[bazzap]

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

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

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

[ferocious]

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

[bazzap]

Originally Posted by ferocious

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

[Frankie]

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.

[bazzap]

Originally Posted by Frankie

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.

I reckon that your lot are going to do a phoenix and rise from the ashes.(pun intended ) 200 odd to get tomorrow. Then go on and win the Ashes.

Same as the World Cup final. Virtually gone but still found a way to win it. A huge summer for English cricket.


This is not a very good Australian Test team. Bowlers are doing their job but the batting (other than Smith and the Saffer) has been abysmal. When Mitch Marsh is the next in line to be selected, then you know that you are in trouble.

Nearly 0200 here and I can't sleep. Feeling all doom and gloomish.







Hang on. Not all bad. QPR had a win. If they can win, then any team, anywhere, can win.



C'mon Aussie Come On

[bazzap]

And then I just read this.

Crikey!!! It just goes to prove that anything is possible (other than me backing a long priced winner )

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by bazzap

I reckon that your lot are going to do a phoenix and rise from the ashes.(pun intended ) 200 odd to get tomorrow. Then go on and win the Ashes.

Same as the World Cup final. Virtually gone but still found a way to win it. A huge summer for English cricket.


This is not a very good Australian Test team. Bowlers are doing their job but the batting (other than Smith and the Saffer) has been abysmal. When Mitch Marsh is the next in line to be selected, then you know that you are in trouble.

Nearly 0200 here and I can't sleep. Feeling all doom and gloomish.







Hang on. Not all bad. QPR had a win. If they can win, then any team, anywhere, can win.



C'mon Aussie Come On

I think both teams are quite evenly matched. Most of the batting is poor but the bowlers drag the teams along. Anyway the Series is still alive and there for the taking.

[ferocious]

Agreed frankie we could cut our test matches to 4 days and still have a result each test
Roy is the scapegoat to save other players averages IMO

[kuranda_bagman]

Hey Bazza keep in mind most of the big US stars did not play - Things may be a bit different at the forthcoming world cup - But then again a win is a win in any language.

[ferocious]

I’ve just read Denly is opening and Jason Roy is batting number 4