We've brought the English weather to Australia!
I’ve been in Australia for two weeks now but I must say the weather feels distinctly English.
There has been in New South Wales and hail storms in Sydney.
We are in Adelaide at the moment and there is a nip in the air – it’s more like Durham in spring than Australia!
It’s amazing how much the long flight and time difference messes up your body clock and it’s been a pain to get my sleeping pattern back to normal.
I’ve been waking up at 5am absolutely starving!
On the plus side, it’s been fun for me to get back bowling as I missed the end of the season because of my side strain.
Just to get outside and have a bowl in the nets feels good.
I’m disappointed I haven’t played in any of the but I have to be realistic. I’ve not played any cricket leading up to the Ashes tour so it’s not really surprising I’ve not been picked.
It’s a long tour and I think I’m bowling well and everything seems to be clicking into place. I just have to bide my time and see what happens.
I’m still part of an Ashes squad so there is no question of my spirits being down because I’ve not been picked to play so far – you never know what will happen on such a long tour - and I certainly don’t feel left out.
We are training really hard as the first Test approaches so we haven’t had much leisure time.
We’ve been to some lovely restaurants and I have had a bit of time to do some clothes shopping – mainly T-shirts and shorts although the weather hasn’t been warm enough to wear them yet!
We knock around together as a team mainly but sometimes we go out in smaller groups and I tend to hang out with Ian Bell and Sajid Mahmood – we’ve been dubbed the Young Ones.
A few of the lads played golf last week but I thought I’d save my rounds up until I need a bit of a break from the girlfriend. (Only joking Lisa!)
She’s flying out to Australia and I will meet up with her next week in Queensland so I’m looking forward to that.
Cricket is obviously big in Australia but I’d say is bigger at the moment although I’m sure that will change once the Ashes actually begin.
I’ve been in touch with my parents quite a bit and they are going to send me some more pictures of my little nieces, who were born three months premature.
They are putting on quite a bit of weight and everyone is pleased with their progress although they will be in hospital until the New Year.
I wonder what the Ashes situation will be by then?
Just wondering what Liam's thoughts on the wicketkeeping situation...harsh on Read Ithink..as a team you need to have confidence in your players that they can perform or else whats the point of him being on the tour? Anyway, good luck for the winter...(I'd have you in instead of Mahmood and the buffet bowling he serves up!)
Complain about this postHi Liam
What are your thoughts on what the nature of play is going to be like in this Ashes series?
Do you think we're going to get attacking batting from the word go or a more cautious approach in this massively pressurised situation?
Do you think a more hyped series favours batsmen or bowlers more?
Complain about this postbest of luck and as the aussies used to say to me when i worked out there for a year, "Go get 'em!"
Complain about this postThoughts and prayers re your nieces too
Regards
Craig
Hi Liam,
Good to see you are feeling fresh and ready for the Ashes challenge.
Good luck with the series, and I hope you get a chance to play in the series.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Great to see you in the sqaud this year. No question, just a message to wish you luck. Although I will never forgive Mr Lincoln for choosing yourself to bowl against me at the school cricket trials hah
Golden duck i believe it was?? lol
Take care bud and shall be cheering you on from good ol' Boro, go get em!
Tom
Complain about this postA bit of a shame the only way you will get a game is because of an injury, or a stress-related illness.....Lets hope Harmi's got his comfort blanket...
Complain about this postYour column is interesting to say the least. Wishing your nieces well.
Weather sounds very un-seasonable.
Jones in for Read - the correct decsion - Jones has a vast experience on playing on wickets in Australia and is sucha good bat foot player that all conditions wull suit!
Lets get behind him and the rest of team - the aussie are there for the taking thier bowling is weak hence they are goin g to go in with 5 bolwers!!
Come on England
Paul Maidstone
Complain about this postThe Aussie Rules season finished a month or two ago Liam, and the cricket season is entering its 3rd Round (5th week, as they spread the game over 2 weekends) this weekend.
I'll agree that the temperature has been a bit like Durham this past week though, almost made me homesick!
Complain about this postLooking forward to joining you out there next week for the First Test Liam - hopefully the weather will have got a bit better! I will also be at the Second Test and very much hope to bump into "Bruce" (post 5). I've just had about enough of this horrible Australian line of banter: show some respect for both sides and especially the Ashes holders. The Aussies (fans, media and players) were saying exactly the same thing before the last series and then what happened? Yes, you lost and then the series seemed to be strewn from the record books. So just pipe down "Bruce"; we're the currrent Ashes holders and if the Aussies keep up this ridiculously over-confident (and disrespectful) attitude, we still will be come January.
