Paphos People

3 days to go.
The squad is named.
Can we pull it off and send the convicts home with their tails between their legs?

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Not long now - bit of a strange choice to have the first test in Cardiff mind, are the locals really going to turn out in force to support England??

I wouldn't imagine that many of the tickets sold have been bought by the Welsh, but it is infact the English and Welsh Cricket Board, I think. If Jones were still playing it might be a different matter.

I found tickets for Headingley still available for days 2, 3 and 4 yesterday for as little as £30 each. Am still wondering if I should buy. If we are 2 -1 up by then I shall be kicking myself that I haven't but if we are 3 -0 down I shall be kicking myself if I have.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Brett Lee is out of the first test and possibly the second.
What a shame.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Lee missing is good news - have to be honest I've not seen too much of the rest of their new attack but they have to be significantly weaker without Warne and McGrath.

Watched a rerun of highlights of the first 3 tests of the 2005 Ashes on Five last night - last 2 are showing tonight, brilliant memories!

Can't wait til we get to the business end of this. I shall be booking afew days off work and looking for a suitable all day (sipping) venue!

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Coffee Coffee Coffee! The bean of life!

What disgraceful behaviour. Time off work to sit in a bar all day watching cricket?

You could always pretend to have mild swine flu symptoms

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

A fun story about Johnson and his WAG

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25741599-10389,00.html

On the eve of the Ashes Vikki Harber has also hit out at Cricket Australia, saying it had turned its back on player's parents in favour of flying over "blonde" girlfriends more interested in self-promotion than supporting their partners.

Ms Harber, 45, told Melbourne's The Herald-Sun her once close relationship with her son had deteriorated to a few text messages in the three years since he began going out with Jessica Bratich, and Cricket Australia's actions had further strained the relationship.

Ms Harber and Johnson's father Kevin Johnson separated when the cricketer was nine and he spent time growing up with both parents.

"Mitch texts me occasionally, but since he met this girl ... he has not got much time for us," Ms Harber said.

"He texts me on occasions, like when he got engaged he sent a message to my husband's phone."

"The last time I actually spoke to him was when the beach cricket was here (and) Dennis Lillee told him he had to ring his mother, so Mitchell rang me that day.

"It has been like this since Jess came on the scene.

"I am sick of the fact I cannot get my son to ring me and talk to me, to say 'how are you going mum?'.

"Up until he met Jessica we were very close. He always used to come and spend the weekends here, but he hasn't spent a night under my roof since he met Jessica."

"Mitch met Jess and since then she has flown off to South Africa, to England and the Bahamas. She gets all these trips for nothing, she gets flown there, accommodation, food and all of that."

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Maybe some sledging material there but:



Who can blame Mitchell Johnson for forgetting to ring his mum?

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

I reckon he'll be in line for some quality sledging from KP and the boys!

Was a bit perturbed to find that the Welsh National Anthem will be played before the first match. I don't know how that will go down.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Well, today's the day! Seems to have come along very suddenly - we normally have some one-dayers to help get acclimatised and get an early look at the opposition!

First day of the 1st Test is very important - hope we win the toss and get off to a flyer....

Now, big decision - which pub to go watch it in??

I feel almost as nervous as I would if I was playing myself.

Will we play 2 spinners? Will the convicts play any? Have they got any? They have Shane Warne who is.....commentating.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Well we've won the toss and we're batting.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Monty playing.

Will we rue the day we went with 2 spinners.

England: Strauss (capt), Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior (wkt), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Panesar.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Controversial choice but they reckon the pitch will turn - winning the toss is huge, solid start needed chaps....

None of the Aussie attack have bowled in a test match in England before!

Hate watching us bat so I think I'll give the pub a miss. Have got 5 live on the radio, cricinfo on the computer and having a coffee to try to clam my nerves.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

The pub showing it near us doesn't open till 4, so will have to make do with Cricinfo for the first session, then wander up there after lunch!

I much prefer watching us bat than field though!

Here you go, try this link.

http://f1sportsblog.blogspot.com/

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Wahey - nice touch!

Solid looking start....

Another good stream here:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/the-ashes---england-vs-australia

Oh nooooooooooooooooo
Cookie out.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

That's a better feed.
Cheers.
Who needs sky.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

If that's a pickie of you I'm your best friend.

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John S