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]

I see Italy have qualified for next years t20 World Cup
Under their Australian captain Joe Burns
A man who has more Test centuries in Australia than Joe Root

[goose]

England surely have to win that first test to stand a chance.
Golden opportunity with injury in the Aussie bowling and inconsistency in the top order.

Do they do a half & half bucket hat for Sven?

[Far Cough UKunt]

ag ag ag

[Eerie Decent]

Who do you support in this sport, Sven?

[Fauxstralian]

Obviously England need to bat better than in previous series in Australia as they’ve never been able to put any pressure on and their bowlers haven’t had time to rest
Root averages 35 in Australia 
Stokes & Crawley average 28 & Pope 11
Duckett, Brook, Bethel & Smith have never played a Test in Australia
The new guys have to adapt quickly & the others need a big improvement 

[Fauxstralian]

Hazlewood has been very injury prone over the last few years so no surprise. Think he is one of a few that have stayed on to finish up in Tests in this series …. Hazlewood Starc Lyon Khawaja & probably Smith
Opportunity for Brendon Doggett though who is a similar stump to stump bowler like Scott Boland.
Shame that the quickest bowler Lance Morris is injured but see Jhye Richardson is now fit to play for Australia A against the Lions
Might see him later & maybe Fergus O’Neill though suspect he is more suited to English condition (Ashes 2027?)
Despite all the talk of the ageing team there is a group of talents from the u19 World Cup winners of a few years ago that need a couple of Sheffield Shield seasons before taking over

Have absolutely no idea how this series will pan out. Might depend on which bowling line up stays on the park or breaks down 

[only1billybonds]

Seems crazy that a batsman of Roots class  has a top score of 89 in 3 test series's over there. Hopefully, that all changes over the next couple of months  

[Eastside surge]

Think this could be the closest series over there for a good long while vital we don’t lose the first test and hopefully Joe root gets some early runs as it’s well documented his average isn’t the best in Australia.

[only1billybonds]

FC

Good news about Wood but he is still a concern. One of those players who you feel is only a couple of overs away from another breakdown, he's going to need to be carefully managed throughout the series. Fingers crossed for him.

[Far Cough UKunt]

Cheers Billy

England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of any concerns over his left hamstring following a scan in Perth.