The Ashes.

[only1billybonds]

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

[El Scorchio]

Forget him cheating, fucking bent as anything all that Carey stuff with snicko. 

[Eastside surge]

I’m guessing Nathan Lyon will get a bit more out of the pitch what with actually being a red ball spinner rather than our part time spinner, was listening to tms and they said jacks had bowled around 250 overs in the last three years in county cricket etc . Not much difference between him and root imho .

[Far Cough UKunt]

I thought Stokes was going to be Ian Botham Mk II, he's not even close.

[violator]

They will probably shove 30-40 runs on that total, and we'll be 50-4 within the blink of an eye

[Massive Attack]

What strikes me about this modern England Team is a real lack of characters with personality that can get in the Aussies heads or inspire the Team to push on. They're mostly wet young lads who are struggling to impose themselves. Some may develop that over time but overall there's a mental weakness that comes across which is holding us back. No cսnt really prepared to keep chirping and sledge them in to playing under pressure. They tend to coast through sessions rather than take the opportunities to attack them when the tone arises. It's all too easy for the convicts in that respect. Stokes cannot do it alone. 

[Eerie Decent]

From what I see, I don't think we bowled that well, they played some awful shots. I just can't see how our batsmen will be able to attack Starc & Cummings and getting away with it, and they certainly don't value their wicket enough to try and tire them out, so can see another collapse unless Root & Brook are on it. Maybe one of the others will have their 1 good innings in 20, everyone will proclaim they have always had it in them, then they will go back to being hapless for the next 10 tests.

[Massive Attack]

How on earth was Carey not out with that nick? Every fielder knew he nicked it, he knew he nicked it, and confirmed that in his post match interview, there was a spike but before the ball got to the bat. Snicko is clearly not working properly, he went on to make another 30 odd at a crucial time. That needs sorting out.

Thought the same. There was the slightest of nicks and if you watch the snicko there is a faint deviation in waves that are minuscule but still something that should have been examined more carefully I reckon. Was a big moment that would have come at just the right time getting him out and he knew it. 

Still finely poised though with a chance to really attack the innings when we get in on the 2nd days play. We've got a chance.

[only1billybonds]

Really will be time for the batsman to stand up and be counted once these final two wickets go down.
No excuses now,they can either prove that they've learned some lessons or give in to their sense of arrogance.

Brook dropping Khwaja could prove very costly and it seems everyone knew Carey found an edge when given not out. Bowling was a mix n match between very good and piss poor, but as we all know,its on the batsmen now.

[Eerie Decent]

How on earth was Carey not out with that nick? Every fielder knew he nicked it, he knew he nicked it, and confirmed that in his post match interview, there was a spike but before the ball got to the bat. Snicko is clearly not working properly, he went on to make another 30 odd at a crucial time. That needs sorting out.

[southbankbornnbred]

Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Brook and Smith owe England a performance with the bat tomorrow. Some are lucky to still be in the side. No stupid hurling wickets away. Just concentration and graft. Target the short ball, leave the wide ones. Make them earn their wickets.

Lyon will bowl well on this pitch.

[Fauxstralian]

Good recovery from 94/4 but will want another 30 runs or so tomorrow before we see whether it’s a good, bad or indifferent score.
Not seen the highlights but the commentary saying it’s a good wicket to bat on
Saw the groundsman interviewed pre match & said he was trying to prepare a good cricket wicket that had all facets of the game able to shine. 
Reckoned he’d like to see 300 runs & 10 wickets each day
Not far from that 

[southbankbornnbred]

Thankfully, some of the Aussies threw their wickets away. But Archer bowled well. Gotta get the two remaining wickets cheaply, then bat properly…

[Fauxstralian]

Englands day
When you win the toss and bat you want to be 300/4 by stumps
Since Head in the First Test too many have got a start & not gone on
Reprieve for Khawaja but losing Smith on the morning of the Test is a blow
Green under a lot of pressure from Webster who has been excellent when he played & Inglis needs to do a lot more if he is ever going to be more than a stop gap player

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

Eerie
"we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts".
which hearts do you refer too ?..
All I see is a desperate bunch of losers

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

The skippers Durham mate
Nepotism  at it's finest

The Jamaican has decided to  pull his weight  for an hour ..fair play .. ..give him a British Passport  I say ..oh  

[Massive Attack]

And another by Archer!  

[Massive Attack]

1st great ball from Archer after lunch! Excellent start.  

Now for another...

[southbankbornnbred]

This has already got disaster written all over it.

Not the lack of an early wicket - more importantly the fact that England are STILL persevering with their short-pitched drivel.

The definition of insanity…

[southbankbornnbred]

Carse is pitching far too short - yet again.

Pitch it up, you stupid cսnt!

[Eerie Decent]

The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

[Westham67]

We'll be batting last against Nathan Lyon.
He has 63 wickets at 25 in Adelaide.

 

It will be interesting to see how this England team bats in run chase mode

[zebthecat]

We'll be batting last against Nathan Lyon.
He has 63 wickets at 25 in Adelaide.

[southbankbornnbred]

Not holding out much hope. The pitch most likely to turn from day 3 and we haven’t really got a frontline spinner. Bet Leach would bowl well in Adelaide.

Baaaaaaaaaz!
[Waves giant plastic foam hand]

[zebthecat]

The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson

As ever with England when the batting fails repeatedly they drop a a bowler of course. 

Reminds me when I played Club Cricket...always stated the batting was the 'strength' and was always the bowlers that got moved about when the team kept getting rolled for under 200.

For some reason, batters get reputations that last for games and series upon series, bowlers get cut after one hit and miss game. 

I was a bowler as well, started as a quick but ended up being brisk medium swing and seam, but my club was usually scabblling to get teams on the pitch but the batters always had the upper hand and were always the captain - bastards
Who cares if you almost kill yourself bowling 14 overs on the trot uphill.

[stubbo-admin]

The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson

As ever with England when the batting fails repeatedly they drop a a bowler of course. 

Reminds me when I played Club Cricket...always stated the batting was the 'strength' and was always the bowlers that got moved about when the team kept getting rolled for under 200.

For some reason, batters get reputations that last for games and series upon series, bowlers get cut after one hit and miss game.