The Ashes 2013

[antongould]

He'd have been grateful for the knighthood I'm sure anton but alas it never came.

Yes you can't really go from professional to amateur can you Amateur - what's the score dare not listen......

[amateur51]

Yes you can't really go from professional to amateur can you Amateur - what's the score dare not listen......

231-9 - Anderson on fire again and England's fielders hanging on like the ball's covered in velcro (mostly!) Crowd going bonkers. Very exciting!

[amateur51]

Twenty-nine required, one wicket required, and they've extended the time of the lunch-break.

Eeeek there was nearly a run-out there

Who prefers 20:20 cricket?

[Nick Armstrong]

Twenty-nine required, one wicket required, and they've extended the time of the lunch-break.

Eeeek there was nearly a run-out there

And.... dropped 'im !!

[amateur51]

And.... dropped 'im !!

Poor Finn, leaking runs and dropped a difficult catch

Twenty-one to win

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

sheeesh it is tight ... and should have been done and dusted by now!

[gurnemanz]

sheeesh it is tight ... and should have been done and dusted by now!

Yes, if Broad had walked, Oz might have won it by now. Now taking his boot off to waste time.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

...not quite what i had in mind gurnemanz

[gurnemanz]

...not quite what i had in mind gurnemanz

Just playing devil....

[amateur51]

Almost an anti-climax - England appeal for caught behind, review reveals a hot-spot, and he's OUT! England win by 14 runs. Anderson cops a 10-for in the match.

What a start to an Ashes series. The real Australians have turned up

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

an intense exciting and instructive match .... the use of DRS is clearly critical as the Oz Captain ruefully acknowledges ...

good one for the TMS team as well, different points of view aired and talked through ..... on top of the game ....

[antongould]

an intense exciting and instructive match .... the use of DRS is clearly critical as the Oz Captain ruefully acknowledges ...

good one for the TMS team as well, different points of view aired and talked through ..... on top of the game ....

I'm ashamed to say I couldn't listen and had to rely on you good fellows occasional posts at one stage it seemed to be going all Fred Tate......

[Belgrove]

What a truly remarkable Test Match, as good as any I can recall seeing.

Each day had its own drama, with wickets tumbling under the lights on day 1, Agar's scintillating debut on the world sporting stage on day 2 to put Australia back in the match, the calmer waters of day 3 when normal service was nearly restored - but then upended with the umpiring, Bell's much needed return to form under difficult conditions into day 4 with a century that surely put a victory beyond Australia's grasp, and then the nail chewing final day with the tourist's edging towards an unlikely win, but then the magnificent Anderson getting the final wicket and a rare 10 wicket haul. Phew!

The only changes to the England team I see for the next instalment is Bresnan replacing the nerve shredded Finn who is surely in need of convalescence in a calming backwater away from the merciless Auzzie spectators and the unblinking stare of the cameras.

Reading the comments about the commentating team, I must sing the praises of Simon Mann (sorry Ams), who regularly gives the score and (accurate) field placings. Jim Maxwell is magnificent. Agnew commentates to the TV monitor at his side rather than looking out on the field. New boy Glenn McGrath seems a nice bloke, but does not have anything very profound to say as of yet. Vaughan..., well I think I will keep my own council.

An enthralling Ashes series is in prospect. To Lord's on Thursday with the weather still set fair and some splendid Auzzie wines already chilling.

[Barbirollians]

What a truly remarkable Test Match, as good as any I can recall seeing.

Each day had its own drama, with wickets tumbling under the lights on day 1, Agar's scintillating debut on the world sporting stage on day 2 to put Australia back in the match, the calmer waters of day 3 when normal service was nearly restored - but then upended with the umpiring, Bell's much needed return to form under difficult conditions into day 4 with a century that surely put a victory beyond Australia's grasp, and then the nail chewing final day with the tourist's edging towards an unlikely win, but then the magnificent Anderson getting the final wicket and a rare 10 wicket haul. Phew!

The only changes to the England team I see for the next instalment is Bresnan replacing the nerve shredded Finn who is surely in need of convalescence in a calming backwater away from the merciless Auzzie spectators and the unblinking stare of the cameras.

Reading the comments about the commentating team, I must sing the praises of Simon Mann (sorry Ams), who regularly gives the score and (accurate) field placings. Jim Maxwell is magnificent. Agnew commentates to the TV monitor at his side rather than looking out on the field. New boy Glenn McGrath seems a nice bloke, but does not have anything very profound to say as of yet. Vaughan..., well I think I will keep my own council.

An enthralling Ashes series is in prospect. To Lord's on Thursday with the weather still set fair and some splendid Auzzie wines already chilling.

Michael Vaughan is a quite brilliant summariser - not only is he witty and amusing especially when he is on with Blowers - how superb he was as a captain endlessly comes over .His analysis so perceptive . I remember last year he made a criticism of the field positions said exactly how he would have placed it and pronto the batsman hit the ball thick edged straight down the throat of where the fielder would have been .

Tuffers is great , Maxwell is a class act, Blowers an old endearing duffer.

Agnew is an insufferable pompous self-righteous ass , Vic Marks a buffoon - Simon Mann is second rate ( how CMJ is missed ) and Boycott a joke .

[Barbirollians]

Gurnemanz - Except Agar was out stumped for 6- to the whole world except umpire Erasmus.