Bit of a shock to see England lose that Test at The Oval yesterday. Complacency? I had them pencilled in for a 6-0 Test summer as did probably everyone else.
I love reading the comments on the BBC website. They seem to get twice as many comments when England lose
Australia did exactly the same thing when they got beaten by the Windies in the last Australian summer at, of all places, the "fortress" Gabba. It happens
Moving onto some T20Is between England and Australia this week. With Warner and Smith gone from T20Is, I can start watching them again.
I lived more than half of my 71 years in Western Australia so to see 7 blokes who came through the WA system play against Scotland
on Sunday had me quite chuffed.
Numbers 3-9 on the batting list
Marsh M. (C)
Cameron Green
Tim David
Aaron Hardie
Marcus Stoinis
Josh Inglis
Cooper Connolly
With our man Mitch as captain, the likes of Green & Hardie are getting more opportunities with both the bat & ball. Hardie opened the bowling on Sunday for example. These guys are genuine allrounders.
The plan is to get Hardie into the Australian Test team along side Mitch and Green and another Western Australian fast bowler in Lance Morris (AKA "Wild Thing"). Inglis to replace Carey as WK too. Bazza's wet dream.
The problem of course is the NSW Test bowling cartel of Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood & Lyon. Nothing will change whilst they are still around
England has made changes to their Test lineup this year. About time that Australia did the same.
Anyway, let's see how they go against the Poms on Thursday. A different kettle of fish to Scotland but my fingers are crossed.
