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.

[Fauxstralian]

I suspect the list of teams where someone has chased the highest score in the match in the 4th innings is relatively short but least Australia have given themselves some sort of chance

Joe Root closing on that century in Australia
Only 92 more needed with possibly 8 more innings 

[stubbo-admin]

2.5 day test. No one getting over 200. England's innings both times done in less than half a day.

Not exactly a great advert for the format or the quality of the pugilists on show...Root wont be breaking his century duck in Oz in those kind of circumstances.

[Massive Attack]

I don't think the convicts deserve to win it either after their display on home soil. Our bowling has looked in great nick if not our batting which I'd cut them a bit of slack considering it's the opening test out there with so much pressure to perform with some Ashes debuts. Just concentrate on nailing the bowling again then we should be able to manage this.

[only1billybonds]

Well at least we have a target to defend but we should never be in this position. If we somehow win this, it'll be the most undeserved get out of jail card in test history.

[Massive Attack]

He's been brilliant old Starc but that was a very costly over of 16 including 2 6s. And in the context of the rest of the test that's a timely decent 50 partnership by Atkinson/Carse judt when we needed it most. Gritty performance by them. 200 runs up, now for Archer.

[Takashi Miike]

golden tale, minge starc getting bashed 

[Massive Attack]

Based on the evidence that weren't out. Over 5 ficking minutes to decide on something so inconclusive. Barmy Army are losing their shit. These 2 have got to start swinging now..

[Massive Attack]

Come on Smithy son, keep plugging away with hopefully a bit of support from both Atkinson and Carse. Every run matters on this wicket where both teams have struggled to get to grips with it. We're capable of skittling them out again just as long as we can rack up some more runs. 

[only1billybonds]

Some of the shot selection defies description. Immature, irresponsible, reckless? Who knows but with 3 and a half days ( at the time) to go and a lead of 100 for the loss of 1 wicket., to be where we are right now is unforgivable!

[onsideman]

Yep, you're right, especially when they'll also likely be facing Cummins and Hazelwood going forward

[only1billybonds]

England throwing this away now. Got the lead of 100 for the loss of just Crawley, now 76-5, 116 in front. In fairness to Crawley, he went for a spectacular c&b by Starc but that aside, the wickets have been taken against shots that didn't need playing. Smith and Stokes really have to dig in now, to lose this after being in such a healthy position could fuck them mentally for the rest of the tour.

[onsideman]

65-1 to 76-5 is just rank bad batting

[onsideman]

17 wickets shouldn't be falling on the first day of a test wicket. It's clearly a joke of a pitch. Counties would be fined and docked points for preparing such shocker. Let's hope the chests are too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 9n40wyzvxo

Moron

[twoleftfeet]

I despair.

[BRANDED]

Pretty rubbish test cricket but if you like the Hundred fucking boring day’s cricket.

lets hoe tomorrow is more exciting
 

[stubbo-admin]

Would be a bad time to have flown half way around the world with a Day 4 ticket!

[Eerie Decent]

I'm with the geographical orphan Sven.

Love a spicy pitch, proper exciting to watch, however, they had 1 top bowler, so we should be doing so much better with the bat. Crawley has to be the luckiest Test batsman in history.

Our bowlers have put down an early marker, the cheater Smith is obviously top drawer but he looked like a rabbit in headlights, very strange.

Let's hope the series carries on in this fashion, will be sensational. 

[Come On You Irons]

17 wickets shouldn't be falling on the first day of a test wicket. It's clearly a joke of a pitch. Counties would be fined and docked points for preparing such shocker. Let's hope the chests are too.

[Lee Trundle]

Surrey and WHU.  Can't get any better.

[violator]

Somerset would have had a visit from the pitch nazis and a points deduction....not that i'm wearing a foil hat or anything...

[Fauxstralian]

Isn’t this what a Test wicket should be?
Some pace & movement on the first day for the fast bowlers
Flattens a bit on day 2 & 3 while quickening up so good players can score rapidly 
Starts to wear on days 4 & 5 so the spinners have something to work with

All facets of the game involved
Just requires some technique & patience on day 1
Lacking on both sides which means barring catastrophic weather (hello Sydney) there will be 5 results 

[Swiss.]

I'm not sure the wicket was fixed as such . If anything its back to a typical Perth wicket. Quick and bouncy. For sure it nullifies bazball. 

Imagine if the Aussies had Cummins and Hazelwood in their line up. Would we have even made 174. 

[only1billybonds]

A lead of almost 50 going into 2nd innings could be crucial in the context of a low scoring game.

[fraser]

Archer and Atkinson laid the groundwork with their superb opening spell. 

[Fauxstralian]

Haven’t seen it but presume it’s a pitch with some pace , bounce & movement which coupled with some good bowlers exposes the t20 technique of a lot of modern players
Usually Perth speeds up but is less helpful so Day 3 is best for batting … if we get that far
Dont think it’s that hot so wicket won’t crack late on …. Though that’s even less likely to be an issue
A one innings match with a 50 run lead/deficit