Hopefully they won't be gone for another 16 years...
I do hope that in 24 hours time somebody will be able to send me a text or e-mail throwing the title of this chapter back in my face! 300 runs to get, 5 wickets left and/or 90 overs to defend...I think I know the answer before I turn up tomorrow. Although on the plus side, I really didn't think that there would be a 5th day in Perth, All due credit to belly and Captain Cook for a tremendous second wicket partnership of 170. In fact I'd go so far to say that today has been the most enjoyable day's cricket I've watched so far this series.
I was really impressed that the two youngsters showed some real grit and intelligence in pursuit of this rather large total. Obviously disappointed that Cook got out with 3 overs left, but he was clearly shattered from 6 hours batting in 36 degree temperatures. I was a little more disappointed with Strauss' dismissal the previous night, I do hope that Rob has put together a Rudi Voodoo doll that you can stab to your heart's content! Hopefully it will be the last we see of the South African umpire this series and the ICC might send him out to retire with Darrell Hair!
It was a shame on Day 3 that we bowled fairly well, but the luck went with Hussey (3 dropped half chances) and Gilly was in unstoppable form. In fact, I was a little disappointed that he didn't break Sir Viv's 20 year record as he thoroughly deserved it for some monster hitting.
I read from the press that Fletcher is coming under increasing pressure back home. I really hope that the ECB do the sensible thing and keep him in post. Ok he has made some duff selection decisions this tour, but he has got England from bottom to 2nd ranked country in the world during his 7 year reign, which shouldn't be forgotten. I hope that the ECB do the same as the Aussie cricket board and give a tested unit the chance to put right the errors and poor showing from what a been a massively disappointing tour. Ponting was allowed to regroup with the same squad and coaching support and look what happened. However I fear there will be a mass clamour for change in the press and the weak-willed ECB will succumb to populist pressure.
On a personal note, I had some very sad news this weekend with the loss of the family cat Biggles. The old boy had had a good innings of 17 and a half, but ill health failed him at the end which is to be expected with a cat that old. He has been a part of my life from before I went to University, which I don't need reminding is some time ago, so I have felt very down today. Ma & Pa, I'm sorry I can't be around but hope you come to terms with our loss.
Liloushka will be experiencing her first day's test cricket tomorrow so hopefully KP and Freddy can both notch up 150s and we can go on a 24 hour bender to celebrate! Oh, actually we have a 10am flight on Tuesday to Wellington, New Zealand so perhaps we'll have to take it easy! Yes, this is the part of the holiday where we really test our relationship and see if we can cope in a motorhome for 4 days. Lila has been press-ganged into chemical toilet detail if I do all the driving. We also get the chance to do a 15,000 foot sky-dive over Lake Taupo next week, so If I don't post for a few months, it cos I is shacked up in a Kiwi hospital in intensive traction therapy.
Up the Monty
I was really impressed that the two youngsters showed some real grit and intelligence in pursuit of this rather large total. Obviously disappointed that Cook got out with 3 overs left, but he was clearly shattered from 6 hours batting in 36 degree temperatures. I was a little more disappointed with Strauss' dismissal the previous night, I do hope that Rob has put together a Rudi Voodoo doll that you can stab to your heart's content! Hopefully it will be the last we see of the South African umpire this series and the ICC might send him out to retire with Darrell Hair!
It was a shame on Day 3 that we bowled fairly well, but the luck went with Hussey (3 dropped half chances) and Gilly was in unstoppable form. In fact, I was a little disappointed that he didn't break Sir Viv's 20 year record as he thoroughly deserved it for some monster hitting.
I read from the press that Fletcher is coming under increasing pressure back home. I really hope that the ECB do the sensible thing and keep him in post. Ok he has made some duff selection decisions this tour, but he has got England from bottom to 2nd ranked country in the world during his 7 year reign, which shouldn't be forgotten. I hope that the ECB do the same as the Aussie cricket board and give a tested unit the chance to put right the errors and poor showing from what a been a massively disappointing tour. Ponting was allowed to regroup with the same squad and coaching support and look what happened. However I fear there will be a mass clamour for change in the press and the weak-willed ECB will succumb to populist pressure.
On a personal note, I had some very sad news this weekend with the loss of the family cat Biggles. The old boy had had a good innings of 17 and a half, but ill health failed him at the end which is to be expected with a cat that old. He has been a part of my life from before I went to University, which I don't need reminding is some time ago, so I have felt very down today. Ma & Pa, I'm sorry I can't be around but hope you come to terms with our loss.
Liloushka will be experiencing her first day's test cricket tomorrow so hopefully KP and Freddy can both notch up 150s and we can go on a 24 hour bender to celebrate! Oh, actually we have a 10am flight on Tuesday to Wellington, New Zealand so perhaps we'll have to take it easy! Yes, this is the part of the holiday where we really test our relationship and see if we can cope in a motorhome for 4 days. Lila has been press-ganged into chemical toilet detail if I do all the driving. We also get the chance to do a 15,000 foot sky-dive over Lake Taupo next week, so If I don't post for a few months, it cos I is shacked up in a Kiwi hospital in intensive traction therapy.
Up the Monty
posted by Ant | 1:05 pm
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