Latest I heard is Simon Jones will be out for 6 months. A damn fine shame to a start of a test career. Even though England are probably going to lose the 1st test, what would have happened with Gough & Flintoff?

I think 6 months for Jones is being a bit optimistic- but it is terrible to see an injury like that happen to anyone.

A funny line in today's paper. It was suggested that Prince Charles be the latest recruit in the Ashes series.

He told reporters "I can't bat, but Camilla Parker Bowles".

*groan*

Australia all out for 492 .. .England played much better today and got Waugh and Gilchrist cheaply. Hope it keeps up, I really don't even care who wins but I love a good game. England in now at 0/28.

worse - 150/1
Aussie's rule -

(sorry English Fans for my earlier predictions - in the land down under, everything that could wrong will definitely GO WRONG)

I'm going to display a typical British trait, and assume that, because we've had a brief improvement, English cricket has turned a corner and we are now world-beaters.

I now predict that the Australians won't turn up for the 3rd day's play, because they are overawed by our magnificence.

So some dreams do come true Aussie collapse and England Openers (well first three) well on the way - 2nd day to England.
I can't say I'd fancy batting on that wicket against Shane Warne on the last day, the cracks will be big enough to fall in to! And did I actually hear that there had been rain before play started and the outfield was damp. Is rain going to save the Aussies? (yes I've actually seen some of the highlights today and will be watching later for the first couple of hours of the third days play)

I have just come back from a business trip to Brussels with some Autsralian and New Zealand colleagues. I was ribbed unmercifully on the opening day, even though I explained it was a cunning plan to lull the Aussies into a false sense of security - but, thankfully, I was able to repay their kindness this morning. Let's just hope England does well against New Zealand at Twickenham tomorrow - then I can start in on my Kiwi colleagues (not that I enjoy gloating, you understand).

Dear all peoples here.. just got back from the Gabba. test 1, day 3.. so forgive any spell errs.. hic..

I've said it before, I'll say it again here, Matt The Bat Hayden and a fine Queenslander at that, is all the Aussies need.. just hime and Warney to support his innings and to bowl obviously - and maybe Gilly, we need a keeper as the Poms miss everything. Cripes, Warney alone will get more runs than the Poms top order! We don't need fielders cus the Poms don't play shots.. Matts going to make 1800 runs against England this year, you watch! he's already 237 not out!

My predctions for the second test are: 8 Aussies will get dropped and the money saved will go to cancer research cus aussies are good like that. We'll run on Hayden, Gilly and Warney. Mcgrath will probably run the water. England will apply to the cricket board to allow a team of 15 on the paddock with the logic that if it's ok for the English Rugby team it should be ok for the cricketers!

The Balmy Army will be singing Auld Lang Syne by day 2 second test..

The only sympathy I'll give the Poms is to wish Jones a speedy recovery.

b*gg*r.............. I live in hope!!!!! ? The £10 tourists lead by 308 runs at this moment. Hoggard got sent for 12 last over and Goughie's gone home......

Bob Willis says........'huge problems'!, I tend to agree.

However...............any of you 'convicts' fancy a wager?

Obviously, I'm not being serious!

wez

Ashley Giles just scored an 'English hat-trick'. Three dot balls in a row!

Mate, the only wager I would consider now would be when Waugh declares

Aust declared and so England need 464 to win and are already 2/12 but really should be 3 for with Butcher being given not out when he really should have been. At least, barring a massive collapse, we'll get into a fifth day of play but I can't see England being able to get the runs or play out the final day.

mmm, perhaps I jinxed England by mentioning a massive collapse ... sorry.

5/35 and Stewart gets another duck

And another one... Hayden takes another spectacular catch to get White... 6/66.

It will all be over before our English friends have had breakfast...

Another one gone ... Giles this time. 7/74
At least Butcher is making a go of it.

And how big a (insert your own word here) does Shane Warne look in those sunglasses?


edited bit ... Butcher gone now ... 8/74

One down.. four to go.

Butcher scored more than half of the runs! All out for 79...

Well, England is getting there (5-0); how could I doubt the Aussies (after Day 2)
Shame on me !

b....r ...............fill your own gaps in. I despair, I really do. Not that I'd ever admit it to youse lot! er...........it appears that I have!

