England arrived in Perth understandably buoyant having taken a one-nil lead in the series at Adelaide. But at the same time, the pressure would be on to make sure that the advantage wasn't squandered. And for the third consecutive game, the visitors were able to field an unchanged team, meaning Andrew Strauss was still unable to force his way into the team.
On a hard, bouncy track, England would have taken great comfort from winning the toss and being given the chance to put some runs on the board having opted to bat first. But it couldn't have started any badly as Brett Lee continued his new-found form from Adelaide and removed both Cook and Vaughan to leave the tourists on 6-2. As Kevin Pietersen settled in and found his rhythm fairly quickly, both Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood also fell before England had reached 100. It was looking as if England's series lead was severely under threat, with a score less than 300 being unacceptable.
As Hayman teamed up with Pietersen, another epic partnership involving the rookie followed - this time a combined of 209 with both men reaching hundreds. Phil Mustard chipped in with a valuable 62 before England fell to 390-9, still short of an ideal score. Finally, however, the tail wagged with Panesar and Harmison adding 51 to the score to leave England on 441.
The Australian response was the most assured it had been all series. Even though Ponting and Clarke failed by their high standards, Hayden's 121 and an unbeaten 91 for Haddin powered the hosts onto 463 and a first innings lead of 22. Flintoff did most of the damage for England with figures of 4-71, and provided the visitors could bat competently in the second innings, a draw was fast becoming the most probable outcome.
And it was contributions all round that boosted England second time out as Cook, Pietersen and Collingwood all fell agonisingly short of half centuries, while Vaughan holed out on 98. But yet again there was a century for Hayman before Flintoff came in and added 66 to push England further towards their eventual resting point of 439. With the hosts requiring over 400 for victory on a worsening pitch with two and a half sessions to get there, it was an outcome that would not come to pass. The question was whether England could force yet another remarkable victory.
Alas no. Battling half centuries from Jaques, Hayden and the unbeaten Ponting kept Australia well and truly alive for the draw despite a fantastic spell of bowling from Paul Collingwood. The medium pacer managed to take 3-35 including ducks for Clarke and Symonds but it was in vain as Australia made the end of the match on 195/4 to keep their chances alive of turning things around in the series.
England will take heart from their batting but will look to be more clinical with the ball at Melbourne on Boxing Day. The bottom line, however, is that anything less than an Aussie win at the MCG will mean that England take the Urn back with them in the New Year, and that is a very relishing prospect.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (3)
3 March 2008
Happiness is...
Fuck search engine optimisation.
Here's a story that makes me feel all warm inside. Listen up indie clones, this is how it's done...
"Won me a mocking bird..."
Here's a story that makes me feel all warm inside. Listen up indie clones, this is how it's done...
"Won me a mocking bird..."
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 2nd Test, Adelaide
After narrowly missing out on what would have been a remarkable victory in Brisbane, some England supporters may have been forgiven for thinking that there was a sniff of a possibility of a chance of taking a series win in Australia. But at the same time, was the near miss going to lull the tourists into a false sense of security? What better way to test the resolve and credentials of the English than to get straight back into the action in Adelaide.
And what a result it proved to be. If a draw in the first test was a great result, then this victory must have exceeded all expectations and then the wildest dreams of England fans. And much of the credit for the win probably has to go to a quite literally fantastic 300 first innings partnership between Andrew Flintoff and the rookie Hayman. And there was a valuable contribution from Steve Harmison just when it was required.
Australia never looked settled after opting to bat first and quickly lost Jaques and Ponting to leave the score at 46-2. But Hayden and Clarke came together to strengthen the hosts' cause, although both missed out on milestones with 49 and 98 respectively. Symonds added a half century but there was little else but the cameo 25 from Brett Lee as English pace-men rattled through the last six wickets for 61 runs; Harmison with 4-70 and Flintoff picking up 3-73 as Australia staggered to 302.
Frustratingly, in response, England stuttered and were already staring down the barrel at 62-5 with Vaughan and Bell both getting out to dismal run outs. Gillespie took Pietersen and Collingwood out of the action with neither of the two batsmen breaking into double figures. So when England hauled themselves to 135 before Mustard fell, there was only once chance left to make an impression. And my, what an impression was made. Not a wicket fell for the next 300 runs as Hayman followed up an impressive start in Brisbane with an even better 209 here, ably assisted by Freddie Flintoff who made it to 141 before falling to Gillespie. The last three wickets fell cheaply but courtesy of what must be a record 7th-wicket stand for England (I haven't checked Wisden), the visitors found themselves looking mighty at 457, possessing a first innings lead of 155.
