Swann's the best spinner in the world. Didn't watch the NZ series but he did a great job in both the India and the Ashes
Ashes II - 2013/14 - In Australia
- Thread starter NinjaFletch
- Start date
Trott can sort if out, of course he can.
Ajmal is better than Swann.
Ajmal is a chucker, so I don't count him.
Respectable, certainly. He was England's best bowler though, for a period. He hasn't been lately and that's due to his level dropping, not others improving.
He doesn't get the spin that he used to.
Brilliant from Australia.
Trott looks clueless against the short ball. I don't know why he keeps walking across his stumps so much.
Trott looks clueless against the short ball. I don't know why he keeps walking across his stumps so much.
I don't think Trott should be dropped, but I'm not sure he's a number 3 anymore. Put Bell at three and have Trott in the Collingwood role at 5.
Good idea.
Been looking at the scorecard the last few days, seems England are unable to cope with pace, long series but this will be a monumental boost for Australia. I felt last series it was closer than the scoreline suggested and it came down to execution and confidence in being able to pull out a winning situation. Australia haven't won in a while and it showed in England. England need to get their mindset sorted out, tend to start off badly.
I wouldn't panic just yet as an England fan. They usually are terrible in the first game of a series.
The only thing I don't particularly like about this team is that none of them barring Pietersen are able to take the game to the opposition. The team as a whole is a bit boring and I think that contributed to the first innings debacle. I would like to see some of the guys come out tomorrow and attempt to be a bit positive for a change.
The only thing I don't particularly like about this team is that none of them barring Pietersen are able to take the game to the opposition. The team as a whole is a bit boring and I think that contributed to the first innings debacle. I would like to see some of the guys come out tomorrow and attempt to be a bit positive for a change.
It's just the top three, really. Prior's usually aggressive and Bell can be.
Carberry is aggressive. Root is a natural shot maker as well.
Only really Trott and Cook that aren't I would say.
Only really Trott and Cook that aren't I would say.
Not really. First class strike rate is 52. Cook's is 51, despite playing more than half his first class games at test level.
Also one of the best T20 players in the country, which Cook isn't. I get the impression Carberry reigns his game in, not that he doesn't have it.
He certainly didn't look it. He was stuck on 40 for something like 20 balls before getting out in the first innings. England play a conservative game, there is no question about it.
Agreed.
They play conservatively, that doesn't mean they are as individuals though. That's the teams tactics.
So, I'm feeling pretty about the first test. England are getting a pasting and its not very nice. Still I can't feel as bad as my mates that met Aussie girls, emigrated out there and are currently in suffering from a sustained assault of Aussie... at home, at work, everywhere. Poor bastards
Good start from England, like in India if one of these two can get a big ton at least it puts them in form which could be vital. It is also important to make Harris bowl as many overs as we can to see if he breaks and has to miss a couple of tests.
Good mockers Strauss
Gower and Strauss are putting me to sleep.
Twenty over cricket is a different thing entirely. Though I certainly wouldn't say Carberry is one of the best players in the country. His record is average. He just had a good season, this summer.
As it happens, Cook averages 33 at a strike rate of 128, in twenty over cricket. Carberry averages 30 at a strike rate of 118.
I'm an Aussie when they are winning and a Pom when they are losing. I am invincible.
Would be great if Cook could make a big score here, game is up but a century would hopefully set him up for the rest of the series.
Carberry's a very average player IMO, never really impressed me that much and I don't think Australia will be that bothered seeing him in the line-up.
Rain. Could be horrible for Australia if England sneak a draw here.
Game, set and match.
6 down now, question now is can the aussies close out the game today
This is incredible stuff.
Aussies really are full of confidence right now. This is going to be over very soon
Watching genuinely fast bowlers steaming in is amazing.
Look at the number of close catchers Clarke's got.
Look at the number of close catchers Clarke's got.
Wouldn't be a bad idea to stick Bell in at #3, move Joe Root up to #5 and get a new batter in at #6.
Joe Root seems to have all the potential in the world.
Joe Root seems to have all the potential in the world.
Stupid rain, ruining games. Hopefully it goes away long enough for us to get a result
Back on in 5.
Too many stale players in the side, we didnt play great in the summer and the last three test then should have sounded some alarm bells.
Cook is only in the side because he is the captain, Trott, Pietersen, Prior are all badly out of form yet they are all nailed on to start the next test.
Need a massive improvement in the next test but the aussies tails will be up now and its going to be very tough, if we lose the next test then its game over for me.
Cook is only in the side because he is the captain, Trott, Pietersen, Prior are all badly out of form yet they are all nailed on to start the next test.
Need a massive improvement in the next test but the aussies tails will be up now and its going to be very tough, if we lose the next test then its game over for me.
Lyon 
Get ready for a broken fecking arm!
Clarke, that was... Hah!
Clarke, that was... Hah!
Oz win.
Great cricket from the Aussies, abysmal from England let's hope this acts as the kick up the arse England need and we come back stronger.
Ha! Sets up the series brilliantly if you're a neutral.
get in 