Dismal England not helped by Rudi(again)

England's batting display post tea was nothing short of dismal- sure Warne bowled well as did the rest of the Australian's but England surrendered meekly- so much for talk of pride and fight- it was not on display this afternoon.

When they bowled Hayden and Langer got off to a flyer, helped by bowling that was too short and by Rudi who on two occasions gave Hayden extra time at the crease he did not deserve. Plum LBW twice to Hoggard, Rudi seems to think only Aussie bowlers can get LBW decisions. Both were very poor decisions.

A dismal day all in all as the rain continues to fall in Singapore and then just as I click publish Freddie finds the right length and Read makes no mistake with a simple catch to dismiss Langer. Will that be a turning point?

Warne gets to 700 as England struggle

Is there a fast, bouncy track in Australia? If there is England have yet to see it as we get yet another slow track. In conditions that would have been ideal for a Hoggard/Lewis new ball spell England win the toss and bat, but struggle against tight bowling in seamer friendly overcast conditions. At 101 for 2 with Collingwood looking to attack against Warne it looked OK but in the space of two overs things took a trun decidedly for the worst with Collingwood falling to Lee, well caught at slip by Ponting for 28 and Strauss bowled by Warne for 50 to give him his 700th. Crown and Aussie commentators go wild and Warne celebrates a tremendous achievement. What though is that on his chin?

Hopes rest with Flintoff and Pieterson......................

What damage though might Jon Lewis in tandem with Hoggard have done with the new ball?- plenty would be my guess with Clarke and Symonds strangling England after an early Lee breakthrough.

Two down

Glenn McGrath has announced he will retire after the World Cup so that's two of the world's greatest ever bowlers we will not be facing when we seek to win back the Ashes. Without them the Aussies would not be 3-0 up so we can look forward to a much less trying series next time round.

Warne down four to go

Well the retirements have started with Shane announcing he will hang up his Test boots after Sydney and Glenn McGrath expected to follow. For world cricket its a shame to see them go. But knowing we will not face them when we try and win back the Ashes is a boost. Reading the remarks at the press conference even Warne appears to accept some of his appealing has been over the top- it surely was at Perth, while England's reticence in at least one appeal cost them.

The England one-day squad has been announced and sad to see Harmison announce his retirement from ODI's - it leaves the pace attack looking a little short on experience and penetration, at anything like his best he would be an asset- although at least this should mean Jon Lewis secures his World Cup spot.............................

Day six - Heading home Ashes lost

It was always the nightmare scenario for those of us who booked to watch the Perth Test, the first at which the Ashes could be lost. In truth after Day One in Adelaide it should never have been a possibility but it is now a matter of history. This though was a good Test match at which to initiate George - after all there has only been one other in history where he could have seen a faster century and at least England were on top for a day and fought strongly on four. Day two was the day we lost this Test.

Highlights from an England perspective undoubtedly Monte's wickets day one, Pieterson's batting and that of Cook and Bell on day four. Lowlights the dismissal of Cook in fading light and the dubious decisions against Strauss in both innings. For the Aussies Hussey was immovable and Ponting oozed class, Gilchrist was simply superbly destructive and his gesture of giving his pads to a young lad on the boundary must have made that boys year.

Of the England side most recognised the pleasure they can bring through a simple signature and I will long remember the beaming smile on George's face after Paul Collingwood had posed for a photo with him and after Freddie had signed his bat. Geraint Jones, Chris Read, and day four heroes Alastair Cook and Ian Bell all helped to provide George with an enduring memory of this Test, while James Anderson would have, had the camera operator been more adept!!Monte may have his reasons for not signing on day one or when he boarded the bus 2 hours after the end of day 5. Each time George had waited patiently and only a handful of spectators remained. But we will always share the nickname we awarded him so there is an upside.

I hope the only two young Aussie girls and the channel 7 crew who waited with us for the Aussies to emerge were rewarded for their vigil outside Gate 8. Persuaded George to give up when two crates of Corona were delivered 5 hours after close of play as the Aussies quite rightly celebrated hard.

A great week - all that remains is to frame the shirt, autographed bats,and photos and to add some embroidery to the shirt I bought on Day Two. It currently says something along the lines of:
Australia vs England WACA 14-18 December
I was there

To be added:
.......when we lost the Ashes

And on the back

I'll be there when we win them back!!

