England v Australia | 2nd Test | Lords | 16-20 July 09

[hussein]

I think the argument here is simply pace - and Flintoff wins that hands down by a mile.

I think the speed gun is a bit generous, extra 2/3mph, how fast did steyn bowl in the england tour

 

[Shayan]

4 to Johnson, I think he needs to get the target to under 100 runs. Just for a psychological boost.

 

[Oxy]

thats why im looking forward to pak touring england, i think sky should replace holding with warne, warne should definitely have a permanent spot as commentator, holding is getting boring

1st time Ive heard Warne as a summariser - different class really.

Then we have to tune into RAmeez...

 

[zulfiqar]

Wish we had all rounders the calibre of Johnson. He's playing well. Had Clarke had the stomach to just last longer we could've seen an interesting finish!

 

[pakistani pride]

1 crazy hour of MJ who knows . . .

 

[Oxy]

Shades of 2005.

I think Aus could go very close

 

[zulfiqar]

Why are they continuing to bowl Flintoff? Didn't he just come back from injury? That's a mighty long spell there; he must be getting tired. Hope they can get some runs off him this over..

 

[James]

Bowled Himmmmmmm

5 Wickets For Flintoff At Lords

Get Innnnnnnn

 

[Oxy]

Freddie gets 5 at Lords!

Siddle OUT - wkts blown out of the ground

388-9

 

[Oxy]

Great scenes - Freddie hugs each Eng player one by one.

Might not get another ball in this test....in his series????

 

[hussein]

Bowled Himmmmmmm

5 Wickets For Flintoff At Lords

Get Innnnnnnn

Historic scenes here, Flintoffs 3rd 5-for

 

[pakistani pride]

what a spell, legend stuff @ lords !

 

[Oxy]

Johnson gets his 50 - all out slog for him

 

[zulfiqar]

Damn I think I jynxed Siddle. Almost over, but not yet

 

[James]

Flintoff is less of a statistics player, more of a talisman. We're very happy with him thankyou. England are a far more entertaining team to support than SA anyway. No personality whatsoever.

 

[Uzzy]

Great bowling from Fred. In his last match at Lords aswell.

 

[hussein]

Dont understand flintoff, looks so dangerous when he bowls, has the pace, bounce yet he stills averages 30, he mustve had a bad early start to test, cant believe he is retiring from tests,

 

[Amjid Javed]

1st 5 wkt haul in inns at lords for Fred!

Game almost over now!

1 wkt needed!

 

[Oxy]

393-9 - 129 to win

 

[James]

Dont understand flintoff, looks so dangerous when he bowls, has the pace, bounce yet he stills averages 30, he mustve had a bad early start to test, cant believe he is retiring from tests,

slow starter with nigh on 10 years of fitness trouble, in an inconsistent team

 

[Amjid Javed]

Intresting to see if Aussies make any changes for next test if Lee is fit again!

 

[James]

Intresting to see if Aussies make any changes for next test if Lee is fit again!

Wonder if they'll get rid of Johnson?

 

[hussein]

Intresting to see if Aussies make any changes for next test if Lee is fit again!

probably Siddle

 

[Uzzy]

Wonder if they'll get rid of Johnson?

He's a useful batsman though.

 

[zulfiqar]

Flintoff realy sucked in the earlier part of his career. He is a completely transformed bowler now. If England win this serious, it would have been the great series in which Flintoff cemented his place as a consistent world class bowler and poised to move on to great things. Ah, what money can do to minds...

 

[Oxy]

Wonder if they'll get rid of Johnson?

Stuart Clarke might get a recall

 

[zulfiqar]

Impossible to get rid of Johnson. So what he had one bad game? Even in this he still took wickets! His batting is not only a bonus, he's an extra complete batsman!

 

[James]

He's a useful batsman though.

Yeah I know, I'm impressed, BUT he was brought to England as the next big thing and the fearsome opening bowler, has failed on both counts, who knows if he hadn't ushered England along to 196-0 on the first day (and to a lesser extent in the second innings too!) we could be witnessing an Australian victory.

 

[Oxy]

Looks like Flintoff might bowl the whole session unchanged!

