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Aus [662/9d] defeat Eng [403 & 218] in the 3rd Test by an innings and 41 runs to regain The Ashes

A draw is a possibility here but only due to rain. If it does not rain then England will lose again. Bayliss needs to go - he has picked a poor squad and they are not capable of competing in this series. Even England winning a single Test out of the five looks very unlikely now. Credit to Australia, Smith and both of the Marsh brothers who have played some seriously good cricket and made England look very ordinary indeed.
 
A draw is a possibility here but only due to rain. If it does not rain then England will lose again. Bayliss needs to go - he has picked a poor squad and they are not capable of competing in this series. Even England winning a single Test out of the five looks very unlikely now. Credit to Australia, Smith and both of the Marsh brothers who have played some seriously good cricket and made England look very ordinary indeed.

So you think their are players that England could have selected that could compete?.
 
So you think their are players that England could have selected that could compete?.

If I’m being honest I have never followed the county game particularly closely, just internationals. But surely England has a better first drop batsman than Vince, a better first change seamer than Woakes, and a not dissimilar batsman / offspiner replacement for Ali who is not only out of form but also playing through at least one injury? I don’t know, maybe there isn’t anyone else.
 
England's selection of bowlers is surely not optimal.
 
If I’m being honest I have never followed the county game particularly closely, just internationals. But surely England has a better first drop batsman than Vince, a better first change seamer than Woakes, and a not dissimilar batsman / offspiner replacement for Ali who is not only out of form but also playing through at least one injury? I don’t know, maybe there isn’t anyone else.

Do you really think if they replaced Vince and Woaks they would have fared better, your best players Root, Anderson and broad are struggling.
 
Is Tremmlett active? Is he older than Berbi?

I don't think he's in shape (for fast-bowling)....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good to catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/griffta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@griffta18</a> today and put him through his paces in the gym. 💪💪 <a href="https://t.co/Axh480ebzs">pic.twitter.com/Axh480ebzs</a></p>— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTremlett33/status/935931349902528517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Do you really think if they replaced Vince and Woaks they would have fared better, your best players Root, Anderson and broad are struggling.

Anderson bowled very well in Adelaide but has not performed in this game, meanwhile I would agree that Root has not been at his best in any of the games, finally Broad is not even making the effort anymore and has been really poor.

Perhaps out of the senior players it is Broad that needs a spell on the sidelines to recover his interest. Cook also needs to drop down to 3 or 4 in the order, his eyes are no longer sharp enough for opening, that is presuming that he does not retire altogether.

England will continue to do well at home but as a touring prospect they look mediocre at best right now.
 
Anderson bowled very well in Adelaide but has not performed in this game, meanwhile I would agree that Root has not been at his best in any of the games, finally Broad is not even making the effort anymore and has been really poor.

Perhaps out of the senior players it is Broad that needs a spell on the sidelines to recover his interest. Cook also needs to drop down to 3 or 4 in the order, his eyes are no longer sharp enough for opening, that is presuming that he does not retire altogether.

England will continue to do well at home but as a touring prospect they look mediocre at best right now.

See the thing is not that Anderson and Root are playing bad, it is that they are playing exactly like they have before - Anderson bowling economical but not threatening to take wickets on a flat pitch and Joe not converting the 50s for the umpteenth time when he is expected to score daddy hundreds. This is how their best has looked for quite some time on such pitches. They have been mediocre in Australia'13-14, India'16 and Australia'17 again. Anderson looked gold because of the conditions not because he suddenly started bowling better.
 
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See the thing is not that Anderson and Root are playing bad, it is that they are playing exactly like they have before - Anderson bowling economical but not threatening to take wickets on a flat pitch and Joe not converting the 50s for the umpteenth time when he is expected to score daddy hundreds. This is how their best has looked for quite some time on such pitches. They have been mediocre in Australia'13-14, India'16 and Australia'17 again. Anderson looked gold because of the conditions not because he suddenly started bowling better.