In Australia's response, they cancelled out the deficit with the loss of two wickets, but then batsmen started to fall around the imperious Ricky Ponting. When the captain eventually went for 114, bowled by Hayman, only Andrew Symonds offered any resistance finishing unbeaten on 32 as England mopped up the tail. Australia had once again staggered to a stop, and their tally of 304 this time around meant that England required just 150 for victory. Three wickets collected by Harmison, Panesar and Hayman second time out.
Anyone who remembered the 4th Test at Trent Bridge in 2005 may have thought that it could be a bridge to far for a fledgling England team. After all, Brett Lee had to come to the party at some point, and boy, did he. After a solid start for England, Lee accounted for both Cook and Bell in the space of two runs. Yet, at the other end, England were afforded freedom, and it was duly taken by a man you can't give much room to - Kevin Pietersen. With Vaughan, they established a 50 partnership although they became over-zealous in trying to secure the victory. Vaughan went for 44 trying to hoik MacGill over long-off only to miss the flight and lose his bails, while Pietersen holed out in an undignified manner to Hayden off Lee at mid-on for 58.
But by this point there was no real worry for England, with the score at 142-4. The eight runs needed for victory were duly taken by Collingwood (13) and Hayman (1) to secure a fantastic victory and one that continued England's rise in the ascendency. Brett Lee finished with 3-75 in the end, a decent effort considering the circumstances, and perhaps now starting to find ominous form. Next, it's onto Perth and England will be looking to continue their good run of form - a win in Western Australia would guarantee that England retain the Ashes.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (2)
And what a result it proved to be. If a draw in the first test was a great result, then this victory must have exceeded all expectations and then the wildest dreams of England fans. And much of the credit for the win probably has to go to a quite literally fantastic 300 first innings partnership between Andrew Flintoff and the rookie Hayman. And there was a valuable contribution from Steve Harmison just when it was required.
Australia never looked settled after opting to bat first and quickly lost Jaques and Ponting to leave the score at 46-2. But Hayden and Clarke came together to strengthen the hosts' cause, although both missed out on milestones with 49 and 98 respectively. Symonds added a half century but there was little else but the cameo 25 from Brett Lee as English pace-men rattled through the last six wickets for 61 runs; Harmison with 4-70 and Flintoff picking up 3-73 as Australia staggered to 302.
Frustratingly, in response, England stuttered and were already staring down the barrel at 62-5 with Vaughan and Bell both getting out to dismal run outs. Gillespie took Pietersen and Collingwood out of the action with neither of the two batsmen breaking into double figures. So when England hauled themselves to 135 before Mustard fell, there was only once chance left to make an impression. And my, what an impression was made. Not a wicket fell for the next 300 runs as Hayman followed up an impressive start in Brisbane with an even better 209 here, ably assisted by Freddie Flintoff who made it to 141 before falling to Gillespie. The last three wickets fell cheaply but courtesy of what must be a record 7th-wicket stand for England (I haven't checked Wisden), the visitors found themselves looking mighty at 457, possessing a first innings lead of 155.
In Australia's response, they cancelled out the deficit with the loss of two wickets, but then batsmen started to fall around the imperious Ricky Ponting. When the captain eventually went for 114, bowled by Hayman, only Andrew Symonds offered any resistance finishing unbeaten on 32 as England mopped up the tail. Australia had once again staggered to a stop, and their tally of 304 this time around meant that England required just 150 for victory. Three wickets collected by Harmison, Panesar and Hayman second time out.
Anyone who remembered the 4th Test at Trent Bridge in 2005 may have thought that it could be a bridge to far for a fledgling England team. After all, Brett Lee had to come to the party at some point, and boy, did he. After a solid start for England, Lee accounted for both Cook and Bell in the space of two runs. Yet, at the other end, England were afforded freedom, and it was duly taken by a man you can't give much room to - Kevin Pietersen. With Vaughan, they established a 50 partnership although they became over-zealous in trying to secure the victory. Vaughan went for 44 trying to hoik MacGill over long-off only to miss the flight and lose his bails, while Pietersen holed out in an undignified manner to Hayden off Lee at mid-on for 58.
