Will the Ashes be regained without a ball bowled?

English players demand more cash.

"England's leading cricketers at loggerheads with ECB over player payments"

"Some of England's cricketers, including captain Andrew Strauss are embroiled in a protracted pay dispute with the England Cricket Board.

Just six months before their Ashes tour of Australia, the Poms are in disarray, with 11 players reportedly feeling undervalued and refusing to sign central contracts that were tabled by the ECB last October.

The cash wrangle, which has lasted eight months, is a ruction England could do without as they prepare for their Ashes defence."

...and...

"England players received about $10,280 for a Test match. With match fees bolstering a central contract, England's top earners, such as Strauss, stand to earn about $770,000 annually.

While those figures are hardly a pittance, England's elite players are not rewarded as handsomely as Australia's leading cricketers. Test skipper Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke earn about $1.5 million a year, while off-spinner Nathan Hauritz is believed to have pocketed $1m during the 2009-10 season."

...and...

"ECB managing director Hugh Morris admitted the salary saga was not ideal with the Ashes looming."

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STRIKE!!!!!

Ashes handed over by forfeit.

Clutching at straws already?

It's the only chance we have, apparently.

Who am I to disagree?

Basil ... I believe as an Englishman it is your duty to be as arrogant, patronising, condescending, and sneery as possible. I think you can do a lot better, you're almost decent at times. Merlin should be able to give you a few clues.

Fark off,you son of a convict: will that do?

Hehehe, nothing like the anticipation of another Ashes battle. :ale:

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it meant Saj Mahmood had been recalled.

Where's he playing there Skull? Is that New Road?

It can't be easy for Saj to get his helmets made with a mush like that.

It's the only sort of deck that Saj could take wickets on - a sticky horse paddock (mebee Ascot?).

skully wrote:

why is there a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker in this thread?

I think Gary is right, the puddle let's you know it's New Road.

The nose is pink, so it must be Saj, not Sarah Jessica.

Boy, you guys are tough . . .