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Another half hour of light and England would have won 4-0. The fact the aussies declared after trying to smash the ball around was because they were 3-0 down in the first place! They knew 4-0 was only a bit of bad light away!

re:wetherbyterrier - in football you can dominate a match but still lose. Over attacking and then get hit on the counter attack. The last test they lost hours to rain england had a sniff due to circumstance. If the ozzies had time in there 2nd then they would have set Eng 300 plus. Or even 275plus. That would have been enough for an Aussie win.

Still think the aussies had the edge for the last 3 tests, won the one day series and will come into the next series buoyant.

However, i'm predicting a 2-2 draw. Think they will have injuries and their back-up is poor especially batting. Trott will need to cope with the short stuff.

If England do win down under or even draw when do you think we will have a tilt to become number 1 in the world again? what team improvements need to be made.
I still think our 2005 side is better than this team.
My Improvements;
Root & bairstow to become more established i.e push their batting averages up.
Taylor & balance & ? start to get games ready for impending retirement of Peiterson and a few others.
Find a 2nd spinner.
Our first change bowler becomes lethal.
Find an established opener.

Interesting to see how SA cope with Kallis retirement.

"Find an established opener...."

Hang on, didn't you just say that Root and Bairstow need to put their averages up? If so you are thinking of Root as opener. Unless you intend leaving either Cook, Trott, Pieterson or Bell out, which is ridiculous.
"Find a 2nd spinner."

Why? What's wrong with Swann, we already have the best spinner in the world! he has a few years left in him yet.
2005 side probably WAS better in batting but I'd argue the bowling is better NOW

Personally i think Root needs to go to 6. I'm still to be convinced by bairstow. Temperament seems ok, but technique found massively wanting at this level. Well see though he could come good. May be eventual predecessor for Prior.

2nd Spinner - On sub cont. tracks yeh i think we need another spinner. Don't forget i said to become number 1 side in the world and to do that we need more quality back-up in certain departments. Spin being one of them. Panasar is doing an Ok job for now!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24465269

No place for cheaters then?

mafiaGirl how the devil are you?

if you had actually READ the article Mafia and not breezed over it (do you KNOW how to read?) you'd have possibly missed the Trott decision, which shows when hot spot SHOULD be used? So not really that clear cut is it, as to whether or not its useful?

Australia looked ok in the test matches.The problem is.. England didn't score the runs they normally do.. If they get 450+in some of the test matches down under..Theres no way Australia will compete.
England looked poorish and stil won 3-0.. Maybe the weather saved England in Manchester but other than that England were ahead.