has englands batting failure finished us off

England’s failure to capitalise on their successful opening day in Perth has probably sealed the fate of the Ashes.
Starting the second day full of hope, and with the realistic aim of batting through the day to build a big lead, England managed to lose their way again in hopeless fashion.
Although the last-wicket pair of Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar - who else?- managed to put together the highest partnership of the innings, the lift they produced, coupled with the immediate dismissal of Justin Langer, was short-lived.
The last hour was completely dominated by Australia, and none of the bowlers looked capable of taking a wicket.
The pitch has been largely flawless and poor shot selection has brought about the downfall of the batsmen from both teams.
Paul Collingwood’s loose back-foot force against Glenn McGrath started the rot, and although Andrew Strauss appeared to fall to an umpiring error for the second time in succession, his shot was ghastly.
There are real problems in England’s middle order.
Andrew Flintoff’s footwork is all at sea. He simply does not get anywhere near the pitch of the ball and is playing with a braced left knee.
Geraint Jones’s stroke should cost him his Test place - unless he produces a miracle in the second innings - because he fell for an obvious trap, and did nothing to curb his natural instincts.
The selectors can only choose teams on probability, but the punts they have taken in this series have been failures.
The wrong team was chosen in Adelaide where Panesar should have played instead of James Anderson, while Jones’s batting has simply not lived up to Duncan Fletcher’s hopes.
The chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, David Morgan, did little to assuage my unhappiness at the decision of the team to return home to England when they were knocked out of the Champions Trophy, rather than take the chance for extra preparation in Australia.
He told me today the reason was to give the players "quality time with their families", but most of the families are here now, and a large number were out as early as the first Test.
This was just one of a number of serious misjudgements that have been made, and which will almost certainly cost England the Ashes over the next three days.

Adam Gilchrist scored the second fastest Test century in history as Australia took total command of the third Ashes Test.
He reached his ton in 57 balls, one behind Viv Richards' 20-year record as Australia declared on 527-5, a lead of 556, on day three in Perth.
Michael Clarke ended 135no, with Monty Panesar taking eight wickets in the match.
England got off to the worst possible start, Andrew Strauss out for a duck.


as much as i hate to say it its over australia have won the ashes

exactly, hawer jones a fukin pair thts descracful

ana absolutely terrible

What alod of bullshit the whole ashes this lets just concentrate on bulding the team to kick there arse in perth ( i tink )

perth was 3rd test its melbourne then sydney

my mistake

Christmas is a time for giving - or if you're an English cricketer, giving in - so here are just a few gifts to warm the hearts of our sporting heroes and villains...
To Geraint Jones, a pair of keeper's gloves to help you keep that park tidy now you're not going to be playing cricket anymore.
To Stephen Harmison and Sajid Mahmood, a barn door. Imagine your excitement when you finally manage to hit it.
To Shane Warne - I offer you the freedom of Hampshire for two whole years and all the ladies therein in the hope that you might accidentally procreate with one of them and lo! unto us shall be born a podgy blonde lad with unfathomable googlies. It's the least you can do after all that torment.

tht dan kid iz a bit ov a retard lyk