 

[Uzzy]

Whippy, do you still frequent the GFaqs board? They've got an Ashes topic there aswell.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Can England wrap this up before lunch?

 

[Oxy]

406-9

117 to win

 

[pakistani pride]

Aus still scored over 400 runs in 4th innings ENG does nned to look at their bowling.

 

[zulfiqar]

Yeah I know, I'm impressed, BUT he was brought to England as the next big thing and the fearsome opening bowler, has failed on both counts, who knows if he hadn't ushered England along to 196-0 on the first day (and to a lesser extent in the second innings too!) we could be witnessing an Australian victory.

That is really harsh. He's not close to being the only person who failed for Aus. Their batting failure in the first innings is what completely knocked them out of the test match. Conceding 425 is not really all that bad considering the conditions that England had. In the 2nd innings I admit the Aussie bowling should have done better after knowing it is their last chance to have a shot at winning the game... as Australians are known for performing at their best when it is needed most, but they failed to deliver collectively as a team. Johnson will stay.

 

[insaftak]

game over

 

[Oxy]

Swann bowls Johnson!

England win the 2nd test!

 

[Khabri420]

England win by 115 runs! What a match!

 

[Oxy]

Emotional scenes out there - Freddie greets all his team 1 by 1

Crowd on their feet.

 

[zulfiqar]

England easily win the 2nd test... congrats. Don't feel secure for even a minute as the Aussies will come back hard; expect to see a vengeful Ponting in the 3rd test! Ashes is truly on!

 

[James]

Whippy, do you still frequent the GFaqs board? They've got an Ashes topic there aswell.

not getting rid of me that easily no seriously, I don't go on there anymore, just lost interest, this is the first week where I've frequented any forum in a while, quite enjoying this

maybe I'm wrong about Johnson, I'm notorious for putting down other countries and their more hyped players while defending our own overhyped players (KP and Flintoff usually). I doubt Lee would be much better, they need to look to the future. I'll change my opinion actually, and agree with you. How can Oz really improve this side?

 

[pakistani pride]

Great comeback from Eng after the first test, ASHES IS ON FOR SURE !
Aus will look to come back hard !

 

[P4K1 #1]

great win for england.. flintoff what a player..

 

[James]

we should bring in Harmison for somebody, don't know who because we have a few injury and form doubts. Could be up to 4 changes with Flintoff, Pietersen, Broad and Onions in the side currently

 

[hussein]

we should bring in Harmison for somebody, don't know who because we have a few injury and form doubts. Could be up to 4 changes with Flintoff, Pietersen, Broad and Onions in the side currently

Harmison for Broad, and then england for the ashes

 

[James]

Harmison for Broad, and then england for the ashes

I agree with the change, providing everyone else can play through injuries. Bopara is also a form doubt.

Interesting view from Phil Tufnell, thinks there should be no changes, to keep the togetherness of the side

 

[pakistani pride]

Yes, Harmison needs to come in.
Aus need to be positive they scored over 400 runs in 2nd innings.

onions got hit around and Anderson was expensive as well.

 

[James]

From Jonathan, TMS inbox: "I know I can't physically have Fred's babies, but I'm willing to try."

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Congrats to England - great win for them, fully deserved

Good comeback after being second best at Cardiff

 

[OZGOD]

Gratz to England, bounced back well after Cardiff where they were gone for all money. As for us, didn't bat well, didn't bowl well, we did ok to get to 400+ in the last innings but still well short and clearly second best. Bring on Edgbaston! I'm sure we'll bounce back.

 

[Savak]

Aussie record since Jan 2008

7 defeats, 9 victories

Lost to India, SA, barely scrounged for victory against WI, out of the 2 wins against the NZ team only 1 was completely convincing and now a loss to England. SA have only themselves to blame for their loss to the Aussies in SA and i am pretty sure overconfidence did them but this Aussie side is extremely vulnerable in all depts. I would expect them to beat Pakistan easily still but i am loving a more mortal Australian team now. Like Steve Waugh said, it is good for cricket now that there is a more than even playing field.

 

[saj786]

flintoff deserves all the plaudits, the worry is england without flintoff could be very ordinary