Complain about this postDoes anyone have any further progress on Simon Jones come back and does Liam feel under pressure from this??
Complain about this postLiam - ignore the aussie bores who have posted comments. they should get back behind the bar and get those glasses cleaned!
moving on - all the best mate. Your attitude sounds spot on and I hope you get the chance you deserve
Richard.
Complain about this postLooking forward to you boys making 'Bruce' eat his quite frankly ridiculous words, he must be some relation to '5 nil Mcgrath'.... It might not be a wupping but but we'll do alright i reckon, and then we can drop off most of the Austalia squad to their retirement home, where they belong.
Best of luck chaps
EvilEye
Complain about this postWith the lack or cricket youve played recently and your relativley small test experience do you feel you have a better chance of playing in the odi series reather than the test, with harmy and mahmood being expensive and the fact hoggy never plays?
Complain about this postGood luck in the Ashes Liam - you must be keeping your fingers crossed you will get a chance, I think you have been a bit unfortunate not to have played in a warm-up game yet to show what you can do.
Good blog by the way.
Complain about this postIf Geraint Jones is a better batsman than Chris Read. Then surely Matty Prior is a better batsman than Geraint. If they are picking a wicketkeeper on batting performance and not his keeping skills then it has to be Prior??
Complain about this postBrrr! I'm sure it'll warm up in time for the tests. If not, don't forget your jumper, coat and gloves!
Complain about this postHi Liam - Matt McConaughey here, just working out and picking winners.
I think the team has taken a lot of undue criticism in the last couple of weeks, which undoubtedly must have wrankled with most in the squad. I feel this is unfair as the test team have been performing well in the last 6 months, albeit not to the standards of a few years back.
Off the back of this, combined with the Trescothick scenario and if you were to suffer a loss in the first test do you not think it'd be hugely difficult to remain positive given England past record in Australia and the strength and determination of the Aussies this time round?
Do you think having Matt McConaughey out there to brief you on how to deal with pressure and pick winners would be beneficial?
Complain about this postIf it's any consolation, Liam, it takes about a week for those 5am hunger cravings to go!
I remember the last time I was staying in Sydney I found myself wandering around Kings Cross at 3am looking for the 24hr McD's. It was certainly an..erm..interesting experience! So many scantily clad young ladies wanting to be my friend....
Cheers,
Mike
Complain about this postCould you elabourate on the trescothick issue
Complain about this postGreat to see you finding time during the ashes build up to write on the blog. Lets all hope that by the new year, we will be leading the series-have the Aussies ever heard the phrase '2-0 to the England?'
Complain about this postI was born a month and a half premature and it was abit stressful 4 my parentts so i hope your nieces will be fine Liam.
Its funny that just you, Saj and Belly have been named 'the young ones' the whole squad is pretty young itself. Oldest player's gotta be Hoggy hasn't it?
As 4 the weather i say keep it cold, it'll be like playing them in England i mean what difference will a couple of aussies at the MCG be, i mean we've got enuf of them in London in the bars.
Seriously in an Ashes serious u need all the help you can get and if we've got the weather on our side and we retain the ashes then i wont be complaining.
C'mon England
Complain about this postInteresting column, the weather described on that link does sound extreme - hopefully there won't be a repeat during any of the tests!
Good luck with the bowling, fingers crossed you get picked for a test (or tour games if not)...
Complain about this postJust wondering will Ed Joyce get any stick from the lads with regards to his Irishness ! Im from Ireland and am personally delighted that an Irishman could play in the Ashes. I'm sick of defending his decision to play for England to my cricket ignorant mates. It's a no brainer really, a career of county cricket with the occasional game for Ireland against a good team or a chance to test yourself against the best players in the world at the top level ! Anyway hope he plays as I do with you. Feel if you get in you could take a few big wkts.
Complain about this postgood luck, come on the barmy army !
Hi Liam,
Complain about this postwhen you went out, what was the general consensus about the bowling attack? Presumably Harmy and Hoggard but after that, anderson, you or Mahmood. I pesonally think it has to be between you and Anderson. I hope you get a chance to prove yourself at some point during the series.
