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.

[fraser]

I really don't want to say this but they look quite comfortable at the moment. A disastrous start as you say though. 

[only1billybonds]

After a disastrous start,England reach 50 after being 5-2. Crawley 36. Root 11.
51-2.
In the context of the series its now absolutely VITAL that these 2 build a big partnership. 

[zebthecat]

Massive pressure on England now 

Good. Hopefully they embrace it rather than fear it.

I just they decide that playing on the up outside off stump is not a wise thing to do until you are properly in.
Ben Duckett is very good at this usuallly.

[Takashi Miike]

[Fauxstralian]

Day nights can be manipulated by getting the other team to bat in the dark in the post dinner session so a bit up in the air

Australia have named a team but a couple of social media bollocks saying because Cummins is bowling well in the nets that having looked at the pitch he MIGHT play replacing Doggett. 
Of course you don’t officiallly lock your team in until you hand it to the other captain prior to the toss. 
If you see Cummins picking up his blazer from the dry cleaners he may well play

[Massive Attack]

Massive pressure on England now 

Good. Hopefully they embrace it rather than fear it.

[only1billybonds]

Massive pressure on England now thanks mainly to the debacle in Perth. The Gabba test was always going to be the most unlikely of all the games that we could win but its now gone beyond vital that we somehow win. Had we played properly in Perth, the likelihood would have been going to Adelaide 1-1 with three to play.
Unless something highly unlikely happens in Brisbane, this series,as a contest could be over before the weekend is done.

[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