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.

[only1billybonds]

Brook gone. 127-5.

Apart from the score, we are giving our bowlers no chance with these 60 over innings. On this wicket,the bowlers had every right to expect not to be working again today. We really do need to still be battingcat stumps.

[Westham67]

Root gone 71 for 4

[Massive Attack]

Root and Brook have got to somehow battle and hold on longing this out, otherwise it's goodnight Vienna. 

[only1billybonds]

There are no words left to describe Pope, fucking shocking. Not much Duckett could do with a brilliant ball from Lyon. We are in a hole, Brook and Root have got some digging to do.

[Massive Attack]

Lyon doing what he does best. 

[Westham67]

Bazball judgment today

[Ron Eff]

The Broad situation is totally different. They had used their reviews, so you’re relying on an umpires decision. Their fault for using reviews poorly. If that were the case here, I’d have no complaints. Instead it was reviewed, showed a clear noise, everyone could tell there had been some error with the tech, yet he still didn’t walk and nobody thought to ask questions of what the fuck that noise and spike was then. 

A manual operator selecting the wrong stump mic isn’t really acceptable as an excuse is it? Integrity surely has to be called into question.

You’d think these cunts would want to be squeaky clean after their sandpaper incident. Instead they court controversy. 
 

[zebthecat]

The aussies have had wicket keepers who could bat as their all rounder.
Adam Gilchrist was a game changer but they have decent ones since I can remember (Rod Marsh).
I also remember many forlorn years of searching for the next Botham - Derek Pringle anyone?

[Takashi Miike]

In terms of all rounders Botham is Englands no1 with Stokes & Flintoff further back
Having a decent all rounder is like having 12 players 
Australia haven’t had one of quality since the likes of Richie Benaud & Keith Miller

Havent seen the incident where Carey supposedly nicked a ball.
Was the pinhead Stuart Broad on commentary?


 

Supposedly nicked a ball? 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/videos/ckg9xr4dklpo

the cսnt's middle name is Disingenuous

[Far Cough UKunt]

Yep I saw the snick which didn't match up to where the bat was. 

As Blackadder would say, something is fishy going on here and I don't mean the contents of Baldrick's trousers.

[Eerie Decent]

Because they are innate cheats.

[fraser]

They used the wrong stump mic, something was clearly dodgy so why not double check toake sure. 

[Ron Eff]

I’m not pointing any fingers, and also not that bothered if a player walks or not - in the heat of battle, I’d like us to stand, but…

All I’m saying is, a country that uses a completely different snicko technology to the rest of the cricketing world, a country not exactly renowned for their honesty in integrity in the sport, isn’t it so very convenient that there was an operator error, presumably by an Aussie(?), for an Aussie batsmen going well in his 70’s? Very convenient indeed, some might say.

Poor from the umpires for not asking more about the noise pre the contact. Despite my comment above, poor from a batsman who knew he hit it, and acknowledges he knew he did pre and post seeing the snicko. But are we surprised? Not a bit. 

[fraser]

In terms of all rounders Botham is Englands no1 with Stokes & Flintoff further back
Having a decent all rounder is like having 12 players 
Australia haven’t had one of quality since the likes of Richie Benaud & Keith Miller

Havent seen the incident where Carey supposedly nicked a ball.
Was the pinhead Stuart Broad on commentary?

 

Supposedly nicked a ball? 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/videos/ckg9xr4dklpo

[violator]

Having a decent all rounder is like having 12 players 
Australia haven’t had one of quality since the likes of Richie Benaud & Keith Miller


 

I dunno, Steve Waugh weren't too shabby

[Fauxstralian]

In terms of all rounders Botham is Englands no1 with Stokes & Flintoff further back
Having a decent all rounder is like having 12 players 
Australia haven’t had one of quality since the likes of Richie Benaud & Keith Miller

Havent seen the incident where Carey supposedly nicked a ball.
Was the pinhead Stuart Broad on commentary?
 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Yeah I mean in the way Botham carried the team sometimes by sheer willpower.

[Eerie Decent]

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

Simon Hughes had Stokes down as England's best Test cricketer of all time.

I get that he contributes with bat and ball, but thought that was quite a stretch.

[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.