How major has the effect been on the side of Marcus going home. I do feel so sorry for him, although I think perhaps the management should have thought more about it before flying him all the way out there!!
Good Luck and I am looking forward to hearing the Australian score of 160 all out on the morning of the 24th.
Toby
hi liam, my name is stephen and i am 15 years old and a keen cricketer. i was really happy that you got into the squad as i felt you bowled really well against sri lanka and it was a shame you got injured. i was wondering if you could give me a few tips into how to improve my cricket as a whole. good look through out the tour hope all goes well!! Come on England!!
Complain about this postLiam, one thing you can do Liam is to really "Fire Harmy, Freddie and Hoggie up" to bowl fast, controlled and in the Corridor, and give the Ozzies a "Hello". If the team can fire Freddy and Harmy up to be aggressive, we have a good chance. Tell Sajad to put it on the spot more/ in the corridor, bowl 90mph + avoid long hops, bowl that yorker and put the slower ball (Harmy/Clarke style).
Complain about this postIn the test arena, when the ball is not swinging young bowlers such as yourself are vulnerable. Do you feel you have the necesary control to deal with such situations? In no way am i for pace over quality its just that at your pace to be effective you need the control of a Mgrath or Pollock. I'm sure in the future you will develop this , but at the present i'm a little concerned. You have been touted as having the batting potential of an all-rounder-something we've yet to see. Are you confident enough in your batting to justify selection ahead of a second spinner (giles)?
Complain about this postWeather permitting you poms will be down 3nil by christmas. Does Paul Maidstone have any idea ? Oz bowlers r weak ? Ur kidding mate, we have too many we dont know who to pik, pidgeon, warney, bing pik themselves.Watsons done enuf to be an allrounder & johnson, clark & tait are vying for the 11th spot ! Bracken & macgilla unlucky not to be in 13. Even old dizzy will show u up in adelaide. Wake up u lot & get some knowledge on the game.
btw Liam, no one in NSW/QLD cares about Aussie Rules - All eyes on Poms going down at suncorp tomorrow nite in the league.
Also the weather here in sydney is very sunny, both the poms in cricket r-league have been in the press in the surf here so not sure what u r on about here either re weather !
Most importantly, Liam all the best with the nieces / nephews mate....best of luk !
hendo
Complain about this postHi Liam
You're right Liam the weather is a tad cool right now - but you can bet it's gonna get hot real soon.
Good luck to you and the boys for the Ashes - I saw the first day of the NSW game last week and was impressed on with a number of things about England - not least was Monty's fielding.
The lad has taken a lot of stick but he fielded well and has a good arm.
Just make sure you guys take it to the Aussies!!
Complain about this postNice blog, Liam. All the best for the series.
Glad to see some international (particularly English) recognition of footy (aussie rules, though it hurts me to say that as much as it hurts an englishman to call football 'soccer') as the most popular sport in Australia.
In response to Chris Hendo, you could have fooled me about noone caring for footy in NSW and QLD given the 30-40 thousand strong crowds that regularly watch the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans. Nevertheless, I guess that just leaves Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania as the states that care...
(How many guys from outside NSW or QLD are currently representing 'Australia' in either the current Wallabies or Kangaroos teams?)
Anyway, what we were talking about? Cricket?
Complain about this postCome on lads you can do it. Dont listen to the press we are all behind you.
Complain about this post"Hendo" you narrow minded fool. Plenty of people in QLD have an interest in Aussie Rules - do you not remember Brisbane Lions winning the flag three years on the tro and just failing to win the fourth. That was only a few years ago and this year QLD AFL had the highest number of young kids in the draft. Wake up people still care about the game, and Liam you are right there is a vast interest across the country even though the heart land is Melbourne. "Hendo" who was in the Grand Final this season? Sydney. Who won it last year? Sydney. Record TV figures in NSW for the final. Just makes your comments about the cricket about as founded and valid as the rest of your flawed argument. People like balanced banter not stupid one eyed knuckle dragging attitudes.
Complain about this postGood Luck England, heres to a great series. And c'mon Brisbane Lions for next AFL season! ;-)
Hi Liam,
Just woke up this morning and saw the light "Alistair Cook smashing Warney out of the ground first ball"!
Great column & tell Cookey that the Essex boys are there in mass for the First test.
