Paphos People

Was a worrying Breakfast news on the BBC this AM. Onions (not a major loss) has hurt hand in the nets and Bell has done ankle in playing footy.

Not sure how serious either are, but Bell would be the bigger loss.

Hopefully they will both be ok.

I heard rumours of poor weather throughout the test. Then again, it's England and this could change.

I have a feeling it will be a draw though. But i'm normally wrong!

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Coffee Coffee Coffee! The bean of life!

Seems like we are determined to send out a team of crocks whatever.

On form Jonathan Trott should have come in for Pietersen and his form, on this ground, has been wonderful. Oh well, the selectors have the say and they are determined to play Bell who's form is bad to say the least, twisted ankle or not.

Onions was injured during the last test as well as again but seems he will play.

Flintoff is determined to play at both Edgbaston and Headingley despite what the medics or anyone else says. He has picked himself. Seems like the 'come to me and worship' stance he has taken when he gets a wicket has gone to his head. (not to diminish his performance however at Lords, along with the rest of the team who built the platform for him)

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Been raining this morning - start delayed....

It's not bodeing well. I live about 45 miles away and it's sunny and breezy here but that means nothing.

Hughes dropped by Aus and Watson opening but looks like Johnson is in so hoping the pie shop is still open.

Blimey, just read on c**p info that Hughes announced his axing on twitter.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Play starts at 5.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Took our eye off the ball a bit there and let them get off to an easy start - need to bowl much tighter lines today to get back into this....

Fair play to Strauss for letting them change keeper - not sure I would have been so generous!

Bloody Flintoff.
Where is the talismanic hero match winning one man tear up now? I'm still of the opinion he timed his retirement from tests to gain maximum glory and then go on to earn the big money in the IPL. Yesterday's announcement that England's cricketers are barred from taking part in the IPL until 2016 just confirms my suspicions.

Right got that off my chest. Phew.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Onions brings tears to the eyes of the Aussies and says 'that shallott Ricky' then along comes Anderson and blows em away.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

You picked a good day to go and watch that Cuddly! Hope you at least got your money back...

Set up nicely for the last day - hope the rain stays away so we can have a good go at them!

Got a full day's play apart from 1st hour and went again yesterday.

One day I will learn that you still get sunburnt even through cloud when you are in it for 7 hours.

Talk about rip off Cyprus tourist bars. The caterers inside the ground fleece their captive audience. Glad we took picnic.

Bacon baguette £4.90
Hot pork bap £6.20
Ice cream cone £1.50
Pint of beer £3.50 (no idea how much beer is in a pub)

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

convicts hold the pyschological advantage now

Going to Headingley for 4th day and hoping we win.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Surely Harmison has to play at Headingley??

I used to work as a steward there during my student days so I would get to see the tests for free - it's traditionally a result wicket, but the good old Yorkshire weather could have a part to play....

4th test starts today - looks like Lee is back for the Aussies, possibly Haddin too.

Will England be prepared to take a risk on Flintoff's fitness?

Will be absolutely furious if they do but according to all the rumours he will not play.

Hoggy reckons that Headingley is not the swinging paradise it once was and says the wicket is getting deader and deader.
My team is thus:

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Bell
Collingwood
Trott
Prior
Swann
Anderson
Harmison
Onions

We have got too bogged down with the distraction of bowling and Flintoff and failed to address the main problem in the side which is the failure of the batsmen. Cook's figures, particularly if you take out Lord's are appalling.

10 6 95 32 0 for his innings so far in the series.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Flintoff definitely out.

Now who is in?

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

We're stuffed
Prior has just done his knee in playing football in the warm up.

Why do cricketers do this? Can you imagine Ronaldo warming up for a football match by facing a 90mph cricket ball?

FFS

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

That's a shocker - he been one of the best batsmen as well as being the only keeper in the squad!

Collingwood to keep wicket?

He's had treatment and playing now.

Harmison in too and that's the only other change.
Why they called up Trott I don't know but best to keep options open I suppose.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

England win toss and are batting - important to get a decent score on the board....

102 all f*****g out.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Barring a storm of biblical proportions over the next 4 days this one is all over already - going to take some effort to get some confidence back ahead of The Oval....

I have wished upon then:

Food poisoning
Swine flu
Visa/immigration problems requiring immediate deportation

but my prayers have remained unanswered.

I'm not tuned in today and cannot bring myself to. May even let my 4th day tickets go unused (if it is still going on by then).

I am totally dejected.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Well that was an unmitigated disaster! Some credit to Broad and Swann for at least delaying the inevitable and giving the crowd something to cheer (briefly!)

Can they rally for the final test? Flintoff expected back, and changes desperately needed in the middle order - calls for Key, Shah and even Ramprakash to be considered in the papers today!

Wish they'd bought in Trott at Edgbaston, his home ground. Everyone wants to give him a go but are now worried about the pressure of a test debut against the Aussies in a must win match.

Woeful performance. Only positives is that I will get my money back for the tickets.

_________________
Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Very, very well done by the England lads to fight back and coillect the urn!

The last test had a bit of everything, and for me highlighted why test match cricket will always be the best. Trott, Broad and Strauss in particular were outstanding.

Oh, and the Aussies have finally been knocked off their perch in the test world rankings - down to number 4 after this defeat!

Yes, many thanks to the England team from us SA supporters!

Well technically we couldn't have done it without you - thanks for the kind contributions of Messrs Strauss, Pietersen and Trott!

Good point - I didn't want to mention it first though

Should be an interesting series coming up when the 2 teams meet.....

Yes it certainly should. Something to watch over the Christmas period too! I'm not a betting man, but I feel a Keo or 2 may have to change hands during this series!

Congratulations to Durham by the way for another resounding victory in this season's County Championship!

Well done to England in the ICC Champions Trophy so far. 2 resounding victories. Normally ODI cricket is arbitary and irrelevant but when it is a true test of skill, technique, nerve and character it is very important.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. - William E Gladstone

Didn't even bother watching the first game as I was so convinced we were in for another meek surrender, but the victory over the Saffers was very impressive.

Loved seeing Strauss refuse Smith a runner - reminds me of the famous sledging by Ian Healy to Ranataunga - "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat ****!!!"