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I’m intrigued by this series. Can see Aussie bowling attack tearing England apart but on the other hand they’ll not have faced a side batting so aggressively. Also Steve bloody Smith seems back in touch.
I am not optimistic about this series, TBH.
Bazball might become a spiralling spitfire plummeting towards the ground in flames.
I think England might whack Boland around a bit more than he is used to, but I think Starc and Cummins both have the smarts to adapt.
Time will tell. It is difficult to envisage any draws unless the weather has a say.
Perhaps they have another trick up their sleeves and they’re going to play the slowest, grimmest grind-athon test cricket ever. Block block block sneak a run block. Make the Aussies bowl and field for days at a time.
I wouldn’t put it past them to just shake it up for shits and giggles. No one seems to be expecting it.
Right test starts tomorrow
My money is on who ever bowls first will take it .
Friday sunny
Saturday very overcast. (Swing)
Sunday washed out.
Monday bit better.
Tuesday non starter.
This all depends on early wickets Friday.
I’ve been offered a ticket for Sunday (at face value) but can’t make it. Blimmin Father’s Day!
Weather is bad rain most of the day sadly
Duckett and Crawley have to show some stickability in the middle and set up the middle order, but I fear the Aussies will send them and a few others back to the hutch all too soon. Hope I’m wrong as this could be a ripper of a series if we somehow continue Bazball mode.
Saw the Guardian article about the cost of tickets for one day of test cricket. 190 of your British pounds W0w!
I remember paying 40 quid for a day at Trent Bridge around 2001 v South Africa.
Watching cricket in NZ is pretty good value I saw England here in February (in Tauranga and in Wellington)
for $35 (you could buy 5 day passes for $110).
What are your predictions for how the series will go? I get to see the the Australians a lot over here in NZ and you do get totally brainwashed by their confidence and attitude of invincibilty. With this in mind I'd love to see England win overall but can't see it (I'm psychologically intimidated by Australia and their media). I think 3-1 to Australia
England win toss and bat.
The ticket I was offered was £125!
i am ridiculously excited, and shitting myself in equal measure...... will Bazball get found out.
And ooooh! Sir Alastair - man crush!!
Aggers, Jim Maxwell, Ebs on comms. The buzz of the crowd in the background. Pics of the sunny ground coming in.
Summers has started and I bloody love it.
Behave Zak.
england rattling along @ 5 an over aussies put sweepers out so now it's chip and run 🙂
think england are going for their favourite 350 all out by the end of day 1
^Having been 310-4
I think Erasmus must be blind
So that final delivery swings the morning session in favour of the Aussies. Eng scored runs as expected and Aus took wickets as expected. But Crawley giving his away provides the latter with momentum and Aus will believe they can be batting before COP.
Brian Bilston on Twitter
Border, Bairstow, Boon & Botham,
Bradman, Broad and Brearley:
Speaking words of Wisden,
Letter B.
But Crawley giving his away
I was in the car so hadn't seen it until now; you've got a harsh view of giving your wicket away!
Yup - probably the only deviating ball of the morning.
Well, that’s irritating
Key partnership this. Can JB get going? Root is just class. Another wicket and Aussies will be well on top.
Well, that’s irritating
Honestly, is Stokes' value as a player (rather than a captain) worth any more than a lot of low number dismissals and rash shots with the very occasional higher score.
Honestly, is Stokes’ value as a player (rather than a captain) worth any more than a lot of low number dismissals and rash shots with the very occasional higher score.
I was thinking that earlier.
Taking away the captaincy and "vibes" (which I know is a big part of what he brings to the party), given he seems unlikely to bowl much would the team be any weaker with Bairstow at 6 and Foakes at 7? Or Moeen at 7 (and captain) and another bowler?
Don't think Eng can afford to swap out Stokes for the very same reasons. However, if he fails to contribute to this series and Eng don't win, might he sit out the WI tour? Probably not. But if he once against fails in that then questions really will need to be asked.
Meanwhile, Eng probably have as much chance of reaching 400 today as they do of seeing the Aussies at the crease.
Oh mo
Crikey, bold move but i like it 😀
Bold move? Let’s see if it pays off!
[s]Dodge[/s]BazBall
WT a F
This makes no sense. Does it?
How many extra would you expect them to add for 9 and 10, vs the prospect of getting one or two tonight. Sure it's not the usual way to do it, but **** normal, this is Bazball!!!!
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(I can't make a gif work - It's Maximus asking 'Are you not entertained!?' )
perhaps they don't want the pitch rolled twice early tomorrow ? these evening 20 min session don't seem to work especially if you don't bowl the GOAT.
It's been a very interesting day. Sure, on paper a first innings total of 400 on a shirtfront of a pitch looks par at best, maybe a bit under even. On paper AUS would settle for it.
However - from practically the first over, AUS sent boundary riders back and that to me says they are scared of Bazball. Scared enough that they have a defensive counter tactic, that they don't want England to get away. AUS have never really needed to modify their game for others - sure you have plans for certain batsman in particular but approaching the game in a defensive mindset from the off is not the Aussie way.
And despite that they still went for 400 runs in a day.
In hindsight, in my opinion, daft to declare. Could have had 30 minutes swinging this morning, added 50 odd, got the crowd going, and annoyed the Aussies. Obviously if they’d got one out last night it was genius.
Can see Aussies piling on the runs, pitch is dead. Moeen will get treatment.
The declaration seemed like a bad idea 🤷♂️
Equally likely to have been all out last night though. And it definitely had a shot at working, aussies looked nervous.
Forecast isnt great with showers next 2 days according to Google so having 400 on the board and a quick bowl last night doesn't seem like the worst idea.
It's already rained this morning 😀
I've got your number mate 😀
Broad does it again
🙋♂️
'ave it !!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
And another
What a joy!
Plumb in front, given out on field, doesn't need to check with his partner because it can't possibly be out because I'm Steve Smith, I don't need to follow protocols.
Referral comes back with three reds - not even an umpire's call - and still he's shaking his head all the way off because despite all the evidence it just doesn't apply to me.
Steve Smith - the Boris Johnson of umpire referrals.
**** off, both of you.
I had to google what TMS was. 'Transcranial magnetic stimulation' well everyday is a school day.
I'm sorry, but if you don't know what TMS is instinctively, this thread is not for the likes of you 😉