The Ashes.

[only1billybonds]

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

[Fauxstralian]

Both teams named for the Second Test with one injury change each
Will Jacks replaces Mark Wood & Josh Inglis replaces Usman Khawaja

[Fauxstralian]

Khawaja’s back spasms rule him out of the Second Test
Presume Head will open again & Josh Inglis or Beau Webster will come into the middle order
Talk of Lyon not playing but after Starc he is Australia’s leading wicket taker in pink ball Tests

[Westham67]

Jack Leach took more first class wickets last season than Will Jacks has taken in his entire career.
No surprise that Somerset's third string spinner hasn't made the team,

 

Re read what I wrote Jacks is in for the 2nd test

[zebthecat]

Jack Leach took more first class wickets last season than Will Jacks has taken in his entire career.
No surprise that Somerset's third string spinner hasn't made the team,

[Westham67]

Jacks is in ahead of Shaoaib. He can bat, but he is no Lyon

[southbankbornnbred]

Reckon this will be a 3-day test and McStokesBollocks will claim they're progressing. Before taking a break due to their "MH".

[Takashi Miike]

Tak.

You probably already know it but if not, the 'stick to cricket' podcast is a great listen. Bumble, Sir Alastair, Tuffers and Michael Vaughn with a guest now and again. One of those rare things that you don't need to be a cricket fan to enjoy it. And if you are a fan of the game,they revive some great memories.


 

Bill, yes I watch it. Have a look at that one posted, he's talking to Hayden & another aussie. just listening to him cheers me up 

[only1billybonds]

Tak.

You probably already know it but if not, the 'stick to cricket' podcast is a great listen. Bumble, Sir Alastair, Tuffers and Michael Vaughn with a guest now and again. One of those rare things that you don't need to be a cricket fan to enjoy it. And if you are a fan of the game,they revive some great memories.

 

[Takashi Miike]

Calling Botham a has been is a capital offence, Stokes might be a has been if he loses heavily at the Gabba. 

If you get time, watch that podcast with Bumble. he talks about a few days he spent recently with Beefy, as usual hilarious

[Far Cough UKunt]

Calling Botham a has been is a capital offence, Stokes might be a has been if he loses heavily at the Gabba. 

[Fauxstralian]

England have enough bowling to trouble Australia but if they lose at Brisbane all the accusations of arrogance & poor preparation will kick off again

Stokes called the Ashes winning captains Botham & Vaughan ‘has beens’ and he and McCullum seem to refuse to acknowledge any opinions from outside their magic circle of Bazball kool-aid drinkers
Arrogant? Hmmm
They were in control of the First Test at lunch on Day 2. If they’d seen off Starc & Boland for an hour after lunch they could set up a grind to put Australia out of the game.
Played brainless cricket & were somehow beaten by stumps
If you don’t learn from that you ARE arrogant 

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

TMS podcast on BBC Sounds 

The Ashes: "Don't call us arrogant," say Stokes as England begin preparations in Brisbane 

"Don't call us arrogant".
Okay..
How about  dog shit spineless losers ?

[Takashi Miike]

[Westham67]

I stood next to the cricket bats in Sports Direct and remissed on myself as a wasted talent, a right handed Dravid was what I often mused on in the boozer after I was bowled out by the tea lady in a beer match

[Westham67]

TMS podcast on BBC Sounds 

The Ashes: "Don't call us arrogant," say Stokes as England begin preparations in Brisbane 

[Westham67]

A slim chance of getting anything at the Gabba with a pink ball and Starc bowling

They had a chance to go one up at Perth, and they blew it like they did, asking New Zealand to follow on and losing by one run and drawing a series when they should have won it. Declaring on the first day of the first test of the Ashes and losing

I can handle England's batting collapse, it's par for the course, but that batting perfonce at Perth was shameful

[Eerie Decent]

Haha

[Fauxstralian]

Birth places of Ashes wicket takers so far this series :
Australia 20
New Zealand 5
S Africa 5
Barbados 2
England 0

Mark Wood out of second Test
Knee problem 

[Eerie Decent]

Sam Konstas (out for 36) needs a couple of Sheffield Shield seasons to work on his technique.
Campbell Kellaway (82) will be in the Test team as an opener soon
Nathan McSweeney had a tough time v Bumrah but will be back.
Also batting is 19yo Oliver Peake who is very highly rated
Not playing here but a couple of young very quick bowlers in Callum Vidler & Mahli Beardman may be ready for the 2027 Ashes
Suspect will see Fergus O’Neill in 2027. Played a month for Nottinghamshire last season … 21 wickets @17.90
 

Are any of them Australian?

Would be a welcome change.

[Massive Attack]

They've got to stick to what they believe in playing Bazball, it would be good if they could just be a bit cuter when in to bat at times. As said before the bowling doesnt concern me, it's getting to grips fast with the bat that's going to get us back on track. That's a lot of pressure on the top order but that's to also be expected of them playing down under. Time to rise to the occasion..

[Fauxstralian]

Slightly pointless that the 2 day pink ball d/n game is going ahead in Canberra given none of the England XI will be playing in Brisbane
Maybe some might be back in 4 years time in the Test team

The Prime Ministers XI batting & 179/2
Lots of talk of Australia’s Dads Army but a few of these will appear soon 
Sam Konstas (out for 36) needs a couple of Sheffield Shield seasons to work on his technique.
Campbell Kellaway (82) will be in the Test team as an opener soon
Nathan McSweeney had a tough time v Bumrah but will be back.
Also batting is 19yo Oliver Peake who is very highly rated
Not playing here but a couple of young very quick bowlers in Callum Vidler & Mahli Beardman may be ready for the 2027 Ashes
Suspect will see Fergus O’Neill in 2027. Played a month for Nottinghamshire last season … 21 wickets @17.90
Ideally suited to English conditions 

[Takashi Miike]

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

This is nothing to do with the pitch, playing personell or conditions. This debacle is the result of a dereliction of responsibility, the fundamentals of test cricket batting have been completely ignored by England's better batsmen and they should be loudly condemned by anyone who cares about the state of the game . There is no room for disappointment after this, just anger at the complacency shown by people whe really should know better!

these blokes only have one gear....
Test Cricket used to be like a chess game..and it was glorious.
TWO DAYS

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

It needed a Sir Chef type player to hold the innings together but sadly we don’t have one of those. 

Those days have gone ..TEST cricket is over.
two days ...let that sink in.

[Takashi Miike]