Great point Luke. It is ironic that Jones got as many runs at Gilchrist at Lords and it will be interesting to see if Flintoff can develop a hoodoo over Gilchrist for the rest of the series.
Hovever it is clear that with such quality it is easy for Australia to only have 4 bowlers and it would be a brave step to drop Giles, who provides the variation. But look at this way, Giles is NOT Warne, he underperformed with the bat and has no 'mystery' in his game. The Aussies net against MacGill and Warne so are not going to be skittled by our Ashley. In effect he has been rendered useless by class batsman. He made no impact on reducing the run rate and did not look dangerous at all, in contrast he looked great last year against the West Indies but they are not Australia when it comes to batting. If you are keeping Giles for his variation then you can turn to Vaughan if required.
Imagine the middle order with Graham Thorpe back in it, now that looks tasty. Unfortunately the ECB have burnt that bridge.
So if you take the brave pill and play another batsmen you have to look at Collingwood [who is a great fielder, much needed after England spill 8 catches!] or Robert Key, bit of a maverick but you never know, would have been a good idea to play him in the one day challenge, or Solanki, technically good but untested.
The wheels have not come off for England yet and they should take heart from the bowling performance, but there are more schedule issues now as there are no games for the England batters to play in between now and the second test. And as far as I know there is no slope at Edgbaston.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Analysis of the First Test...
Here are the significant stats from the first test which may help work out where the rest of the series is going to go:
Top order runs [first 3 batsmen]
England 90
Australia 143
Not much in it overall, but obviously the performance in the first innings will not help England and Vaughan's performance compared to his innings last year at Lords is shocking.
Middle order runs [batsmen 4-7]
England 174
Australia 299
Double! As predicted by myself and Luke - this is where the Ashes will be won and lost
Tailend runs [last 4 batsmen]
England 42
Australia 85
Double the runs again, although the Aussie tail batted in the easiest conditions of the match, still the 4 0's on the last day were pitiful.
This is currently showing that the real difference is in the middle order, and specifically 1 stand between Clarke and Martin on day 2 of 155, quick footnote, Clarke was dropped on 21 by Pietersen.
Bowling
The bowling figures are not specifically significant at this stage with the exception of the spell by Glenn McGrath of 5 wickets for 11 runs at the end of day 1.
Harmison has performed well overall with 8-97 at 2.6 per over against the world champions. The key difference is Shane Warne who ended with 6-83. the best figures were McGrath with 9-82, although this was boosted by Elgland's limp tail. The killer combination of McGrath at the beginning and Warne at the end is the real weapon that the Aussies have.
Run Rates
Probably the most significant element is the comparable run rates. Over the last few years it has been noticeable that England have lifted their run rate, this helps create match winning positions and is the reason that at the end of day 1 Australia were in the box seat despite winning only one session.
England run rate 3.16
Australia run rate 4.07
My theory is that if you can outscore your opponent by 0.5 run per over you have a much greater chance of winning - it would be interesting to see if it is correct.
Average score per wicket
The key stat that England can build on is that they took 20 wickets, something which they have struggled to do consistently against Australia. Too many times in recent years the Aussies been able to declare and control the match. There were not many moments in this Test when declaration would have been on Ponting's mind, that is a step forward, albeit not enough to affect the result of the series overall.
England 16.75 [pitiful]
Australia 28.7
This is low for Australia but obviously significant that it is well higher than England. Monitoring the difference between these will be interesting.
Conclusions
The biggest conclusion has to be that England have not scored heavily enough to support their excellent bowling performance and to cover up their woeful fielding!
It does look like the Pietersen decision is vindicated as he was the only England batsman to come out the match with any credit at all. And despite all the vitriol Mcgrath and Warne are still the top bowling combination in world cricket, taking 15 of the 20 wickets. I can see MacGill playing instead of Gillespie in later tests as he was totally ineffectual.
As Australia's batsman increase in confidence this looks ominous for England. As Dennis Lillee said yesterday, just because England have got to number 2 in the rankings it doesn't mean that Australia have slipped.
Top order runs [first 3 batsmen]
England 90
Australia 143
Not much in it overall, but obviously the performance in the first innings will not help England and Vaughan's performance compared to his innings last year at Lords is shocking.
Middle order runs [batsmen 4-7]
England 174
Australia 299
Double! As predicted by myself and Luke - this is where the Ashes will be won and lost
Tailend runs [last 4 batsmen]
England 42
Australia 85
Double the runs again, although the Aussie tail batted in the easiest conditions of the match, still the 4 0's on the last day were pitiful.
