You're right, Neekoy, but only to a certain extent....... When the aussies hit rock bottomand Simpson and Border took control, they formed a partnership that changed Aussie cricket. They used Lillie, Marsh and others to forge a coaching regime that absolutely blitzed other teams. It's no fluke that England have emerged as a threat, it's taken the creation of their academy, run by Marsh, to instil something into the English team that was the sole preserve of the Australian team. I am pleased that the game has surfaced from the dominance of one team. I just hope that the game progresses from here and things like bad, yes bad, umpiring (it has been woeful in this series, and affected both sides) is remedied. Get rid of the crooked fingers, the slow, late finger in the air. The game is for the spectators and the players.

MB, I'll be glad if the Poms win. As a spectator, I have a vested interest in seeing quality games, something that has been sadly lacking in games over here for years, the odd Indian game being the exception. An England win will do two things; It will force change in the Australian team, something which has been nigh on impossible. and give impetous to other countries to lift their game. All this will mean that the spectator gets better value out of test matches. It will be sad to lose the Ashes, but if the end result is more competitive tests between countries, then bring it on.

If you had built "Jerusalem in England's green and pleasant lands" Theno and Blue Phil would be whinging about the Israelis and the Palestinians having a go at each other

And the real thing is playing, rather than watching. Unfortunately, my playing days are drawing to a close, but one thing for sure is, I will never pay to see over inflated egos playing any sport. I'd sooner watch the local guys, at whatever grade, running around, doing their best and enjoying themselves. One of the best games of footy I saw was one of my club's teams playing with eight (8) men winning a game against 11 + subs, when the other team were top of the comp. The 30 -40 people watching cheered them off the ground for their efforts. Why watch when you can play.

Believe me, there are quite a number of first class cricketers in Australia privately hoping that the Poms win this series. The shake up in Cricket Australia will be huge. It has been said that it's harder to get out of the Aussie team than to get in. The selectors have been making one or two strange decisions over the past couple of years. It's not over yet, but the signs are definitely there.

Lee, The 12th Man (or Billy Birmingham) has had several CD's taking "P" out of the Channel nine comentary team. One or two of them have threatened litigation, but todate I think he's managed to avoid any time in court. Max Walker doesn't do commentating these days. He is on the "celebraty" speaking circuit these days, as well as writing "witty " books.

I wouldn't read too much into it, USA. If, as you say, MH is using the Rovers as a springboard to greater things, he'll have to be a success at Ewood, otherwise he'll go no further. Let's review the situation in a few weeks when we can see how all the teams in the prem are performing.

Bucknor's decision just reinforces my earlier comments about the Umpires today. They are incompetent. There have been so many glaring errors (errors that have disadvantaged both sides) that it beginning to make a mockery of the game.

and the second part of my post?

perhaps I should re phrase, One should only gloat at the at the end of the season

Flopsy, are you a moderator, or are you a person that edits others opinions? You seem to be getting very agro towards those that have a different opinion.

one should only gloat at the end of the contest.

Den, if OT wasn't a turner, why did they take on Muralitheran as an overseas player? He's got bagfuls at OT. If it is a turner, then two spinners could wreak havoc. If Warnie is turning them at right angles, then McGill will be able to bring them back 135degrees. Scotty, the toss has a big big bearing on the result. To my mind Ponting made a mistake at Edgbaston (with that huge advantage of hindsight). He was let down by a few of the upper order batsmen (himself included) and that, ultimately lost them the match.

BBDU, I think that "technology" has no place in cricket. Part of the charm of the game is the acceptance of the umpires decision as final, but then so was the idea of "walking". pg, Alcott would have had the swelling down in an hour or so. An MRI would have found any damage. I have this sneaking feeling that things aren't as bad as is being made out.

pg, I don't expect the umps to be 100% , but some of the errors (not just in this series) have been somewhat basic. They are full time professionals now. As for "Hawkeye", I gave up on that when I saw how much out that it can be. What's the betting that McGrath returns for the OT test. Personally, I wouldn't play Lee, he's far too erratic. I'd take a punt with Tait. My Aussie bowling line up would be McGrath/Warne/McGill/Tait with backup from Clarke(who got 6 for on a turner in India).

Indeed, pg, If the Old Trafford pitch is a turner, then SCG MCGill will get a run. He's a bigger turner of the ball than Warne. What lets him down is his accuracy. For me, the biggest let down is the standard of umpiring. There have been some glaring errors. They are getting too many decisions wrong.

Warne is no dummy, his problem is that his brain is down the front of his trousers.

but he can bowl, AS, he can bowl.

Vinjay, Why is it frustrating that the club has faceless owners? Better than being a PLC or having an owner like Shepherd or Gold I would think. Opinions are allowed, what is persisting everyone off is your constant banging of a particular drum. Try to be a bit more than one dimensional in your posts and I'm sure you'll get a better response.

philip, Gus Hiddink has replaced Frank. Not so sure about the cricket, the Edgbaston track has been under prepared because of the weather. The toss will be an important one to win.

I'm amazed, willrovers. You have managed to post something positive about our previous manager, the great satan, and not get flamed. You've either paid to get all responses deleted, or you're a mod, or it's a post only visible to my eyes. Anyway, you have my respect. (yeah, he really had to go, but he did one or two nice things for us whilst he was here)

I've heard Robbie on a number of occasions speak of his time playing for the Rovers, he's always spoken well of the club and the team. He has been less than positive about the town though.

I'll give you 10/1 with your ten bucks! What do you consider "wholesale changes", that would be two or three at LEAST?Barring injuries that is not going to happen. Remember, as far as the tests go Australia has done 20% of the job required.

Everyone seems to forget that he vaulted the ticket barrier as well. My sympathy goes to the coppers that chased him and shot him. Has the day gone that someone wanted by the coppers puts their hands up and accepts the inevitable. What's the betting that his visa had just run out! The ex copper I heard on radio out here was, in these situations you shoot first. How could you live with yourself had he been a terrorist and knocked off 50 or 60 others. Had he stopped, put his hands up he'd be still with us.

A little bit of sanity down our neck of the woods...... The local Muslim leader has called for those that promote violence and murder to be deported. I realise that many in the muslim faith abhor violence, at last one of their Religious leaders has openly denounced the way that some of Islam's followers have practised their faith. May some of the followers of Christianity, Judaism, Hindu, Buhddism find their true roots and show kindness and compassion to their fellow travellers on this earth. After all, you're a long, long time dead. Each one of us deserves to enjoy the time we have.