England - Alastair Cook (captain), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Graham Onions.
Australia will not settle their XI until game day.
TV coverage is on GEM (CH9) starting at 7:30pm Wednesday.
Root and Bairstow are weak links IMO......having Pietersen back and Swann fit is a bonus for England,
Glad to see Tremlett seems to have faded away from International cricket as well, he really worried our batsman with his height/bounce and I dont rate the equally tall Finn as highly. While Strauss was on the decline in previous series I think his steady work at the top of the order will be missed and I dont see Root as a specialist opener yet...I expect England to revert to Compton opening and Root at No 6 by about the 3rd test....thats after we lead them 1-0 :)
We can at least draw this series and win the return leg in Aus IMO.....
Just hope we're competitive. I'll be hoping I get more from the cricket in 2013 than I have from the footy.
We need to bowl well (I Know Captain Obvious) but that will essentially dictate the outcome of the series. Allow Cook, Pieterson and Trott quality time in the middle and we're cooked. Who will trouble them?
Siddle is a concern as he isn't quick enough outright and will have to bowl tight and he doesn't get much movement. Must bowl the fuller length. Starc could be a match winner or contribute well to a century before lunch - it just depends a bit like Mitchell Johnson and you never know what you're going to get. If he cannot control the swing (the big worry) he will be very ineffectual quickly.
Sayers is too inexperienced I feel but one for the future. Pattinson and Harris loom as the guys who can do the damage and perhaps the all rounder in Faulkner who is a handy pace (just off Siddles pace) and a left armer. Just on that if we do play left armers, England do have a handy spinner in their line up so that's something to keep in mind. I think if Swann doesn't come up fitness wise then you would definitely play one of Starc or Faulkner - what a pity we cannot find the spinners equivalent of James Faulkner. I hope Boof is working with Lyon on his batting.
Just hope we're competitive. I'll be hoping I get more from the cricket in 2013 than I have from the footy.
Joe Root CAN play. Much more dangerous with him up the top than Compton.
However IF and its an IF we can get through Cook, Root and Trott - Bell, KP and Bairstow are not in great form and are vulnerable IMO. Need to get Prior in early and under pressure.
It wont be won with us bowling (i think we have a really good attack), it will be if we can play the swinging ball. Our Batsmen are the key to this series.
Just hope we're competitive. I'll be hoping I get more from the cricket in 2013 than I have from the footy.
Joe Root CAN play. Much more dangerous with him up the top than Compton.
However IF and its an IF we can get through Cook, Root and Trott - Bell, KP and Bairstow are not in great form and are vulnerable IMO. Need to get Prior in early and under pressure.
It wont be won with us bowling (i think we have a really good attack), it will be if we can play the swinging ball. Our Batsmen are the key to this series.
You think the two attacks will cancel each other out? If so we've definitely improved.
For mine the number 3 for us is the one we don't seem to have an answer for at present. Bit like our KP problem - no obvious long term solution.
Actually that last post got me thinking - I can't wait for Wednesday night now. Excellent the start of the Ashes series is just a couple of days away and I DON'T need Fox!
The batsmen need to do two things, make runs and occupy the crease.
How many fcking times in the last 3 years have our batsmen gone out in less than 3 or 4 sessions.
What that means is the bowlers don't get a rest, and while they can bowl for two days if they have too, its much more difficult to bowl for 1.5 or 2 days then your batsmen are out quickly so you dont get full a day to recover before having to bowl again. This is a concept thee nuffies haven't grasped. .
That's why we can't have that fcking peanut pygmy at the top of the order with the blonde himbo at the other end. They think only of runs and averages, to them a slow half century is a waste. The skipper isn't much better
Cricket IQ's of under 12's
The batsmen need to do two things, make runs and occupy the crease.
How many fcking times in the last 3 years have our batsmen gone out in less than 3 or 4 sessions.
What that means is the bowlers don't get a rest, and while they can bowl for two days if they have too, its much more difficult to bowl for 1.5 or 2 days then your batsmen are out quickly so you dont get full a day to recover before having to bowl again. This is a concept thee nuffies haven't grasped. .
That's why we can't have that fcking peanut pygmy at the top of the order with the blonde himbo at the other end. They think only of runs and averages, to them a slow half century is a waste. The skipper isn't much better
Cricket IQ's of under 12's
If we can get our top 3 doing something that would be a start. I think Smith may come into the middle order - not sold on Warner down there. Who bats 3?
Just hope we're competitive. I'll be hoping I get more from the cricket in 2013 than I have from the footy.
Joe Root CAN play. Much more dangerous with him up the top than Compton.
However IF and its an IF we can get through Cook, Root and Trott - Bell, KP and Bairstow are not in great form and are vulnerable IMO. Need to get Prior in early and under pressure.
It wont be won with us bowling (i think we have a really good attack), it will be if we can play the swinging ball. Our Batsmen are the key to this series.
I actually think their tail is very dangerous with Bresnan, Swann and Broad, we can probably run through their top order and end up with the tail getting 100 runs and that will win them games.
Root is umproven IMO...made runs vs NZ batting at No 6 but hasnt opened in tests before and I want see him vs Pattinson and crew before I acknowledge he can play as an opener.
I think the form of Peitersen will have a lot to do on the bearing of this series.....big game player and can win tests.
Just hope we're competitive. I'll be hoping I get more from the cricket in 2013 than I have from the footy.
Joe Root CAN play. Much more dangerous with him up the top than Compton.
However IF and its an IF we can get through Cook, Root and Trott - Bell, KP and Bairstow are not in great form and are vulnerable IMO. Need to get Prior in early and under pressure.
It wont be won with us bowling (i think we have a really good attack), it will be if we can play the swinging ball. Our Batsmen are the key to this series.
I actually think their tail is very dangerous with Bresnan, Swann and Broad, we can probably run through their top order and end up with the tail getting 100 runs and that will win them games.
Root is umproven IMO...made runs vs NZ batting at No 6 but hasnt opened in tests before and I want see him vs Pattinson and crew before I acknowledge he can play as an opener.
I think the form of Peitersen will have a lot to do on the bearing of this series.....big game player and can win tests.
Peitersen's danger is he can take the game away in a session and go on and get a big one. He is a big game player as well.
Interesting article on Cricinfo which is well worth a read:
A rough venue for England's batsmen - http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/story/649059.html (http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/story/649059.html)
From the article:
"No Test has been drawn at Trent Bridge for the last ten years. Since the beginning of 2003, only three other venues have hosted six or more Tests without a single draw - MCG, Wanderers (ten all-result Tests) and Sabina Park (nine all-result Tests)."
