Official Thread : Ashes 2005

Vivek

My post was based on mid-day TV news here in Sydney, which quoted Ricky Ponting as saying MacGrath was in.


What a great start by England ! Lousy English weather - dont the rain gods know that there is an important cricket match on!


Anil

Yes Anil I think it was last minute decision to leave McGrath out. Ponting surely would have wanted him to play. Tait is bowling consistently above 90s but control is missing.

Interesting start but for rains...

England players would be singing:

"Rain Rain Go Away,
Little Pommies want to play"

Cheers,

The latest from Trent Bridge


FOURTH TEST - MATCH SUMMARY (Trent Bridge, Day 1, Rain stopped play):

England 134-1 v Australia

Marcus Trescothick hit a fluent 65 not out but England's bright start was checked by inclement weather, tea being taken and a resumption set for 1530.

Rain delayed the start of the afternoon session by an hour and only three overs were possible before some charcoal grey skies brought more rain, England 134-1.

Trescothick hit Shane Warne for a straight six but was fortunate on 55 as he played on to a Brett Lee no-ball.

Andrew Strauss was given out by the third umpire caught at slip via a boot.

Anilji – The Piano Man Saga



'Piano Man psychotic' says lawyer

The lawyer for the "Piano Man" has told the BBC his client was suffering a psychotic episode in the months he spent in silence in a Kent hospital.

Christian Baumann has also said that Andreas Grassl's actions were not "an act of deliberate deception".

Reports had cast doubt on his condition after Mr Grassl found his voice, revealed his identity and went home.

Questions have been raised as to why no inquiries were made when his parents in Bavaria, Germany, reported him missing.

They were told because he was an adult nothing could be done to find him, something the National Missing Persons Helpline in the UK said must change.

Co-founder Mary Asprey added: "When we first started our charity authorities were not very keen at looking for adults.

"But the police have learned that age shouldn't make a difference because people can be vulnerable at any age."

Mrs Asprey said a European database for missing people would not have helped in Mr Grassl's case because "you need a name and strong descriptive details of the person, something the authorities did not have".

There have also been suggestions the health trust may sue for tens of thousands of pounds but NHS chiefs have not commented.

Mr Baumann said: "It wasn't intended as an act of deliberate deception.

"He was suffering a psychotic episode - part of a psychotic illness."

According to health experts, people who experience psychotic episodes lose contact with reality and often suffer hallucinations and delusions.

Mr Grassl's father has declined to speak to reporters.

Health workers 'stunned'

The identity of the Piano Man had baffled carers for four months.

Andreas Grassl, 20, from Prosdorf, Germany, was taken to a Kent hospital after he was found on a beach in
April.

He was unable to speak to health workers, but reportedly stunned them with his brilliant piano playing.

However, newspaper reports have suggested he was only able to play one note continuously.

Mr Baumann has been reported as saying that "he didn't speak, but he certainly did play piano".

He said Mr Grassl had been suffering from severe depression when he was found on 7 April and had not
staged his months of silence.

West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust would not comment further on the case because of patient confidentiality.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4182926.stm

Thanks for that Iqbal. I was really intrigued with this story.

Did you get a chance to watch any cricket yesterday?

Anil

Anil bhai,

I wish McGrath was playing in this test because he is one bowler who can make a difference in crucial matches. Just his presence alone makes their attack look stronger.

It was great to see Tait finally get his green cap and showed that his inclusion in the squad was the right choice by getting two wickets.

I think England needs another 200 odd runs to put up a challenge. Hoping for some good cricket in the next few days !.

Cheers

Ali

Only managed to catch the highlight’s, too many catches dropped by the Australian team.


Looking favourably for England at the moment...

451-8

Flintoff may be given city honour

Andrew Flintoff could become the first person to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Preston this century.


