England may finally have 'come to the party'

[lemonbella]

...as Nasser Hussain keeps putting it, but really we've only arrived in time to help with the clearing up. There aren't even any dips left.

There was a moment last night where I felt hopeful. That was stupid of me, I fully accept that.

I have three hopes for this match - other than Geraint getting a decent score (otherwise somehow the defeat will be totally blamed on him despite him standing out on the pitch longer than Strauss' and Flintoff's four innings combined).

1) Duncan Fletcher will replay the video of Warne slow clapping Flintoff and Langer celebrating the catch prior to actually taking it, over and over again in the next few days. The utter arrogance of it will motivate England to tear them apart in the next match. Steve Harmison, in particular will aim every bloody ball at Langer's head.

2) Ponting is seriously injured

3) Warne will continue to mouth off at Geraint until Mr Jones Snr finally snaps,
storms onto the pitch, grabs Warne by the ear and makes him apologise, before telling Geraint to tuck his shirt in and be home for dinner.

Comments

[charlottemay.livejournal.com]

1) Well said. Unfortunately Harmison will probably miss. Could we get Flintoff to do it?

2) And McGrath?

3) Can't you just tell Mr Jones Snr was a teacher? ;-)

I would love England to force a draw, unlikely as that is, mainly because it would serve Ponting bloody well right for being so arrogant and not enforcing the follow on. It'd be harder for him to explain than 'we'll have a bowl' last year at Edgbaston.

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

I'm a little bit worried about Flintoff. There appear to be signs of cracking already - therefore someone needs to break batsmen for him. Maybe Hoggy could do it. The ignomy of having your career ended by a Hoggard bouncer would be superb.

You can tell he was a teacher, and also see exactly where Geraint gets that (usually quite well hidden) desire to take on a crowd once they insult his friends.

[stjarna1984.livejournal.com]

I don't think we've played well enough to deserve a draw, but yes, to have Ponting's arrogance sneered at would be just lovely.

Just so long as England don't start celebrating it, like Australia did at Old Trafford last year. Cos after the ribbing our players gave them (well, Vaughany mainly) for doing it and how they then used it as an incentive to win at Trent Bridge, well, I dread to think how it'll come back at us...

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

We don't deserve a draw, but I don't care about whether we deserve it or not. Going one down now, in this manner, will probably mean wwe lose the series, so I'll take a draw any way it comes.

Also, I like seeing Ponting humiliated. It's a thing of mine.

[indian-skimmer.livejournal.com]

There is the worrying possibility that Harmy has *been* aiming at the batsman's head all game...

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

True, true. I do still have this stupid and totally unfounded beliefe that Harmy's going to come good eventually.

[indian-skimmer.livejournal.com]

I still have that, deep down, but I keep seeing pictures of Stuart Broad and it gets a little weaker every time.

[stjarna1984.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Ponting's injury wasn't that bad.

I am going to invent a new sport, just to be played against the Aussies. I don't want to reveal too much just yet, but I can tell you that the ball *will* be on fire, and the Aussie batsmen will be doused liberally in lighter fuel.

[beautifulworld.livejournal.com]

I like the sound of your new sport. Do I get to play/be involved somehow?

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

It's a back spasm, which did keep him out of an india tour a couple of years ago. I'm sure it's not that serious now though. I like to imagine Ponting in pain, it's another thing of mine.

I like your new sport. We should market it immediately.

[indian-skimmer.livejournal.com]

"I like to imagine Ponting in pain, it's another thing of mine."

*looks at you*

You should try doing that.

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of suprised I haven't been doing so up to now...

[beautifulworld.livejournal.com]

Oh, good God, you just put a very disturbing idea in my head.

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

I do that a lot. I'm sorry.

[indian-skimmer.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, it was meant to go in lemonbella's head, you just got caught in the crossfire...

[beautifulworld.livejournal.com]

How badly is Punter injured? And what about McGrath, something about a heel injury?

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

I don't think they're that badly injured - although I didn't expect McGrath to make the full tour anyway.

[jazzy-d.livejournal.com]

There's still some hope. This is Geraint's moment!

It would help a lot if McGrath wasn't bowling... 'course I don't want him to be injured or anything, but still...

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

No, it could be just a superficial injury, one that just keeps him out for a few months or so...

[make-a-move.livejournal.com]

Warne will continue to mouth off at Geraint until Mr Jones Snr finally snaps,
storms onto the pitch, grabs Warne by the ear and makes him apologise, before telling Geraint to tuck his shirt in and be home for dinner.


*Prays that that does actually happen*

[lemonbella.livejournal.com]

I live in hope....