5th Ashes Test, Sydney

First topic message reminder :

January 3-7, Sydney Cricket Ground
Start time 1030 (2330 GMT)

Australia:
CJL Rogers, DA Warner, SR Watson, MJ Clarke*, SPD Smith, GJ Bailey, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, PM Siddle, RJ Harris, NM Lyon

England:
AN Cook*, MA Carberry, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, GS Ballance, BA Stokes, JM Bairstow†, SG Borthwick, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, WB Rankin


The grassy SCG pitch should offer some assistance for the pace bowlers early on. Some grip there for the spinners too. It's not going to be too hot and there is the chance of a few showers over the 5 days - but nothing too substantial. Some cloud cover and high humidity though.

Linebreaker wrote:Johnson cleaned bowled by Stokes.
A couple of words to the moustachioed one from young Ben. Maybe not the wisest thing to do.

Mitch will no doubt have the last word... or at least makes things uncomfortable for him when he comes out to tries to do the impossible.

Don't think it will make much difference : Mitch will be after him anyway. And I reckon Stokes is up for the scrap.

Australia reach lunch on 248 for 7. Lead by 419 runs and match over.

alfie wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:''So Brad Haddin fails. 28 from 40 balls.'' - Ian Botham.

If that's a failure for a number 7 having pushed the lead up to over 400, then that shows how high Haddin has set the bar.

Surely Beefy with an attempt at irony ?   Even he isn't that thick...

I actually think it was thickness.

Australia might just take us lightly.

But it's far more possible that England won't even reach 150.

Wouldn't be overly surprised, given how woeful England have been all tour, if this game was over today.

The way England have batted and Australia have bowled in this series I would not rule out this match being done and dusted today.

alfie wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Johnson cleaned bowled by Stokes.
A couple of words to the moustachioed one from young Ben. Maybe not the wisest thing to do.

Mitch will no doubt have the last word... or at least makes things uncomfortable for him when he comes out to tries to do the impossible.

Don't think it will make much difference : Mitch will be after him anyway.  And I reckon Stokes is up for the scrap.

Of course mate.

I wish both you and Ben all the luck in the chase.   

CaledonianCraig wrote:Stokes gets his 8th wicket of the match bowling Johnson. Match is over as a contest though. The real interest for England will be how Ballance performs with bat and how Borthwick bowls and bats as well as Rankin.

I would also like to see the experienced batsmen - Cook, Bell, Pietersen - showing they are still up for a fight and able to make runs against this highly impressive bowling unit. I expect Lyon to figure prominently second time round.

The plus point of englands inability to wrap this innings up (again) is that it increases the chances of the test lasting 3 days. Take the positives.

Borthwick snares Rogers catching him off his own bowling.

And Borthwick takes his third wicket with Harris caught with another meaty slog to Carberry.

Australia 267 for 9 and out of sight.

Australia gifting Borthwick a few cheap wickets here. 

Borthwick up there with Tahir and McGain as they worst leg spinners seen in recent times.

Australia bowled out for 276. Match already over as a contest. The big question is can Australia complete the match today?

PS Rankin took his first test wicket getting Side caught behind to close the innings.

Clever old England.

She's saved up all her runs for this.

We may have lost the Ashes, but we'll have gained a world record.

Gerry SA wrote:Australia gifting Borthwick a few cheap wickets here. 

Borthwick up there with Tahir and McGain as they worst leg spinners seen in recent times.

Nice. You make that assessment after one test. Aussies will be glad you weren't assessing Shane Warne after one test.

Yep, world record time here. Cooks average now below 47. Is that as low as it has been in his career?

Going down further now. Terrible shot.

Whoops! Er...ok then.

1 down.

Born Slippy wrote:Yep, world record time here. Cooks average now below 47. Is that as low as it has been in his career?

After 50 Tests, Cook averaged 42.98. 

With his technical weaknesses and limited footwork, a career average of 45 would be an overachievement for Cook.

You know England are losing when Gerry starts up...

Another awful dismissal against innocuous bowling.

Went out for a while and missed the one time England have wrapped up the Aussie tail cheaply   

...but back in time for the collapse.