Good Luck mate,
Simon
Complain about this postOne thing I just cannot understand is how sports people seem to suffer so much from jet-lag. This is even more difficult to understand considering you boys will have been in the business or first class seats (beds) Does no one give advice on how to get over it fast? How long have you been down here? And you're still complaining about waking up at 5am! 24-48hrs is all it should take to get back to normal. You wouldnt last 5 mins in my job (and I'm twice your age!!).
Complain about this postGood luck to you and the team - you'll be making 1000's of us expats happy if you return to the UK with the Ashes still in your hands.
Hendo is on the money, fair dinkum the aussies have more bowling supplies this summer, and their fielding will be 1st class.
Poms fielding is 2nd rate, Alister cook hititng warney ha ha ha, funny dream Crofty !!
It's over for the Poms before its started !! Win one Ashes in 20 yrs and they rate themselves.
As for the Bris Lions give us a break who cares !!
Complain about this postREDV
Ian, sadly u're the one eyed uneducated fool. Firstly have some respect with the fact this is Liams blog not the great myth "Ian". (u too Greg, fancy thinking that the swans get 30-40K crowd every week! where does such non factual info come from-answer gregory the gr8-yes both Wallabies & K'roos rugby sides are 99% nsw/qld -hence my point scoop gregory!!) Ian, its not an argument mate, so come down off yah deflated lions throne! Its good refreshing banter as u say & its in reply to Liams blog, so lets focus on that! Record AFL tv ratings!! Spare me please. Have the swans sold out once this year? Generally (rephrased for the dummies Ian) no one cares for aussie rules in the nth-east states, doesnt mean it has no place etc.
Liam , good luk with the tour & i hope u come across educated aussies & not the likes of Ian & co, dusting off their knuckles.
have fun boyz,
hendo
Complain about this postThe selection of Jones over Read is a disgrace. What form warrants Jones being reinstated over Read, who was brilliant in the final few test matches? If you found the edge Liam, I have no doubt you would prefer Read being the man behind the stumps. In fact all of England knows that, stressing over a few runs at number 7 is not worth gambling on a 2nd rate keeper. He is honestly one of the worst England have produced, with an obvious lack of footwork, poor catching technique and regularly spilling chances. Read has been taught to keep by Rod Marsh, his fast feet and "give" of the ball is a set technique Marsh pioneered and has been used by Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS. I think their records speak for themselves.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Complain about this postJust wondering if the English players gather round at night and cry themselves to sleep at the thought of facing Australia's bowling line up?
Best of luck Liam with the series.
Being an Aussie there is no money for guessing who i am going for but I met you the other week when i was a net bowler at your SCG training and thought you were a champion bloke.
Hope you get a run.
cheers.
Complain about this postLiam,
Don't complain about the cold weather in Sydney too soon. The summer (Australian) is predicted to be super hot, so enjoy the rain, sleet and snow while you can. It's just nature's way of helping the English team acclimatise.
Complain about this postGood luck to you all! Us poms out here can't wait for a great series, and we even managed to get tickets, more than the aussies would hope for!
Looks like Sth Australia are well on top v the Poms in the 1st class match being played, old man LEHMAN nearing another ton, puts a boot up big fat Beefy Botham with his Dad's Army comments, if a state player of some age can dent the GREAT English attack.
Complain about this postREDV
the way hoggard and anderson are bowling , you will be very lucky to even carry the drinks for england this summer. so soak up australia for 4 years in time. mabye if you start bowling at 145 kph, you will be the spearhead, or you will end up like dominic cork.
Complain about this posthave you met any of the ausssie player over there, and have the made you feel welcome or tried to get under your skin like the papers say?
good luck on the ashes, its really unlucky that you got your injury just as you were looking in great form for the ashes.
!keep up the training!
the ashes are comming home, i hope you play :D
Complain about this postharmison's injury means a spot could be opening up for you. keep sharp!
Complain about this poststeve, durham
All the best for the series Liam. Lot of focus on first test but this may go to the wire. You will have more support than ever before over there and if it is even by Melbourne then the support will make the difference. See you in Sydney.
Complain about this postGive em everything you've got lads. Remember, not an inch to be given away. My heart will be with you at the Gabba. I remember being there in 1998 when the rain saved us!!
Complain about this postLiam,
I am sure you will get a chance in playing in Adelaide or Perth with England 1-0 or 2-0 down in the series.
Why don’t you play the team, that will play at Perth (2-0 down) in Brisbane (when the scores are level)? ie drop Giles and Jones and play Ried and Panesar.