But by this point there was no real worry for England, with the score at 142-4. The eight runs needed for victory were duly taken by Collingwood (13) and Hayman (1) to secure a fantastic victory and one that continued England's rise in the ascendency. Brett Lee finished with 3-75 in the end, a decent effort considering the circumstances, and perhaps now starting to find ominous form. Next, it's onto Perth and England will be looking to continue their good run of form - a win in Western Australia would guarantee that England retain the Ashes.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (2)
1 March 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 1st Test, Brisbane
Isn't this what all cricketing fans would have been waiting for? After the fireworks in England during the hacienda summer of 2005, England went halfway around the world in search of a first series win Down Under for the best part of two decades, and going out there was a fairly inexperienced squad. But similarly, the Aussies had upheavals to deal with, and their old guard of Warne and McGrath were no longer around to torment the England batsmen.
England team to face Australia: Vaughan (c), Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Hayman, Mustard (wk), Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
Australia team to face England: Jaques, Hayden, Ponting (c), Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Haddin (wk), Hilfenhaus, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill
Probably the biggest surprise to you, dear reader, is the self-indulgent inclusion of all-rounder Hayman. But that aside, Strauss didn't earn a starting berth, leaving Vaughan to open the innings alongside Cook. Surprisingly for Australia, Hilfenhaus was preferred to left-handed paceman Nathan Bracken, but that's not my fault.
Toss won by Australia, and somewhat strange on a decent Brisbane track England were inserted into bat to get the proceedings off to a start. Far better than the Harmison delivery to gully eh? And England enjoyed a fairly solid opening, with both Cook and Vaughan surviving the early ball to notch up a 100 partnership before the first wicket fell without the score advancing any further into three figures, as it was left to Stuart MacGill to remove the England captain for 51. Cook soon fell for 69, and Pietersen could only muster three runs, but the tourists managed to get themselves to a respectable 295-4 when Collingwood fell for 68. Ian Bell racked up the first century of the tour, while Flintoff also hit a half century as the tail fell apart around him leaving England five runs shy of a psychologically-boosting 400.
But the main worry for England was the fact that already a spinner had done the damage, with MacGill taking seven scalps for 100 runs. Yet if it was a worry, then Monty Panesar did enough to ease the minds of England chiefs. In their first innings reply, Australia were restricted to 401, not the run-fest England bowlers may have had to endure although Ricky Ponting ended not out on 166. Panesar took four wickets for 99 runs while Hayman, Hoggard and Harmison took two apiece.
England, just six runs behind going into the second innings, made another assured start with Cook and Vaughan sharing 110 together before valuable contributions through to Andrew Flintoff boosting the England score. None more so than the maiden test century for Hayman, but while the tail enders of Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar upped their score, neither got out of single figures. But, for Panesar, it was another not out for him. And this time it was Hilfenhaus who did the major damage, taking 6-114 whereas the elder statesmen now, Lee and Gillespie, were struggling to contain the batsmen.
Australia then entered the fourth innings requiring 398 for victory, needing the runs in just one day's play. Not a formality, but not exactly unattainable... or so they may have believed. Any thoughts of a home victory had to be abandoned once Monty Panesar had single-handedly reduced the hosts to 60/3 before the spinner teamed up with Harmison and Flintoff to rattle through Australian wickets to leave the score on a perilous 203/8 with two overs left. Hussey was hanging in there, but was off strike for Panesar's last over of the game. And with the first ball of the penultimate over, a chance to pouch Gillespie was spurned by Pietersen. Although the wicket came four balls later (KP off Panesar), Hussey was left to face the last over of the game and assuredly defended.
So, shades of the 2005 Old Trafford test reminded the Aussies that the English meant business, and the visitors were aggrieved not to have secured the win. But the chance will come again as Adelaide awaits next time out.
Series score: England 0-0 Australia (1)
England team to face Australia: Vaughan (c), Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Hayman, Mustard (wk), Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
Australia team to face England: Jaques, Hayden, Ponting (c), Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Haddin (wk), Hilfenhaus, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill
Probably the biggest surprise to you, dear reader, is the self-indulgent inclusion of all-rounder Hayman. But that aside, Strauss didn't earn a starting berth, leaving Vaughan to open the innings alongside Cook. Surprisingly for Australia, Hilfenhaus was preferred to left-handed paceman Nathan Bracken, but that's not my fault.
Toss won by Australia, and somewhat strange on a decent Brisbane track England were inserted into bat to get the proceedings off to a start. Far better than the Harmison delivery to gully eh? And England enjoyed a fairly solid opening, with both Cook and Vaughan surviving the early ball to notch up a 100 partnership before the first wicket fell without the score advancing any further into three figures, as it was left to Stuart MacGill to remove the England captain for 51. Cook soon fell for 69, and Pietersen could only muster three runs, but the tourists managed to get themselves to a respectable 295-4 when Collingwood fell for 68. Ian Bell racked up the first century of the tour, while Flintoff also hit a half century as the tail fell apart around him leaving England five runs shy of a psychologically-boosting 400.