In Adelaide 2nd inning ofcourse
 
If I’m being honest I have never followed the county game particularly closely, just internationals. But surely England has a better first drop batsman than Vince, a better first change seamer than Woakes, and a not dissimilar batsman / offspiner replacement for Ali who is not only out of form but also playing through at least one injury? I don’t know, maybe there isn’t anyone else.

I think they've picked players that a very good in English conditions but not considered what actually works in Australia. Whoever the quickest bowler in England is- he needed to be on this tour. Then the next fastest. Broad & Anderson can bowl tidy & long spells but they don't penetrate with an old kookaburra. In that period you need fast & hostile. They play 5 bowlers so can afford to play a wildcard or two. They have a leg spinner but not the courage to select him.
 
So you think their are players that England could have selected that could compete?.

I would have stuck with Anderson as third seamer because he is at least economical. Broad has not been effective for some time - long term fatigue maybe? He is down on pace. Wood and Plunkett should have played and I would have given the leggie a run. Moeen is not scoring runs and is cannon fodder with the ball here. That would mean.....

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Bairstow
Malan
Stokes
Foakes
Plunkett
Wood
Anderson
Crane
 
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England will lose this Test and the Ashes tonight

Australia will get 450 lead and bowl england out
 
I would have stuck with Anderson as third seamer because he is at least economical. Broad has not been effective for some time - long term fatigue maybe? He is down on pace. Wood and Plunkett should have played and I would have given the leggie a run. Moeen is not scoring runs and is cannon fodder with the ball here. That would mean.....

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Bairstow
Malan
Stokes
Foakes
Plunkett
Wood
Anderson
Crane

And you think this side would beat Australia or even do better than the current side.
 
England are dearly missing Ben Stokes. He is a hit the deck type of bowler who can bowl at 140k's in short bursts. Not to forget his batting, he would have made sure that England did not post below par scores.

England needs to seriously find 140k + bowlers quickly. What is the point of having 6'4"-6'7" tall bowlers if they trundle at gentle 130-135k's?
Broad is the only bowler who could succeed in Aus. But he is out of form. Anderson is useless outside of England and Woakes is not good enough to be the 3rd pacer. His batting has also gone down south in the last 1 year.
 
Broad looked very disinterested this match. He has done well in Australia but if this performance continues he will end with poor numbers in Aus.
 
And you think this side would beat Australia or even do better than the current side.

I think it is better equipped for Australian conditions than the current side. Stokes would have had a very good allround series, I think. Wood and Plunkett have 5 mph more than the current bowlers, which would be significant here.
 
I don't think he's in shape (for fast-bowling)....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good to catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/griffta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@griffta18</a> today and put him through his paces in the gym. &#55357;&#56490;&#55357;&#56490; <a href="https://t.co/Axh480ebzs">pic.twitter.com/Axh480ebzs</a></p>— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTremlett33/status/935931349902528517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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damn he swole
 
making root captain was always a poor decision 2bh, it should have gone to broad
 
Oh for goodness sakes, hyperbole much? He’s been in the job six months. Five matches without a century and he’s risking mental illness?

Don't get upset man, my point isn't to prove him sissy.

If it happens (Root quitting), it'll happen in first few months, otherwise he'll lead ENG in next Ashes tour as well. I just feel it's becoming too much for him to lead the side, be the main batsman - may not be like those (or Swan), but I feel if it ends 5-0, with him personally not living up to the standard, he should leave the poisoned chalice.
 
I don't think he's in shape (for fast-bowling)....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good to catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/griffta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@griffta18</a> today and put him through his paces in the gym. &#55357;&#56490;&#55357;&#56490; <a href="https://t.co/Axh480ebzs">pic.twitter.com/Axh480ebzs</a></p>— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTremlett33/status/935931349902528517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Is he targeting iron man title.............
 
I would have stuck with Anderson as third seamer because he is at least economical. Broad has not been effective for some time - long term fatigue maybe? He is down on pace. Wood and Plunkett should have played and I would have given the leggie a run. Moeen is not scoring runs and is cannon fodder with the ball here. That would mean.....