Will then start planning a family trip to New Zealand for 2008 as watching Test match cricket overseas is a really enjoyable experience. I enjoyed conversations with many fans and a number of current and former players, while George simply lapped it all up - Dad too had a great time so perhaps we can regroup in 2008.

The Aussies have outplayed us and our obsession with pace seems to have been a major part in our downfall. Mathew Hoggard has been the pick of our bowlers and Stuart Clark and of course Shane Warne the pickof theirs. Anderson and Mahmoud have pace but lack control. Jon Lewis who is more like Hoggard and Clark, would in my view have been a better bet on the pitches that have been prepared than either, while surely two spinners were called for in Adelaide after the first Test defeat. As last time in Oz we gambled with unfit players this time in Anderson and Giles, who simply had not played enough cricket. The real problem has been that while most of England's players have contributed not enough have done so at the same time, while the Aussies have always delivered when required.

The good thing though is that when the Ashes are next up for grabs surely Warne, McGrath, Langer, Hayden and Gilchrist will not be lining up against us......so we lost the Ashes at the WACA- can we win them back at Headingly? it would help the barmy army songsters!

Day Five - Rain saves Aussies??

Plenty to do to save the game


As one ambitious songster in the members put it - "only rain can save Australia now" as KP and Freddie set about the task at hand.

Awake to grey skies and renewed hope that England can head to Melbourne still holding the Ashes and somewhat oddly wanting to sit all day watching rainfall - sure the Barmy Army's rendition of singing in the rain would be worth the admission.





Got to the ground early bought a ball and thought would get George to practice his bowling. Tried the empty green spaces of the East terrace - no balls allowed, tried the green area out the back of the members stand - no access allowed. Finally sneaked through to the "old" net area and George was enjoying a good session when a WACA employee decided a 7 year old in bare feet with a plastic ball would somehow damage the turf. The WACA really has been quite an unfriendly, unwelcoming venue in contrast to the town itself - the attractions of the Cheltenham Festival become ever greater.

To top it all a security guard then told us we were not allowed a ball in the ground despite having bought said ball in the WACA shop - you could not make it up!

Where have all the Aussies gone. Surprisingly empty spaces in the ground with 5 wickets to fall for Australia to win back the Ashes. I need not have fretted about not getting tickets yesterday.

Flintoff and Pieterson take the fight to the Aussies and with some good fortune and considerable application win the battle for 18 overs with both reaching 50 before Warne took his second wicket bowling Flintoff with one that pitched outside leg and took off. 336 for 6 and hope is fading, and then poor Geraint Jones was run out while Warne appealed for yet another LBW, and his foot drifted over the crease, not the way to go. 336 for 7 . Mahmoud and Harmison came and went both falling LBW to Clarke and Warne, respectively the latter decision looked suspect given the turn Warne was extracting and the length of Harmi's legs which were stretched forward in sweeping. Monte battled 'til lunch but the clouds are not building rapidly enough........Two balls after lunch from Warne were enough as Panesar was bowled to give him 4 for plus a significant hand in Jones dismissal if only through another dubious appeal.

And that was that wild Aussie celebrations led by Adam Gilchrist who then gave his pads to a young Aussie fan, and once the hubbub had died down made sure he signed them. Great stuff!!

And then there was the Barmy Army who stood and sang (chanted) there hearts out for fully forty five minutes. George waited two hours moving from stand to Gate Two but to no avail as those England players that left the ground by coach walked passed heads down so no opportunity to add Monte, Matthew Hoggard and Sajid to the otherwise fully autographed bats. We moved to Gate 8 but as it may be a while before the Aussies come out will probably leave shortly. Did though get David Gower to autograph the shirt and enjoyed a chat with him though he did not recall Allan Lamb and the duck- will have to dig out the picture I have in storage when we get home.

Day Four - England's day until McGrath strikes late

Still getting in early!!

Awake early after a very enjoyable dinner with old friends and consult blackberry to discover football scores. Pleased to see Bristol City beat Millwall 1-0 while Forest lost at home to Orient. Up to second as Scunny also falter. Also though read the sobering news that Ashley Giles is heading home to be with his wife who is ill. The thoughts of all England fans will be with them both and hopes for a speedy recovery.The other departee from the tour Marcus Trescothick has been sorely missed until today when Cook was outstanding.