The all-rounder would be honoured for his "services and accomplishments in the field of cricket" if the city council approves the plans on Thursday.
Only 22 people were given the honour in the last century, including footballer Sir Tom Finney in 1979 and animator Nick Park in 1997.
Mayor Bikhu Patel said Flintoff is an excellent ambassador and role model.
England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has called the 27-year-old, nicknamed Freddie, a sporting hero.

Man of match

He was named Man of the Match after England's fourth Test victory over Australia at Trent Bridge.
The Prestonian was a pupil at Greenland County Primary School and Ribbleton High School, now called City of Preston High.
The honour has no real privileges and is regarded as an award to men or women of note who have lived or worked in the city.
Freemen take precedence on ceremonial occasions, such as Remembrance Sunday, when they are allowed to walk ahead of councillors in processions.
In the 1800s freemen were given ancient privileges and were allowed to herd their sheep on Moor Park.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4203610.stm

I'm really looking forward to the next test, but will be at school so I won't be able to follow

Everyone’s looking forward to the final test match after 3 consecutive nailbiting endings.

Seems as if England are feeling very generous indeed....


England squad recall for Anderson
James Anderson
Anderson has played 12 Tests for England
Fast bowler James Anderson and all-rounder Paul Collingwood have been named in a 13-man England squad for the final Ashes Test at The Oval.

Chris Tremlett, who has been the 12th squad member all summer, has been dropped because of a lack of form.

Paceman Simon Jones, who is having intensive treatment on a troublesome ankle, is also named.

He will be re-assessed by the medical team on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's decider, England leading Australia 2-1.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said the news was encouraging about Jones, who has taken 18 wickets so far in four Ashes Tests.

James Anderson has big match experience with England
David Graveney

He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "It's encouraging I haven't been told by our medical staff to write him off because he won't be fit.

"It's not a precise science and in the end it's only the individual that knows what he can and cannot do, but I know Michael (Vaughan) and Duncan (Fletcher) will give him the maximum amount of time."

He added: "As Simon Jones is continuing to receive treatment on his injured ankle, we have decided to include both Paul Collingwood and James Anderson in the squad.

"This will enable us to cover all available options in terms of the balance of our final XI.

"Simon is continuing to make progress in his recovery from injury and we will give him as much time as he needs in order to prove his fitness.

"He will continue to receive treatment over the next 48 hours and be re-assessed by the medical team at practice on Tuesday."

Hampshire bowler Tremlett had been named in the squad for the previous four Tests only to be released back to his county.

He has struggled for form, grabbing four wickets in the matches against Sussex, Gloucestershire and Kent and two in the C&G Trophy final on Saturday.

Graveney said: "Chris Tremlett will be disappointed not to be included in the squad having been named in the XII for the first four Test matches.

"His involvement with the Test squad has meant limited opportunities for him with Hampshire in recent weeks and as a consequence we feel that he is not at the top of his game at present."

Collingwood was brought into the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston for 48 hours while conditions were assessed, before being released back to Durham.

He has played two Tests for England and performed well in the one-day series against Australia this summer.

Anderson has 12 Tests under his belt and has taken 51 wickets in the County Championship this season, at an average of 31.8.

Graveney said: "James Anderson has big-match experience with England and we feel that his inclusion in the squad will give the captain and coach another bowling option in the event of Simon Jones being unfit to play."

England need a draw or better to regain the Ashes for the first time since 1986.

The Oval is renowned for its batting-friendly pitch which could see England picking all-rounder Collingwood instead of Anderson if Jones is ruled out.

England have not gone through an Ashes series with an unchanged XI since 1884-85.

Jones won't be playing . Bad for England and good for Aussies. What say all? Can England hit the final nail?

Source: http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/engvaus/co...ory/218257.html

I hope they dont. We wont hear the end of it. "We beat the Aussies, manifest destiny, domination is ours". England are just poor at sports, and they always will be.

Same here ! Its just all over the sports channels, websites etc!

Like 'Bothams ashes' we still continue to hear of it ! Despite the fact that there have been much greater comebacks in the history of cricket!

Oh no !

Aussies all out