Australia tour of England and Scotland, 2009 news from Cricinfo.com

Sky or terrestrial TV?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

I appreciate that not everyone has access to Sky and that is not right

Settlers and sons

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The Sydney-based Roebuck has long maintained that Aussie dominance in the Ashes is a fitting reflection of the contrast between (what he perceives to be) the vibrant and competitive "prevailing culture" in his adopted home and a chronic national

Is Flintoff really "great"?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

So, after hearing all the hype about him, and rolling your eyes at the English media saying he's a better allrounder than Botham, when you finally get around to perusing his Test records, one thing unexpectedly stands out: he's not actually that good

Cricket's pre-eminent rivalry

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

From Benjamin Matthews, United Kingdom

Is Ian Bell a better fit at No. 5?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

From Benjamin Matthews, United Kingdom

How important is Pietersen to England's chances?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Pietersen is a wonderfully talented batsman who puts bums on seats, but what he has not done consistently is carry the England team on his back and win games

Ashes decider

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

From Daniel Keane, Australia Sometime on the final morning at Lord's, the thought must have crossed or re-crossed Ricky Ponting's mind - more than the Ashes are at stake this series

Fred's final fling

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

From Benjamin Matthews, United Kingdom

Flintoff rocks Australia

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The old faithful cranks it up one last time

Run, Ricky, run

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The unthinkable is something Australia's captain must be thinking about, a lot

The last Ashes were better

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Why this year's win was a pale shadow of 2005's

Damn the bloat

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Day-nighters in autumn? English cricket has crossed a certain line with this one

Lee has a ball and makes his point

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

As Brett Lee made his way into the Lord's museum for his press conference, the ball he had used to claim a series-clinching 5 for 49 was already on display behind one of the glass cabinets

Gooch fine-tunes his young protege

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

While England struggle, Alastair Cook, not required for international duty, has been hitting hundreds for Essex in domestic one-day cricket to fine-tune his game

There's life in the ODI yet

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

No version of the game that has produced so many outstanding feats ought lightly to be tossed away in favour of a format that does not offer the possibility of greatness

Timing the key for Clarke's future

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Michael Clarke may be the captain in waiting, but Australia need to ensure he rediscovers his hustle at the crease before leading full-time in one-day cricket

England glorious

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

A look back at England's 2-1 Ashes-regaining series victory over Australia

The battles within the war

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

A look at the head-to-head stats during The Ashes

My favourite Flintoff moment

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Cricinfo asks cricketers and journalists to pick their favourite Andrew Flintoff moments

'Hard to see England winning from here'

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

You don't say? We look at Ashes predictions - after the fact

No time for back-slapping

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

England have displayed fortitude, pride, skill and unity, but they need to confront some hard truths still

When the numbers didn't add up

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Instances when teams with the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in a series ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline

Grounded, astute Broad ready for stardom

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Fortunately, Stuart Broad is as grounded as they come. At the age of 23, he's well aware that his career is still in its infancy, and he's as well placed as any young player to maintain a cricket-centric focus

Australia's selectors should be full-time professionals

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

It won't be so easy for England in the 2010-11 Ashes, but Australia must look at having full-time selectors

Fred was one of the good guys

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

I'm so happy for Fred that he's managed to go out on his terms. Yes, he's been forced into retirement by injury, but in the circumstances, what a way to go

The Flintoff story in numbers

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Andrew Flintoff's career numbers are ultimately underwhelming, but against the best team of his era he stepped it up

It was the allrounders wot won it

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann made a telling impact on the series with both bat and ball

England get their timing right

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stats review of the 2009 Ashes

Super Strauss at the forefront

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

A look back at how England's players contributed towards regaining the Ashes

Australia must face harsh reality

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Ricky Ponting regularly says Australia play at their best when their backs are to the wall. It's not true with this side

Strauss's finest hour

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

He took over with England in turmoil, but in eight months has forged a team that has regained the Ashes. For Andrew Strauss there can be no praise high enough

A captain strives, but fails

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

If there are to be calls for Ponting's head, they should be ignored. He remains the best man to lead the Australian team