Jack Russell adorns my T-shirt today and the kind of display he and Mike Atherton put on in Jo'burg is needed from the current crop of tourists over the next two days. As Cook nears 100 (fingers crossed) I am standing in a queue outside to secure our tickets for tomorrow. Mercifully the queue moved quickly and I was back inside tickets secured before Cook moved to a hard earned and much deserved ton. Sad that Ian Bell did not achieve the same as he set the tone for England's fightback with two splendid straight sixes off Warne. Who at one stage was near tantrum status after a number of ambitious appeals had correctly been declined. Warne eventually snared Bell caught at short extra by Ponting for an excellent 87, after a tremendous stand of 170 with Cook. Paul Collingwood fell caught behind off Clarke who was perhaps the pick of the Aussie bowlers to make it 185 for 3 .

Pieterson and Cook battled until in very poor light as clouds came over McGrath induced an edge from Cook and then bowled Hoggard second ball to bring the Aussies back to life and Freddie to the crease with the lights then turned on and the atmosphere electric. Two balls from McGrath slid by the outside edge prompting half appeals from the Aussies.Warne then found life, bounce and turn to beat KP twice outside off stump but England survived and end the day 265 for 5 having shown the character they have talked of.

A great day that could have finished so much better had Cook still been there to start again tomorrow. George got Freddie and Ian Bell to sign his bat so he's a happy little chap. Let's hope he has more to smile about tomorrow though the odds are sadly against us.

Day three - A long hard struggle and then Gilchrist entered the fray - Aussie assault

If we are to have a chance it needs to be Magnificent Monte today.Hopefully he was earlier to bed than I, certainly he will have had less to drink- who's idea was the B52's. Should know better- it could be a long hot day. Early wickets vital but Ponting and Hayden seemed in little trouble last night.

At lunch England have captured two wickets courtesy of Harmison, (Ponting caught by Jones) who has bowled well with little luck, and Hayden well caught at slip by Collingwood off Monte for 92. If radio commentary is to be believed he should have been given LBW to Harmison in the 60's although in fairness England's appeal lacked confidence. Mahmoud has yet to bowl and while Freddie has steamed in he has not in truth threatened.The security at the WACA has hit new heights today - on a 36degree sunny day shade is at a premium but overnight areas in which people stood happily yesterday have been deemed off limits. A group of Elvises were moved on swiftly and should one stand still to watch the game from a different angle security quickly moves in to prompt you to keep moving. Sad that many English visitors will find the welcome less warm than expected- equally that with Australia on top and closing on winning back the Ashes large tracts of the members stand are empty. Particularly liked the Elvis's rendition of:

We are the Presleys,
The Elvis Presleys
We are fat and we are dead
We are the richest former rock stars the world as ever had
Elvises enjoying themselves.

To the tune of you are my sunshine, which seemed to earn them a warning from a zealous steward and ominously they were not to be seen after tea.

Their mood would have been lifted had Jones managed to hold on to a difficult chance running to backward square as Hussey hooked and edged Harmison on 48. He was dropped again on 82 a difficult chance to Strauss in between 1st and 2nd slip off Hoggard.

Hussey has proved to be the threat I expected him to be and it remains a mystery why he was not part of the 2005 Ashes squad. England have not had much luck today but Clarke and Hussey have both batted well.Just before tea Hussey's century is greeted by raucous celebration, George predicts we will not win and the Barmy Army is quiet. Even Hussey's demise caught by Jones off Panesar fails to raise them from afternoon slumber but then Australia 386 ahead with 4 wickets down is hardly cause for celebration. Clouds moving over may be our best hope of prolonging the series.

Another fine catch from Collingwood at slip to dismiss Symonds off Monte succeeded only in bringing Gilchrist to the crease to feast on a tiring England attack and rediscover his form. While Clarke sauntered on to a well deserved hundred Gilchrist only missed the fastest Test century of all time by one ball. Not a great photo but this is the ball that would have made the fastest Test Century his ( I think)

His assault on Panesar 6,6,4,huge six meant it was misery for Monte and then for Hoggie and Harmison who were both battered in the carnage that followed. At least we can say we were there!!!!The prospect of England facing nearly 200 overs to save the game is not one that offers much hope, George is sure we won't win! We leave with the declaration at 528 for 5 and before we reach the hotel Strauss has fallen LBW to Brett Lee for a duck. No autographs tonight as we are out to dinner with friends so only Clive Radley added to the shirt today.

There has been much talk of the character of the England side from the changing room tomorrow will be a real test of that character.