Something I like to do before a Test Match is pop onto Google and have a look about at the ground surrounds.
Pop into Google Maps: Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, West Bridgford, United Kingdom.
Lovely old ground and surrounds. One day when I am rich and infamous I will tour these places.
Possible line up;
Shane Watson
Chris Rogers
Phil Hughes
Michael Clarke
David Warner
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
12th Man: Jackson Bird
Siddle under pressure to perform or else Harris or Bird will take his place.
Possible line up;
Shane Watson
Chris Rogers
Phil Hughes
Michael Clarke
David Warner
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
12th Man: Jackson Bird
Siddle under pressure to perform or else Harris or Bird will take his place.
Bird has done well there thus far but I think Siddle will keep his spot. Runs are gold at this venue so playing the extra bat makes sense. They may be tempted to go with Faulkner as who gives them another left armer who's been accurate but can also bat. Warner hasn't played any lead up games and wasn't in good form to begin with.
Possible line up;
Shane Watson
Chris Rogers
Phil Hughes
Michael Clarke
David Warner
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
12th Man: Jackson Bird
Siddle under pressure to perform or else Harris or Bird will take his place.
Bird has done well there thus far but I think Siddle will keep his spot. Runs are gold at this venue so playing the extra bat makes sense. They may be tempted to go with Faulkner as who gives them another left armer who's been accurate but can also bat. Warner hasn't played any lead up games and wasn't in good form to begin with.
It certainly not easy to select this team. Warner doesn't really deserve selection, but IMO, he's a better option than Cowan. Khawaja just misses out. Again.
I really like James Faulkner. But for the 1st Test, I reckon they'll be inclined to pick Starc because he has a few tests under his belt. His batting has improved dramatically and hopefully he can bowl a few ripping spells. His only drawback is that he is prone to Mitchell Johnson type eraticism >:(
It certainly not easy to select this team. Warner doesn't really deserve selection, but IMO, he's a better option than Cowan. Khawaja just misses out. Again.
I really like James Faulkner. But for the 1st Test, I reckon they'll be inclined to pick Starc because he has a few tests under his belt. His batting has improved dramatically and hopefully he can bowl a few ripping spells. His only drawback is that he is prone to Mitchell Johnson type eraticism >:(
Considering runs are gold here at this venue (low scores particularly in the 1st Innings) we cannot afford Starc to spray them - let's hope :-\
Watson
Rogers
Hughes
Clarke
Smith
Warner
Haddin
Pattinson
Starc
Harris/Lyon/Siddle (dunno)
Bird
Bird is made for English conditions, Be a waste not playing him
Possible line up;
Shane Watson
Chris Rogers
Phil Hughes
Michael Clarke
David Warner
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
12th Man: Jackson Bird
Siddle under pressure to perform or else Harris or Bird will take his place.
Bird has done well there thus far but I think Siddle will keep his spot. Runs are gold at this venue so playing the extra bat makes sense. They may be tempted to go with Faulkner as who gives them another left armer who's been accurate but can also bat. Warner hasn't played any lead up games and wasn't in good form to begin with.
It certainly not easy to select this team. Warner doesn't really deserve selection, but IMO, he's a better option than Cowan. Khawaja just misses out. Again.
I really like James Faulkner. But for the 1st Test, I reckon they'll be inclined to pick Starc because he has a few tests under his belt. His batting has improved dramatically and hopefully he can bowl a few ripping spells. His only drawback is that he is prone to Mitchell Johnson type eraticism >:(
Just too many Lefties to pay Khawaja as well, can't afford to play into Swanns hands too much. One of either Warner or Cowen will have to miss as well......when can we get some right handers back in the frame for Test selection ? It's not like this current crop of cack handers are Langer, Hayden or Hussey either.
Smith showed enough in India to warrant selection & much as I am fearful about picking Hughes.....if you pick blokes on scoring runs in the lead up games, then he has to be selected. Maybe suit him more batting at 5.
We will see very soon.
As outlined in the paper today; if Warner plays he needs to make runs to justify a second chance he does not deserve.
Heat is on everybody though - Hughes gets yet another chance (about his 10th), Siddle needs to bowl well as Bird is a logical replacement, likewise Starc has to do more than throw a heap of pies with the odd Jaffa.
Possible line up;
Shane Watson
Chris Rogers
Phil Hughes
Michael Clarke
David Warner
Steve Smith
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Starc
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
12th Man: Jackson Bird
Siddle under pressure to perform or else Harris or Bird will take his place.
Bird has done well there thus far but I think Siddle will keep his spot. Runs are gold at this venue so playing the extra bat makes sense. They may be tempted to go with Faulkner as who gives them another left armer who's been accurate but can also bat. Warner hasn't played any lead up games and wasn't in good form to begin with.
It certainly not easy to select this team. Warner doesn't really deserve selection, but IMO, he's a better option than Cowan. Khawaja just misses out. Again.
I really like James Faulkner. But for the 1st Test, I reckon they'll be inclined to pick Starc because he has a few tests under his belt. His batting has improved dramatically and hopefully he can bowl a few ripping spells. His only drawback is that he is prone to Mitchell Johnson type eraticism >:(
Just too many Lefties to pay Khawaja as well, can't afford to play into Swanns hands too much. One of either Warner or Cowen will have to miss as well......when can we get some right handers back in the frame for Test selection ? It's not like this current crop of cack handers are Langer, Hayden or Hussey either.
Smith showed enough in India to warrant selection & much as I am fearful about picking Hughes.....if you pick blokes on scoring runs in the lead up games, then he has to be selected. Maybe suit him more batting at 5.
We will see very soon.
There is simply no other right hand batsman in the squad. They're all lefties - Cowan, Khawaja, Wade
As outlined in the paper today; if Warner plays he needs to make runs to justify a second chance he does not deserve.
Heat is on everybody though - Hughes gets yet another chance (about his 10th), Siddle needs to bowl well as Bird is a logical replacement, likewise Starc has to do more than throw a heap of pies with the odd Jaffa.
If Starc starts bowling rubbish he'll go the journey. The last thing we need is for England to bat first and rattle up 350-400. If they do we're gone.
This venue is notorious for low scores particularly in the 1st Innings. We need to take wickets but also NOT bleed runs. Dot balls are as good as wickets often as they build pressure - who are our Dot ball bowlers still capable of taking wickets? Bird would potentially be one.
News coming out of England right now is that Ashton Agar has been handed his first test cap.
Not sure if he's in the starting eleven but will find out at the toss.