So Borthwick ended up with three , eh ? Plus one in the first innings , so more than poor old Monty managed in two matches... Of course he went for some runs ; but that is one of the things leg spinners can do.
Get wickets with rubbish balls , etc.
Unlike many , I am not sorry they played Borthwick here. One , there was no outstanding alternative. Two , he is young enough to have some potential to develop . Three , he was always going to be attacked - how he handled that attack would be interesting to see. On the face of it , he didn't melt down at all , so one tick.
Of course I am not going to get carried away : the lad may come to nothing. Like the last few England leg spin prospects ( Salisury , Schofield ) . But I am guessing this game hasn't done him any harm. So let us give him a run in the summer and see a bit more , perhaps ?

Come on lads, under 400 to go!

En-ger-land...En-ger-land!

Duty281 wrote:Come on lads, under 400 to go!

En-ger-land...En-ger-land!

Now that sounds more like the old Duty !

Unrealistic , deluded ...but ready to fix bayonets and charge the guns   

That gloom and doom stuff just didn't suit you .

Nice catch. England wobbling.

KP gone ...good bowling from Harris again. Inside edge balloons off the pad and just within reach of the short leg fielder...when you are winning those go just out of reach.

Commentators suggesting that might be it for Pietersen in Tests . Well maybe . Who knows that man's mind ? But I hope he doesn't call it quits. And I don't think he will want to go out so tamely.

Ballance isn't half coming in to some nice old situations is he ? At least there really isn't any team pressure left...he can just bat for himself.

guildfordbat wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Stokes gets his 8th wicket of the match bowling Johnson. Match is over as a contest though. The real interest for England will be how Ballance performs with bat and how Borthwick bowls and bats as well as Rankin.

I would also like to see the experienced batsmen - Cook, Bell, Pietersen - showing they are still up for a fight and able to make runs against this highly impressive bowling unit. I expect Lyon to figure prominently second time round.

Ha. Would have been nice ...but not to be , again. Those three are looking very burnt out. Need some time out now. Let the kids play the ODIs , I reckon. Though I guess that is awkward for poor Cookie , being captain...

Lyon might do some bowling this afternoon. If Harris leaves him any   

alfie wrote:KP gone ...good bowling from Harris again. Inside edge balloons off the pad and just within reach of the short leg fielder...when you are winning those go just out of reach.

Commentators suggesting that might be it for Pietersen in Tests .  Well maybe . Who knows that man's mind ?  But I hope he doesn't call it quits.  And I don't think he will want to go out so tamely.

Ballance isn't half coming in to some nice old situations is he ?  At least there really isn't any team pressure left...he can just bat for himself.

I think he'll retire personally from Tests, but keep himself on for the limited overs stuff till the 2015 world cup.

As for England now - Carberry with a shot at redemption, Ballance with a chance to make a mark.

You might be right , Duty. He hasn't looked happy on this trip. And in the end I guess it might be no bad thing if it gives England a chance to rebuild the batting order now , in a year with a bit less Test action , rather than say , after the Ashes 2015 when it all gets busy again.
We shall see.

Carberry looking more like a cricketer than a zombie in pads today. The old "nothing to lose " thing...

Gerry SA wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Australia gifting Borthwick a few cheap wickets here. 

Borthwick up there with Tahir and McGain as they worst leg spinners seen in recent times.

Nice. You make that assessment after one test. Aussies will be glad you weren't assessing Shane Warne after one test.

What do the Scottish know about cricket? 

Ah yes...nothing.

And the certain S.K. Warne you mention was destroyed by Shastri, a great player of spin.

So would you have labelled Warne useless after one test and look what he went on to achieve? You are judging Borthwick playing players on a high, at thetop of their game and on the attack so getting wickets of a centurian and Haddin is something he can be pleased about. Judging by your views on here you know nothing either or at least you allow your knowledge to be clouded by a severe prejudice.

Craig , Gerry just comes on here to wind up England fans.

He does have some knowledge of the game - can be quite normal discussing SA matches - but he isn't interested in serious debate when England are playing. Best to mainly ignore him.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Australia gifting Borthwick a few cheap wickets here. 

Borthwick up there with Tahir and McGain as they worst leg spinners seen in recent times.

Nice. You make that assessment after one test. Aussies will be glad you weren't assessing Shane Warne after one test.

What do the Scottish know about cricket? 

Ah yes...nothing.

And the certain S.K. Warne you mention was destroyed by Shastri, a great player of spin.

So that proves my point. You would have labelled Warne useless after one test and look what he went on to achieve. Judging by your views on here you know nothing either or at least you allow your knowledge to be clouded by a severe prejudice.