Day Two - Rudi starts the rot

Was I harsh in my criticism of Monte yesterday? Probably. Early to nets this morning where one of England's many minders told me she had seen Monte sign 200 autographs while of course he had given numerous press interviews. He also gave us a day to remember. Sadly though the nickname is likely to stick for the time being.Paul Collingwood by contrast is rapidly achieving hero status. Happy to chat briefly last night he posed affably for a photo with George post a net session this morning, as did Geraint Jones. During nets I tried to coach GTW junior, watch his elbow, how seriously he takes his net....hoping he further enhances his reputation with a ton today. George beaming smile, almost enough to make one follow Durham!!

Thanks Paul!!!!!!

Sadly that was one of few highlights in a taxing day for England fans young and not so young. Collingwood fell early to a fine catch from Hayden off tormentor in chief Glenn McGrath. Bringing in Pieterson who was initially watchful before producing some late innings pyrotechnics to give us hope. Had Rudi not adjudged Strauss caught behind, when he seemed to have flashed and missed, things may have been different but his demise for 42 was perhaps a key point in the day and the match. Freddie struggled with the weight of expectation and Andrew Symonds, who surprisingly entered the attack before Warne, had Flintoff caught at slip for few and Jones caught driving loosely at gully for a duck. At this stage George was tired and verging on emotional. After Mahmoud had departed caught behind off Clark playing a ball he might better have left KP lifted spirits with excellent support from Hoggard and Harmison. His assault on Warne provided the second highlight with the six over deep extra worth the admission alone. Sadly rather than push a single off Lee and continue battle with Warne he sought to give similar treatment to Australia's fastest and Symonds took a good catch at deep mid on.There followed the best stand of the innings between Harmison and Panesar,which while greatly enjoyable was an ominous precursor to the Australian second innings. It did though show that Monte can bat with an excellent straight driven four off Clark and some very correct looking defence. WhenHarmison was last out caught off McGrath one hoped the partnership had shifted momentum. Hoggard's first ball found its way through Langer's defence and England seemed to be fighting back and we were jumping up and down by the Barmy Army. Should Harmison have been handed the new ball? Sadly Ponting and Hayden had other ideas and unless the pitch has improved substantially seem to have put Australia in a very strong position. England's grip on the Ashes is now very loose.

Its Aussie autographs George will try and get tonight - they may be in the mood. One suspects England may not.

Strategy worked with McGrath and Langer happy to oblige but then security which has been quite overt and a real surprise dictated it was time to leave. Still Gladstone Small very kindly went out of his way to visit our seats during the day and sign the shirt. Thanks Gladstone!! George somewhat deflated but hopeful for tomorrow as KP says we can chase 350 (later proved to be very accurate!)

Day One belongs to "Miserable Monte"

An early start, excited 73 year olds just can't sleep and it was Dad who suggested a cup of tea at 4:30am- unsurprisingly I declined. But we were still on our way to the WACA by 7:30am for what was to be a splendid day for England. The toss was lost and at 47 for none after few overs it looked ominous but then Hayden chanced his arm once too often and Jones held a simple catch of Hoggard. Harmison had been held back but soon accounted for Ponting with a good ball that would have knocked back middle but for Ricky's pads. Monte struck in his second over bowling a bemused Langer and we lunched with Australia 69 for 3 and the momentum very much with England. Hussey though looked in determined form and Clarke was looking classy until he attempted to pull Harmison , when George and I were queuing for and ice cream and succeeded only in giving a return catch. Symmonds threatened to take Monte apart with 2 sixes and a four in one over, but Freddie stuck with him and an edged attempted cut gave Geraint his second catch of the day, albeit a juggled one. Had that gone down the day could have gone sour. Thankfully it did not and Gilchrist soon succumbed to an excellent Bell bat pad catch of Monte. Warne threatened but was undone by the Jones Panesar combination before Lee was LBW to the king of spin. Harmisom then mopped up the tail with Stuart Clarke comprehensively castled and McGrath caught at silly point.

244 all out was more than any Englishman had hoped for after the coin landed for Australia. A tricky session beckoned and although Strauss started confidently with consecutive fours off Lee, Cook soon succumbed caught by Langer off McGrath and Bell edged a quick ball from Lee to Gilchrist. Did Warne then drop the Ashes when Collingwood edged to his left hand off Clark? The next 14 days will tell.

The shirt had a great day with England greats of this and other eras all signing graciously. George too collected plenty on his miniature bat with Kevin Pieterson, Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison and particularly Alastair Cook, after his personal disappointment, all very gracious .

A good day though could have done without losing Cook and Bell.