Just heard the Ashton will play. Interesting selection.
England has won the toss and will bat.
Australian Team:
SR Watson
CJL Rogers
EJM Cowan
MJ Clarke*
PJ Hughes
SPD Smith
BJ Haddinâ€
PM Siddle
JL Pattinson
MA Starc
AC Agar
We need to bowl well and the heat will be on Agar. I guess we'll find out. Wondering what happened with Lyon.
No changes for England:
AN Cook*
JE Root
IJL Trott
KP Pietersen
IR Bell
JM Bairstow
MJ Priorâ€
SCJ Broad
GP Swann
ST Finn
JM Anderson
Trott and Pietersen are the key and we have to ensure they have bad games.
Nice to see them bowling to some sensible plans.
Is the big bloke standing at slip going to have a trundle?
Based on lead-in form Siddle was lucky to get a run, and at this stage it looks a mistake to have gone with him instead of Bird. Looked like a man who hadn't been doing enough bowling.
We still have no idea about how to bowl to Trott. Has all gone to )&^_t in the last 30 minutes.
Great bowling by Patterson after he hit I'd f his nerves, but same old thing,
Haddin letting byes through already and Siddle bowling one ball an over down leg side. Bird should be in.
Any chance of stopping boundaries?
Is the big bloke standing at slip going to have a trundle?
Based on lead-in form Siddle was lucky to get a run, and at this stage it looks a mistake to have gone with him instead of Bird. Looked like a man who hadn't been doing enough bowling.
We still have no idea about how to bowl to Trott. Has all gone to )&^_t in the last 30 minutes.
Agree...Siddle does nothing with the ball and goes for just under 30 runs every wicket which means he lets the pressure of too often.....been impressed with Root(Shadesy said he could play).
Pattinson been impressive.....lets hope he holds up for the series...reckon Cook wills struggle this series, Trott looks like he has morphed into Jaques Kallis the way he plays.
Geoff Boycott comes into the radio commentary box and his first words are to crap-can our bowling.
What were the odds of that happening ??
Siddle clean bowls a Pommy git and he still wouldn't shut up.
A lot of 4 balls (16 and it isn't lunch yet) and Siddles first terrible 4 overs.... bowlers have been pretty loose.
Pity Haddin didn't glove that chance.
A lot of 4 balls (16 and it isn't lunch yet) and Siddles first terrible 4 overs.... bowlers have been pretty loose.
Pity Haddin didn't glove that chance.
Yeah good attempt by Haddin but you're right too many loose boundaries.
Congratulations Peter Siddle 5 Wickets on the opening day of the Ashes series.
Gutsy performance if albeit a little lucky but you make your own luck sometimes and he bowled plenty of good stuff that went unrewarded.
I have never seen in a Test match (a) the amount of pies our bowlers have served up today, and (b) batsmen play rubbish shots like that to get themselves out from these pies.
Are they playing on a postage stamp today ?? Whenever the ball pierces the field its four every time.
I'm really enjoying the match so far but completely agog at the standard of skills on show.
Well done Australia. England gone for 215/10 First Innings. Not good enough but this venue is noted for low first innings scores.
Australia now with the work to do.
Checked the stat's - 38 boundaries in that England first Innings.
Australia need to bat well tomorrow. 75/4 at stumps.
Smith needs to make a score (currently 38 no) and Hughes and Haddin could get us moving. If Hughes can get 60-70 or Smith can go on and 70+ we should end up about 200/5 or 6 down. At that point we should get somewhere approaching 300 first Innings and that would be gold for us.
Cowan was culpable with that shot - just dreadful. Playing like a guy who feels like he HAS to make a big one and more importantly be SEEN to take the bowling on (batting number 3). If he'd just played normally we would in all probability be about 60/2 at the close rather than four down.
Australia need to bat well tomorrow. 75/4 at stumps.
Smith needs to make a score (currently 38 no) and Hughes and Haddin could get us moving. If Hughes can get 60-70 or Smith can go on and 70+ we should end up about 200/5 or 6 down. At that point we should get somewhere approaching 300 first Innings and that would be gold for us.
Cowan was culpable with that shot - just dreadful. Playing like a guy who feels like he HAS to make a big one and more importantly be SEEN to take the bowling on (batting number 3). If he'd just played normally we would in all probability be about 60/2 at the close rather than four down.
yep, he should be dropped for that shot alone - total brain fade.....
Australia need to bat well tomorrow. 75/4 at stumps.
Smith needs to make a score (currently 38 no) and Hughes and Haddin could get us moving. If Hughes can get 60-70 or Smith can go on and 70+ we should end up about 200/5 or 6 down. At that point we should get somewhere approaching 300 first Innings and that would be gold for us.
Cowan was culpable with that shot - just dreadful. Playing like a guy who feels like he HAS to make a big one and more importantly be SEEN to take the bowling on (batting number 3). If he'd just played normally we would in all probability be about 60/2 at the close rather than four down.
yep, he should be dropped for that shot alone - total brain fade.....
I have more faith in Starc and Siddle making runs than Hughes.......batting last wont be easy and we need to 150 in front on the 1st innings IMO.
Weird display from England....normally conservative but they went after the bowling and paid for it.
Credit to Siddle , his first spell was ordinary but he does persist and got rewarded.
Broad being injured helped although Anderson seemed to step and the ball he got Clarke with was a ripper.....he loves those conditions and was the only bowler who really got it to swing.
Hoping the weather is fine and it can negate Anderson......
Both teams are the level below South Africa IMO...the English are way overated IMO and we can win the series.
Waaay to many four balls from Starc, Pattinson & Agar. Especially with Harris & Bird on the sidelines. Changes for next test unless they produce soemthing out of the ordinary in the 2nd dig. Siddle showed how to come back from an early poor spell.
batting....well, less said the better from the great white dope & Ed. Awful.
Gotta love having test cricket on fta after dinner.
In one night, I have seen more test match cricket than I have watched in that last 3 years I reckon.
Good bowling by us, typical poor batting again by us.
Smith has to cash in tonight after seeing out the first hour with Hughes... c'mon lads!
Just need the sun to come out and we'll get a handy lead.
Stays overcast and muggy we might not get their score.
How bad is Australian cricket if we have to rely on Hughes & Smith to save us from embarrassment on Day 2. of the First Test ??
Bowling was wayward but took wickets, batting is brittle and undermanned.
Kudos for Siddle coming back but the bowling was patchy and the field way too attacking. At least we took the catches. Should have been all out for under 200 though. Our short bowling was mindless and most of it sped to the fence. Gees that outfield was fast.
