When Wade first came on the scene at International level he seemed to be a good stumper and a handy bat. Then things went tits up. Remember him signing for Warwickshire and he ended up as their 3rd choice keeper. Thought then his days were up, but he's forced himself back into the International set up. Fair play to the bloke.

Well the Aussies are in control now. Best England can hope for is a draw. Didn't think much of Paines tactics, batted too long and the field wasn't all out attack when England faced the last few overs before stumps. Should have had the whole team around the bat.

Was interesting to see the wicket was prepared for Ali to take advantage of, which he was unable to do, and now looks like it will bite them on the ass with England batting last and Lyon already taking advantage of it in the 7 overs before stumps. 397 is a big ask on that wicket!

2 main points for me are smith’s batting and us being a bowler down and our best bowler at that
We’ll do very well to get a draw out of this

No argument from anyone, including me, that losing Anderson was a huge loss to England. Interestingly though that in Smith's previous two Ashes tours in England (2013 & 2015), he was dismissed 17 times in Tests but only once by Anderson which was in the first innings of the First Test in 2013.


One could argue that even if Anderson had bowled the full Test at Edgbaston he probably would not have got Smith out but he most certainly would have taken wickets and Australia would not have amassed the scores that they eventually achieved. All conjecture of course but an interesting discussion.


So onto Lords, we go. I hope Australia does not tinker with a winning team but they probably will. If I had my way, the Newlands 3 would not be playing but that is not going to happen. Warner and Bancroft need to get decent starts and Wade needs to be consistent.


I hope England win the toss and bat first coz the last time they did that at Lords on a Wednesday (last month) they were all out for 85!! They did go on and win the Test though as we know.


I might even watch a bit of it


:toot:

Moeen v. Lyon is/was no contest. Moeen seems to have lost all confidence and needs to be dropped for the next Test.

The Poms are gunna try Leach now

Should give Rashid a go. Although he does have the habit of getting carted. Doesn't seem that keen on Test cricket, but that may be more to do with the selectors.

This Australian batting lineup is performing horrendously. Other than Smith of course. Time for some changes. IMHO


The two useless cheating cunts at the top of the order? GONE :out:

Wade has failed 3 out of 4 innings. He ain't a Test batsman GONE :out:

Time to move the Paki up to open with the reinstated Harris and bring in the South African whose name I can't spell or even pronounce. Bring in Carey as a batsman from county cricket. Rest Siddle, get rid of Hazlewood. Starc and Pattinson would add potency to the attack to match Archer


Assuming Smith is fit, this is the eleven for Headingley


Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Labuschagne
Carey
Paine
Starc
Cummins
Pattinson
Lyon


Of course, it won't happen but it should :angryold:

You got close with that line up Baz. Not that it matters as once England "scored" 67 the Test/Ashes are now yours. In fact you should declare now (Friday night) then you can bowl England out tomorrow morning. Then we can all fuck off and find something more worthwhile to do.

To say the England batting was shambolic isn't anywhere near to the truth. What the fuck Roy is doing opening is anybody's guess. He usually bats at 5 for Surrey in the CC, how he is expected to open in Test match cricket is beyond me. The ECB have little time for the CC as its not a money spinner, so they just mess about with it. Consequently there are now very few batsmen in England capable of compiling an innings. All they currently do is play one day shots. Except the red ball moves more than the white and the fields set are far more attacking, but nobody seems to have thought about that. I suppose its entertaining in its own way, as well as acutely embarrassing.