In a three-sided match of foocket. I visualise Wayne Rooney as a flamboyant middle-order batsman and Glenn McGrath as a goalkeeper.
I actually don’t have any thoughts about the footie, other than that it would be nice to see England hand out a real thrashing for once. It’s not like Northern Ireland have got a Pat Jennings or a George Best. I want a cracking 6-2 England win.
Simon Jones is a real loss for the Oval. He’s been brilliant this series, completely upstaging Steve Harmison. And the Aussies will be a better team if McGrath plays. I still think McGrath is a more dangerous player than Warne, despite Warne’s heroics this summer. Not sure about Anderson vs. Collingwood. Picking Collingwood looks a little bit like playing for the draw, and we don’t want England to lose their nerve now. On the other hand, a probably rain-shortened game on a good batting surface, with only a draw needed – it is tempting to pack the side with batsmen. And will Anderson look dangerous again anyway?
Either way I remain positive, although planning the victory parade before we’ve won the Ashes seems like bad juju.
2 replies on “England vs. Australia and Northern Ireland”
Well, 0-0 at half time. England really do have some classy players at the moment, but the system’s not working. Rooney on the left is pointless, Gerrard and Lampard have only been fitfully involved, Owen’s hardly had a touch.
Oh bollocks. I’d say ‘Sack Sven’ if I had any faith in the FA’s ability to find a better alternative.