Haddin made some unbelievable takes but occasionally his concentration wobbled a bit. Just to get to that wide one down leg was a heck of an effort. I am a detractor but he did better than ok.
Agar has been selected and needs to contribute and not just go along for the ride - he will have a role to play.
English batting looked rubbish at times - pushing at decent deliveries with poor footwork. Attitude poor- looked like they were just waiting for Prior/Broad/Swan to play little cameos and drag the score to 300.
Cook - rubbish shot- and he'd played it about 3 times in the previous overs. Something to exploit before he fixes it.
Root - got a good ball but has a technical flaws in footwork we can exploit.
Trott - when are we going to execute a plan to this bloke??? Played Agar terribly. First ball wide on off and he chops it on.
Bairstow - technical flaws to exploit.
Prior - awful shot - he won't do that again this series.
Broad - when are they going to come around and cramp him? Awful shot - exploit.
Swann - limp shot bunted to point/mid off... get out of jail card there Australia.
Won't mention batting, far too disappointed.. no gutted to see those clowns burn a golden opportunity.
I don't know about you Boof, but the big blond bloke at first slip needs to start contributing something - ANYTHING - because we've got enough passengers in this team as it is.
Please play Clarke at 5 and bat Siddle at 4. Don't bother with the others, we may as well paint a garbage bin white and lean a Gray Nick against it for all the defensive nous those blokes have.
I don't know about you Boof, but the big blond bloke at first slip needs to start contributing something - ANYTHING - because we've got enough passengers in this team as it is.
Please play Clarke at 5 and bat Siddle at 4. Don't bother with the others, we may as well paint a garbage bin white and lean a Gray Nick against it for all the defensive nous those blokes have.
Actually, the unattended Grey Nick would last longer......the bowlers would be forced to bowl at the stumps to dismiss it. Our blokes play get out shots at balls 2 foot wide of off stump !
I thought we bowled well last night... pitched it up and gave it a chance to do something. I'll take a few extra boundaries for that. England are going to rely heavily on Cook, Trott and Bell to score runs.
All i'll say on Watson is that we have re-arranged the battling line up to keep him happy, it is 100% fully on him to make some screwing runs on this tour.
Also think the move to make Warner go to Zimbabwe is a good one.
Big first session tonight.
I have never seen in a Test match (a) the amount of pies our bowlers have served up today, and (b) batsmen play rubbish shots like that to get themselves out from these pies.
Are they playing on a postage stamp today ?? Whenever the ball pierces the field its four every time.
I'm really enjoying the match so far but completely agog at the standard of skills on show.
Grounds generally are pretty small over there... keep in mind we had attacking fields, i think we made a real effort to keep it pitched up. Good attacking bowling.
So they might have leaked boundaries, but we bowled them out in 59 overs. Take that every day of the week.
Our bowling was patchy but I reckon they just were not familiar with the swinging Duke. It was wobbling all over the joint.
If you ever see those conditions again Starc will creat havoc .
Mallet has really talked up Agar, his efforts in the second dig will be important.
what is par for our batsmen this inning?
considering we are 4/75 overnight and England are all out for 215.
Reports are that Stuart Broad is fit and ready to bowl,
It is a glorious SUNNY 8) day, should be a good day to bat.
what is par for our batsmen this inning?
considering we are 4/75 overnight and England are all out for 215.
Reports are that Stuart Broad is fit and ready to bowl,
It is a glorious SUNNY 8) day, should be a good day to bat.
Our batting improves as we go further down the order...lol!
I'd take 215... at least we would see day 3. 300 and we might see day 4.
Just started to think we were looking good... bang bang!
... bang bang!
Australian cricket team = Carlton football team.
Inconsistent, prone to inexplicable lapses, build you up only to lose the plot, get beat up by arch enemies that were formerly softc0ckian.
Forget about hiring a new coach, get a chiropractor in there to see if any of these players have a backbone !!!
Do any of them actually warrant playing Test cricket and where do they get there decision-making prowess from ??
In 25-mins of cricket, we have been exposed as not having the ability nor temperament to play at this level. The only person showing any consistent form is the guy opening & closing the gate for the incoming & outgoing batsmen.
Saying it is "embarrassing" is being way too kind.
The Australian test team is now relying on Phil Hughes to save them, the same man that couldn't put away the bowlers from my local suburban club.
This is the first time in his career Hughes has looked like a batsmen instead of a hack!
Go you good thing! :)
As for Agar, older players please take note!
Smart from England....our tail bat ok vs the pacemen, Starc, Siddle, Pattinson are no mugs vs pace but had no idea vs Swann, wonder what Lyon is thinking as Swann is really turning them and on the second day...going to be a bitch to bat against him in the 2dn innings.
Hughes showing some character and maybe he can do a Mike Hussey and hold down the No 6 spot.....still remain unconvinced about Smith., still has a bit of a slogger approach and while he is hitting them he looks ok but always looks likely to get out next ball.
Hoping Agar can get some turn when he bowls and get a few wickets...
Agar should farm the strike from Hughes to keep him away from the bowling. He's my new cricketing hero, talk about showing up the more recognised team-mates.
Australian second innings, Agar to open & Watson to bat at 11.
We may have found a batsman in Agar down at #11. :P
Currently has 43 off 39.
We may even crack 200!
Smart from England....our tail bat ok vs the pacemen, Starc, Siddle, Pattinson are no mugs vs pace but had no idea vs Swann, wonder what Lyon is thinking as Swann is really turning them and on the second day...going to be a bitch to bat against him in the 2dn innings.
Hughes showing some character and maybe he can do a Mike Hussey and hold down the No 6 spot.....still remain unconvinced about Smith., still has a bit of a slogger approach and while he is hitting them he looks ok but always looks likely to get out next ball.
Hoping Agar can get some turn when he bowls and get a few wickets...
Smith is a 20/20 player only, his technique and temperament suits that form of the game, not a Test cricketer at all.
Standing ovation for that 50 by Agar, cracker of an innings !!
What an innings and still going. Great selection with a few wickets next innings.
What an innings and still going. Great selection with a few wickets next innings.
I have only watched 10 mins and with the score board I agree with Sheik. Agar a winner and our dedicated batsmen are chumps.
Hughes, wonderful anchor innings under pressure.
Agar, well I could boof him right now...lol!
What a great innings! What is a player averaging 33.6 in first class cricket doing batting at 11.
Who can believe we're in front after being 9-117.
Agar is on 87, dare to dream ??
