Tuesday 17 December 2013

The Ashes: Test Three Reactions

Plenty of reaction from both sides at the Waca after Australia win back the urn after four years apart from it. 

Man of the Match Steve Smith; "I've been a part of two Ashes now but to bring the urn back is very special. The boys have told me this is one of the best places to bat once you get in so I was pleased to cash in."

Glenn McGrath Ex-Australian fast bowler; "England showed a bit more fight in the second innings, led by Ben Stokes. He showed he has arrived in Test cricket and this stage is not beyond him. There are a lot of negatives but with Carberry, Root and especially Stokes there are some positives. Mitchell Johnson produced some hostile, in-your-face bowling and he has been the stand-out difference in this series."

Australia pacebowler Ryan Harris; "They are coming home. They are home. We have worked so hard for this. We played well in England but didn't get them. We played well in England but didn't manage it, but we needed to make sure we did it here. We wanted this so bad. It's emotional."

Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson; "I was a bit nervous for a while there but we came out after lunch and gave it everything. To finally win the Ashes is very special. It was pretty hard running in to keep my emotions in check. It's an unbelievable feeling. I came back from injury and had a lot of doubters, but I've come back and taken my chance. We are a real unit and everyone has worked hard for this."

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott; "This is a possible 5-0 now. Sometimes you can turn it around a bit but I see too many problems in the England side. England can't make enough runs to win matches. Look at Prior's dismissal this morning - it was a wide ball which didn't move and he showed no footwork and edged behind. Australia have planned well for players like Cook and Pietersen with their bowling and field placings. It's the same management team which weren't winning but they have managed to pick the players up. This is where the England coaches earn their money, when things are not going well...On paper, there is nothing to choose between the teams but one has got it significantly right in performance and planning. The other has cocked it up big time."

Australian captain Michael Clarke commented on his team's performance; ""What an amazing performance, not just today but throughout the first three Test matches. The boys deserve all the credit in the world and as Hadds just said to me "we've got them back". Look at the crowd and the support - it has been outstanding both at the venues and on TV. Credit to the players - the way they have stood tall has been outstanding. It was a tough night's sleep last night. Ben Stokes deserves a lot of credit to make a tough hundred. We've got two more Test matches, we'd love to win 5-0 in this series."

England's captain Alaistair Cook; "It's a tough dressing room to be in at the moment. We haven't been good enough and Australia have outplayed us. In sport you go out there and put yourself on the line. We have been found out, we haven't been good enough - we have been outskilled in all aspects. Our preparation has been fine throughout, that's not let us down. Our skills and a lack of people in form has cost us. They have just outplayed us and made their advantage count. Whenever they needed a partnership they got one. When we got one going, we gave a wicket away. We have left everything out there but came out short. We have not scored enough runs, simple as that. There is balance between risk and reward and our shot selection has let us down and we've been punished for it. It was a fantastic hundred by Ben Stokes, he struck the ball well and showed real calmness and intent. It was very special in the circumstances. He's a huge talent and we need to try and make sure we get the best out of him. It's too early to say what we will do with the side. There are always calls for change when you lose. We have got the players to win at Melbourne, we just have to deliver."

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughn; "It's too early to say what we will do with the side. There are always calls for change when you lose. We have got the players to win at Melbourne, we just have to deliver. The England players are all having a bit of lunch and they will be looking out of the window and hurting. The cameras are in the Australian dressing room and they will be singing their winning song. Well done to Australia. Australia have won by miles. From the minute they arrived at Gabba, it was a different Australia. They were going to make life difficult for England and the press joined in. England lost the three tosses but if I hear that as an excuse I will not be very happy. They have been completely outplayed in each facet of the game and you have to hold your hands up to Australia. The first innings scores are there to set the foundation for the game, you are not getting close to drawing let alone winning test matches with the scores England have got. England have been battered. It has been quite embarrassing."

And on that positive note...


Ball on Willow.

No comments:

Post a Comment