England v Australia | 1st Test | Cardiff | England win by 169 runs

[Robert]

Vorn reckons 250 could be competitive on this.

The second and third days will probably be best for batting - a bit warmer with more sun. Rain coming on Sunday though.

 

[Convict]

The only reason he is playing is because of Clarke and Boof. It's another matter what you think should've happened.

Oh I agree. Selectors are rubbish though.

And Haddin was never there for tactics. He was there to help Clarke in the dressing room. The off field part of Capatincy

 

[Convict]

England on top

 

[Neferpitou]

Oh I agree. Selectors are rubbish though.

And Haddin was never there for tactics. He was there to help Clarke in the dressing room. The off field part of Capatincy

I've seen Haddin change fields quite a bit. Also seen Clarke discussing with him all the time. Anyway, back to the game.

 

[Robert]

Ballance? He's been immense for you. Sure a few bad tests recently, but he's done well and deserves to be persisted with.

You've got Lyth now, dunno how good he is, but perhaps give him a chance now. England in general lack opening talent, but have a lot of good middle order prospects. I'd bump Bell up to opening freeing up the middle order and then bring in Taylor. No point Bell hogging the middle order when he's blocking newer talents coming in, he's just not good enough.

Ballance has only done it against weak SL, IND and WI attacks. I am convinced that he is batting out of position. He and Roooooooot are the other way round at Yorks.

Bell has never opened in tests. It's not like ODI cricket. He has been an effective #3 at times. He does have 21 test hundreds but is out of form and not getting any younger.

 

[OutKast]

The lack of bounce and pace in the pitch makes for dull cricket

 

[Neferpitou]

The ball should reverse early here though that shower might've ruined it a bit.

 

[Convict]

The rescue mission is on full swing, watch out you coward aussies.

Care to back that?

 

[Zeshan547]

It's joe the great, he will do a G.I.Joe with poor Oz bowling.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Repeat of the 1st test vs NZ. Eng lose early wickets, Root comes, takes on the bowlers

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Need to give Lyon another go before lunch.

 

[Zeshan547]

Congragulations aussies, the old and real jhono is "back" with economy of "5.06"

 

[leatherface58]

remember the U.A.E test series, what a nightmare, and what a brave performance you guys gave.

You remember your own UAE test series first. )

 

[trogger]

Might as well pick wade, he drops simple ones as well but at least he can bat.

 

[Man Of Steel]

Don't worry Zeshan is just bitter after years of getting beaten up by Australia.

Yeah that seems to be the case. Now will have to listen to sky team's Root glorification for 40 minutes.

 

[ssuhaide]

Love watching Root bat. The Aussies will be cursing themselves if he goes on to get a big score.

 

[Neferpitou]

This thread taking an interesting turn.

 

[ads101]

Ballance has only done it against weak SL, IND and WI attacks. I am convinced that he is batting out of position. He and Roooooooot are the other way round at Yorks.

Bell has never opened in tests. It's not like ODI cricket. He has been an effective #3 at times. He does have 21 test hundreds but is out of form and not getting any younger.

He opens a lot in domestic first class if I'm right. I'm sure he could do the job. Been poor at 3 when it matter generally, only doing well against weak attacks. His best stuff has generally come down the order at 5/6 partly because there's less pressure when he scored (as guys had already scored above him). The youngsters coming into the side show more grit and ability to handle pressure than him, which I don't understand given his vast experience at international and domestic level, and even a domestic captain. He should be captain too by now given Cook's tactical blunders, you'd think Bell would be next in line with his experience, but you can't give it to him because he's not good enough for a senior player.

Lost faith he'd really come good after that Pak series. Was embarrassing how Strauss was having to shield Bell from Ajmal like Bell was some sort of tailender.

I'd much rather show faith in Ballance. Besides Bell's average is boosted by weak attacks and non pressure run adding when England is in a strong position. There's few better to capitalise on a strong score. If England have 400/4 and Bell comes in you are sure he'll probably add a 100. But at 42-2 for example, won't do anything. Has great technique, footwork, he should be a great batsman let alone below par. That's why he does so well when the pressure's off. When it's on he bottles it. At least Ballance has come in new and scored at no.3 in less strong positions. Was something Bell might struggle to do now, and wasn't able to do when he was younger.

 

[Robert]

Englishmen are such cowards and sore losers for doctoring the pitch and preparing a dustbowl.

Wrong and wrong. 1. Englishmen did not prepare it, and 2. it will not help the spinners either.

No pace in the pitch. The quicks are not scary at all here - Johnno 0-35 off six overs. Hopefully he will lose confidence and go back into Sloop mode.