This is fantastic cricket.
What its all about.
Go Aussies
Smoke the pole UPC's
This is incredible. All sorts of records tumbling. Not going to bed till it's over. GO ANTON you bl00dy beauty!!!
He's on 96 and on strike for the next over, one good swat and he'll bring up his ton.
Please cricket gods, let it happen .........
98 .........
BUGGER !!
He smashed it and got caught at mid-wicket.
BUGGER !!
He smashed it and got caught at mid-wicket.
Great last wicket record stand. Is his average the highest of all batsmen in our squad at international level for test cricket yet ? ;D
He did well and probably helped the form of Hughes too.
BUGGER !!
He smashed it and got caught at mid-wicket.
Great last wicket record stand. Is his average the highest of all batsmen in our squad at international level for test cricket yet ? ;D
He did well and probably helped the form of Hughes too.
I feel sorry for the kid. If anyone deserved a century it was him.
It was still a fantastic partnership between him and Hughes, single-handedly brought us back into this test match.
God I love test Cricket.
Agar
Hughes
Boof
Take a bow fellas!!!
Starc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
screw the Poms.
Change of tune from commentators
Darren Lehman and alcohol......... helping 19yos score in England for the last 50 years.
This is incredible. All sorts of records tumbling. Not going to bed till it's over. GO ANTON you bl00dy beauty!!!
Anton? :)). Sorry Mrs Agar. I think we ALL know his name now.
Well done Agar. fell short of the ton for 98!. Supported bu Hughes on 81no. I thnk Hughesy actually got a lesson from 19yo Agar with attitude as he all of a sudden played shots, attacked and was proactice when Agar came in. Many others could and should do the same as this young blokes.
Agar has something about him. Thought as much just watching him before the game, in the field and for the few overs he bowled. Just got the confidence and the big game let me at em attitude.
Slight bit of arrogance about him, which all the good players have. In a good way mind you.
Batting him at 11 is folly. Must move up the order to 8. He's a much better bat the Siddle, Pattinson and Starc IMHO. Hope he get s few wickets now and his batting continues to flourish.
Hughes did a brilliant job taking most of Swann in the early part of Agars innings. And even that nearly didn't work. He was very, very lucky to survive that stumping.
Agar, great, great knock. Also good to see the bowlers make to Poms work bloody hard for runs in the 2nd innings, no freebies like the 1st. It'll be a battle from here, but looks like we're up for one now.
Poms squealing about umpiring now... didn't squeal in protest when Anderson was plumb and Rogers got a shocker....
Hughes' best innings by a mile.
Did it by eliminating 50 % of his shots, but that's what it takes sometimes. Waugh got rid of his pull and hook shots to play for Oz and got rid of the back foot drive a after it was one of his most successful shots in his first tour of England .
Still iffy with the poke outside off and it will interesting to see how he goes on decks with more juice.
Darren Lehman and alcohol......... helping 19yos score in England for the last 50 years.
Maybe its time to get a few brews into Uzi?
God I love test Cricket.
Agar
Hughes
Boof
Take a bow fellas!!!
+98
Beats the hell out of that t20 slap n tickle crap for sure mate.
Love test cricket!!!!
Brilliant effort by Agar and well batted to Hughes as well. England bowled too short in that session prior to lunch (what was Finn thinking?!?!?).
No doubt we've seen the last of Agar at number 11.
Geez, i think we can win this. Get Cook early tonight and they might go to water. They have a lot of work to do to build a lead, and i'm not sure they are up to it. Mind you, not sure what sort of total we could chase.
Young Agar has restored hope. Fantastic knock. Real momentum changer. And he's a Victorian.
Interestingly poised this test match with England effectively 15/2 on Day 3.
Losing Trott was a big blow for them and English heads dropped then I thought. Australia knew how big a wicket he was and were rightfully ecstatic. Without Trott to bat the day it will fall to Cook to partner Pieterson, Bairstow and more importantly Prior. If we can get rid of Cook and ensure Prior doesn't get much of a score we are well on the way to winning this.
Australia with it's nose in front but the next two sessions will decide the outcome. Considering all that's gone on, Day 3 is the key day here. If the balls reversing and we keep it tight Agar could cause some problems with his extra bounce and more than decent turn.
In the last 10 matches at this venue ALL have ended in a result and I expect this to be the same.
I wonder how Wade is feeling watching Haddin stink it up again? Missed catches, byes and crap batting, sure the ball turned but a stride outside the off stump to the ball and a block would have seen him in. That's just basic cricket. ::)
Interestingly poised this test match with England effectively 15/2 on Day 3.
Losing Trott was a big blow for them and English heads dropped then I thought. Australia knew how big a wicket he was and were rightfully ecstatic. Without Trott to bat the day it will fall to Cook to partner Pieterson, Bairstow and more importantly Prior. If we can get rid of Cook and ensure Prior doesn't get much of a score we are well on the way to winning this.
Australia with it's nose in front but the next two sessions will decide the outcome. Considering all that's gone on, Day 3 is the key day here. If the balls reversing and we keep it tight Agar could cause some problems with his extra bounce and more than decent turn.
In the last 10 matches at this venue ALL have ended in a result and I expect this to be the same.
I have it about even as we have to bat last. I think 250 is about the max we can allow then to get in front, we were lucky Trott got an ordinary decision.
Dont trust our batting on this wicket which is starting to keep a bit low and the Poms swing it more than our bowlers...and runs on the board create more pressure.
I'd put Clarke back to 5 and keep him away from the newer ball........
Must go hard at Cook and Peitersen early and attack.....the latter is a very dangerous player and I want to see him back in the shed early.
Wonderful innings by Agar and I hope he can gets some wickets to kick start his bowling career...maybe he can bat a bit higher in the second innings.
Some credit to Hughes as well who played second fiddle and looked more solid .
It was interesting the Trott decision with many people labelling it 'poor' but based upon what?
The 'poor' part was the fact one of their key pieces of technology wasn't ready for the ball!
When the decision was referred it fell to the 3rd umpire to decide if the standing umpire (Dar in this case) had gotten it wrong. Based upon the evidence how could you not give it out? Did he hit the ball? - if you're not sure then the benefit should have gone to the batsman particularly with the LBW law. The technology not being available probably must have put the decision into some doubt however the front on hot spot showed nothing, the replay seemed to indicate it was pad first and then (and this is the big thing for me) that 'snicko' technology picked up nothing before the pad AND the bat was some way out in front by that stage.