Is it so difficult to make the right selections in the first place and make it an interesting series!!
Complain about this postI have to agree with the comments about Jones he drops too many - only an average of 40-45 with the bat could really compensate. He is really lucky to be on tour. If they had doubts about Read's batting technique - which anyone could see was a bit of an issue even when he made his successful test comeback - they should have chosen a second keeper likely to score more runs but not significantly weaker with the gloves. Foster springs to mind - I'd best on Foster scoring more than Read and as many or nearly as many as Jones.
Complain about this postThink da blog is brilliant. Do you feel that if steve harmison doesnt play in the 1st test through injury that although you havent played in the warm up games you have a chance of playing ahead of sajid mahmood? Wish you the best of luck and also what do you think about the Jones/Read decision and if it was yoir choice who would you of called up in place of treschothick?
Lets bring the Ashes back home, Coon England!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Lets start the mind games already.
You guys have no chance, there is no way you can sneak past us again. 3-0 to the Aussies (weather permitting, as you report it is unseasonal) would be a good result for you,
If by the off chance I am wrong, you will here from me to apologise, but I'm fairly sure that won't be necessary,
Hope your nieces are OK
Complain about this postgeraint jones is touched by genius
Complain about this postMate, it can't be that bad...anything...AND I MEAN ANYTHING! is better than snow. Here in Calgary where I am I'll be tuning in during the middle of the night, likely with snowdrifts outside with the mercury going down to -20 centigrade or so! Trust me, once you've been in Canada during a winter, you'll know what I mean!
Also, with the release of the new EA Cricket game, have you by any chance tried it out? Better yet, have you tried it playing as yourself, and if so...how'd you do?
Cheers and good luck mate!
-John (Western Canada's #1 England fan)
Complain about this post'I wonder what the Ashes situation will be by then?'
All that's certain is that you won't have played and Australia will have won every test apart from that anything could happen!
Complain about this postHi Liam
Love your blogs, i just wanted to say your an amazing blower, and i think you worked very hard in pakistan and i just wanted to say well done and i really think you should be in the team to play agaisnt aus! Good luck with everthing
Complain about this postSanaa
xxx
Hi Liam!
I think you're a great cricketer and you're my favourite player on the England side. Thrash the Aussies man!
Good luck in the Ashes.
One question... can you tell me how to hold a bat? And perhaps how to bowl, if you have the time, of course. I'd really really really like to know.
Best of luck once again
Yours sincerely
The No.1 Plunkett fan
Complain about this postLiam
Gday from the Uk. The girls are great we have been to see them both, they are fighters just like you and the rest of the team. When your backs against the wall and your up against it, it will make the the Ashes victory taste oh so much sweeter. Show the Aussies who's the daddy and bring home the glory. Imagine the victory parade through Middlesbrough? All the very best.
Col, Fi, Jack and Sal
Complain about this postHey mate,
I just wondered what your first impressions were when you saw Steven Harmison's first bowl of the first test?
I'm sure you want England to do well and all the bowlers to pick up cheap wickets but is there a part of you that felt pleased that you might get a chance in the team with the bowlers mis-firing a bit?
Also wondered what your take is on the wicket-keeper situation?
Thanks alot, and hope you get out there bowling soon.
DAVE
Complain about this postIt takes a true Englishman to go to Australia and talk about the weather.... I guess this reflects your tour so far, Plunkers (umm... look its was Jonners and now its Aggers so you'll have to get used to it, and its better then 'ker-plunk'). But I hope that if you get a game it will be a good one and bed you down in the series - in life you have to seize the moment when it comes and be fearless whatever your situation. Any other approach is for those who believe in the Angels and that this is all a great big dress rehearsal. So keep yourself up and fit and seize every learning opportunity and play as much as you can. Your time will come probably at short notice and you have to be ready. Good luck!
Complain about this postLiam, I know you're on the fringes of the England set up and don't want to do anything to upset anyone but please don't be afraid to say anything controversial or interesting. Think Austin Healey!
Complain about this postHiya Liam
Hope you are enjoying things downunder- bit different to life in the boro, eh? Last time I saw you, you were only 14, playing cricket for North of England with my little brother James- seems like ages ago now!
Best of luck for the next test!
Luce B xx
Complain about this postorite liam
hope you the best for the ashes and best of luck.
can't wait to see you, everybody back home is supporting you, i will see you when you get back
from jack (your cousin) and family
Complain about this post