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just watching the end of the 3rd ODI, what a beautiful keeper Sarah Taylor is. Brilliant generally and just taken a worldy leg side stumping.
I know it's tough to compare with the difference in pace, etc., but for sheer technique I don't think there's a better keeper in the world game currently. Men or women.
So, what do we make of the men's chances? Flakey batting yet again, but the d/n looks like it may make for nearly unplayable conditions around dusk if today's anything to go by: http://m.bbc.com/sport/cricket/41942690
That said, it was pretty much ideal swing bowling conditions here in Adelaide today.
PSA Henry Blofeld on Have I got news for you (on iplayer)
Also looks like Craig Overton is in for the first test
Craig’s bowling is still inconsistent, but would be v. unlucky not to show an improvement in his batting in the Townsville game... Not sure there are many other quicks available and in form.
I think Woakes will be the star of this tour. The whole Stokes Fiasco is such a shame. A middle order of Stokes , Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Overton is very strong.
I think Woakes will be the star of this tour. The whole Stokes Fiasco is such a shame. A middle order of Stokes , Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Overton is very strong.
Agreed. Woakes looks in pretty good form with bat and ball, and has the potential to be a genuine bowling all rounder. Personally, I'd play Foakes as keeper, shove Bairstow up the order and drop Vince. Bairstow/ Foakes/ Moeen/ Woakes/ Overton is very strong.
shove Bairstow up the order and drop Vince
That sounds promising and Vince certainly doesn't seem up to it, but I'd love to see him make runs. Problem is that shoves Root up to 3 which he doesn't seem to want to do and takes the gloves from Jonny. He seems to be comforted by being keeper, like it gives freedom to his batting. They are both too important to the team to have changes imposed at this point which may unsettle our two best batsmen, shame though.
That sounds promising and Vince certainly doesn't seem up to it, but I'd love to see him make runs.
If he'd been scoring a bucketload in the CC, I'd say that he deserves a run. But he's been nearly as rubbish there this season as he has been in the test side. Take your point about moving Root, but traditionally don't you play your best batsman at 3?
Shaun Marsh again! Bring the Paine!
This is why the Aussies don't worry me. Picking Paine is just plain weird. It might turn out to be the 'Peter Who' moment for the 2010s but more than likely it won't.
As for Shaun Marsh, he's another who wouldn't get into the England side, so happy days. Are they still picking his brother as the token allrounder who wouldn't get into their team as either a batsman or bowler?
don't you play your best batsman at 3?
That's the Aussie way, best player puffs out chest and in he goes. The English way seems to protect our best player. Thinking Root now, KP never came in at 3, Vaughan did the 3 slot but I bet his stats suffered as a result and was he ever our best batsman? Thorpe always at 5. Trott was the one who played it best, the only we time we "solved" the number 3 problem and we went and won the Ashes in Aus, coincidence?
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Oh yes!
Not a bad lineup. And Botham there to run out Boycott if he's being a bit slow 🙂
Gary Pratt sub fielder
😆
Denis Lillee and Geoffrey Boycott in the same team, ain't going to happen.
The real shame is our 3 should be James Taylor.
Steve Smith is by far and away Australia's best player but bats at 4.
Anyone else bemused by the bogan chat and talking themselves up? They do it every time, do they not know how stupid they look?
"Opening old wounds?"
How does all out for 60 sound? 😆
Good point James Taylor would slot into the batting lineup nicely.
Bit of a PSA I realised that TV coverage is on BT Sport. Wondered how you get legal access to this? I have plusnet broadband who are now part of BT and via the plusnet site was able to get the BT Sport app for £5 per month. Bargain price and I can cast it to my TV via chrome cast.
Can't wait to watch the first session in less than 48 hours time!
Just realised I get 3 months of BT sport app with EE 😀
BT Sport app won’t work overseas with a vpn.
It requires access to yourgps location.
Exciting finish in prospect in final game of Women's Ashes
Team announced [url= https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/517492?utm_campaign=997151_221117_Root_Interview&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Email_Supporters&utm_content=SquadAnnouncedCTA&email=0x6E563B496DD38B51684F2E45B215858057AE131DEA73AC7F05F9355F84403615&dm_i=2SX2,LDEN,NURBT,287MT,1 ]here[/url]
Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root, Malan, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Ball, Anderson
Surprised Ball instead of Overton, I think it's a hight/bounce thing.
It requires access to yourgps location.
There are a couple of GPS spoofers for android about.
It's going to be fast, bouncy and probably moving a lot in the first session. Batting first and getting to Lunch/0 is the key thing there. The aim for this one is survival. Tale the game to them in the day night in Adelaide and use the swing to get up on them.
For the Aussies it's all about intimidation at this point they need to make them scared to come out and bat.
If they get in England have the deeper batting order so getting a good score should be possible.