!REGGUB

Anyone for a game of Aussie Rules? We've never lost to you at that, have we?

wez

Agreed Wez - a good game spoilt by a team giving up. Admitted they were down to ten men but that's no excuse for the capitulation. This England side is good enough to beat the Aussies (even on home grounds) - The Aussie openers are rated No1 in the world but I don't think they are as good as Trescothick and Vaughn, The England team (on the second day) proved they can match Australia in all aspects of the game. (OK I'm grasping at straws!)
One up to the Aussies and well played.
Secondary thought - Darren Gough being sent home, the knee injury said to be unlikely to respond to treatment in the future - I hope this isn't the end of his career, cricket needs these characters to promote the game to the next generation. I know Copago isn't a Shane Warne fan but he must be the Australian equivalent to Gough - (it's a team game but if XXXXXX doesn't perform -they lose!!!!!!)

I know I'm a little late with this (I've been away), but on the English catching in the first innings, I think the line of the day went to Kerry O'Keeffe (as usual).
He suggested that the only thing the could improve England's catching was to pick Winona Ryder, because she was really good with her hands!

Look at the cheek of this . I just got this from my Australian Cousin:
Subject: The Ashes - new ICC rules


Following the First Test of the Ashes in Brisbane, the International
Cricket Council has imposed a new set of rules for the remainder of the
series in view of the new competitive guidelines.

1) As a result, England has been granted an automatic wickie, freeing up
wicket keeper Alex Stewart to defend the boundary. Under the rule,
Australian batsmen will be deemed out "caught behind" if the ball nicks
their bat and lands in the immediate area behind the wicket. The rule is a
compromise from the original English proposal which had pushed for automatic
slips as well. The ICC refused that request on the grounds that "someone has
to go and get the ball when an Australian misses it."

2) In addition, Australia is under strict "tip and run" restrictions which
require they take a run off every ball they hit. Steve Waugh was happy to
accept this, as it meant no change to his current game plan. As a
compromise, it was agreed that the Australians will also have to shout out
the word "IN" when completing a run to make run out decisions by umpires
easier.

3) Following his outstanding performances, Australian wicketkeeper Adam
Gilchrist has "six and out" restrictions imposed on him. As well, following
complaints from English fielders, Gilchrist will have to get the ball if it
goes over the road or into any adjoining gardens.

4) Instead of using a bat, Matt Hayden will now be obliged to use his arm
with his jumper wrapped around it.

5) New rules for England include "one hand, one bounce" while they are
fielding, and the provision of "last man carries on" when they are batting.

6) The English tried to extend the "can't get out first ball" provision to
"can't get out first ten overs", but the ICC proclaimed that the extra runs
gained would hardly be worth the effort. Australian captain Steve Waugh has
vigorously opposed the "last man carries on" rule and has launched an
appeal. Waugh says Australia will only agree to the rule if there are
electric wickets at the end, allowing Aussie fielders to throw to the stumps
at either end.

7) A spokesperson for the ICC also announced that following six successive
ducks "from now on Craig White can't get out for a duck".

8) English pace bowler Andy Caddick will also be allowed to wrap the ball's
seam with electrical tape when he's bowling in the second innings.

9) The spokesperson added there will be "no LB" for English batsmen unless
"it is really, really obvious."

10) Shane Warne has conceded that its "fair enough" that he has to bowl
underarm (but not molly grubbers) to the English tail end.

11) If England decides that Steven Harmison is to be given an over, the
umpire will deem the Australian batsmen as dismissed if Harmison lands the
ball anywhere on the pitch. Captain Steve Waugh has no problems with this
change of ruling.

Despite the changes, Australia remains firm favourites going into the Ashes
at 10-1 on while an English win is currently unavailable.

Now THAT's funny. (cruel, but funny!)

Ren - your Aussie cousin has to be an ex-English Village Cricketer - highly amusing and very well informed on the rules and history of the game.

Oh well - here's hoping Test 2 is just that a real Test Match.

Just a minute off the 'Ashes', Just a small doubt - how is it that all the "Discards" from England end up doing better than the English?
Time to check immigration policy- It is not England's fault if the talented half was sent to Australia under some pretext or the other!

In reply to:

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I think the line of the day went to Kerry O'Keeffe (as usual).
He suggested that the only thing the could improve England's catching was to pick Winona Ryder, because she was really good with her hands!

---

My favourite Kerry O'Keefe comment was on The Fat last night. "They aren't going to cater for the Adelaide test ... they're just going to give Hayden a loaf of bread and a fish"
Geez, that man cracks me up.