This is currently showing that the real difference is in the middle order, and specifically 1 stand between Clarke and Martin on day 2 of 155, quick footnote, Clarke was dropped on 21 by Pietersen.
Bowling
The bowling figures are not specifically significant at this stage with the exception of the spell by Glenn McGrath of 5 wickets for 11 runs at the end of day 1.
Harmison has performed well overall with 8-97 at 2.6 per over against the world champions. The key difference is Shane Warne who ended with 6-83. the best figures were McGrath with 9-82, although this was boosted by Elgland's limp tail. The killer combination of McGrath at the beginning and Warne at the end is the real weapon that the Aussies have.
Run Rates
Probably the most significant element is the comparable run rates. Over the last few years it has been noticeable that England have lifted their run rate, this helps create match winning positions and is the reason that at the end of day 1 Australia were in the box seat despite winning only one session.
England run rate 3.16
Australia run rate 4.07
My theory is that if you can outscore your opponent by 0.5 run per over you have a much greater chance of winning - it would be interesting to see if it is correct.
Average score per wicket
The key stat that England can build on is that they took 20 wickets, something which they have struggled to do consistently against Australia. Too many times in recent years the Aussies been able to declare and control the match. There were not many moments in this Test when declaration would have been on Ponting's mind, that is a step forward, albeit not enough to affect the result of the series overall.
England 16.75 [pitiful]
Australia 28.7
This is low for Australia but obviously significant that it is well higher than England. Monitoring the difference between these will be interesting.
Conclusions
The biggest conclusion has to be that England have not scored heavily enough to support their excellent bowling performance and to cover up their woeful fielding!
It does look like the Pietersen decision is vindicated as he was the only England batsman to come out the match with any credit at all. And despite all the vitriol Mcgrath and Warne are still the top bowling combination in world cricket, taking 15 of the 20 wickets. I can see MacGill playing instead of Gillespie in later tests as he was totally ineffectual.
As Australia's batsman increase in confidence this looks ominous for England. As Dennis Lillee said yesterday, just because England have got to number 2 in the rankings it doesn't mean that Australia have slipped.
Friday, July 22, 2005
McGrath v Harmison
Interesting that everyone is raving about McGrath, and probably rightly so, but when you check the record books for the first innings Harmison has better figures. Slightly rose tinted view I know but if it wasn't for England's top order capitulating Harmison would have been lauded as the hero of the day.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Every silver lining has a cloud...
A glimpse of the new England and the old in one day. Incredible that England have bossed two of the three sessions and are still in a losing position. It will take an Andrew Flintoff sized miracle to pull this one out of the fire, the draw is no longer possible, and an England win almost as unlikely as Jason Gillespie getting his haircut.
We were awesome with the ball but failed to capitalise with the bat, it has to be said that it is much harder to exert pressure with the bat on a pitch like that but all we needed was to stay in, but no, we capitulated badly.
1-0 to the Aussies I am afraid and I so hope I'm wrong.
We were awesome with the ball but failed to capitalise with the bat, it has to be said that it is much harder to exert pressure with the bat on a pitch like that but all we needed was to stay in, but no, we capitulated badly.
1-0 to the Aussies I am afraid and I so hope I'm wrong.
What a start!!!!!
Lunch on the first day and the big guns are back in the shed, this is unreal! When the Aussies won the toss I thought we were going to watch them bat for the next two days, the conditions are meaningless, our bowlers are genuinely agressive and have shown that they are really up for it. Please let us bat properly after this.
This feels like the England we have come to recognise, not all bowling well, but hurting people and getting them out - I love it!
Gilchrist is still there and we have to get at him and unsettle him quickly. Well, I said it would be good for England to bat on the first day, I wasn't thinking it would be after getting 10 Aussie wickets!!
[I already regret typing that, the Aussies have a way of making you eat your words, ah well, it is a way better start than I had hoped, lets enjoy it]
This feels like the England we have come to recognise, not all bowling well, but hurting people and getting them out - I love it!
Gilchrist is still there and we have to get at him and unsettle him quickly. Well, I said it would be good for England to bat on the first day, I wasn't thinking it would be after getting 10 Aussie wickets!!
[I already regret typing that, the Aussies have a way of making you eat your words, ah well, it is a way better start than I had hoped, lets enjoy it]
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Gilchrist questioning England players heritage...
