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]

People are soooo sensitive 

Root is Englands greatest ever batsman
Anderson & Broad are Englands 2 most successful bowlers
Stokes is probably level with Flintoff behind Botham as Englands greatest all rounder

And they haven’t won an Ashes series for 10 years

Good day for England 
Runs on the board are always good
Positives for Australia … Sir Mitchell Starc again and they didn’t have to bat tonight 

[El Scorchio]

Superb stuff from Root and also Archer at the end.

Also just seen Matthew Hayden talking to Crawley on TNT and genuinely said 'Bloody good innings mate.' A rare classy touch from one of them. Mind you, he is on British TV....

[Westside]

Shocking over rate from the convicts. If they bowl England out inside 80 overs, they won't even be sanctioned for it.

[Takashi Miike]

so root gets his hundred. anyone seen the fake Aussie cսnt?
 

[Come On You Irons]

England would be a total shambles without Joe Root. When he fails England fail, like in the first test.

He gets a ton in this innings and England are still struggling to post 300. Pathetic contributions by his overrated teammates.

[stubbo-admin]

Pope, Brooks and Jacks all took unnecessary shots, getting themselves out

Add Carse to the list, plus the Stokes run out.  Arguably if you look at what Smith does, he pushes at it too (then reverts to the shot it should have been).

This bunch of simpletons are almost unsupportable playing like this.  They're not being beaten by a better team, they're beating themselves over and over.  Totally moronic.

Australia must be absolutely pissing themselves laughing at the cunts.

[fraser]

Was hoping we'd put them in under the lights, but  tomorrow second session 

[Mad Ferret]

England losing wickets to stupid shots? Imagine my shock.

prob gonna be 100 runs short of where they should be.

Who do you support at cricket son?

[goose]

England losing wickets to stupid shots? Imagine my shock.

prob gonna be 100 runs short of where they should be.

[Westham67]

Add one more to the list

[zebthecat]

A ton for Root in Aus at last.
It is not very bazbally but he could do an Alastair Cook 2010/11 job on Australia and bat them to death if anyone can stay with him...
...and there goes Atkinson.
 

[Westham67]

Pope, Brooks and Jacks all took unnecessary shots, getting themselves out

[fraser]

Jacks batting beautifully swings at one and gets away with it, I'm thinking he'll be a bit more careful now but does same again next ball and out 

[Swiss.]

Anyone who thinks Jamie Smith is a better option than Foakes knows nothing about cricket. Smith is a bang average batsman and keeper. I’m losing patience with the England coach.

How dare you slate one of our own. Smith is a good West Ham lad and a great cricketer. You're talking out of your arse as per.

Smith is the best batsman/wicket keeper of all time. the same as Graham Gooch is the best ever batsman 

No bias 

[Westham67]

Last time we won the Ashes and played at the Gabba, second innings 517/1 declared to draw the match. That is TEST cricket

[violator]

Anyone who thinks Jamie Smith is a better option than Foakes knows nothing about cricket. Smith is a bang average batsman and keeper. I’m losing patience with the England coach.

Won't be long before James Rew gets the mittens

[Come On You Irons]

Anyone who thinks Jamie Smith is a better option than Foakes knows nothing about cricket. Smith is a bang average batsman and keeper. I’m losing patience with the England coach.

How dare you slate one of our own. Smith is a good West Ham lad and a great cricketer. You're talking out of your arse as per.

[fraser]

Smith got a good one, but he shouldn't have been in. 

[twoleftfeet]

Anyone who thinks Jamie Smith is a better option than Foakes knows nothing about cricket. Smith is a bang average batsman and keeper. I’m losing patience with the England coach.

[goose]

EngLOLand

[Come On You Irons]

It is unforgivable to be run out in test cricket. Especially in match situations like this. Clown show indeed.

[fraser]

Unbelievable, finally batting like it's a test match then runs himself out. 

[fraser]

Wood is out for the 3rd test, Clown show

No point in taking him as it is always a gamble that he'll last 5 days... Not that we can last 5 days to be fair 

[Westham67]

Wood is out for the 3rd test, Clown show

[Come On You Irons]

Brook really should be dropped from the test side for a proper test middle order batsman, but the death of quality in the ranks makes him 'undroppable'.