http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/38295335
First warm up game start this weekend

Words have started
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-31/ashes-england-raises-doubts-about-australian-pat-cummins/9105200?section=sport
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-31/ashes-adam-gilchrist-says-wicketkeeper-needs-an-extended-run/9102130?section=sport

No sign of Ben Stokes over here but Australia is unsettled and not quite firing here. Time difference doesn’t seem to be so good for you guys up north for some of these ones

Im trying to work out how much of this I’ll see. I’m usually up 5am UK time so I’ll get a few hours. Or am I being a ‘drongo’

It’s all on BT sport isn’t it?

Time Zone Planner
This should tell you the times, 5am should get you the end of the evening session

Pat Cummins is a potential world-beater.

But you cant take wickets from the physio’s couch.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-04/sheffield-shield-ashes-wrap-england/9119322?section=sport
Well the questions for Australia are about Number 6 and Keeper, nobody is showing any form really as keeper so I reckon that one might rotate during the series.
Cook and Root graciously allowing the other lads to have a knock out there in WA? Nice to see some of them get some runs on the board

Aussie are nowhere near as threatening as a lot of the English doomsayers would have you believe. Their ‘Jack Russell’ option (supposedly pure keeper that can’t bat) is Nevill. And he’s not actually a very good keeper. Wade, on the other hand is hopeless with the gloves and is pretty dubious with the bat at test level. I’ve heard of batsmen who are decent slip fielders being converted to keepers, but I wouldn’t trust Wade to catch dollies at Mid Off.

I really hope the runs for Stoneman, Malian, Ballance and Vince at indicative of a team spirit and form coming together.

I’m looking forward to this series. I think it’s very hard to predict.

England have a core of 6 players – all top performers (Stokes would make it 7). The rest are unproven and well who knows…. If a couple of them have a great tour, England could be very good. Alternatively, if they all fail, England could be very poor.

Not really sure on Australia but I think they’re similar

Opportunity knocks for someone

Hazlewood makes light work of middle order contenders

Do you want the good news or the bad news?

The start to the Sheffield Shield season offers Australia’s Test hopefuls the chance to battle for a handful of vacant spots — here’s how the stage is set.
The good news is Josh Hazlewood is looking in mint condition ahead of the first Test, tearing through the WA top order early on day two.

The bad news? Hazlewood’s brilliance came at the expense of three players who would consider themselves contenders for the number six spot against England in Brisbane.

Hilton Cartwright, the favourite for that spot, was LBW for a duck, Shaun Marsh was caught behind for 2 and Mitchell Marsh was bowled for nothing. Not ideal.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-05/hazlewood-makes-light-work-of-australias-test-hopefuls/9120604
It’s safe to say they are not brimming with confidence down here…
Some bits are firing well others are not quite working