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England need 300+ more to win - the games as good as over.

Tim - no, I don't think it's a bowler's wicket. The Australian quicks are getting some movement in the air (Hilfenhaus in particular was getting some nice shape yesterday evening ) but the pitch itself, while fast, doesn't seem lethal. Having said that, it is displaying a bit more of that WACA bounce than has been the case in recent years.

Dismissing Collingwood on the last ball of the day was a highlight, and Pietersen's wicket was crucial IMO.

Yeah, despite the number of wickets that have fallen, its not a green top. Its not even that bouncey. Watson and Hussey actually made scoring look pretty easy, as did Bell.

The difference has been that Australia's spearhead has come good. When Johnson fires all of the other bowlers pick up with him. Watching him bend the ball back into the right handers lifts everyone on the team.

The big question is what team to take to Melbourne. Most people would say you NEED a spinner in Melbourne and certainly in Sydney. My qn is whether a second rate spinner is a sound replacement for any of the pace bowlers. Is there a spinner in Australia that really warrents selection? Hopefully Punter (or Clarke if Punter's out) will give Smith a few overs today at the tail to build his confidence.

Bring on Boxing Day!

A lady walked into a Police Station in Perth and said, "I'd like to report a case of sexual assault".

"Where did it happen?" the Sergeant asked.

"In the park just down the road" she replied.

"Can you describe what happened?"

"Yes, I was walking along the footpath in the park near the trees when a man jumped out of the bushes and dragged me in there, removed my underwear, then he dropped his pants to his knees and had his way with me".

"Could you give me a description of him?"

“Yes, he was wearing white shoes, long white trousers, a white shirt and he had these two big long pads from his feet up to and over his knees, one on each leg".

"Sounds to me like he was a cricketer, most probably a batsman", said the Sergeant.

"Yes", said the lady, "He was an English cricketer".

"That's very observant", said the Sergeant, "You worked that out from his accent?"

"No", she replied. "Because he wasn't in for very long".




Much I'd have liked to have kicked your arses 4-0, we've now got a proper Ashes series! Congratulations on a very good win. I managed to get home to catch the start of both day's play but it wasn't happy viewing! Unlike England, both your batsmen and bowlers seemed to have the better of the Perth pitch.

If Melbourne and Sydney are spinners' pitches, then I'd fancy Swann over anyone I've seen in the baggy green so far but both sets of batsmen and pace bowlers have been erratic so anything could happen. Should be a good contest!

Happy Christmas to everyone and see you Boxing day.

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In commemoration of Australian cricket; a once proud and sporting nation. The players themselves shall be incinerated and their ashes disposed of quietly in a discreet and appropriately dismissive manner.

Yeah, it wasn't good for you guys on day 1 was it.

Two English wickets down quickly. This game is not over yet. England will not want to bat again on this pitch. It was a great toss to win, just hope we can bat all day.

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Quite a few Breitlings, most of them starting with the letter C.

Well I don't think I'm speaking too soon in saying the game is over now.

Beautiful exhibition of line and length bowling by England on day 1. Australia were unlucky losing the toss, overcast with the ball swinging right up until they were all out, then the sun came out.

But that doesn't change the fact that none of our batsmen except Hussey seems to have any understanding of what Test batting requires. I was watching with my old man, and after watching Hughes take 10 off the second over we both remarked that he wouldn't last long. His job is supposed to be to survive as far as possible into the first day, not to play some flashy shots and get out quickly. Whoever is the Australian batting coach doesn't seem to be getting that message through, because almost all of the top order showed dreadful technique in getting out.

Ok, rant over now.

I can't think of anything more embarrassing for an Australian cricketer than to walk out on the MCG on Boxing Day in front of 90 odd thousand people and get routed for 98

I didn't see any of it for which I'm thankful. I couldn't believe the score when I checked online. Great work England obviously. You're going to kill us in this test and well deserved.

I really don't know where the aussies go from here. They all seem to be out of form at the same time. I can't remember the last time at least one batsmen failed to stand up and score a ton in an Ashes innings.

And Ponting fined for dissent again. No surprises there.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

With the BBW warming up her vocal chords, you have to wonder where Australia go from here. A great performance at Perth followed by abject capitulation in Melbourne. Sure, winning the toss helped but England still had to bowl well that first morning and the batting was terrible.

That Australia have fallen so far down is a mystery to me. What's worse is there do not seem to be any new players knocking at the door. The fringe players this series have not grabbed their chances.

I painfully remember the 5-0 whitewash of 2006/7. Following that embarrassment, England re-built their entire structure and the results are now bearing fruit. I think Cricket Australia will have to do some similar soul searching.

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Congratulations England! A truly dominant display, how does it feel?

Come on Sharky, happ_chapie, this is your moment. An ashes victory on Australian soil, how long has it been seriously though well deserved, my sincerest congratulations on a job well done (I still can't stand Pieterson though ).



Wise words their Sharky. I don't know where they go from here. Sack the selectors for one, stop this constant handing out of new caps that devalues the baggy green and choose a squad of 20 or so players that can mature over the next 1,2,5 years and stick with them. The problem now is they can't get rid of anyone because there's no one to replace them. Move Ponting down the order if he wants to be captain and to the young guns, grab your chance with both hands!

England have looked great throughout the series (except for the capitulation in Perth). Surely Collingwood has to go though.

Enjoy the moment chaps!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

It feels great to win, but the job is only half done. I will be gutted if we only draw the series. Come on England and keep your foot on the Aussie's necks !!!!. It will be interesting to see how Clarke shapes as captain along with the new guys Usman & Beer. Hopefully England will stick with the same team and make my prediction of a 3-1 win come true

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Quite a few Breitlings, most of them starting with the letter C.

He is a bit Marmite, or in your case Vegamite.

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Exactly! 3-1 would better reflect the fact England have been well on top in the series but I can see this test ending a draw for a 2-1 series win.

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