Losing the toss might be a good thing, sure we'd have to bat if we win it, but if there's pace n bounce around we're forced to bowl we could get into them early.
Losing the toss might be a good thing,
Local consensus says otherwise, if you want to [s]win[/s] draw you need to get a lead and not be batting last up there.
Even as a Brit out here put all thoughts of winning to bed right now
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=209;type=ground
Last team to win a test was WI in 88, there have only been 7 draws since then.
Australia using distinctly average Glenn Maxwell as cover for distinctly average Shaun Marsh(!) And David Warner.....
This is one of the hardest series for a long time to call. England go in without their star allrounder [s]Henry Cooper[/s] Ben Stokes, and with notable inexperience and dubious players in their batting line up. I am also very sceptical about Jake Ball - he's just a medium pace straight up and down trundler from what I've seen so far (at international level).
Australia go in at least one first-choice quick down, picking a clubbie as wicketkeeper and also with dubious players (who have been given extensive chances to make an impact) in their line up. When Aussies are getting in a tizz about the likes of Wade, Nevill and Ed Cowan not being picked you know they are scraping around to find eleven decent players.
On the James Taylor note - it is a massive shame. I know him (a little bit) and he is one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet. He's never been 'big time' in even the slightest way, always asks after family etc and hasn't changed in this regard through being an unbelievably talented youngster to a pro to an international player to an enforced retirement into punditry.
People still talk about the catch he took during a President's Day game at his old club (also my old club) - which he played in despite already being a full-time pro. Running full tilt along a boundary he stuck one hand out to take a skier that was going to plop a couple of feet over the rope. He took the catch without breaking stride and made it look like the easiest thing in the world.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-23/ashes-australia-sweats-on-david-warner-and-shaun-marsh-injuries/9182956
Just a couple of hours to go and still no Aussie team news. Either they are all sorted and playing games or it's going till the last minute. Not sure Warner or Marsh will like a long day in the field with niggles.
My wife thinks that I'm working late in my study, half true but the I wouldn't be in here if it wasn't for the Ashes 😀
Lol I'm starting late here... Just got the full online package chucked in with my phone plan so I can catch it on the go
Always stay up until lunch for the first Australian Ashes match. Predictions for the lunchtime score? I'm going 90-3.
Yeah England won the toss.
oh dear...
An exciting start
Well I'd say as expected one to go, got the TMS/ABC team in one ear, the TV on in front of me, obviously about 1 ball apart in timing
What would you take at lunch?
60-2?
Brissie? Something light probably a salad and a nice crisp Riesling. The beer just makes you want to piss a lot up there...
As far as England it's not a fast pitch so far so any score and no more wickets. Aussies don't have an all rounder to do some extra bowling so a long game suits England more.
Probably the advantage for England is there won't be as much footage and experience for some of the England guys to make plans for.
*Raises glass to blowers, retired but not forgotten
The beer just makes you want to piss a lot up there...
You're drinking the wrong beer...
There will be nothing in a public bar over piss weak at the Gaba today!!
There will be nothing in a public bar over piss weak at the Gaba today!!
And you think you'll get a nice riesling?!?
My bet would be to smuggle some of the local brew in:
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Only for lunch Zokes...
Could of had the first test down here in Hobart this week, though not normal Gaba conditions there, no fire and unpredictable movement so far. Not wanting to say it but these two look composed and calm there
You able to get to a match this time? We've tickets for all of the Adelaide test again.
No not managed, folks are over now so can't get out there, Optus has come through for the coverage though. Day/Night will be a very interesting game and should be good fun too, might go for the 20/20 down here though
I'll take that!
Now it's back to waking with trepidation tomorrow morning!!
Yep good first session, solid work by the 2 lads there, important thing is the work being done by the bowlers. Let's not have a rash half our later please
Exactly - only 3 quicks, all injury prone. Keep them out there!
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Day/Night will be a very interesting game and should be good fun too
Yes, I'm hopeful. My parents are out here too, but I already had tickets before they booked, and it's really my daughter they're here to see so I doubt I'll be missed.
Not had that gin - any good? Had a lovely citrusy one from the riverland the other night. Must try to remember its name.
Very nice and refreshing, bit of anise in it. Work is slow so might as well chill out here. I'm sure cook will have had a cold one by now. Wonder if we will see a full 4 days here if it stays slow.
and back from the rain delay, still some slow and steady overs in here. England are here to put the hours in I feel, use a the time in the middle, tire the bowlers and no need at all to rush. Play up to 8:30am GMT available so some breakfast action for you guys
Agree. As much as I disagree about playing for a draw, our record on this ground speaks for itself - we're not likely to win. Much better to have a moral victory in a comfortable draw, tire the four man attack and push on for greater things at Adelaide next week.
