The major worry for me about England’s batting is that four of the top six, namely Cook, Trott, Pietersen and Bairstow, are all bottom hand billies to varying extents. Playing in this way reduces the hitting point to a fraction of what it is when playing properly straight.

Boycs May be becoming the next Fred Trueman when it comes to commentary, but he still knows what he’s on about.

The major worry for me about England’s batting is that four of the top six, namely Cook, Trott, Pietersen and Bairstow, are all bottom hand billies to varying extents.

Trott is usually as safe as houses, and the Chef and KP are already amongst the best test batsmen England has ever fielded, so I’m not too concerned about them. Bairstow is young, and has yet to impress me (or instil confidence when the top four have fallen over cheaply). But, I don’t know anything about him from county, so assuming he’s been picked on the back of a decent record there, he should be given a chance to prove himself.

Predictions for England’s 2nd innings score?

It’s 234/5 with the Aussies sure to hit hard this morning and a new ball on the way.

On the other hand, Bell* and England’s tail have the ability to get another 100, maybe more.

So – I’m going for 308 ao

Any other predictions?

* whom I shall no longer call ‘Ian Bellend’ after this series.

* whom I shall no longer call ‘Ian Bellend’ after this series.

I’ve called him a few names over the years. But I think that’s in frustration – he’s so obviously gifted, and a joy to watch, then would get himself out doing something stupid. It’s great to see him getting the runs when they really matter.

Anyway, I suspect a lead of 250 would be enough, 300 would be nailed on.

he’s so obviously gifted, and a joy to watch, then would get himself out doing something stupid

+1

Great techique, but his mind’s not always been this strong. Echoes of Ramprakash, I always thought. It’s lovely to be proved wrong.

Great techique, but his mind’s not always been this strong. Echoes of Ramprakash, I always thought. It’s lovely to be proved wrong.

Apparently, since he came back in 2009 after being dropped, he averages 55. Not bad!

ooof

twice

ARGH!

blimey that’s some variable bounce !

Dang, that chap Harris can bowl. 😡

Prior off form again. Anyone remember when he was actually a pretty good batsman?

That’s a pity. I was enjoying that…

Dang, that chap Harris can bowl.

He can, but (usually) fortunately for his opposition, his arm falls off sooner or later

the ball is flying to all parts at other end !

what a shot !!!

lead up to 270

On this pitch, whats’s the minimum lead to defend with confidence?

I’m thinking 300 would just about do it.

😯 at that Bresnan shot! What a reply!!!

But wag wag wag goes the tail.

250ish might have been defendable. 300 if we carry this momentum into the bowling should do it quite nicely.

Don’t forget Lyon is no Swanny

I guess it’s about now that Bresnan begins to worry too much about his 50?

Give ’em hell, Brezzers!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Darn!

Really need 350 ish lead IMO.

Smith’s just dropped the Ashes?

Oh…..

😆

Go on Swanny 🙂

299 the target…

Not bad, all considered.

Someone – fire up the JIMMINATOR!

15 mins for broad and Jimmy to really tear in. I think it’ll be broad’s performance that will make or break here – if the pitch is playing up with his height and bounce (or lack of, which is just as dangerous when you expect it to bounce) he could be very tough to play. Then when the ball softens, bres and Jimmy to keep it tight while swanny wraps it up.

I can’t help thinking Cook has been reading Clarke’s book on how not to use reviews…

And that we needed a wicket with that new ball before lunch

This is beautifully poised.

A century from an Aussie wins them the game. An early breakthrough and any kind of collapse hands it to us.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Australia might just edge this.

From the Beeb text…

This reminds me of the formula to find your West Indies cricketer name: US president at time of birth + last British seaside town visited.

Nixon Stanley *

* Last seaside town I visited was Stanley, in HK. Seeing as it used to be British, I’ll include that! 🙂

I agree.

But hopefully we’ll pounce for a couple at least with the new ball. Then things will be really interesting.

Nixon Stanley *

Ford Beaumaris – that’s got a nice ring to it!

Now, the question is – is Cook sufficiently defensive to be thinking already: “suh-weet, rain, that’ll save the test”?

Ford Beaumaris

Left arm spinner, IIRC. Lovely, jaunty run in, flighty deliveries.

Left arm spinner, IIRC. Lovely, jaunty run in, flighty deliveries.

More than adequate with the old willow, too – the dogged 37no made on a scrubby turning pitch, WI vs NZ, Wellington, ’73, being a defining career highlight.

Have you seen Nixon Stanley’s economy rate? 😯 Controversy aside, it’s no wonder he was dropped.

Nixon Stanley *

A Nixon Hampton over here! 😀 I field in the slips man, wid no hands

A nice bit of rain now to get the ball moving sideways, a few showers to break the batsmen’s concentration…

Nixon Bude.

Never the most flowing batsman, a bit of a bottom hand Billy if the truth be told, but on his day could bring the bowlers to their knees, including one memorable moment when the bowler asked the umpire to check if his blade was within the allowed limit.

Along with Truman Ramsgate, formed a formidable opening partnership for the Windies despite not actually being on speaking terms, after an incident following a ODI in Port of Spain involving a tin of pineapple rings, served up in a ‘look no hands’ style.

All you Nixons are making my Ford Beaumaris feel young and spry, but I’m sure it won’t last… that intolerable young whippersnapper Clinton Croyde (best: 6/37 vs India, Trinidad, 2001) will be along any minute now. 👿

Few options for me:

Regan Adelaide – for the same reason as CFH in that Oz used to be part of Britain, perhaps.

Regan St Peter Port – doesn’t really work, but geographically the last British seaside town I was in, even if it’s not technically the UK

Regan Rhoscolyn – Has a ring to it, but not sure this works with Welsh place names

Which leaves:

Regan ‘Bing’ Crosby – somewhat prone to outbursts of singing to sledge the opposition

Carter Whitby.

Absolutley useless wicket keeper.

In full, mine becomes a right mouthful: Lyndon B Johnson Burton Bradstock. However, with a bit of tweaking we could have:

Johnson Bradstock or
Lyndon B Bradstock

Whichever way you look at it – likely to be useless! 🙂