How two run-outs turned the day

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

He scored few runs, took one wicket but Andrew Flintoff still put England on course for the Ashes with a rocket-like throw to remove the Australian captain

Fifth Ashes Test, lunchtime chat, 4th day

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Bloodied and nearly beaten

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

For most of Ricky Ponting's life a tour of England was the highlight for an Australian player. The experience has not been as enjoyable under his leadership

Fifth Ashes Test, lunchtime chat, 3rd day

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Broad reaches hero status

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:24:40 GMT

Stuart Broad's five wickets after lunch gave England a chance to regain the Ashes, helping him join an impressive list of England allrounders who have floored Australia in their favourite contest

Whither Michael Hussey?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The latest duck for Australia's No. 4 has raised further questions over his future in the team

Fifth Ashes Test, lunchtime chat, 2nd day

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Lacklustre bowling succeeds against muddle-headed batting

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Stuart Clark all struggled at various junctures and, if not for a succession of muddle-headed strokes, Australia might have faced a more treacherous path over the coming four days

Fifth Ashes Test, lunchtime chat, 1st day

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Deja-vu on the eve of the Ashes decider

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The last Test of the Ashes, and it's all to play for at The Oval? It sounds a bit familiar

Excited Ponting wary of stress

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Ponting is wary of a repeat of the stress in this game, which is the most significant contest for all but the four players in the squad who were here for the 2-1 loss in 2005

Bowlers in for stiff test

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stats preview of the fifth and final Test between England and Australia at The Oval

Australia must play four seamers

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Do England have a chance at The Oval? Of course they do, but I'd rather be in the visiting dressing rooms on Thursday

The Bell question

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

In not just retaining faith in him but promoting him to first-drop, England's selectors have been brave way beyond the call of duty

How Hilfenhaus and Co have differed from England's fast men

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The big difference between the fast bowlers from Australia and England has also been their success rates against right and left-hand batsmen

Trott 'pretty much kicked the door down'

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

His South African mentors on his journey from precocious talent to potential Ashes saviour

England and the lost art of batting

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Their players seem to have lost the old skill of gritting it out at the crease

How good is England's middle order?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stats indicate it compares quite poorly with those of the other top teams over the last decade

Australia's best batting pairs in Ashes

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The combinations that have the best numbers in Tests against England

Sending out an SOS

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Why Mark Ramprakash should be called up for The Oval, and how things have changed drastically post-Headingley, despite England's denials

The Flintoff factor

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

England's totemic allrounder has been more about competence, stout-hearted service and some irresistible performances, rather than out-and-out greatness

Pace battery will win it for Australia

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

There was nothing wrong with the bowling at Headingley, no leaking of runs, no easing of pressure

Johnson rediscovers himself

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

He hasn't reached his peak, but Mitchell Johnson has begun to find his form again and believe in himself

Play Johnson, rest Hussey

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The Australian way begins to succeed

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Ricky Ponting and his mates were right after all: they do perform best when it matters most, and they did come back from being a match behind with two to play

Desperate times, desperate measures?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Change for change's sake is something that the England management rarely sees fit to sanction, even when the cosiness on display becomes so self-serving that it is ridiculed in pre-series dossiers by high-profile former opponents

Never in the game

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

This was no throttling. It was a heart-attack of a performance and England need a defibrillator if they're to regain the Ashes

Fourth Test, Day 3

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Woeful England heading for a new low

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Outplayed from the first ball, the home side are lurching towards one of the worst defeats in their history

The real Mitchell Johnson

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

He started the Ashes slowly, and was close to being dropped, but Australia's spearhead is finding peak form again

Clarke needs a promotion

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

If Michael Clarke wants to graduate as a true great of the game he must seek a promotion in the Australian order and aim to finish his career at No. 3

Fourth Test, Day 2

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Sid finds his vicious streak

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Peter Siddle collected five wickets to put Australia well on top, thanks to some advice from a recent England bowler

Clark shines on comeback, but Harmison doesn't

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stuart Clark fulfilled the role he was expected to play in the fourth Test at Headingley, while Steve Harmison did not

Fourth Test, Day 1

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

From pup to top dog

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

A century in his 50th Test has only confirmed that Michael Clarke has risen more than a few notches over the last three years

