Re: The Ashes - can we do it?

**Thomas Clarke** Sat Dec 07, 2013 2:21 pm

What was it Botham predicted at the start of the summer? England to whitewash the Aussies 10-0 over the 2 series? They could certainly do with Botham the cricketer at the minute.

**OMAR** Sat Dec 07, 2013 6:24 pm

Considering that Australia declared on >500and made 200 for the 6th wicket
7-40 5/16 are astonishing figures. Next Thursday we see the fastest pitch in world cricket
Poms go home.

**Thomas Clarke** Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:43 pm

OMAR wrote:Considering that Australia declared on >500and made 200 for the 6th wicket
7-40 5/16 are astonishing figures. Next Thursday we see the fastest pitch in world cricket
Poms go home.

Never one to sit on the fence, Geoff sums it up here - 'No bottle'.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/07/ashes-2013-14-boycott-accuses-england-batsmen

The English have been ambushed. They've been a good side for a few years, while the Aussies have been poor. But, just like in 1989, the Aussies have come from nowhere with a young side, and have put the big English names to the sword.

**OMAR** Sat Dec 07, 2013 8:30 pm

I have a feeling Mitch is the vindictive I'd say this was watched on Thursday night

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uYrn9dxdnrc

**Thomas Clarke** Sat Dec 07, 2013 8:45 pm

OMAR wrote:I have a feeling Mitch is the vindictive I'd say this was watched on Thursday night

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uYrn9dxdnrc

Of course he is, he's an Aussie. Australia will now be thinking 5-0 while the English, though they can still win the series (and only need a draw to retain the ashes), are already wishing that this series was over. A great sporting ambush.

**OMAR** Sat Dec 07, 2013 9:56 pm

Thomas Clarke wrote:
OMAR wrote:Considering that Australia declared on >500and made 200 for the 6th wicket
7-40 5/16 are astonishing figures. Next Thursday we see the fastest pitch in world cricket
Poms go home.
Never one to sit on the fence, Geoff sums it up here - 'No bottle'.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/07/ashes-2013-14-boycott-accuses-england-batsmen

The English have been ambushed. They've been a good side for a few years, while the Aussies have been poor. But, just like in 1989, the Aussies have come from nowhere with a young side, and have put the big English names to the sword.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=80Gp9oSH_CU

**Thomas Clarke** Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:15 pm

OMAR wrote:
Thomas Clarke wrote:
OMAR wrote:Considering that Australia declared on >500and made 200 for the 6th wicket
7-40 5/16 are astonishing figures. Next Thursday we see the fastest pitch in world cricket
Poms go home.
Never one to sit on the fence, Geoff sums it up here - 'No bottle'.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/07/ashes-2013-14-boycott-accuses-england-batsmen

The English have been ambushed. They've been a good side for a few years, while the Aussies have been poor. But, just like in 1989, the Aussies have come from nowhere with a young side, and have put the big English names to the sword.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=80Gp9oSH_CU

Boycott's enormous arrogance makes him a fabulous pundit. He doesn't care what anyone thinks of him - he just says what he sees. To be fair to him, he wouldn't have given up his wicket as cheaply as the current England crew.

Similarly, I recall Ian Botham interviewed years ago, talking about a tour to the West Indies early in his career. The pitches were rock hard, and the West Indian fast bowlers were terrifying the touring batsmen. Botham says that when he went in for his first innings, he was immediately created by a 'bouncer' round his head. He pulled out of it and did a Trott-like dance out of the way, before asking himself had he travelled all that way just to be a coward. Facing fast bowlers is not for the faint-hearted, but England do need to toughen up and, as Botham did, decide if they really want to be there or not.

**OMAR** Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:23 pm

Johnsons post lunch spell coming up now pick tv channel11

**Thomas Clarke** Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:16 am

Michael Vaughan going even further than Boycott. 'Feeble….pathetic….petrified...'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25277829

**OMAR** Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:57 pm

I prefer Boycoots portents of doom - If he could manage to bring the Dubs into it he'd replace mandella's picture on my sideboard

"They are like my side, Manchester United," he added ahead of the third Test in Perth, which starts on Friday. "I think the glory days have gone. I don't think they are there as a team. It is all beginning to unravel."

**OMAR** Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:29 am

Swanns departure making interesting reading on twitter.
Michael Vaughan and piers Morgan's input stirring the pot

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