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Bairstow
Malan
Stokes
Foakes
Plunkett
Wood
Anderson
Crane

Definitely better XI. Since Stokes isn't available, I'll take Moeen and rest is fine. May be Overton can give a fight to Jimmy because of his height, but Plunkett & Wood were definitely better picks.
 
Sportsmen in general are grossly overpaid in my opinion. If people cared about global issues as much as they do their favourite teams losing, it would be a better place.

Sportsmen in general are grossly overpaid in my opinion. If people cared about global issues as much as they do their favourite teams losing, it would be a better place.

Just curious.

How much time do you spend here and on forums concerned with "global issues?"
 
I don't think he's in shape (for fast-bowling)....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good to catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/griffta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@griffta18</a> today and put him through his paces in the gym. 💪💪 <a href="https://t.co/Axh480ebzs">pic.twitter.com/Axh480ebzs</a></p>— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTremlett33/status/935931349902528517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Still not as fit as Atul sharma.
 
I would have stuck with Anderson as third seamer because he is at least economical. Broad has not been effective for some time - long term fatigue maybe? He is down on pace. Wood and Plunkett should have played and I would have given the leggie a run. Moeen is not scoring runs and is cannon fodder with the ball here. That would mean.....

Cook
Stoneman
Root
Bairstow
Malan
Stokes
Foakes
Plunkett
Wood
Anderson
Crane

We saw these guys in the warm-up game before this test and England almost lost that match. Crane was smashed for over 7 runs and over by non-FC players. Imagine what Warner and Smith would do to him. Stokes would be very helpful even in the current side, replacing Woakes or even Broad.
 
Stokes is of course a huge miss for England, but would he really have changed the direction of this series significantly overall?

I suppose we would have to analyse the specific match moments where he could have: come in to bat at 6, come on to bowl when the chips were down, or be put in one of his common fielding positions to face a dropped catch - but my memory fails me too much these days. Perhaps someone else can help.
 
Stokes is of course a huge miss for England, but would he really have changed the direction of this series significantly overall?

I suppose we would have to analyse the specific match moments where he could have: come in to bat at 6, come on to bowl when the chips were down, or be put in one of his common fielding positions to face a dropped catch - but my memory fails me too much these days. Perhaps someone else can help.

I think it's also important to remember the impact Stokes has on the guys around him. He's a fighter (literally!) and players feel confident knowing he's there in the batting order or on the field.

Adds a lot of balance to England's side.

Would that be enough to retain the Ashes? Probably not unless he came in bowling 150 KPH thunderbolts.
 
I don't think he's in shape (for fast-bowling)....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good to catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/griffta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@griffta18</a> today and put him through his paces in the gym. &#55357;&#56490;&#55357;&#56490; <a href="https://t.co/Axh480ebzs">pic.twitter.com/Axh480ebzs</a></p>— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTremlett33/status/935931349902528517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I am sure his sledging would involve more than words
 
England's selection of bowlers is surely not optimal.

I told you, that in Old WACA, Aussies would have batted once - never thought that, it might be the case even on this track, which is probably a better batting surface than Adelaide of 1980s/90s.
 
England have made an official complaint after the controversial dismissal of opener Mark Stoneman in this third Magellan Ashes Test.

UK newspaper The Mirror is reporting skipper Joe Root has spoken to the match referee Sir Richie Richardson not so much about the fact that Stoneman was dismissed, but rather the method by which the decision was made by third umpire Aleem Dar.

On Thursday, Stoneman was given not out on the field but that decision was quickly reversed after a review, leaving Root visibly frustrated by the outcome. The skipper backhanded the changeroom door in the visitors' viewing area as he and his teammates looked perplexed at the decision.

While extensive replays indicated the correct decision was ultimately reached, The Mirror is reporting the fact Dar reversed the on-field decision so quickly and after viewing only a handful of replays has left the tourists disenchanted with the review process.

Stoneman gloved a searing Mitchell Starc bouncer through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine who took a spectacular leaping catch above his head, but was initially given not out by standing umpire Marais Erasmus.

Replays showed Stoneman fending in front his face but as the ball passed by, his bottom hand came off the bat. At the same time, Real Time Snicko displayed a spike of noise as the ball passed the glove that was off the bat.