But the main worry for England was the fact that already a spinner had done the damage, with MacGill taking seven scalps for 100 runs. Yet if it was a worry, then Monty Panesar did enough to ease the minds of England chiefs. In their first innings reply, Australia were restricted to 401, not the run-fest England bowlers may have had to endure although Ricky Ponting ended not out on 166. Panesar took four wickets for 99 runs while Hayman, Hoggard and Harmison took two apiece.
England, just six runs behind going into the second innings, made another assured start with Cook and Vaughan sharing 110 together before valuable contributions through to Andrew Flintoff boosting the England score. None more so than the maiden test century for Hayman, but while the tail enders of Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar upped their score, neither got out of single figures. But, for Panesar, it was another not out for him. And this time it was Hilfenhaus who did the major damage, taking 6-114 whereas the elder statesmen now, Lee and Gillespie, were struggling to contain the batsmen.
Australia then entered the fourth innings requiring 398 for victory, needing the runs in just one day's play. Not a formality, but not exactly unattainable... or so they may have believed. Any thoughts of a home victory had to be abandoned once Monty Panesar had single-handedly reduced the hosts to 60/3 before the spinner teamed up with Harmison and Flintoff to rattle through Australian wickets to leave the score on a perilous 203/8 with two overs left. Hussey was hanging in there, but was off strike for Panesar's last over of the game. And with the first ball of the penultimate over, a chance to pouch Gillespie was spurned by Pietersen. Although the wicket came four balls later (KP off Panesar), Hussey was left to face the last over of the game and assuredly defended.
So, shades of the 2005 Old Trafford test reminded the Aussies that the English meant business, and the visitors were aggrieved not to have secured the win. But the chance will come again as Adelaide awaits next time out.
Series score: England 0-0 Australia (1)
28 February 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07...
Like many English cricket fans, I'm convinced that the ill-fated Ashes Tour of last winter didn't *actually* happen. Reason enough, surely, to retreat into EA Cricket 07 to recreate the adventure Down Under in the pursuit of retaining the urn so gallantly won in 2005. And in doing so, at least in my mind and house, rewriting cricketing history to further dent Aussie pride and strengthen the legacy of the modern England cricket team.
So, as a little project conjured up in my spare time, I'll be letting you know just how my bid to alter the whole space-time continuum goes, starting with the 1st Test in Brisbane whenever I can be arsed. It should also be noted that the England and Australia squads are based on the current roster and not those at the time. Which means I shan't be facing McGrath, Warne and Langer. Advantage? Well, no. For they won't be facing Simon Jones, Trescothick or even Geraint Jones. Yeah. I kept Flintoff. I'm not stupid.
So, as a little project conjured up in my spare time, I'll be letting you know just how my bid to alter the whole space-time continuum goes, starting with the 1st Test in Brisbane whenever I can be arsed. It should also be noted that the England and Australia squads are based on the current roster and not those at the time. Which means I shan't be facing McGrath, Warne and Langer. Advantage? Well, no. For they won't be facing Simon Jones, Trescothick or even Geraint Jones. Yeah. I kept Flintoff. I'm not stupid.
The Results Are In... NME Awards 2008
Some things in life are guaranteed without fail. Your football team will always let you down at a critical moment, you'll always be a disappointment in bed, and hoards of adolescent fuckwits will vote Pete Doherty their hero of the year. It's enough to make you lose faith if you are actually prepared to let yourselves be bound by the annual ego-trip that is the NME Awards.
London's O2 arena was the venue for this year's festivities, and it seems as if the NME's faithful consumers have gone out of their way to defy logic, and more importantly, piss me off. Several of the results, particularly the bigger awards, are on the verge of being incredulous albeit sadly predictable. And where better to start than the oft-unbelievable 'Hero of the Year' award. It seems tradition dictates that Pete Doherty wins it every year... clearly because a crack addict producing second rate music in a watered-down guise of previous glories is clearly something that the nation's 14-16 year old scenesters aspire to. And I blame that particular trait for One Night Only among others.
And then it's only right that the Arctic Monkeys are rolled out to pick up every gong going for being the Arctic Monkeys. A quiet 2007 has yielded Best Video, Best Album and presumably Best Song featuring the name Brian. Oh, and The Enemy picked up Best Band. For what, exactly? Wearing tracksuits in a non-threatening manner while trying to be Coventry's version of Oasis.