Based upon that and the fact that ball pitched and but for the fact it intercepted the batsman AND he had not hit the ball it would have gone on to hit the stumps (clearly is what I look for). You must be certain.
I have no doubt Trott felt he hit it but the evidence did not show that. The question therefore is: Was there enough evidence to overturn the standing umpires decision (you have to be sure)?. When we say "OUT" the batsman in our mind is clearly out - we are sure. When we say "NOT OUT" we are not sure and that can be for any number of reasons.
An awful lot of time was taken up with that decision so I would love to know what else took place in that process - did the 3rd umpire speak with the standing umpire? I noted that 'snicko' wasn't included in the review package of replays initially so the question remains was it looked at as well during or afterwards.
All very interesting. If you have a look at the footage 'live' with no replay and once only what would your decision have been? OUT or NOT OUT?
It was interesting the Trott decision with many people labelling it 'poor' but based upon what?
The 'poor' part was the fact one of their key pieces of technology wasn't ready for the ball!
When the decision was referred it fell to the 3rd umpire to decide if the standing umpire (Dar in this case) had gotten it wrong. Based upon the evidence how could you not give it out? Did he hit the ball? - if you're not sure then the benefit should have gone to the batsman particularly with the LBW law. The technology not being available probably must have put the decision into some doubt however the front on hot spot showed nothing, the replay seemed to indicate it was pad first and then (and this is the big thing for me) that 'snicko' technology picked up nothing before the pad AND the bat was some way out in front by that stage.
Based upon that and the fact that ball pitched and but for the fact it intercepted the batsman AND he had not hit the ball it would have gone on to hit the stumps (clearly is what I look for). You must be certain.
I have no doubt Trott felt he hit it but the evidence did not show that. The question therefore is: Was there enough evidence to overturn the standing umpires decision (you have to be sure)?. When we say "OUT" the batsman in our mind is clearly out - we are sure. When we say "NOT OUT" we are not sure and that can be for any number of reasons.
An awful lot of time was taken up with that decision so I would love to know what else took place in that process - did the 3rd umpire speak with the standing umpire? I noted that 'snicko' wasn't included in the review package of replays initially so the question remains was it looked at as well during or afterwards.
All very interesting. If you have a look at the footage 'live' with no replay and once only what would your decision have been? OUT or NOT OUT?
I agree with what you have posted. It is very unfortunate that the square-leg hot-spot wasn't ready for that delivery, as that would have given a definitive answer. When i watched it live i thought it was pretty plum, but that was probably due to my bias. :-*
Correct me if i am wrong, but as i recall, one of the commentators said that Aleem Dar (field ump) suggested that it hit pad first, but he wasn't sure about whether it was hitting the stumps or something (i was half asleep). So when the third umpire told him it was hitting middle and leg, he gave it out.
In the AFL it would have been umpire's call because IMO that vision was inconclusive.
Out!!
100% Raydan- Haddin's (non-) shot stank. Far too often he ends up being involved in these collapses - and not in a good way.
Peterson down. Glad to see that, He can be a pain in the @rse for us. ;)
Cook gone...wicket to Agar....well done young fella......
Keep the pressure up aussies...Poms on the ropes...
Clarke blinked and took the new ball.
Turning point.
Clarke is bowling Pattinson, Siddle & Starc into the ground, with back-up from Watson & Agar in very short spells, you have to wonder if we are a bowler short in this match.
Poms are 153 in front with 5 wickets still in hand, we need a wicket urgently ......
Poms are 153 in front with 5 wickets still in hand, we need a wicket urgently ......
I asked for it and Siddle delivered, Prior was looking dangerous too.
Clarke is bowling Pattinson, Siddle & Starc into the ground, with back-up from Watson & Agar in very short spells, you have to wonder if we are a bowler short in this match.
The problem is the same as it has been for a while, our bowlers don't get a rest because the batsmen don't hang around. This is three days in a row our guy have bowled again.
Not a million overs but you never want to bowl more than two in a row.
Clarke blinked and took the new ball.
Turning point.
Yes agree. Wasn't a good decision, played to what he's used to rather than the conditions.
More controversy from England with THAT edge from Broad to slip. Broad stood his ground and Aleem Dar gave it not out.
All the media is going on about Broad should have walked etc and the obvious decision - the bit that hasn't been brought up enough was the moronic decision to refer the Ian Bell LBW decision when Watson was bowling to a ball that was clearly missing leg and Haddin knew it! Why did Clarke do it?
If that had not happened the Broad situation could have been referred and he would have been out. Crucial and tide turning moment.
England in front now and I think 261 is already too many for Australia.
Excellent quote from Glenn McGrath:
"DRS was brought in to correct obviously wrong decisions and that is how captains should use it. Alastair Cook does just that, he is very sparing with it, and hopefully Michael Clarke does the same after this. To me, it has to be the umpire [fault]. A player is allowed to stand his ground. If Australia had one appeal left, Broad would have walked. The fact there was no referral left, he left it up to the umpire." - Glenn McGrath
Michael Clarke take note.
We have played quite well in this Test but being unable to remove Bell & Broad will see us go 1-0 down in the series now.
re: Broad....no one walks these days, had every right to stand his ground and the Poms were probably still dirty over the Trott dismissal so I didnt expect any gentlemans cricket to be played...
Pattinson was dissapointing IMO....seemed intent to want to rough up Broad and bowled too short and at the body too much...no life in the pitch and the tall Broad handled it easily.
I thought Agar bowled well and has good control, not a big spinner but doesnt bowl much rubbish .
Probably have to chase 300 plus and the Poms have their noses in front.....need Clarke or another top order batter to get a century....
I used to think Ian Bell was a dud when Warnie had him covered but credit to the little bloke he has a fine test record and a very tight technique.
re: Haddin.....owes us a good innings...been average with the gloves and his judgement on appeals to have them reviewed has been ordinary.
Its not over but that wicket is cracking up bigtime and I think it will very hard work batting last....losing the toss may hurt us more than the Broad wicket IMO.
re: Broad....no one walks these days, had every right to stand his ground and the Poms were probably still dirty over the Trott dismissal so I didnt expect any gentlemans cricket to be played...
Pattinson was dissapointing IMO....seemed intent to want to rough up Broad and bowled too short and at the body too much...no life in the pitch and the tall Broad handled it easily.
I thought Agar bowled well and has good control, not a big spinner but doesnt bowl much rubbish .
Probably have to chase 300 plus and the Poms have their noses in front.....need Clarke or another top order batter to get a century....