Amnogst all the other worthless diatribe I did find this one funny. Adam Gilchrist said he was confused by all the different nationalities turning out for England this week. I guess it is odd for an Australian to meet people who know who both of their parents are and where they are from!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Gillespie v Lee
Dean Jones [BBC web site] is predicting that Gillespie will be dropped for the first time in 80 tests for Australia. I sincerely hope they leave him in, I would be more worried about Lee than Gillespie.
Gillespie has lost about 5mph on his bowling speed and I dont think will toruble the batsmen that much. Lee is skiddy and quicker. We saw in the one dayers that the Australian attack, although good, is one-dimensional and pretty much one speed.
Gillespie has lost about 5mph on his bowling speed and I dont think will toruble the batsmen that much. Lee is skiddy and quicker. We saw in the one dayers that the Australian attack, although good, is one-dimensional and pretty much one speed.
McGrath predicts whitewash...
Glenn, Glenn, Glenn, come on fella, I know you like building your part up but even that is being ridiculous and may well bite you on the arse. Even if the England team cant do something about it the English weather will!!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Pietersen gets the nod...
Kevin Pietersen has got the nod over Graham Thorpe, one South African for another. I cant say I am surprised when you dig a bit deeper through Pietersen's record it is excellent, he has nothing to hide and is a genuine prospect for test cricket. Obviously his tactics will change but anyone contributing 40s and 50s in the middle order is going to be useful to England. He just needs a good start and a few hours at the crease.
That would seem to be it for Thorpey, who was becoming a little bit reliant on little leg glances to get his runs. He was only going to be a steadying influence and not going to be a match winner in my opinion. Credit to him though his England career has been excellent, he has been a real asset to the team.
That would seem to be it for Thorpey, who was becoming a little bit reliant on little leg glances to get his runs. He was only going to be a steadying influence and not going to be a match winner in my opinion. Credit to him though his England career has been excellent, he has been a real asset to the team.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Here's a good game...
This is the betting game me and Andy Grant [mutual friend of Luke and I] play during the cricket season, it tends to keep the interest level up throughout the matches as it effects both innings.
At the start of each test match one person [you alternate] picks three things:
1. A definite result, ie one side to win or the draw
2. One batsman
3. One bowler
The other person automatically gets the other two results possible, and then defines the number of runs the batsman will get and the number of wickets the bowler will take.
The first person then calls higher or lower. It is a good game and gets you thinking.
For example Andy has picked Aus to win, so I get the draw and England win, this has £1 riding on it.
He then picked Gilchrist as he thinks he will top score, I went back with a score of 85 runs. From experience I know that is an awkward score and also bear in mind that Australia may only bat once and he comes in at number 7 so he may not be needed. Andy has gone higher and there is £1 on that one.
Andy reckons Flintoff will bowl well and I agree. I plumped for 7 wickets across the two innings, that is probably a bit high as England will probably not get 20 wickets at Lords so Flintoff would be getting 50% ish of the wickets which is unlikely. Andy has rightly gone lower. In retrospect I have should have said 5 and tempted to go higher. Another £1 on this one.
To make it really intersting and make sure there is interest in every day of the match the key is to choose combinations of bowlers and batters from both teams, so the second person then picks a batter and a bowler from the opposite team so that there is something to watch in every innings.
Our bets have ended up as:
Aus to win
Gilchrist to score more than 85 runs
Flintoff to get less than 7 wickets
Vaughan to get more than 64 runs
Gillespie to get less than 8 wickets
£1 on each, a good use of a fiver to make the game interesting.
At the start of each test match one person [you alternate] picks three things:
1. A definite result, ie one side to win or the draw
2. One batsman
3. One bowler
The other person automatically gets the other two results possible, and then defines the number of runs the batsman will get and the number of wickets the bowler will take.
The first person then calls higher or lower. It is a good game and gets you thinking.
For example Andy has picked Aus to win, so I get the draw and England win, this has £1 riding on it.
He then picked Gilchrist as he thinks he will top score, I went back with a score of 85 runs. From experience I know that is an awkward score and also bear in mind that Australia may only bat once and he comes in at number 7 so he may not be needed. Andy has gone higher and there is £1 on that one.
Andy reckons Flintoff will bowl well and I agree. I plumped for 7 wickets across the two innings, that is probably a bit high as England will probably not get 20 wickets at Lords so Flintoff would be getting 50% ish of the wickets which is unlikely. Andy has rightly gone lower. In retrospect I have should have said 5 and tempted to go higher. Another £1 on this one.
