England v West Indies - 3rd test

[leej]

Another good start for England. It would be good if the West Indies can make a good game of it this time.

I don't read papers. What did Vaughan allegedly say about Flintoff that caused a bit of a stir?

[higenbs1]

Something about calling him 'Fredalo' i.e. Pedalo I believe. Only overheard a conversation about it though!

[Ian J]

He said that the Fredalo incident caused problems with team spirit that were contributory factors in our poor World Cup performance.

I must admit that I don't have a great deal of interest in the current Test Match as West Indies were a weak team before being deprived of their captain through injury and they seem to have packed their team with medium pace trundlers that make Paul Collingwood seem fast.

Off on a tangent I quite like all of the Sky commentary team with the exception of David Gower who I think is dreadful. He is very boring and will never use a simple word if there is a longer one available but worst of all - he witters. He has a tone that just invites me to fall asleep instead of listening what he has to say. He was trying to make a point this morning about Stauss's batting technique and droned on and on going round and round in circles until I gave up trying to follow what he was saying.

Michael Atherton is a superb commentator as he is articulate, amusing and very knowledgeable and I wish that they would make him the front man and pension off Mr Gower.

[leej]

Originally Posted by Ian J

Michael Atherton is a superb commentator as he is articulate, amusing and very knowledgeable and I wish that they would make him the front man and pension off Mr Gower.

I'm first to admit i couldn't stand Atherton when he first started but as time has gone by you just got to love him. Not up to Holdings class yet though.

As for Gower, he seems to answer his own questions before anyone else gets a chance.

[Toon-man]

On the cricketing front . I quite like this Mattie Prior bloke , he just gets on with it, maybis not Gilchrist yet but then there is only one...

[Ian J]

Interestingly enough for a Toon-man one of the possible contenders for Matt Prior's gloves if he loses form is the North East's very own Phil Mustard who is a very capable gloveman and seems to have started scoring runs more consistently this year - especially in the one day game.

With Graham Onions knocking on the selectors' door the ECB may have to give some thought to transferring headquarters from Lords to the Riverside.

I bet that the media can't wait for the day when Mustard and Onions are both playing in the same England team as it would be a sub editors dream come true.

[Toon-man]

Just like the old days.........
D K LILLEE....caught Willey....bowled....Dilley....It really happened....

[Ian J]

As opposed to The bowler's Holding the batsman's Willey - which contrary to public opinion, didn't really happen.

[KevD]

Anyone see Pietersens dismissal today

Out hit wicket when a bouncer from Bravo knocked his helmet off onto the stumps

Seen a few wierd ones like Gooch handing the ball (maybe Vaughan aswell), Inzamam falling over onto stumps & Obstructing the field, Murali being runout while going down the wicket to celebrate a team mates 100, but this Pietersen one has to be the strangest I have ever seen.

[John Watts]

What about Harmison eh?
What can you say about that man. Did you see the last over of the day? virtually unplayable when he gets the line and length right. I hope Alan Donald sorts him out because if he does we have potentially the best bowler in the world back "again" remember his form a few years ago in the windies when he took 7 for about 12 and there were about 6 or 7 slip fielders.
I feel a bit sorry for the windies but then again no. When i was a kid they used to embarass us and rub it in so hey it's our turn.
I.V.Richards and co must be shaking their heads.

[Ian J]

You have to feel sorry for people like Mikey Holding and even Jimmy Adams who have to commentate even handedly whilst remembering the olden days. The West Indies fielding was so bad that it was embarrassing, more reminiscent of a Victorian music hall than a sporting event.

I think that tomorrow will be Monty's day as he looked world class this afternoon and could have had a couple of wickets if luck had gone his way.

[John Watts]

Your right Ian, the bounce at old triffid will suit monty.
I'm enjoying whooping the windies as like i said as a 34 year old man some of my early memories of cricket were getting our asses spanked all over the park by the great teams of the early 80's. Even when some of those great batsmen retired we struggled against them because they still had bowlers like Ambrose and Walsh who were truly great.
Harmison has the potential to join them with the right coaching.