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.

[BerlingtonBertie]

Shitters - mentally weak as always bar a fee players. 

[fraser]

Just woke up same old predictable shit

[Massive Attack]

Vintage Starc but we've settled down a bit now, hopefully keep this up and stay focused with the Pope/Brook partnership continuing to build. Would be nice to get a healthy lead before Stokes comes in.

[Ron Eff]

He was desperate to get off the mark leading to a terrible shot choice, which he does have in him. Annoying. Long way to go!

[only1billybonds]

Crawley ffs.

0-1.

[only1billybonds]

England win toss and will bat.

Anyone else watching live ?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

No
Im in Perth next March/April
Might catch WA in the Sheffield Shield final again & a bit of AFL
Optus Stadium (or Perth Stadium as it has to be referred to due to conflicting cricket sponsors) really is an excellent venue
For all the nostalgia about the WACA it was a pretty brutal place to watch cricket if you were out in the sun
Almost been fully redeveloped with more shade. And a swimming pool. Will be used for Tests against other than England & India plus Shield cricket

A swimming pool...what the fuck is that about..?

For the cunts just there for the occasion and zero interest in the actual event?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

I predict the Aussies will be batting first whoever wins the toss. 

Our top order is a worry. If the top 3 can at least scratch together 80 odd runs with Root, Brook and Stokes to follow with some full on bazz ball we can get big scores. If they keep fit our pace attack should be enough. Look what Bumrah did. 

Gotta win in Perth. I'll doubt it will be a draw. 

I cannot see any of England's top order being disciplined enough to  stick around long enough..
Can you imagine Crawley/Duckett/Pope knuckling down like Strauss/Trott in 2011?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

We have to win the first test to stand any chance.
England has a very fragile bowling attack and if Stokes injures himself and can't bowl then that is that.
Same could be said of Cameron Green breaking down.
How Shoaib Bashir is anywhere near this is baffling. He is Somerset's third string spiinner and was demolished in the warm up match with the England Lions as was Joe Root.
Nathan Lyon could be the difference if any wickets take spin.

The pakistani is now county -less.
Yes he's that shite

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

The pakistani ticks boxes ...has to be that  ...because he's fuckin shit.
England have too many flakey players to succeed in Australia .
3- 1 series standard win for the convicts ..
England will likely gain their consolation win at the   MCG or SCG..as we always do.
 

[zebthecat]

We have to win the first test to stand any chance.
England has a very fragile bowling attack and if Stokes injures himself and can't bowl then that is that.
Same could be said of Cameron Green breaking down.
How Shoaib Bashir is anywhere near this is baffling. He is Somerset's third string spiinner and was demolished in the warm up match with the England Lions as was Joe Root.
Nathan Lyon could be the difference if any wickets take spin.

[only1billybonds]

Never got to the WACA but been to the Optus a couple of times and yes, its a cracking venue. My Mrs wants a Xmas with her grandsons in Melbourne so looking at the 2029 boxing day test.
Long way off but its somethig for us to thin about/save up for.

[Fauxstralian]

No
Im in Perth next March/April
Might catch WA in the Sheffield Shield final again & a bit of AFL
Optus Stadium (or Perth Stadium as it has to be referred to due to conflicting cricket sponsors) really is an excellent venue
For all the nostalgia about the WACA it was a pretty brutal place to watch cricket if you were out in the sun
Almost been fully redeveloped with more shade. And a swimming pool. Will be used for Tests against other than England & India plus Shield cricket

[Jericho]

You going over for any tests Sven ?

[Fauxstralian]

With Bazball every chance England will be 60/0 off 5 overs
Or 80/7 off 7 overs
Think Australia made a mistake in the 2023 Ashes of trying to defend against it with men on the boundary too early
In Australia they are better off with a couple out (third man & deep square leg) but with 4 slips & a gully early

[Swiss.]

Stokes batting second tactic in England is based on preparing pitches that last about 7 days so the lack of a spinner and the threat on days 4 & 5 from the oppositions spinner is negated
60m boundaries on Englands tiny grounds also helps quick scoring & mishits going for 6
If you win the toss at Perth bat first 

Australian team announced and is as expected 
Wetherald Khawaja Labuschagne Smith Head Green Carey Starc Lyon Boland Doggett

Webster very unlucky to miss out as an allrounder now that Green is fit to bowl

Agreed bazball on the harder, bouncier , faster Aussie wickets could be disaster. 

The MCG is long square at 86m but the next SCG is not that much longer than Lords and The Oval. 

[Fauxstralian]

Stokes batting second tactic in England is based on preparing pitches that last about 7 days so the lack of a spinner and the threat on days 4 & 5 from the oppositions spinner is negated
60m boundaries on Englands tiny grounds also helps quick scoring & mishits going for 6
If you win the toss at Perth bat first 

Australian team announced and is as expected 
Wetherald Khawaja Labuschagne Smith Head Green Carey Starc Lyon Boland Doggett

Webster very unlucky to miss out as an allrounder now that Green is fit to bowl

[Swiss.]

I predict the Aussies will be batting first whoever wins the toss. 

Our top order is a worry. If the top 3 can at least scratch together 80 odd runs with Root, Brook and Stokes to follow with some full on bazz ball we can get big scores. If they keep fit our pace attack should be enough. Look what Bumrah did. 

Gotta win in Perth. I'll doubt it will be a draw. 

[Bowener]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/crick ... perth.html
 

[Fauxstralian]

Understand the last 3 or 4 years has seen the Kookaburra have a more prominent seam & an extra coat of lacquer 
Has meant it swings more & for longer
Bumrah seemed to like it last summer
India won the First Test at Perth comfortably but then faded to lose 3-1
Run scoring has been down in recent series

Yes, England dispensed with the MCC name
Tour games are now played as ‘England XI’
Thats how they appeared v the Lions last week and will in a 2 day pink ball game v Prime Minister’s XI before the 2nd Test

[Swiss.]

I heard that the kookaburra ball has changed and is more similar to the Duke ball now with a bigger seam. Is that true. I heard it was because they weren't getting enough results in the Sheffield Shield games. We should have taken Jimmy again for one last trip. 

[Swiss.]

They played as MCC of course
As Australia played county teams as The Australians or some such
Think I saw the Western Australia v MCC game
Basically a full strength WA team probably leaving out Rod Marsh & Lillee
Enough of a line up beat the TOURISTS I’d expect

I think they dropped the MCC name in the 80s. 

Gotta remember we play a lot more tests a year now, 

[Fauxstralian]

They played as MCC of course
As Australia played county teams as The Australians or some such
Think I saw the Western Australia v MCC game
Basically a full strength WA team probably leaving out Rod Marsh & Lillee
Enough of a line up beat the TOURISTS I’d expect

[Swiss.]

Not sure when the condensed nature of tours kicked in so that England (& Australia in England) stopped playing against state (& county) teams. Maybe 20 plus years?

When tours were longer warm up games & games in the gaps between Tests were played
For example before the First Test in 1974/75 England under Mike Denness played:
South Australia Country
South Australia 
Victoria Country
Victoria
ACT
NSW
Queensland Country
Queensland
South East Queensland 

After the First Test they played
Western Australia 
Western Australia Country
South Australia
Tasmania (twice, Tasmania weren’t yet a Sheffield Shield team)
NSW
Northern NSW
New Zealand (limited overs game)

England were in Australia from late October to mid February & lost the Test series 4~1

 

In 1975/75 "'England"  didn't play South Australia  or any of those teams.

Big clue there. 

[only1billybonds]

Not quite boring enough for you to ignore my post tho.