Final Test

So, another thrilling Ashes series being played. This has all the ingredients of a pot boiler. Australia dominated first test but England somehow managed to cling on.

Next test, a memorable performance from Flintoff and some good batting in first innings saw England coming home strongly.
Rain played a big part in third test and when it seemed that England may close it down in fourth test itself, here comes a strong reply from Australia and all the weak links turning into strong pillars.
Going into the fifth test, momentum lies with Australia, but no one knows the future. Imagine this, if Mark Ramprakash manages to get a game and does something of importance, who knows, England might scrape through. Whatever the outcome, there are many players, who got some reason to cheer, but nothing extraordinary. Can I name some? Flintoff, Johnson, Siddle, Strauss, Anderson, Ponting, Onions, Collingwood...... I hope that Flintoff manages another test and who knows then? Atleast, the game of cricket will be a winner there!!! See you then...

Greatest comeback in Test Cricket

This is perhaps the only series in the history of test cricket, when a team trailing by 0-2 went on to win the series by 3-2. Australians emerged as winners, and their captain, Don Bradman was under considerable pressure when Aussies were trailing by 0-2, owing to his batting and captaincy. But what a remarkable comeback it was, and the word "great" would have been the more appropriate word used instead of "remarkable", had the series had been played in recent years. But this series was played few decades ago and Bradman became the greatest gambler of all time, I dare say.

In the third test, the pitch was very treacherous which prompted english captain to declare even they were in deficit. Bradman did not have this choice of not batting, but he did have a choice about deciding the batting order, and he inverted the batting order. Australia were again 90 odd for 5 and then went on to score some 550 odd runs (Bradman - 270). Australia won the test match, and later on, the series and it will not be an overstatement to say that this was "the greatest comeback" in history of cricket.

Details of the match can be found on cricinfo.

Day 4 - Edgbaston

Another good day for england. Though England cannot lose this test, but draw appears to be a more likely result. The way last two tests have been played, English side seems to have upper hand, thanks to their bowling. Mr Anderson is very good and Mr. Onions is surely causing some tears to Aussies. Ricky Ponting might be looking for some inspiration or might just entertaining the idea to bring back Mr. McGrath or Shane Warne. What's your opinion?

Edgbaston

Back to my favourite pastime of incorrectly predicting outcome of a test match. Well, this time I am betting on a draw and Australia dominating most part of it. Michael Hussey will be scoring big runs and Ian Bell will come good for England. Flintoff will struggle here.
Too many predictions, I am hoping some of them coming true.

Ashes - Crystall Ball

Time to gaze the crystal ball. After losing the second test by 100 runs, Australia would be looking to comeback. Anyone who thinks that they are not capable of coming back is sliding on thin ice. Australia are going to hit hard in next test in Edgbaston. But this is not what I am trying to look into. I am searching for the player who is going to make an impact in next test and I am betting on Mitchell Johnson. Don't laugh me off, I did predict closure of last test correctly. See you in Edgbaston. Let it be a close fought test and series....

Finally, a predicition goes right

For a change, I rightly predicted, or guessed when the Lord's test will be completed and I accurately guessed before lunch time last day. Congratulations to England, they have been playing good cricket from last day in Cardiff. In my opinion, that last day must have given them lots of confidence.

Good luck for Edgbaston.

Another prediction goes wrong

But it's good for the game. That is what cricket is all about. And when history is at stake, how can someone expect a straightforward result. There are always factors associated in test cricket, and the foremost important factor is glorious uncertainties. Then the fact that Australia have not lost a test in Lords for seventy five years, then no one has chased this target in the history of the game.

And above all, English players would like to give Andrew Flintoff a memorable send off. Suddenly, the game has become very ineteresting and it has thrown the series wide open.

My take: England are still going to win this.

Third Day - Lord's

Interesting will be an understatement. England did what we hoped for and last two days were quite humbling for all mighty, all conquering Australians. As my feeling has been always, largely a team is as good as their bowling is, this time English bowlers demonstrating exactly the same and they are helped aptly by batsmen.

England are indeed in a very formidable position, and it will be good to see what kind of effort Australians are going to put in to save this test.

Another prediction from me, though I am really walking a tight rope. Fifth day, by lunch, this test should be over. I am not going to predict who will win, its pretty much decided,unless we have a miracle. of course, I have not covered the rain factor.

As always, my prediction goes wrong. But I dare again...

I have been made to eat my words again. England has done very well in their bowling attempt. A colleague of mine, Brian has indicated yesterday that england never play second day well at Lord's and that is what which has exactly happened.

Good bowling by England lads, and probably this could be a fitting farewell to Andrew Flintoff and another down to earth experience for Mr. Integrity, if Ashes is regained by English side. But my concerns are elsewhere and cleary on India's chances on World cup 2011. Looks to me that this famed (sans RD,ST) batting line up was not a match for chin bowling. Let's see what happens, but it does seem to me that Mr. Dhoni's honeymoon is over. Not that I don't like him, but greater challenges lie ahead of him. After all, he is from the same town where I have done my studies.

Well, I am making another observation, ST will definitely a part of Indian team for next world cup. It will be another matter that they will not win it. I will be too happy if I am proved wrong. Chuckle...

Ashes - Test Two

Suddenly a shift from the theme. You probably will wonder why something about cricket is featured here. I am compelled to tell the reason behind it. I am a "Chora Ganga Kinaare Waala" who is currently not very far from Thames. There is lot of excitement about cricket is here, and every time England manages a good display on the field, it feels that they have won a series. As a colleague aptly pointed out, they talk about football wordl cup win, as if it has happened yesterday.

So what do I think after it is 364/6 first day. The answer is, they made 400+ in Cardiff and barely survived. I am not giving much chance to them unless the bowling department fires. In my opinion, best result for England is a draw.

Let the story unfold...