But there is a silver lining to the immense grey clouds... the Manics picked up Godlike Genius showing that the NME have, yet again, gone full circle in their love-hate relationship with the Cymraeg gods (and also if you believe that Morrissey would have taken it had he not had a tiff with them).
It's hard to criticise the NME cos they are fucking good at what they do. It's just the majority of their readers that get on my tits, uniting morons from GCSE to Undergraduate level. More concerned with image than the music, not knowing who Richey Edwards was when he was on the cover two weeks ago, and trying to impose their will on free-thinkers. I'll continue to occasionally pick up the NME if I can afford it. But just don't ask me to relate to some of their readers, because even a labotomy might not even help 'em. And yeah, I'm angry for getting so bothered about it. Maybe it's just that I still have a lot of faith in (new) music and am already resigned to knowing that people won't give a shit unless the NME tell them.
London's O2 arena was the venue for this year's festivities, and it seems as if the NME's faithful consumers have gone out of their way to defy logic, and more importantly, piss me off. Several of the results, particularly the bigger awards, are on the verge of being incredulous albeit sadly predictable. And where better to start than the oft-unbelievable 'Hero of the Year' award. It seems tradition dictates that Pete Doherty wins it every year... clearly because a crack addict producing second rate music in a watered-down guise of previous glories is clearly something that the nation's 14-16 year old scenesters aspire to. And I blame that particular trait for One Night Only among others.
And then it's only right that the Arctic Monkeys are rolled out to pick up every gong going for being the Arctic Monkeys. A quiet 2007 has yielded Best Video, Best Album and presumably Best Song featuring the name Brian. Oh, and The Enemy picked up Best Band. For what, exactly? Wearing tracksuits in a non-threatening manner while trying to be Coventry's version of Oasis.
But there is a silver lining to the immense grey clouds... the Manics picked up Godlike Genius showing that the NME have, yet again, gone full circle in their love-hate relationship with the Cymraeg gods (and also if you believe that Morrissey would have taken it had he not had a tiff with them).
It's hard to criticise the NME cos they are fucking good at what they do. It's just the majority of their readers that get on my tits, uniting morons from GCSE to Undergraduate level. More concerned with image than the music, not knowing who Richey Edwards was when he was on the cover two weeks ago, and trying to impose their will on free-thinkers. I'll continue to occasionally pick up the NME if I can afford it. But just don't ask me to relate to some of their readers, because even a labotomy might not even help 'em. And yeah, I'm angry for getting so bothered about it. Maybe it's just that I still have a lot of faith in (new) music and am already resigned to knowing that people won't give a shit unless the NME tell them.
12 February 2008
Latest music offerings...
Black Kids Extend UK Stay
One of the big hopes for 2008, Black Kids, are going to be staying in Blighty a while longer after being asked to support both Sons & Daughters and Kate Nash in the month ahead. The Yank rockers were already over here to play London’s Water Rats on 6 February and a NME Awards show alongside Pigeon Detectives at Astoria on 7th February, but these latest dates will keep the music playing well into March.
Spread The Love
Those sassy Swedish songsters Love Is All have revealed the exciting details of their forthcoming new album, not to mention the important matter that a new boy has joined their ranks.
And a review...
The Superimposers - Harpsichord Treacle
When that umpteenth cup of tea or that extra woolly jumper fails to release you from the cold clutches of winter, you do could do a lot worse than to reach the new release from London duo, The Superimposers. For Harpsichord Treacle is a lush world of wonder capable of invoking memories of halcyon Sixties summer days, and I wasn’t even there. I just get my ideas from that Procol Harum video, but it warms the cockles if only for the shortest of spells.
One of the big hopes for 2008, Black Kids, are going to be staying in Blighty a while longer after being asked to support both Sons & Daughters and Kate Nash in the month ahead. The Yank rockers were already over here to play London’s Water Rats on 6 February and a NME Awards show alongside Pigeon Detectives at Astoria on 7th February, but these latest dates will keep the music playing well into March.
Spread The Love
Those sassy Swedish songsters Love Is All have revealed the exciting details of their forthcoming new album, not to mention the important matter that a new boy has joined their ranks.
And a review...
The Superimposers - Harpsichord Treacle
When that umpteenth cup of tea or that extra woolly jumper fails to release you from the cold clutches of winter, you do could do a lot worse than to reach the new release from London duo, The Superimposers. For Harpsichord Treacle is a lush world of wonder capable of invoking memories of halcyon Sixties summer days, and I wasn’t even there. I just get my ideas from that Procol Harum video, but it warms the cockles if only for the shortest of spells.
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