ashes 2006-07

This block is broken or missing. You may be missing content or you might need to enable the original module.

Perth Day 1: Mudhsuden Singh Panesar's Flying Circus, or, Tirez Sur Les Selecteurs

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 15 2006, 12:13 am

We could all go insane wondering What If Monty Played In Brisbane And Adelaide? At least he didn't get Mister Cricket, whose Test career batting average has climbed to 85.35.

Still, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Australia will take a first innings lead some time Friday afternoon.

My Midwinter-Midwinters: Monty Panesar 3 pts; Michael Hussey 2 pts; Steve Harmison 1 point.

Midwinter-Midwinter progress

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 12 2006, 8:05 am

No I'm not still in shock after Australia's remarkable victory in the Second Test last Tuesday, I simply haven't had the time to write about it over the past week.

But to keep the Midwinter-Midwinter tally up to date, the points for Adelaide Day Five were - Shane Warne 3 pts; Ricky Ponting 2 pts; Mike Hussey 1 pt.

Is that the cricket, or is your News Limited?

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 5 2006, 8:09 pm

Amusing little stoush hotting up between Cricket Australia and the Murdoch Media Monolith over intellectual property rights to Test highlights.

The Murdochariat are showing three minutes of video highlights each day on the Fox Sports website, despite Cricket Australia issuing a fatwa saying they are only allowed thirty seconds. Murdochistas at News Ltd assert that they are making "fair use" of the footage for reportage of a news event.

Adelaide Day Four: Freddie. Gauntlet. Throw.

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 5 2006, 1:50 pm

What's the chances of a sporting declaration by Freddie Flintoff some time on Tuesday afternoon? You probably know the answer as well as I. Shall we start woofing Paul Collingwood now?

Midwinter-Midwinter points for Day Four: Matthew Hoggard 3 pts; Michael Clarke 2 pts; Adam Gilchrist 1 pt.

I'll roundup all the audio roundups at the conclusion of the Test when I have time to listen to them.

Adelaide Days 2 and 3: Good old Collingwood forever

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 4 2006, 7:03 am

My lack of updates over the weekend is not a sign of dismay over England's superb performance at the Adelaide Oval - my feelings about England are indeed quite the opposite. I've just been either too busy or too tired.

Australia suddenly looks brittle. Did I mention 2005 revisited?

Midwinter-Midwinter points for Saturday: Paul Collingwood 3 pts; Kevin Pietersen 2 pts; Stuart Clark 1 pt.

Midwinter-Midwinters for Sunday: Matthew Hoggard 3 pts; Ricky Ponting 2 pts; Michael Hussey 1 pt.

Adelaide Day 1 Midwinter-Midwinters and xspf

Submitted by Rick Eyre on December 2 2006, 1:38 pm

I think this Test is going to be a draw already.

Midwinter-Midwinter points for Day One: Paul Collingwood 3 pts, Ian Bell 2 pts, Kevin Pietersen 1 pt.

Please note: the official pronounciation of XSPF is "spif", even though it stands for "XML Shareable Playlist Format". About eighty minutes of poddage from the ABC, BBC, Guardian, CricInfo, Telegraph and Daily Mail.

Australia 1, England 0: Remember 2005

Submitted by Rick Eyre on November 28 2006, 7:14 am

First Test, Lords 2005: Australia defeated England by 239 runs. England won series 2-1.

First Test, Brisbane 2006-07: Australia defeated England by 277 runs. Is history about to repeat itself?

I doubt it. The yawning experience gap makes the difference this time, added to the intense hunger that the Australian team feels to regain the Ashes.

Gabba Day 4: Has Australia's wheel fallen off already?

Submitted by Rick Eyre on November 27 2006, 8:27 am

Has Australia blown its best chance of regaining the Ashes?

I'm serious.

Honestly, what was the point of batting on just long enough on Sunday morning to allow Justin Langer to get his hundred? Apart from allowing Ricky to strain his back while taking a run and thus keeping him off the field for the rest of the day... and possibly for the Second Test.