 

[Robert]

He opens a lot in domestic first class if I'm right. I'm sure he could do the job. Been poor at 3 when it matter generally, only doing well against weak attacks. His best stuff has generally come down the order at 5/6 partly because there's less pressure when he scored (as guys had already scored above him). The youngsters coming into the side show more grit and ability to handle pressure than him, which I don't understand given his vast experience at international and domestic level, and even a domestic captain. He should be captain too by now given Cook's tactical blunders, you'd think Bell would be next in line with his experience, but you can't give it to him because he's not good enough for a senior player.

Just shows how much of this game is played in the mind. He tends to overthink things. If he could keep his mind clear, he'd average 55 in tests and be considered an England ATG.

 

[trogger]

Hopefully he will lose confidence and go back into Sloop mode.

He's been there for a while now, he has bowled just a couple of decent spells since the SA series which is well over a year now.

 

[Zeshan547]

Jhono have to be the most overhyped bowler. Prepare a flat pitch and he is poor man's wahab.

 

[Markhor]

A session of two halves to coin a phrase. Australia didn't always get their line and length right but when they did they got their rewards. That was an absolute peach from Starc to dismiss Bell.

Root has counter-attacked well, it was the right strategy too as you can't just try and survive against the Aussies otherwise the innings will go nowhere. Now its the Aussies who are being asked questions and must break this partnership early on.

Good session.

 

[#GreenRoars]

[MENTION=132340]Zeshan547[/MENTION] [MENTION=139269]Man Of Steel[/MENTION]

You both need to take care of your words. Next time am not gonna warn you. Thanks!

 

[Robert]

Jhono have to be the most overhyped bowler. Prepare a flat pitch and he is poor man's wahab.

I disagree. He ripped England apart on four flatties in 2013/4.

It's just a question of timing with him, of getting in The Zone. If he could stay there longer he'd be another Lillee (who was brilliant on flat decks).

 

[Convict]

Johnson bowled well early and tried to much before lunch.

Root is well suited to English decks, not so much Australian.

 

[Boxer]

Ashes epitome of cricket.

 

[Boxer]

Australians produce the best bowlers and in bunches.

 

[Boxer]

Ian Bell as expected will have a poor series with a 50 somewhere in between.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Game is evenly ballanced at moment, but a couple of quick wickets and england will be in a hole again, the dropping of Root is already proving costly for aussies

 

[Boxer]

Marsh will be missed in this test.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Ian Bell as expected will have a poor series with a 50 somewhere in between.

Should be replaced by bairstow or KP.

 

[Boxer]

lovely 4 to bring up the hundertttt

 

[Amjid Javed]

Docile "unsporting pitch" has been produced by groundsmen to ensure we get 5 days cricket in cardiff which means loads of $$$ the actual game is irrelevant here, almost all test grounds in england will have a policy to maximize the number of days they can squeeze money for during this series.

 

[Boxer]

warner needs to start getting chirpy with the root and ball guys

 

[Markhor]

Very, very good over from Hazlewood. He's the real deal.

 

[Boxer]

Johnson will try to wake up the sleeping Aussie supporters

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Need Lyon here. England looking too comfortable against pace.

 

[#GreenRoars]

Good recovery by England

 

[Convict]

Johnson will try to wake up the sleeping Aussie supporters

it's 9.24 here

 

[shah_1]

Well done England

You just don't drop Root, he is worldclass

 

[Markhor]

Australia have since lunch been very economical with RR under 3 an over. England not been allowed to get on the front foot.

BTW, loving Holding and Ponting on commentary.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Wonderful recovery

Aussie pacers looking short of ideas, Johnson looking a pale shadow of himself , lack of bounce affecting him badly

 

[f.b.m]

Australia have since lunch been very economical with RR under 3 an over. England not been allowed to get on the front foot.

BTW, loving Holding and Ponting on commentary.

They are alright but don't match the understated genius of Ian Healy and James Brayshaw.

 

[Robert]

Very, very good over from Hazlewood. He's the real deal.

Not so much The New Hawaii as The New Stuart Clark I'd say. Very similar look and action.

 

[Convict]

Australia have since lunch been very economical with RR under 3 an over. England not been allowed to get on the front foot.

BTW, loving Holding and Ponting on commentary.

We get Healy

 

[Robert]

Lyon is doing a really good job the The OZ here.

 

[Convict]

Not so much The New Hawaii as The New Stuart Clark I'd say. Very similar look and action.

He's much better than Clark

 

[Adeel Naseem]

where is watson???

 

[Convict]

Well you got selected because you can bowl like Ryan Harris so do it

 

[Markhor]

where is watson???

Ask and you shall receive.

Watson comes on.

 

[Pantani]

Yeah that seems to be the case. Now will have to listen to sky team's Root glorification for 40 minutes.

