# The Ultimate Ashes Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2005, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539 "2005-08-25T07:46:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Fredescu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/73ab20/32.png) [@Fredescu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredescu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/101 "2005-09-12T14:09:52Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Uncomfortable enough to have hit him out of the attack with a flurry of fours and sixes The post lunch Pietersen was a lot different to the pre lunch Pietersen. He didn’t keep going the way he had. He did get dropped again though. Dropped on 0, 15, and 60 and went on to make a century. To paraphrase Steve Waugh, they just dropped the Ashes. Gilchrist will certainly open the batting, but I think it’s just too late. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/102 "2005-09-12T14:23:49Z")
Gilchrist open the batting? Freddie, this way, please. Gilchrist has been a phenomenal keeper/batsman for years, but this season he’s looked very ordinary. Pietersen’s got 'nads the size of an oil tanker. What a time to come up with the goods. I’m _almost_ starting to relax here, but the series ain’t over yet… ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/103 "2005-09-12T14:29:09Z")
I’d still like to see us get over 250 by the time the last few wickets have gone - I have a feeling it’s going to be a manic last two hours… ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/104 "2005-09-12T14:30:13Z")
What tension! Pietersen played exceptionally in the circumstances. What a series it has been. Could Australia be looking to score 10 off the last over at 7 o’clock in the dark? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/105 "2005-09-12T15:03:01Z")
Asking rate’s up over 6 an over, if Australia were to bat straight away. Less tense now, and there’s been no sign of McGrath for ages which suggests to me that he’s crocked. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/106 "2005-09-12T15:13:57Z")
The cunning defensive ploy of hitting as many sixes as possible seems to have paid off. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/107 "2005-09-12T15:25:35Z")
The Autralian attacking tactic of dropping catches off Pietersen, seems to be have been a misjudgement though. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/108 "2005-09-12T15:25:51Z")
Another 17 runs and we’re 300 in front - I think that’s gonna be beyond even the Aussies bearing in mind the time that’s left. Slowly starting to relax and enjoy this now - what a change from lunchtime! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/109 "2005-09-12T15:27:02Z")
McGrath’s back, after all, but he’s caused no immediate problems. I think we can now officially forgive Pietersen all his dropped catches during the series. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/110 "2005-09-12T15:33:09Z")
Pietersen passes 150, England now over 300 in front. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/111 "2005-09-12T15:36:55Z")
I’m pleased for Giles too. He’s been a bit crap with the bat in the rest of the tests, so it’s good to see him get a couple of good scores up with some nice batting. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/112 "2005-09-12T15:43:58Z")
Magnificent innings from Giles, supporting Pietersen. Especially they way they have been bowling at him. His job has been to not get out, he has done it magnificently, and score some good runs. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/113 "2005-09-12T15:45:25Z")
> [@Lil' Mahoney](#): > > I’m pleased for Giles too. He’s been a bit crap with the bat in the rest of the tests, so it’s good to see him get a couple of good scores up with some nice batting. Absolutely - an excellent knock in the circumstances Also credit to Collingwood - didn’t score many but held it tight during a difficult session. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/114 "2005-09-12T15:51:05Z")
Pietersen finally goes, bowled by McGrath, for 158. England lead by 314. Warne shakes Pietersen’s hand as he leaves the field. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/115 "2005-09-12T15:53:15Z")
Got a lump in my throat now lads… hearing Richie Benault sign off for the final time, Pieterson’s proud walk back to the dressing-room, beautiful late-summer’s evening… life doesn’t get better than this. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/116 "2005-09-12T16:11:04Z")
Giles seems to have taken over from Piertersen, he just racked up his 50. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/117 "2005-09-12T16:39:26Z")
England all out for 335. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/118 "2005-09-12T16:52:15Z")
Autralia have gone off for bad light. That’s it. The match, the series, the Ashes. England win a magnificent series. Excellent cricket, superb sportsmanship from both sides, brilliant crowds. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/119 "2005-09-12T18:08:00Z")
Well, bit of a silly end, but what a fantastic series it’s been (and not just because we finally beat the Aussies). Superb team performances from England in every test, contributions from every player (yes, even Bell and Collingwood), and Australia fought hard to the very end. I hope I never again have to hear the claim that cricket is boring; England and Australia proved that that’s simply not true throughout every match, be it Test, ODI, or Twenty20, of this series. Would have given Warney the Compton-Miller award myself - as Michael Slater said, if you looked at his figures alone, you’d think Australia had won the series - but Flintoff has to be a shoe-in for Sports Personality of the Year. Bring on India and Pakistan! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Aagramn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Aagramn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aagramn)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539/120 "2005-09-12T18:31:17Z")
Four ridiculously tense matches in a row. Couldn’t begin to relax until about 3 this afternoon. It’s been a truely great series. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-ashes-thread/318539.md?page=7)