August 2009 Archives

IT might not have had the same thrills and suspense as in 2005, but this year's Ashes have still proved absorbing and made for compelling viewing.

When England and Australia's respective cricket teams go head-to-head, there is often drama and as I write this blog, we can have four more days of excitement left to enjoy.

The fifth and final test got underway yesterday at The Oval in London, with Australia enjoying the better of the first day's play. They know a draw or a victory will see them retain the famous little urn.

An England success, however, would see them regain the prize they won so dramatically four years ago.

England's team is not anywhere near as good as the side which triumphed in 2005. Huge concerns have been raised at the state of their batting line-up with players such as Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood consistently failing to deliver.

On top of that, star batsman Kevin Pietersen has missed most of the series through injury and talisman all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been troubled with a chronic knee problem that will see him quit test cricket at the end of this match.

In terms of bowling, England have looked quite good in the most part but toiled badly in the first test at Cardiff and were smashed all over Headingley when Australia squared the series a 1-1 a fortnight ago.

But what has made this contest fascinating is that Australia arrived on these shores with selection problems of their own. Most notably, world-class players Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retired after whitewashing England 5-0 a couple of years ago.

While the batting has held up pretty well, despite one or two failures, the bowling has only come into its own in the past month with even the much maligned Mitchell Johnson causing England a number of problems.

What we have had are two teams currently evolving and while that has taken away a lot of what made the 2005 Ashes special, we have still been treated to some intense play.

With the bit between their teeth, I fully expect Australia to close this test out and get the result they need. But don't bet against there being a few more 'turns' as this pitch begins to spin.

*WENT up to Elgin City with the Albion Rovers squad on Tuesday night for their ALBA Challenge Cup Second Round match.

Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat, an incredible scoreline really given that Rovers dominated the first half, created plenty of chances and are a far better side than the one from Borough Briggs, we got home a three in the morning.

Everyone was desperate for their kip when Rovers chairman Frank Meade piped up and said: "Just think, we have got all this to do again next Tuesday night." He was referring to Inverness Caley Thistle away in the League Cup. Oh the joys of midweek football.