What glorification? He's batted brilliantly. Look at how much Ballance is struggling and compare with how dominant Root has been. He's played a top innings so far.

 

[Pantani]

Well you got selected because you can bowl like Ryan Harris so do it

Watson, bowl like Harris? More like Virat Kohli

 

[Markhor]

They are alright but don't match the understated genius of Ian Healy and James Brayshaw.

Geoff Lemon once wrote that James Brayshaw has the emotional depth of a sock puppet during a button shortage

At least they know how to time their "phwoars" and "waheys" at the right time...

 

[Pantani]

They are alright but don't match the understated genius of Ian Healy and James Brayshaw.

We've got Mark 'my nigga' Nicholas , and Michael Vaughan right now. Much rather be listening to Ponting and Holding! Vaughan's Yorkshire accent is a little difficult for me to decipher.

 

[Zeshan547]

Aussies talk Nah.

 

[Thivagar]

Exciting atmosphere

 

[Thivagar]

Why is the first Test in Wales? The Welsh hate the English? We like the Welsh, but they hate us. Come to think of it, we like the Irish and the Scottish too. But they both hate us. Why do we like our neighbours and they hate us? It must be jealousy.

We Canadian love you guys, we love you so much that we keep your queen's face on our currency. Personally I like your chocolates, hate Yorkshire though, hate Yorkshire Terriers as well.

 

[Thivagar]

Root has tremendous eye sight

 

[zabalestmsm]

Joe Root's innings is turning out to be one of the best ever in Ashes history! He has completely changed the complexion of this game! What positivity! Amazing!

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Day-1 pitch looks like a road on Subcontinent. No bounce, no swing, no zip.

Basically nothing for the bowlers. Good job England.

 

[Thivagar]

in to the 90's

 

[Bullet Drive]

Johnson wow. Ball doesn't bounce no where.

terrible pitch

 

[Bullet Drive]

Sub continent pitches aren't like this.

 

[leatherface58]

Hazlewood was spoilt by dismissing useless west Indian batsmen. Finding out the hard way what true test batters and a true dead pitch is all about

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Johnson wow. Ball doesn't bounce no where.

terrible pitch

England are scared of Johnson's bouncers. Its obvious. So they produced a pitch where the ball does not bounce above waist.

 

[Bullet Drive]

England are scared of Johnson's bouncers. Its obvious. So they produced a pitch where the ball does not bounce above waist.

Yes true.

Hate seeing pitches like these.

 

[trogger]

Hazlewood was spoilt by dismissing useless west Indian batsmen. Finding out the hard way what true test batters and a true dead pitch is all about

He was our best bowler on dead dead tracks at home vs india.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

This pitch looks like a high scoring draw. Nothing pitch.

If the pitch stays the same expect Warner to score double ton in double quick time. He is a champion on these kinds of surfaces.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

He was our best bowler on dead dead tracks at home vs india.

Those Aus pitches did not have pace. But they had more bounce than this pitch. At least the edges were carrying to the slips.

 

[Yatoo]

Moeen Ali will be key on this wicket

 

[Markhor]

England are scared of Johnson's bouncers. Its obvious. So they produced a pitch where the ball does not bounce above waist.

Cardiff has always been like this. In 2009 Ashes the pitch was very flat too at Cardiff.

Real shame as spectators would rather see balls zipping around a batsman's ears than the dull, attritional cricket produced due to these dire pitches.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

That 87MPH delivery from Johnson felt like a Praveen Kumar's slow delivery

England negated Johnson without a ball being bowled.

 

[Madplayer]

Didnt expect such a useless pitch in Ashes. We are used to see aus and eng go head to head on lively pitches. This is horrible.

 

[leatherface58]

He was our best bowler on dead dead tracks at home vs india.

Yes but he averaged like 10 against the club cricketers that Windies had. No matter how hardworking you are, complacency does creep in. Of course he is good enough to still get a 5-fer but England is becoming notoriously consistent in doling out such useless pitches.

 

[Bullet Drive]

Can't wait to see Steve Smith bat..

 

[Bullet Drive]

Even when England are positive, they still look boring. Why is that

 

[MarkCooper]

England don't have a spinner according to Michael Holding. Not sure who that bloke with the beard who has 200 first class wickets is.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Looks like UAE type surfaces are being produced as Australia struggled over there and england may see it as best way to combat them in ashes.

 

[Robert]

England are scared of Johnson's bouncers. Its obvious. So they produced a pitch where the ball does not bounce above waist.

It is not obvious. The Cardiff groundsman has hamstrung England's bowlers too. This is the way with English and Welsh wickets these days. Oh, for a green mamba that would help our type of bowling.