Did I stay Warne was rubbish based on Shastri getting him a tanning? No, but you keep putting words in mouth...

There was all ways something special about S.K. Warne. He was selected on merit. And as my superior knowledge of cricket tells me, Warne couldn't crack the Indian batting even after 100 Tests. 

Unlike Borthwick, who's a bits and pieces cricketer, picked on a whim.

Nice punchy little innings by Carberry. Hopefully he gets a big score to show everyone he can play it the highest level. 

If Pietersen goes it's a shame for world cricket. I'm not a big fan of his, ditching SA wasn't right, but he's one of the rare cricketers that has you switching on to see what he can do. England's loss would to Delhi's gain...

Sorry but you lack knowledge if you choose to rubbish Alastair Cook (youngest player in history to score 8,000 test runs) and James Anderson (one of the top wicket takers in tests history for England) or is it that prejudice again?

On KP : has had a poor tour. An average of 29 , four scores over 40 but topping out at 71 ...dismal by his standards.

It is notable his strike rate has been something like 30% down on his career figures. Of course you must give credit to the Australian bowlers , who have been extremely disciplined throughout ; but whether through a deliberate team plan , or just because he has been out of sorts , Pietersen has seemed unable or unwilling to play in the instinctive manner he used to employ. Hasn't stopped him getting slated for loose shots , of course   

If he does continue , I hope gets back to his old self . Maybe down to five , rather than moving up the order...

CaledonianCraig wrote:Sorry but you lack knowledge if you choose to rubbish Alastair Cook (youngest player in history to score 8,000 test runs) and James Anderson (one of the top wicket takers in tests history for England) or is it that prejudice again?

If x country plays more Tests per year than countries x, y or z - then lesser players achieve meaningless records like Cook's 8000 runs as the youngest in Test history. 


8000 scored is the least innings is something to shout about. 

Anderson might have 1m wickets, doesn't deter from the fact that aside from a two year period, he's always hovered around the 30 average mark. 

Next you'll be telling me Andy Murray is better than RF, RN and ND.... 

If KP retires he has had a great career that puts him up their with the all-time greats of English test cricket. I do feel he may carry on fancying one last cracking at Australia. He doesn't strike me as someone who would want his test career to end on a low as this series would definitely be.

All you can eat Carberry?
England get the balance right?

These two need to bat out the rest of the day for England to have any hope.

The more I drink, the more likely it seems.

Even if it is only Schweppes Lemonade...

Nope that dream is over!

So Carberry's England career, I wager..

Should have had something stronger , Duty.

Tea break has done for Carbs... Loose shot , bit of a gift for Mitch.

Too much Red Bull at tea...

Odd that you are damning of Cook yet so praiseworthy of KP. Why not try comparing their test records - very similar.

As for Anderson should I listen to you or what my head tells me and my ears when listening to 'real' cricket experts who have more often than not have sung his praises and yes even that comes from Aussies.

That's out as well.

All over tonight?

Duty281 wrote:That's out as well.

All over tonight?

Well we did call it earlier. Tea came at a bad time for England you feel.

End for Carberry ? Maybe. I did like the look of him before tea ; and he may get another try in the home summer. Especially if KP does pull the pin and England are reluctant to make too many changes at once...but I can''t see him as one for the future.

Ballance gone to one that kept very low...

Over today I think.

Bairstow duck - his career over?

6 down, 3 lost in 10 minutes.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Odd that you are damning of Cook yet so praiseworthy of KP. Why not try comparing their test records - very similar.

As for Anderson should I listen to you or what my head tells me and my ears when listening to 'real' cricket experts who have more often than not have sung his praises and yes even that comes from Aussies.

With regards to Anderson, you can listen to who ever you like. 

I've seen better, not only from my country, even from England.

Lyon in on the act...

Three gone for 1 run   

Perhaps best it does end quickly...

So Australia's one day VC and T20 skipper is trying to save his Test career as specialist leg slip. 

Seems like a natural there...

Yes Alfie at 33 he is NOT one for the future. Another wicket goes.

The way I see it is this side needs an overhaul so may as well go full hog and have as complete a clear out as possible with preferably youngsters given a chance.

7 down!

Going down quicker than the Titanic! We were 3 down 14 minutes ago.

Bairstow's never been Test standard. 

If Prior's times up. 

Davies or Kieswetter should be given a go for the Sri Lanka series.