England v Australia 5th Test - The Oval

[FlyingHigh]

Sure, there were some positive moments for Australia considering how we were going with the squad going into the series, but at the end of the day, we were comprehensively beaten. Remember in 90/91 the Poms lead on the first innings in the first two tests, and we won the series comfortably. Similarly in 1997 when we lost the first and were 3/40 in both innings in the third.
Seems to be the feeling too, looking forward to the Australian summer, that we have the Poms batting covered, but they'll be better than they were - Cook, Trott and Bairstow will all have better series IMO.

[Grahaml]

From where we were to where we are I think we made a lot of steps. England are a very stable side who know for sure batting positions 1,3,4,5 and 7 while 3 of their bowlers are locked in. 8/11 of the team locked and loaded with some solid options for at least two of the remaining positions. We went in with no position certain besides probably Siddle. Now it feels like we've got an idea of 1-5 and 3 bowlers with Harris, Siddle and Lyon. We may have lost the series as comfortably as we were expected to but we didn't rely purely on Clarke to save face and Siddle to bowl himself into the ground to restrict England.

[whufc]

Siddle averaged over 30runs a wicket once again.

Though the first test he bowled brilliantly

From the second test on he took

9 wickets @ 44.00

finishing the series with

4th test- 1/41 & 0-59
5th test- 0-74 & 0-16

Peter 'one test wonder' Siddle strikes again!!!!!!!

[Phantom Gossiper]

Come on mate thought you would've been better than that..

Stats can and are very misleading, I thought he bowled well, i also think Lyon bowled well without much success and i'm sure if you look at Steve Smiths bowling stats for the series he probably looks like a champion.

Not all about who takes the most wickets, about bowling in partnerships

[Phantom Gossiper]

Ashes series stats
Bowling
Harris-24wk @ 19.58
Siddle-17wk @ 31.58
Starc-11wk @ 32.45
Lyon-9wk @ 33.66
Pattinson-7wk @ 43.85
Faulkner-6wk @ 16.33
Smith-4wk @ 26.50
Bird-2wk @ 62.50
Watson-2wk @ 89.50
Agar-2wk @ 124
Clarke-0/6

Only Harris, Faulkner and Smith averaged less than 30 and Smith/Faulkner didn't bowl enough for that average to blow out so you are being very harsh on Siddle..

[Phantom Gossiper]

Siddle's economy was 2.82 - best behind only Watson and Lyon..

[therisingblues]

You know what really grinded my gears last night - Swann hit Siddle for a four from a pull shot, one bounce over the fence.. then the stupid pommy bloke in the crowd stood there holding the ball out in his hand while the aussie fielder asked for it back then proceeded to just drop it on the other side of the fence and walk away.. WHAT A PIECE OF SH!T!!!!

shows about the same amount of class as their own players. Looks like Monty arrived after the game....

http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/the-splashes-england-players-celebrate-ashes-victory-by-urinating-on-the-oval-pitch/story-fndpt0dy-1226704039918

Quote from that report:

"Of course you understand the frustration, but you can also understand the other side,” Cook said.

“You understand the rules and regs. Unfortunately the officials sometimes have to take emotion out oft the game and do their job and be consistently fair to both sides.

“Of course it’s disappointing to be sitting here when we felt we could have taken those runs of the last 4 overs. I understand the umpires’ decision and why it happened.

“If it was the third day no-one would be moaning about it.

“If the boot was on the other foot we'd probably be asking the same questions. 

“It was a shame for the amazing crowd we’ve had here but we weren’t allowed to play to the finish. There are certain guidelines and that’s the way cricket has gone.”

That's right, Cook, who from day 1 of this test was obviously playing for a draw with his slow over rates and his side's boring batting, is actually having a whinge that they weren't allowed to bat the extra 4 overs.
How about a bit of gratitude to the Aussie's declaration and how we pushed for a result from the very beginning?

[Grahaml]

Siddle averaged over 30runs a wicket once again.

Though the first test he bowled brilliantly

From the second test on he took

9 wickets @ 44.00

finishing the series with

4th test- 1/41 & 0-59
5th test- 0-74 & 0-16

Peter 'one test wonder' Siddle strikes again!!!!!!!

Averaging just over 30 is reasonable. Not great, no doubt. But would Anderson and Broad get into our side? Are they miles ahead of Siddle? Both average over 30 for their careers......

[whufc]

Lol Anderson could bowl with his left arm and he would still open our bowling

Andersons career can be pretty much split into two halves

Anderson pre being able to reverse a ball

Anderson now he can reverse a ball

Imho Anderson is currently the best seamer in the world!!!

[daysofourlives]

Lol Anderson could bowl with his left arm and he would still open our bowling

Andersons career can be pretty much split into two halves

Anderson pre being able to reverse a ball

Anderson now he can reverse a ball

Imho Anderson is currently the best seamer in the world!!!

Or split his career this way

In Australia- Shit, would be lucky to get a game for the redbacks
Everywhere else- Awesome

[whufc]

Lol Anderson could bowl with his left arm and he would still open our bowling

Andersons career can be pretty much split into two halves

Anderson pre being able to reverse a ball

Anderson now he can reverse a ball

Imho Anderson is currently the best seamer in the world!!!

Or split his career this way

In Australia- Shit, would be lucky to get a game for the redbacks
Everywhere else- Awesome

He was brilliant last ashes here but yes prior to that he wouldn't of got a game in the Wasleys first eleven

[Ron Burgundy]

Lol Anderson could bowl with his left arm and he would still open our bowling

Andersons career can be pretty much split into two halves

Anderson pre being able to reverse a ball

Anderson now he can reverse a ball

Imho Anderson is currently the best seamer in the world!!!

Perhaps he should have bowled left handed...

[whufc]

I'm happily wrong!!!