Third umpire Aleem Dar ruled there was conclusive evidence and overturned Erasmus’s on-field decision and Stoneman was on his way.

Further replays and angles after Stoneman had left the middle vindicated Dar's decision, with the ball grazing the batsman's top hand with an RTS spike confirming contact.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the reaction from the England dressing room had made them "look silly" and was "a horrible look for the game".

"The thing about the decision being made when it was as well, it’s actually made Joe Root and a lot of the England guys look silly," Ponting said on UK broadcaster BT Sport.

"They’re out on the balcony complaining about the decision (but) as it’s turned out, it was the right call."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/engl...behind-controversy-drs-video-ashes/2017-12-17
 
England have made an official complaint after the controversial dismissal of opener Mark Stoneman in this third Magellan Ashes Test.

UK newspaper The Mirror is reporting skipper Joe Root has spoken to the match referee Sir Richie Richardson not so much about the fact that Stoneman was dismissed, but rather the method by which the decision was made by third umpire Aleem Dar.

On Thursday, Stoneman was given not out on the field but that decision was quickly reversed after a review, leaving Root visibly frustrated by the outcome. The skipper backhanded the changeroom door in the visitors' viewing area as he and his teammates looked perplexed at the decision.

While extensive replays indicated the correct decision was ultimately reached, The Mirror is reporting the fact Dar reversed the on-field decision so quickly and after viewing only a handful of replays has left the tourists disenchanted with the review process.

Stoneman gloved a searing Mitchell Starc bouncer through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine who took a spectacular leaping catch above his head, but was initially given not out by standing umpire Marais Erasmus.

Replays showed Stoneman fending in front his face but as the ball passed by, his bottom hand came off the bat. At the same time, Real Time Snicko displayed a spike of noise as the ball passed the glove that was off the bat.

Third umpire Aleem Dar ruled there was conclusive evidence and overturned Erasmus’s on-field decision and Stoneman was on his way.

Further replays and angles after Stoneman had left the middle vindicated Dar's decision, with the ball grazing the batsman's top hand with an RTS spike confirming contact.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the reaction from the England dressing room had made them "look silly" and was "a horrible look for the game".

"The thing about the decision being made when it was as well, it’s actually made Joe Root and a lot of the England guys look silly," Ponting said on UK broadcaster BT Sport.

"They’re out on the balcony complaining about the decision (but) as it’s turned out, it was the right call."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/engl...behind-controversy-drs-video-ashes/2017-12-17

"yeh angrez phir ro rahay hain"
 
ICC is going to say Dar got the decision right. End of story.

Complaining about how he got to that decision is rather silly.
 
ICC is going to say Dar got the decision right. End of story.

Complaining about how he got to that decision is rather silly.

And what happens next time and 'elite' umpire's forgets a pretty basic law and doesn't get lucky?
 
These bunch of cowards have already disgraced their country now they are just showing how weak they are mentally with these complaints having been mauled from genesis all the way to revelations by Australia.
 
I'll again say - DRS shouldn't be with players. If On field Umpire (s) are not sure, he (they)'ll ask specific clarification from his 3rd umpire with TV, and after that whatever decision comes, stands there,

Instead of going through full cycle, on field umpires will as specific question - like, I am sure about the impact, height & pitch, please confirm if there is any in-side edge or not. Or, please check where the ball pitched .....

This is not helping the game at all.
 
I'll again say - DRS shouldn't be with players. If On field Umpire (s) are not sure, he (they)'ll ask specific clarification from his 3rd umpire with TV, and after that whatever decision comes, stands there,

Instead of going through full cycle, on field umpires will as specific question - like, I am sure about the impact, height & pitch, please confirm if there is any in-side edge or not. Or, please check where the ball pitched .....

This is not helping the game at all.

If you went with that you might as well just get rid of on field umpires. The exact same thing would happen as does with runouts where the third umpire is brought into it nearly every time there's a half-serious appeal.
 
Stokes is of course a huge miss for England, but would he really have changed the direction of this series significantly overall?

