturday's washout prospects for Sunday are looking much better.

"It will keep on raining for much of the night into the first part of Sunday but the rain will fizzle out and it should be brightening up by the end of the morning.

"If the ground is dry enough to allow a scheduled start then there's a good chance of a full day's play, although a further shower popping up in the afternoon can't be ruled out."

[Lord Jim]

Day 4 play abandoned - exactly as England planned. Bat like oatmeal and pray for rain (again). I did enjoy today (before the abandonment) an absorbing discussion about the history and development of the cricket bat with numerous examples of size (thickness) change....

You know Meade there's something I've noticed that I've been meaning to mention to you...(I'm also curious to know if anyone else has noticed this...)

Ever since you left The Land Of The Free And The Home Of the Brave, I've noticed that you've gradually become less and less American and more and more Limey....

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that you've started wearing plus fours...

I've noticed it in your word selection and I also don't remember your being so fixated on these off brand marginal sports when you were living in Cleveland....

Maybe this is all you can get on the telly over there in SA...

[Gob]

Ever since you left The Land Of The Free And The Home Of the Brave, I've noticed that you've gradually become less and less American and more and more Limey....

There is hope of civilising the man yet then.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that you've started wearing plus fours...

We all wear them you know, they're all the rage, what else would a gentleman wear?

[Gob]

Fifth Investec Test, Kia Oval (day five):

Australia 492-9d & 111-6d drew with England 377 & 206-5



England were denied a probable victory over Australia in the final Test when bad light ensured the match ended in a draw which confirmed the hosts' 3-0 series win.

Set a target of 227 by Michael Clarke's ambitious declaration, England needed 21 more from 24 balls with five wickets in hand when play was called to a halt by the umpires at 7.36pm.


The Oval crowd, who had been treated to an incredible final day in which 447 runs were scored and 17 wickets fell, booed in disapproval before gathering to watch England captain Alastair Cook lift the Ashes urn.

England, who have now won three Ashes series in a row for the first time since 1977-1981, celebrated with a lap of honour while fireworks blazed over the Oval pavilion

Right, now for the one day series!!!