I used to think Ian Bell was a dud when Warnie had him covered but credit to the little bloke he has a fine test record and a very tight technique.
re: Haddin.....owes us a good innings...been average with the gloves and his judgement on appeals to have them reviewed has been ordinary.
Its not over but that wicket is cracking up bigtime and I think it will very hard work batting last....losing the toss may hurt us more than the Broad wicket IMO.
Haddin isn't moving that great. He was a only ever a competent 'keeper but I fear he needs a BIG look at the ball he wants to take, doesn't take the late ones.
Unfortunately I reckon the selectors will stick with him too long because they brought him back.
That Broad decision was the worst I've ever seen. Both the umpire and player should hang their head in disgrace. I can understand waiting for the umpire's decision for a fine knick, as you get good one's and bad one's, but for a cross bat, hard thick edge to slip? All you're seen as is a cheat in the public's eyes for something obvious and the umpire is seen as purely incompetent to the point of being stupid. Alam Dar is a good umpire but he'll see that as one of the worst moments for his umpring career.
That decision could cost the Test Match.
I think it deflected off Haddin to Clarke? I've watched it a few times, can't quite tell. That might make it look worse.
Cos not walking when you edge a ball directly to slip is a disgrace. Outside the boundaries of playing the game hard. Similar to claiming a catch that has bounced. It's cheating.
Appalling decision regardless.
Australian cricket team = Carlton football team.
Inconsistent, prone to inexplicable lapses, build you up only to lose the plot, get beat up by arch enemies that were formerly softc0ckian.
Well I guess we could still win this one but I fear my original post will carry the day.
Broad and Swann are both jerks. Couldn't believe the way Swann turned and gave it to the Aussie crowd after catching Agar.
The no. 11 had just belted you all over the park you moron. Have to say though, that, coupled with Broad's refusal to walk, shows they've got the mongrel in them that we (Aussies and Carlton)
used to have.
I only just saw the Broad non-dismissal on the news service moments ago .............. absolute howler !!! >:(
Regards Haddin, for a wicketkeeper he makes a good batsman. just play him in the short forms of the game, leave the Test match arena for someone who can handle the gloves.
Both the umpire and player should hang their head in disgrace.
Amen, Broad should be universally condemned...... as others have said it was NOT a close call or remotely iffy whether he hit the ball.
Everyone at the ground knew he hit it bar the daft umpire..... makes a mockery of the whole third umpire system.
Cheats never prosper. we'll win the Series now.
Would love to see Bird in the 11.
Oh, Haddin is shot as a keeper.
Bad bad mistake not playing Paine (or maybe even Wade).
Just turned over from the footy and we are having a crack at it, 0-51 at the moment.
Would be sensational to get up and pinch this Test, the Poms would be filthy if we did.
Just turned over from the footy and we are having a crack at it, 0-51 at the moment.
Would be sensational to get up and pinch this Test, the Poms would be filthy if we did.
This what I want to see..no more sooking over Broad just get on with it and play some tough cricket ourselves.....we can win this match and England are not as good as they think they are and we can have the last laugh in this match...
All we have to do is keep Swann out as he is the real danger on this pitch, at present, he's frustrated as all buggery at present and lets out a big "oooohhh" or "aaaaaahhh" every ball.
0-76 and looking good, keep batting like Bell & Broad did yesterday, play the percentages.
Doing it easy at the moment, we just need to keep building inning's and partnerships all along the way and we're home !! :-D
Doing it easy at the moment, we just need to keep building inning's and partnerships all along the way and we're home !! :-D
If we lose a wicket amers I'm coming for you. :)
Doing it easy at the moment, we just need to keep building inning's and partnerships all along the way and we're home !! :-D
If these two can put on another 27, we will be at 111 (nelson) and 200 off the win. Even if the Poms get a breakthrough by then, still 9 wickets in hand with Clarke, Cowan & Haddin owing us 30-40 each due to their failures in the first dig.
Watson gone for 46, LBW and he took a review as well the idiot !! I thought he must of got an inside edge by the way he went straight for it but Hotspot showed nothing.
Doing it easy at the moment, we just need to keep building inning's and partnerships all along the way and we're home !! :-D
If we lose a wicket amers I'm coming for you. :)
Sorry. :(
We nearly lost another then, what sort of crap decision was that umpire giving ??
I totally hate the review system but in this instance, I'll be thankful it was there.
This "umpire's call" is sh1tting me this Test. Watto gets given out and the must've just clipped the vanish. When we appealed in England's innings, gets given not out, and 49.99999% of the ball was clipping, not change to change it from the 50% needed to overturn the umpire's call. Bell reviewed the exact same one yesterday and the same type of ball just missed leg and it was overturned. I had no problems with Watson reviewing. Could've been another millimetre, as in Bell's case, and the decision would've been overturned.
Can someone point out how Watson being hit on the pad is given out & Bell being hit on the pad is given not out ??
Without the intervention of a computer prediction from Hawkeye, they are identical !!
we are stuffed.........2 wickets too many. umpires have both been atrocious. actually, make that all three. And I agree with Warney, Alem Daar is, & has been for a long time, a very poor, over officious umpire.
The most galling thing for me last night.......fatty David Sakers smug smirk on his face when Rogers chipped it to mid wicket. Never much of an individual in the first place, that was the icing on the cake.
Agar and Starc gone. Could be an early night after all :(
One wicket to go and we still need 80 runs. That aint going to happen. We used up our last wicket luck in the first innings. ???
Unbelievably close stuff now, don't think we would be favorites even with just 4 to win, but we are certainly right in it with a shot
I think we will win it....England have used up their luck when batting and the wicket is good.
No doubt Anderson will be bowling after lunch which isnt ideal but I think we can get the runs down the other end and have a famous victory.
England had their chance when Finn dropped that catch and its going to be our day....
I think we will win it
I wish I had your optimism. Really nervous right now. Need the old pray emoticon.
The issue is that when they come back out, Pattinson is again a number 11, when he was in his stride, he is just out there batting to get runs, but come back after lunch, he has had a fair bit of time to think about a famous victory, a fair bit of thinking of the shots he will play to win the test for Australia, but then he hasn't seen a ball for an hour and it takes one. I think even if it was two regular batsmen, this would be a very hard test to win from here, even though there is just 20 to go. With a lower order batsman it is unbelievably difficult, hopefully he (and this goes for Haddin as well) is up to it.
What a crap way to end a Test !!! >:D
Lost by 14. There you go. All that effort in the last wicket for nothing in both innings.
Boof should ask ask the team and country straight up after that,
who should be more afraid and who has more to lose.
Clarke had another great game with the bat.... his record at no. 4 is deadest ordinary.