I suppose we would have to analyse the specific match moments where he could have: come in to bat at 6, come on to bowl when the chips were down, or be put in one of his common fielding positions to face a dropped catch - but my memory fails me too much these days. Perhaps someone else can help.


He would have helped bolster the batting lineup and reduce the length of the tail but his bowling would have been just as ineffective as the rest of the English attack on these pitches.

Missing out on this tour has helped his reputation more than playing all five tests.
 
If you went with that you might as well just get rid of on field umpires. The exact same thing would happen as does with runouts where the third umpire is brought into it nearly every time there's a half-serious appeal.

May be ICC can impose a cap (internally) and give confidence to their umpires. This has to happen, otherwise with new rule (half calls, don't cost you a review), you'll see lot more unnecessary reviews, like the Smith LBW one yesterday.

It's about respect - what ICC has done is they have taken respect out of Umpire's role (partially Umpires are also responsible for their double standards). There are so much scrutiny, postmortem for every decision that Umpires are literally scared these days.

Establish authority of the Umpires, I am sure it can work. Frank Chester once gave Compton (or Hammond, I forgot) a wrong decision and then he realized - so, he went to the player at break and apologized for his call. Batsman replied that, never mind - I was out because, Umpire thought me I was, in good spirit & without negligence, fair enough.

I didn't like Root's (ENG's) reaction here, because it puts umpires in a bad position. Run-out/Stumping is a bit different issue, because it's absolute - you can measure it by milimetres, so it has to be precise. But LBW, CB, bat-pad these are subjective as well under discretion of on-field umpire. Need to give bigger space to umpires - now they are coming from 3rd country, so it shouldn't be any issue, unless we (fans, media) make it.
 
These bunch of cowards have already disgraced their country now they are just showing how weak they are mentally with these complaints having been mauled from genesis all the way to revelations by Australia.

Imagine the state of this forum if a desi team was getting this kind of phainty in Australia.

Time to go and find my "Is playing in England harming English cricket thead?" :yk2
 
Imagine the state of this forum if a desi team was getting this kind of phainty in Australia.

Time to go and find my "Is playing in England harming English cricket thead?" :yk2

BD toured SAF after 7 years, played one 2 day match before 1st Test within 7 days of arrival, and our "shorty" got confused looking at the track & morning cloud - so, he put SAF in and they ended 343/1 ........... and PP almost snatched BD's underwear. Yesterday, ENG got 400+, got AUS 3 down and got the 2nd ball - it ended 346/1 in a whole day ........... sometimes I do feel that there are double standards.
 
Stokes is another overrated superstar. Mind you result would have been same even if he was there. He has only himself to blame for not making it to the biggest of the series.
 
BD toured SAF after 7 years, played one 2 day match before 1st Test within 7 days of arrival, and our "shorty" got confused looking at the track & morning cloud - so, he put SAF in and they ended 343/1 ........... and PP almost snatched BD's underwear. Yesterday, ENG got 400+, got AUS 3 down and got the 2nd ball - it ended 346/1 in a whole day ........... sometimes I do feel that there are double standards.

Desi inferiority complex ingrained from colonial times, so people hunger for praise from the English/Western media, runs/wickets in England/Australia count more than runs/wickets in Asia.

How many English fans say Anderson is crap because he's reliant on favourable conditions? Now contrast that with how many PPers tear down our players if they don't average 50+ in England or Australia.

England/Australia/Saffers play in Asia all the time, given tests against Pak/Ind/SL/Ban and then add IPL/PSL etc. on top of that. A Pakistani player who plays 100 tests might play what, 7 or 8 tests in Australia in his entire career?

Yet failing in unfamiliar conditions for an Asian player is deemed to be a huge black mark (Look at how the English bowlers cried about Kohli's record in England when they were getting phainty in India) while English players failing in Asian conditions with which they are much more familiar is forgotten after a couple of weeks.
 
Stokes is of course a huge miss for England, but would he really have changed the direction of this series significantly overall?

I suppose we would have to analyse the specific match moments where he could have: come in to bat at 6, come on to bowl when the chips were down, or be put in one of his common fielding positions to face a dropped catch - but my memory fails me too much these days. Perhaps someone else can help.

