It all goes in cycles. One nation can't hope to perennially be top of the rankings.

The Alderman stuff was just pure torture. 1989 was just about as bad a year as I can remember to be an England fan. If you're talking about swing bowling, then it's a hell of a shame that Simon Jones was never the same after 2005.

To be fair to Jim, so did England ...

There's plenty of time left, and the conservative decision would be to ile on the runs and leave them to bat last with an impossible target. It would demoralise them and the conditions would be deteriorating.

Possibly too much 1-day and 20-20 is messing with players' heads. Although I think the calendar in general is now too crowded, it's almost inevitable that that will have some sort of negative effect. I'd still back England to win.

The Trott and Pietersen dismisslas were particularly bad. Reckless even.

They must be totally stocious and ready to go to war now? Bert they're hoping the follow-on isn't enforced.

To get run out in that situation is almost unforgiveable. If I was Cook, I wouldn't enforce the follow-on (which will surely be an option).

The Aussies of 2005 vintage would've got 450 on this strip, quite easily. The current test side for Australia seems awful weak. Not that I'm complaining, of course. I'm loving it. And the inability of their side to understand how DRS works is just the cherry on top.

Well, England have rallied slightly, so I guess you must be gutted.

You don't like the English cricket team (despite being English), so why are you still on here? Do you get your jollies watching England do badly? Why don't you be a good little lad and @#/? off?

Very sorry to hear such sad news. Godspeed.

An aussie chav

Who says test cricket is boring?

I would never have walked. Ever. It's the umpire's job. Would an aussie walk? Nope.

Still, I'd rather have him in my side than not. Simple as that. You can't knock his average, and he's won a fair few matches for England with his batting. He does have the capacity to frustrate, but so did Gower, got himself out stupidly on more than one occasion.

Border was worse (from my point of view). "What do you think this is, a @#/? tea party? No, you can't have a drink."

It's a strange thing when a side trashes you out of sight every time, completely dominating you. Like a sporting Stockholm syndrome. You just don't expect to beat the other side at all, and it's a terrible feeling, especially if it's your oldest enemy. Sometimes I just used to wish a series would be over, usually about on day 3 of the second test, if not before.

Yes, I should think so. If the Ashes doesn't capture your imagination, then cricket isn't really your game. There's just so much at stake, first day of the first test, I get butterflies.

No worries. And *this* is what I like to see. Proper back in the day stuff:

By all means, you're entitled to your view, Tom. Just understand that the Ashes is a *big* deal for a lot of people. It's the only test series that really matters to me. For 16-odd years, the Aussies had their collective foot on our neck. That was suffering, and I want them to suffer how we suffered, so every run they score and every wicket they take pains me.

You must be bloody well joking. This is the Ashes, the biggest series in world cricket. It's warfare in sporting form, never give an inch to the enemy.

Oh my word, I don't think I can believe what's happening.

The Ashes starting on a Weds? EDIT: and the first test is at Trent Bridge??? What the heck's happening with cricket these days? Lord's ona Thursday, if you so please.

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