To make it really intersting and make sure there is interest in every day of the match the key is to choose combinations of bowlers and batters from both teams, so the second person then picks a batter and a bowler from the opposite team so that there is something to watch in every innings.
Our bets have ended up as:
Aus to win
Gilchrist to score more than 85 runs
Flintoff to get less than 7 wickets
Vaughan to get more than 64 runs
Gillespie to get less than 8 wickets
£1 on each, a good use of a fiver to make the game interesting.
I dont want to say I told you so...
But haven't Australia just ended the one day series in great form having started badly, full of confidence and with England on the run...nice one ECB - muppets!
I refer you again to my earlier post re the schedule for the Aussie tour and the bottom line is we could have won one test match at least by now. Fair enough, it may not have been a series win but it would have helped, and I guarantee if England could have built on the confidence it would have given them it could have changed English cricket for ever.
And one thing's for sure, in the record books it would not have mentioned the tour schedule!
I refer you again to my earlier post re the schedule for the Aussie tour and the bottom line is we could have won one test match at least by now. Fair enough, it may not have been a series win but it would have helped, and I guarantee if England could have built on the confidence it would have given them it could have changed English cricket for ever.
And one thing's for sure, in the record books it would not have mentioned the tour schedule!
And now to the serious business...
The bottom line is that the one day game is still England's weak point, we have continually under achieved in that form of the game.
We are a better test side and I [really] hope that it comes to bear in the first series. One thing is for sure our top order need to spend a bit longer batting than they have in the one dayers. If we can get the runs we can bowl as well as the Aussies. It is down to the batsmen.
The Pietersen v Thorpe debate will roll on for the next few days, it may be more relevant to talk in terms of both of them playing and no Giles at Lords, but I think Vaughan rates Giles as part of the team and Fletcher is unlikely to change it. The batsmen who are waiting to step up for England should be getting ready that's for sure.
We are a better test side and I [really] hope that it comes to bear in the first series. One thing is for sure our top order need to spend a bit longer batting than they have in the one dayers. If we can get the runs we can bowl as well as the Aussies. It is down to the batsmen.
The Pietersen v Thorpe debate will roll on for the next few days, it may be more relevant to talk in terms of both of them playing and no Giles at Lords, but I think Vaughan rates Giles as part of the team and Fletcher is unlikely to change it. The batsmen who are waiting to step up for England should be getting ready that's for sure.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Aussies hit back in war of words
The coaches of England and Australia have become locked in a war of words as the fall-out from the tied Lord's final continues ahead of the Ashes.
Read on
Read on
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Current Concerns
I have to say I am pleased that the Aussie openers have not had a really good look at Harmison yet, mainly because Hayden has got himself out in the first 10 overs every time we have played and of course Langer is absent. But you have to say that McGrath has had a really good look at our openers and found them wanting - not a good sign!
With Hoggard to come in and the way we have bowled and fielded we have to feel pretty good about our performances but our top three batters look like they are struggling already. I think it will be good to have some solidity at 4 with Ian Bell, but if both openers struggle Vaughan may have to move up the order to make room for Pietersen or Key. I still think the middle order performance of both teams is where the Ashes will be won or lost. If England get enough runs to be able to attack with their bowlers then they could win, and we will definitely need them all to bat well to stave of any collapses.
With Hoggard to come in and the way we have bowled and fielded we have to feel pretty good about our performances but our top three batters look like they are struggling already. I think it will be good to have some solidity at 4 with Ian Bell, but if both openers struggle Vaughan may have to move up the order to make room for Pietersen or Key. I still think the middle order performance of both teams is where the Ashes will be won or lost. If England get enough runs to be able to attack with their bowlers then they could win, and we will definitely need them all to bat well to stave of any collapses.
Natwest Final [Not]
How ridiculous that after all those games the organisers contrived a non-result. England clearly outplayed Australia and won convincingly but were denied the glory that there solid, rounded performance deserved! Disgraceful.
Oddly enough My Agnew may have got this one right, my prediction is for the Test Series to be a draw and that exactly what we got!
Oddly enough My Agnew may have got this one right, my prediction is for the Test Series to be a draw and that exactly what we got!
Friday, July 01, 2005
Natwest Final
Johnathan Agnew reckons the game tomorrow is an indicator for the Ashes series, for me it is all down to the toss. Whoever bats first will lose. The weather is set to be cloudy in the morning, classic Lords conditions for excessive swing and the game to be over before lunch.
All this match will tell us is who's luck is in!
All this match will tell us is who's luck is in!
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