Yep, some great maturity out there from the 2 guys. Really well done to stay composed after cook went a d to slowly tick the sore on. Hope one can get to 100 if not both. The quick will be getting frustrated
Morning everyone!
Well, this is a relief to wake up to. A chirpy Aggers on TMS speaking of a century second wicket partnership for England! That in itself has been a while since I've heard that.
Along with a sluggish track at the Gabba. Promising.
And 50's for both of the lads! Let's see out to tea in 15mins
Fell asleep around 4am. I'm back though and they are still in. Wonderful stuff and just the right type of innings that are required. Amazing how quickly the mood can turn.
Edit: Dropped by Paine.
Balls
Annoying to to make tea there but let's see how root is playing today. Needs a good score and see this out till the close.
That's much better than I was expecting to wake up to. Looking for Root to put down a marker here.
Arse a run out....
Well, it's all got a bit interesting at tea time...
Lovely to wake up to TMS, and a pretty good start!
Re the chirpiness of Aggers, given what Mrs A has just been through, he's got every right to be chipper!
Pardon ? 👿
Amazing how quickly the mood can turn.
just quoting myself here
Commentator's curse. 😳
I'm happy with that. new players have done well, which was very, very important. Cook and Root can pick themselves up from that. We didn't fold , which could have set the tone for the series.
Yup, even the moronic Channel 9 commentators seemed moderately impressed with England, and uncertain if Aus really has the upper hand. I'll take that. Could be better, but if Heals et al are willing to give credit then it could also be a lot worse...
What a delight to finish work and climb into the car at midnight last night, put R5L on, and listen to half an hour of Tufnell and his colleague on the way home.
Bit bleary eyed this morning. Pretty pleased with that. Real shame to lose Root, but the big win is that the 3 question mark batsmen have all shown a real sense of solidity. We have some thing to build on here. Can't win it on the first day but can lose it, so we are very definitely in this series and don't have to fear the Aus attack (although the pitch was benign).
[quote=spacey ]Can't win it on the first day but can lose it, so we are very definitely in this series and don't have to fear the Aus attack (although the pitch was benign).
I'll take it as a big positive that we're not already in trouble - and that's with a supposedly fragile batting lineup (ironically it's only the players who are supposed to be solid who have got out cheaply). We should at least keep Australia in the field for 4 full sessions, if not more which is a start and they don't necessarily have the most solid batting lineup themselves. A draw is as good as a win at the Gabba anyway.
Comments I've seen suggest that the pitch is still faster than anything in England, just not as fast as usual. Though it might get more tricky just in time for Australia to bat...
Cook's form is a concern mind. Not sure how big a deal it will be batting last at the Gabbotoir.
Also this article is fantastic, written by one of my favourite cricket /sports writers
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/22/ashes-first-test-dos-and-donts-england-gabba-1986-87
howsyourdad1 - Member
Cook's form is a concern mind. Not sure how big a deal it will be batting last at the Gabbotoir.
If I'm honest the name is not deserved this year, pitch is dead, the name was from when it was the opening hostile arena for teams, watched most of today and i was sedate, of course it will chance but the 148's looked lame out there. If it's a draw then England are one up mentally - last time they lost here was 88, so lasting the day for 4 was a good thing, tie up most of day 2 and its a real positive
totz
Though it might get more tricky just in time for Australia to bat...
Moeen must be looking at the amount of turn that Lyon was getting with some pleasure. Could be a bit of a handful by day 4/5 (assuming we get that far, obviously!)
Cook has slumps - he's an opening batsman and they are the ones most likely to get one with their name on it. He is such a good judge and plays so late that he often misses the 'jaffas' as all good opening bats do (look at Langer, Hayden etc). As a bowler you have to bowl the perfect half a bat width of movement ball on a perfect length to get him most of the time. He puts the bad ball away more often than not. I don't think you can ask for more of an opener and his record is brilliant. I'm not worried about him.
So England's 'wobbly' batsmen have got off to a good start. That is very good, because it takes the focus off of them and heaps it onto the likes of Shaun Marsh. Paine has already dropped a catch, so he is under massive pressure too. I would put England as slightly ahead on this basis. They've soaked up most of the pressure and handed it over to the Aussies.
First hour tomorrow is crucial. 220 for 7 will probably mean 250-270all out. 300 for 5 will probably mean 450+ and their players under big pressure on a very un-Brisbane wicket.
Tidy bit of fielding from Lyon to get rid of Vince, though. A very under-rated cricketer, but he needs to be a decent fielder as he is a bit of a rabbit with the bat.
Anybody staying up again tonight?
Feeling good Lewis, I'm here
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I'm more nervous today than I was yesterday. A decent start but a new ball, refreshed bowlers, we could still be rolled over for 250-odd and from a decent position and start that would feel doubly bad.