Seamers aim to cash in

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stats preview of the fourth Ashes Test to be played at Headingley

At home in England

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

An analysis of Australian batsmen against England, home and away

Don't expect a lot of swing at Headingley

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Claiming 20 wickets in Yorkshire's matches has become a real chore

Australia need Clark's control

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The leaking of runs has made things easier for England's batsmen - and that's where Clark comes in

Are you England in disguise?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The 2009 Aussies have not just been a pale shadow of their brilliant predecessors - they're so pale, they have a distinctly Pommie tinge

Third Test, day 5

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Hilfenhaus finds swing, Johnson loses cool

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Operating like a swing man should, Ben Hilfenhaus created severe doubt with most deliveries due to varied amounts of curve

Third Test, day 4

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Hannon hits the sweet spot

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

An eccentric and hugely enjoyable cricket concept album by Duckworth and Lewis (well, not that Duckworth and Lewis)

Australia were outswung and outplayed

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Australian bowlers search for seam movement and variation in bounce instead of swerve in the air. When it comes to swinging the ball they are always behind

Anderson swings into eminence

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

By picking up his first five-wicket haul against Australia, James Anderson has the opportunity to erase his awkward past and stride forward with confidence

Records mean little to Ponting

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Ricky Ponting has become Australia's leading Test run-scorer after passing Allan Border's mark of 11,174 during the third Test at Edgbaston

Prolific and consistent against allcomers

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Considering how consistently prolific Ricky Ponting has been, it was only a matter of time before he became Australia's leading run-getter

Third Test, Day 2

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Third Test, Day 1

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Featuring Cricinfo's deputy editor Alex Brown, UK editor Andrew Miller and Australasia editor Peter English

Edgbaston 2005, and a revised prediction for 2009

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

My original prediction was 2-1 to England, but I think I've got to change that now because I don't think there will be two more results

Versatile Onions returns to happy hunting ground

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Edgbaston's recent record tells a tale of unrelenting tedium, but Graham Onions isn't letting that get him down

Wayward Johnson poses dilemma

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Mitchell Johnson will get a chance to re-group and toughen up away from international glare if he is dropped

England's favourite venue

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Stats preview to the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston

Give Johnson one more chance

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Finding the right pace combination for Edgbaston will be tough, but Mitchell Johnson deserves a chance to regain his form

Johnson, Hughes and the ordeal of cricket

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Often the game becomes a curse, as two Australians struggling in the Ashes can testify

Australia's Clark conundrum

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Mitchell Johnson, it seems, has retained the faith of Ricky Ponting, all but ensuring that the tourists must look elsewhere within their line-up if they are to accommodate the ever-reliable Stuart Clark for the third Test

Kasprowicz and Gillespie relive Edgbaston 2005

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

There are three things Michael Kasprowicz is always being asked: what's Shane Warne really like? What do you do in retirement? And what happened at Edgbaston in 2005?

McGrath, Lillee, Warne, and other Ashes bowling stars

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

The Australian bowlers who have done well in England over the last 40 years

Let's get Fred

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

It's time Australia's think tank latched on to Flintoff's weakness against right-handers

The anonymous Mr Hauritz

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Australia's key bowler in this Ashes is a "no-hoper" turned show stealer who now knows "300 times more" about his craft than he did scant months ago

Is Pietersen a help or a hindrance?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

All summer long, Kevin Pietersen's cut a strangely subdued figure. Will England miss him for the next three Tests?

A small hitch for Mitch

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

It's astounding that people are completely writing Mitchell Johnson off after one bad game

Right said Fred

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Can Flintoff emulate Botham by helping recapture the urn for a second time, as the latter did in 1985?

Will England choke?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

History tells us that England can easily get vertigo when on top. Will this piece of history repeat itself?

England recapture their castle

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

England have waited 75 years to end a hoodoo that outlasts even the search for a homegrown Wimbledon champion, and they have taken the lead in an Ashes series for the first time since 1997. History and momentum suddenly feel aligned

Flintoff, bloody Flintoff

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:53:33 GMT

Four years on from his greatest moments, Andrew Flintoff was at it again with a match-winning performance