Trescothick-2005 Ashes won by Cheating

[Deuce Bigolo]

I'm gobbed smacked.Of all the things you could reveal in a book after retiring this has to be one of the dumbest.

Its like shooting yourself in the foot for no real reason.

FORMER England batsman Marcus Trescothick has admitted in a new book he illegally shone the ball by sucking on breath fresheners during the 2005 Ashes series.

The virtually unplayable reverse swing generated by pace bowlers Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff -- which was crucial to England's Ashes triumph over Australia - may have been caused by Murray Mints, which, as with other artificial substances, is illegal.

[Sam Slater]

All teams use whatever they can to get the edge. Some admit it to sell more books, others do not.

Pretty sad really, but not surprising.

[catelover]

Don't get your knickers in a twist........It goes on all the time, and for anybody to claim this will detract from the Ashes 2005 acheivement hasn't a fucking clue what they are talking about.

The important thing to remember is the Trescothick is trying to sell books, and considering he was a charisma-free personality, I'm guessing this 'shock' revelation has been included in order to shift a few copies of his book, because otherwise it'd be the most tedious read of all time.

[JamesW]

Breath fresheners? I thought cricket teams used chewing gum for this purpose.

[colin]

All teams use something,usually chewing gum,to try to produce the best saliva for keeping the shine on the ball.I think the law on this pertains more to actually rubbing the sweet or whatever on the ball itself,as the Indian player(forget which one) did when he was caught out and disciplined.

[Trumpton]

If you study the actual results of the 2005 Ashes series, you'll discover that the result - 2-1 to England - was far far closer than the scoreline suggests.

England won the second test by 2 runs!, their narrowest victory margin in Ashes history. Australia should have won the final test, but Warne dropped KP before he got started and he went on to make 150, and in doing so prevented Australia from winning.

Also remember that Australia regained the Ashes at the earliest possible opportunity and in doing so inflicted the largest series victory - 5-0!

I wouldn't get all hot and bothered about the so-called "revelations" in Trescothick's book. He has got to sell as many copies as he can in order to buff up his retirement finances.

[catelover]

Trumpton wrote:

> If you study the actual results of the 2005 Ashes series,
> you'll discover that the result - 2-1 to England - was far far
> closer than the scoreline suggests.
>
> England won the second test by 2 runs!, their narrowest victory
> margin in Ashes history. Australia should have won the final
> test, but Warne dropped KP before he got started and he went on
> to make 150, and in doing so prevented Australia from winning.
>
>


Yes, and the Third Test at Old Trafford, where the Aussies were outclassed, and clung on for their sweet lives for a draw!!!

In reality, one of the most evely-matched Ashes series of all time, and probably the most thrilling, and, Murray Mints or not, England, ultimately deserved to win!!

[Deuce Bigolo]

I never said the result would have been any different.To be honest the ashes up till then had bored me stupid

Personally I'm just sick and tired of hearing of cheating in elite sports
in all its forms

I just think it sad that this revelation tarnishes one of the very few contests which was seen as being above scrutiny even during crickets darkest hours

I think the cricketing bodies if they were serious about this subject would have outlawed sweets,mints,chewing gum etc and made players pants with no pockets mandatory

Sounds ridiculous but the days of it being a gentlemens game and having honour are well and truly past

How many cases do you need of this behaviour before you step up to outlaw it?Pakistan have been doing it for decades so I suspect most others wouldnt be far away from having done it but never got caught?

[JamesW]

The ICC have confirmed that using saliva to polish the ball is an accepted practice and that sucking sweets or chewing gum "is not outlawed".

[Deuce Bigolo]

The authorities have always danced around issues no surprises there

Should we expect anything more from todays cricketers who are little more than money making machines?.Its win at all costs to earn squillions followed by what a honour to represent my country

Some interesting views from some former aussie & english players
Good old Merv Hughes has the last word...typical bowler