The Ashes - Part III

[frankbutcher]

I don't have the appropriate pen so I might end up damaging my computer.

[Percy Dalton]

As usual the English media and public got a little too carried away after the first couple of tests and the opening day of this one, forgetting that the Aussies are a breed of fighters!!!

Almost everyone was quick to write off Johnson and I even heard some muppet English fan saying on SSN that he was confident of an English win because no way could the Aussie bowling attack take 20 wickets!!! All this when it was patently clear to me that if anything Australia had the stronger bowling line up for this Test, given the conditions!!

Also seems to me that some players went into this match thinking they had only to turn up to continue in the same vain, rather than expecting the back-lash and preparing for it. The way some of them got out was bordering on the criminal!!

The only hope now is that the players don't let this capitulation get into their minds and that putting this game behind them, they go into the Fourth Test with the same attitude, determination and - more importantly - respect for the opposition, that they displayed in the first two games. With Andy Flower in charge, I'm more hopeful of this happening then I might have been in previous years.

Finally, is it just a co-incidence that at the start of the tour the players were hard working and fully concentrated on the job in hand, yet the minute the players families turn up, their discipline goes out of the window?

Spot on!

All the talk of having it sewn up by Xmas was madness.

England are a very fragile side and if anyone will expose weaknesses it is the Aussie's on their own turf.

I still think we can win this because this is the worst Australia side for a long time.

Losing Ponting, if they do, to a broken finger could be the killer blow for them. Sure he has scoredd sod all runs but he is the last remaining talisman the side has.

[REB]

still think england will win one and draw one of the last 2 tests, it is a bad aussie team and i think england were maybe a bit over confident going into the third test.

[DB10GOONER]

It is the worst Aussie team in decades but the Engerlish cockiness might still undo them. Agree RE Ponting though - a huge loss for confidence and morale and can still deliver an innings when needed.

I have a feeling the Aussies will win it.

[Only One Tony Adams]

Yes...........

[DB10GOONER]

Yes...........