But Monte despite there being only two 7 year old's left waiting when he emerged from the dressing room, and despite a fairy tale day for him, could not spare the time to sign and, as if in a trance, totally ignored the lad with the England cap on who had cheered him to the hilt, as had the rest of us, all day. A disappointing end to a great day.

Monte has a chat with Athers

Introduction- 6 Days in Perth- 3 generations at the 3rd Test

Mercifully it has not been difficult to interest George in our great game and this trip with my father is a further step in his cricketing education, and a chance for us all to enjoy the occasion, each other’s company and hopefully an England victory.

For me it is a repeat visit, having witnessed the 2nd Test at the WACA in 1986, when England could not quite force a victory on the final day, despite a pitch that had cracks in it you could put your hand down. In truth though, the pitch misbehaved little on that final day. I have fond memories of a fantastic visit, the clearest is of Allan Lamb walking out to field on the evening of the second day with a small yellow duck round his neck. As if his own demise, without scoring, at the hands of the spindly Reid, was not punishment enough, after Bill Athey and Chris Broad had put on a magnificent opening stand of 223. Athey, of course, narrowly missed out on his hundred but was an important figure, along with Broad, Botham, inevitably, Gower, Gatting, Dilley and Gladstone Small in England’s series win under Mike Gatting.

Broad proceeded to anchor England’s massive first inning total of 592 for 8 declared, with hundreds also for the majestic David Gower and a combative Jack Richards. Despite early breakthroughs in both Australian innings England could not force the win- this time perhaps........

My one memento of the game was a “Poms do it Better” vest autographed by many of the England tour party, including Wilf Slack, who sadly is no longer with us. Regrettably the shirt after 5 days wear was somewhat dirty and while the signatures were clearly visible some 5 years later my mother-in-law took it upon herself to wash and iron the tired and grubby vest hanging in my bedroom…………….The vest survives to this day, now pristine and white, and like me will be making the return journey to the WACA. This time it will not be worn and should we manage a few autographs it will quickly be framed!!!!

So to the current day, our tour party consists of my father an accomplished all-rounder who scored over 10,000 runs for Pilning CC and took a hatful of wickets with his medium pacers, and played for Flax Bourton and the Forty Club. An aggressive batsman, excellent fielder and useful bowler, in a different era he might have played at a higher level. I am hoping his abilities, which certainly missed this generation, have skipped to the next. My own career has been more modest and, at my age, the best (two 70’s on consecutive Saturday’s for Mortimer West End 2nds in the Berkshire League) is probably behind me, but like my father I have taken so much pleasure from the game and from the camaraderie it imbues. For George to date (aged 7) the signs are positive and he certainly does not lack for enthusiasm for the game. Our move to Singapore in 2005 and my subscription to the Cricket Channel means he not only watched the Ashes last year with excitement, as we all did, but also that he consumes voraciously a diet of programmes such as India Cricket Legends and jumps at the chance for a session against the bowling machine at the nets at Singapore Cricket club, or to practice his bowling (leg spin after watching Shane Warne).

A five day Test will be a challenge for George so we’ve had some training- over the summer he sat transfixed at Lord’s for the 4th day of the Pakistan Test, as first England polished of the Pakistan innings, courtesy of Hoggard and Harmison, and then set up their somewhat conservative declaration, led by an excellent innings from Andrew Strauss.
A Twenty-Twenty defeat for Gloucestershire at the hands of Surrey followed before we enjoyed two days at the ever popular Cheltenham festival, where, as a boy, I recall the majesty of a Zaheer Abbas cover drive and a Proctor inspired home side.

Cheltenham, for those who have never visited, is a splendid venue for spectators.This year Jon Lewis and the redoubtable Martyn Ball led with the ball, and Chris Taylor and, Kiwi, Hamish Marshall with the bat in an eight wicket, Pro League 40, trouncing of the Yorkshire Phoenix. In the championship game George’s interest waned as a Gloucestershire attack deprived once more of the services of Jon Lewis, who surely has deserved more than one test this summer, were flayed by Maunders and Nixon. A trip to a netted area for a quick game, an ice cream, the compulsory perambulation around the ground and an excellent autograph haul,(including Chris Broad, who of course began his career at Gloucestershire, and whom my father had played against as Chris embarked on his career playing under the shadow of the bypass for Long Ashton CC, and Chris’s own son, England prospect, Stuart) put him back on an even keel, while first prize in the raffle, an autographed bat left a glow that will probably stay with him ‘til next we visit the College lawns.