Superb cricket from the test match and a very good team performance at Oakwell. What a brilliant day's cricket at Edgbaston though. Australia, Lee and Warne especially, fighting back to make England's lead look very catchable, then in comes Flintoff to crash them into the stands and out of the ground (missed that one, on mi way to Oakwell) giving England a half decent total to ball at. All it needed was for the rest of the team to respond to the challenge. And how they have responded. Would be nice to finish the Aussies off early tomorrow and take a big psychological advantage into next Thursday. Cracking atmosphere too. Atmosphere, something lacking from a lot of games at Oakwell in the last couple of seasons, but not today. Excellent attendance for the first game of the season and a very good performance with the teamwork being the most impressive for a long time. Can't really fault anybody on todays showing - even when mistakes were made players redeemed themselves by extra effort. Best part of the performance was the last 30 minutes after being reduced to 10 men - great energy and commitment. Top performances today from Carbon and Burns with Tonge probably not far behind. Also impressed with McPhails workrate today. Special mention to Nicky Wroe too, he had perhaps his best display in a Barnsley shirt and for one often berated by many of the fans showed that he can play football - just need it more often. Best 'team' display for a few seasons and if this is Ritchie's style then, early days it may be, but it looks ok to me.
Good summing up Mr F Managed to watch the last bit of the cricket as well. Atmposphere was brillaint today and if the players show that level of commitment every game then the fans will get behind them. Not been a fan of Nicky Wroe but he was superb when he came on and looked quite pacy running from midfield. Perhaps sub is going to be his best position. The young 'uns all did well and I think Williams would have been MotM if he hadn't got sent off.
