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.

[Massive Attack]

Good lad! Aussies are rocking a bit now. Good bowling display so far over there by our boys.

[Fauxstralian]

17 wickets fell on the first day of the Test at Perth last summer v India so almost there
 

[fraser]

We were out around now, 32 overs 

[only1billybonds]

STOKESY!

Green gone, thats really opened this up now.

[Lee Trundle]

Head's gone there.

[Massive Attack]

Stokesy! Big wicket. Another soon after would really make it interesting..

[Massive Attack]

Need to break this partnership up.

[fraser]

We should have scored more some cheap wickets, to be fair though theirs have been well earned as I can't remember a better bowling start over there. 

[Lee Trundle]

55 overs today so far, and 14 wickets.

[violator]

Fucking bollocks its on TNT, cant get that on the sky go app so I'm having to rely on cricinfo for updates at work

[Massive Attack]

Better! Keep this up boys..  

[goose]

Well that’s the ashes settled for another 4 years.

 

At this rate, definitely. Need to get some kind of momentum going so to get a foot hold in it.

You have momentum………

[Massive Attack]

Well that’s the ashes settled for another 4 years.

 

 

At this rate, definitely. Need to get some kind of momentum going so to get a foot hold in it.

[goose]

Well that’s the ashes settled for another 4 years.

[Massive Attack]

Well done, Jof. Keep the pressure on with our foot on their throat. Don't let them have a sniff..

[only1billybonds]

172 all out inside 33 overs.

Starc was superb but fuck me, some of those dismissals were completely avoidable. 
Massive pressure on the bowlers now.

 

[BerlingtonBertie]

Shitters - mentally weak as always bar a fee players. 

[fraser]

Just woke up same old predictable shit

[Massive Attack]

Vintage Starc but we've settled down a bit now, hopefully keep this up and stay focused with the Pope/Brook partnership continuing to build. Would be nice to get a healthy lead before Stokes comes in.

[Ron Eff]

He was desperate to get off the mark leading to a terrible shot choice, which he does have in him. Annoying. Long way to go!

[only1billybonds]

Crawley ffs.

0-1.

[only1billybonds]

England win toss and will bat.

Anyone else watching live ?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

No
Im in Perth next March/April
Might catch WA in the Sheffield Shield final again & a bit of AFL
Optus Stadium (or Perth Stadium as it has to be referred to due to conflicting cricket sponsors) really is an excellent venue
For all the nostalgia about the WACA it was a pretty brutal place to watch cricket if you were out in the sun
Almost been fully redeveloped with more shade. And a swimming pool. Will be used for Tests against other than England & India plus Shield cricket

A swimming pool...what the fuck is that about..?

For the cunts just there for the occasion and zero interest in the actual event?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

I predict the Aussies will be batting first whoever wins the toss. 

Our top order is a worry. If the top 3 can at least scratch together 80 odd runs with Root, Brook and Stokes to follow with some full on bazz ball we can get big scores. If they keep fit our pace attack should be enough. Look what Bumrah did. 

Gotta win in Perth. I'll doubt it will be a draw. 

I cannot see any of England's top order being disciplined enough to  stick around long enough..
Can you imagine Crawley/Duckett/Pope knuckling down like Strauss/Trott in 2011?

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

We have to win the first test to stand any chance.
England has a very fragile bowling attack and if Stokes injures himself and can't bowl then that is that.
Same could be said of Cameron Green breaking down.
How Shoaib Bashir is anywhere near this is baffling. He is Somerset's third string spiinner and was demolished in the warm up match with the England Lions as was Joe Root.
Nathan Lyon could be the difference if any wickets take spin.

The pakistani is now county -less.
Yes he's that shite