You know that old saying that's drummed into you from a very early age........"Cheats never prosper"........
ITS BULLcrap !!!!
Despite all the controversy that was a cracking game of cricket unfortunately marred by some poor decisions.
Well done to Australia climbing back off the canvas after what appeared a knock out blow (and 100+ run loss) to get so close. I had a feeling lunch would hurt us and if we'd been able to bat longer (i.e. no lunch break) I think we had the momentum. Still that's Cricket and you just don't know what's going to happen.
I have no doubt that England got the bounce of the ball. If the Australians regroup and mentally stay in the game this will come back against England somewhere in this series - it's not done yet.
Had all day..just had to milk the runs from the opposite end that Anderson was bowling but no ..Haddin has to chase/poke at one and gets caught behind.
Pattinson had the right idea..play straight keep the good ones out and just score easy from Swan with the field offering singles everywhere..
I thought we could win, all the hard work for nothing.....following Australia is like following Carlton..teased to the end and then we lose the close ones....
Had all day..just had to milk the runs from the opposite end that Anderson was bowling but no ..Haddin has to chase/poke at one and gets behind.
Really was a poor shot from Haddin who had admittedly played well up till then. If ever there was a ball that should have been let through, that was it.
Well done by the Aussies to get that close, but we should have never been in this one.
Bowling going nicely, but the dearth in batting continues.
Top order dismal in general, and simply not good enough.
You can't rely on a tenth wicket partnership to add some respectability to the teams total.
Switch in Uzi for Cowan at Lords I reckon.
Leave bowling as is, or maybe Bird in for Starc.
Well done by the Aussies to get that close, but we should have never been in this one.
Bowling going nicely, but the dearth in batting continues.
Top order dismal in general, and simply not good enough.
You can't rely on a tenth wicket partnership to add some respectability to the teams total.
Switch in Uzi for Cowan at Lords I reckon.
Leave bowling as is, or maybe Bird in for Starc.
Agree with both....Starc gone. Birds pressure at one end will be invaluable. Poms much vaunted bowling not looking as good as everyone made out apart from Anderson.....who might be a little tired still come another 5 days starting Thursday perhaps. We played (mostly) Swann pretty well. There should be a team pact for the rest of the series...DO NOT give Broad a wicket & pepper him continually when batting.
Agreed, it took a miracle from Agar and Hughes (of all people) to prevent this being over in 3 days. The 14 run margin seems to have clouded people's minds to reality - our batting failed twice, and nobody posted a score in both digs (= inconsistency, our biggest problem).
Haddin out driving away from his pad, to a ball that wasn't quite there to drive... haven't we heard that one before? In Haddin's defence, why was he placed in that position in the first place? 0/100 FFS! Bloody top order - again.
Cowan should never have been picked and most definitely not at 3.
he as good as admitted pre Test he didn't want to/wasn't comfortable play at 3....
That selection along cost us the game imo.
Agreed, it took a miracle from Agar and Hughes (of all people) to prevent this being over in 3 days. The 14 run margin seems to have clouded people's minds to reality - our batting failed twice, and nobody posted a score in both digs (= inconsistency, our biggest problem).
Haddin out driving away from his pad, to a ball that wasn't quite there to drive... haven't we heard that one before? In Haddin's defence, why was he placed in that position in the first place? 0/100 FFS! Bloody top order - again.
It was the middle and late order that killed us apart from Cowan who stunk both times.
The top order struggled on the first day, but they were pretty special conditions. The second day (first innings) the middle and late order failed in good conditions apart from Hughes and Agar.
In the second dig Watson and Hughes did well and Clarke was ok, then the middle and late order fail apart from Haddin and Patterson.
But the good news is that Rogers, Watson, Hughes, Haddin all made runs when conditions were reasonable. Pattinson and Agar made runs as well. So that just leaves Clarke and Cowan (and Starc and Siddle, but they are 50/50) as below par in either innings.
Bird is the one I'd like in, I don't think Starc handled the pressure very well and was pretty ho hum when the ball stopped moving.
I think Cowan is a no brainer. We've got 4 openers in the side because the selectors don't have any faith. Boof looks like he's trying to build that faith and Kawaja is now a Qlder so Boof will want him in,
Even when conditions were "favourable" we had periods when our batting simply failed. End of day 4 being a case in point. Getting out when set is a sin on a deck like that - and an eternal problem with Watson. When conditions are favourable we need to cash in - but don't. And then there is always Swann to contend with in the periods where Anderson isn't warping it around.
I agree that Starc has the capability but doesn't do it often enough. Is he dangerous enough often enough i.e. does he bowl enough good balls to get a gig at Lords? He didn't seem to cause great angst aside from the novelty of being a left armer. Gee he can leak runs, and can look deadest ordinary when the ball isn't swinging.
I agree that Bird is the logical replacement but is he going to "make things happen" if the pitch is flat or grind out wickets... bearing in mind that the poms seem perfectly happy to grind out decent scores at 2 an over? Is our attack too same-same with Bird and Siddle.... but the thought of Bird hitting a spot on the downhill ramp at Lord's does peke interest.
Even when conditions were "favourable" we had periods when our batting simply failed. End of day 4 being a case in point. Getting out when set is a sin on a deck like that - and an eternal problem with Watson. When conditions are favourable we need to cash in - but don't. And then there is always Swann to contend with in the periods where Anderson isn't warping it around.
I agree that Starc has the capability but doesn't do it often enough. Is he dangerous enough often enough i.e. does he bowl enough good balls to get a gig at Lords? He didn't seem to cause great angst aside from the novelty of being a left armer. Gee he can leak runs, and can look deadest ordinary when the ball isn't swinging.
I agree that Bird is the logical replacement but is he going to "make things happen" if the pitch is flat or grind out wickets... bearing in mind that the poms seem perfectly happy to grind out decent scores at 2 an over? Is our attack too same-same with Bird and Siddle.... but the thought of Bird hitting a spot on the downhill ramp at Lord's does peke interest.
I thought he was very unlucky with that LBW shout, but you are right he should have made more.
But really only Bell took his chances out of all the batsmen.
The key to getting guys out like Bell, when he does his best impression of a barnacle, is to make sure he plays EVERY SINGLE BALL. Starc and others still let them off playing 30% of the balls they should.
Switch in Uzi for Cowan at Lords I reckon.
Leave bowling as is, or maybe Bird in for Starc.
Agree. No need to panic. Clearly an underwhelming performance that nearly got the choccies so Boof needs to back the players atm as a new coach.