First innings, first test. Oz 5-fer not much. England were just one bowler able force a wicket or one piece of inspiration (a great catch, a run out...) from bundling Oz out & taking control of the series, shifting the entire tone & increasing their confidence with a huge feat of beating Oz at the Gabba. I'd say Stokes was the best bet for doing any of those 3.

Similarly here, England were 4-300 or so. Imagine if Stokes were next in against a tired attack & scores a quick fire 60, demoralising Oz bowlers, all of a sudden the tail wags & Oz bowlers are tired & we have to try and bat against 550 runs over our heads & Englands tail is up instead of ours. Could have also been game changing.
 
This Ashes series has been very bizzare. Heads will need to roll because it just looks like the English team turned up to Australia with absolutely no plan, no homework, no regard for the conditions and no real desire to win in Australia.

Andrew Strauss and the English Coach need to be held accountable for this.
 
Don't know what is OZ plan here, any over played after lunch will only increase English hopes of draw considering the weather prediction, They should just hit out or get out, and it will be interesting to see how Smith handle this scenario of Personal goal or team goal, and whether he slows down for his triple ton,
 
So the Aussie bats including Smith still struggle when the ball moves with Anderson hitting the crack consistently.

It is still a big question mark he needs to answer.
 
ouch I jinxed smithy, but considering the cracks I guess OZ already have more than enough, but I but what an anti climax this morning session turning out to be, I tuned in to see some good ol, poms thrashing,
 
Starc only sacrifaced his wicket because he's classed as bowler, he was the far more valuable wicket than Paine.
 
Starc only sacrifaced his wicket because he's classed as bowler, he was the far more valuable wicket than Paine.

Agreed. Another 30 minutes of Starc and the match would be done and dusted.

Paine is going to scratch around at a 20 S/R until he gets dismissed.
 
Don't know why OZ are not throwing there bat at everything? they aren't gonna survive long on this pitch, they are just wasting overs without adding many, [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION]
 
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Don't know why OZ are not throwing there bat at everything? they aren't gonna survive long on this pitch, they are just wasting overs without adding many, [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION]
Well, the more they bat out there, the more the pitch wears and that crack becomes a easier target for the Aussie bowlers to hit.

Then again, a bigger crack might not be the best as it might get the ball to do too much.
 
Well, the more they bat out there, the more the pitch wears and that crack becomes a easier target for the Aussie bowlers to hit.

Then again, a bigger crack might not be the best as it might get the ball to do too much.

Keep the Pommie bats out there watching the ball deviate off the cracks os by the time they go out to bat they expect to get out.
 
Keep the Pommie bats out there watching the ball deviate off the cracks os by the time they go out to bat they expect to get out.
Good call, I can see the Ashes finishing today.

That may be the directive given by the team judging by how these two are batting.
 
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Don't know why OZ are not throwing there bat at everything? they aren't gonna survive long on this pitch, they are just wasting overs without adding many, [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION]

They are allowing the track to crack down - if there is no rain threat, ideal time to declare at WACA is 30 minutes before Tea on Day 4 and then use the Kookaburra when Fremental doctor is blowing inwards with moisture. If it cracks, Pom's will go to sleep like 100/7 ...............
 
I'd get to 200 and declare. Get England in before lunch so they're on the defensive from ball one with lunch as checkpoint in mind. Quick burst before and after lunch to make full use of the ball while it's hard.

No need to gift any wickets.
 
Who could they add that's available which would have made much of a difference?

Stoke - suspended
Finn - injured I believe

Surely, surely there are couple of 25 years old new pacers who can hit the deck harder than Woakes. I reiterate, MoJo left a scar in ECB's think tank so deep that their entire thought process was to fix batting. In the mean time, someone stole the cheese .........

It's impossible to imagine this ENG attack to take 20 wickets effectively.
 
I think Australia are looking to add as many as possible. So they will go all guns blazing and in process get all out with a lead of 275, say.

Hence, they might not declare. Even have a 300 lead if possible.
 
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