Disappointing that Tribe and Kellaway aren't playing, but understand England's needs to get the whole Ashes squad some game time. Hopefully, they'll get their chance in the other matches.
| + Visit Cardiff FC for Latest News, Transfer Gossip, Fixtures and Match Results |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/...s/c5ylw0lw131o
Wood injury concern for England in tour match
Disappointing that Tribe and Kellaway aren't playing, but understand England's needs to get the whole Ashes squad some game time. Hopefully, they'll get their chance in the other matches.
Encouraging figures for Stokes. As for Wood, I’ll be amazed if he’s fit for all five tests.
England with a fit and firing Wood and Archer will be a pretty formidable attack and I think Smith is going to be really targeted with short bowling.
Id be suprised if they played more than 1 test together and maybe that will turn out to be zero.
They have stuck with Crawley for this series as they think the conditions will suit. If he flops this series he needs to be axed.
Bazball is going to be judged on this series and Bethell possibly at 3 I think takes it too far.
I think Hameed should have been recalled to be an opener option or no.3.
But he doesn't in with Bazball.
Stokes Wood Archer Root all playing and at the top of their game and I think England win comfortably.
Even though they wont all stay fit I still pick England to win an entertaining series 3-2.
I hope what doesn't clinch it is the pink ball day nighter in Brisbane.
Think there's a few things working in England's favour. For instance, the first test not being at the Gabba removes one of England's most traditional psychological barriers, and Cummins' fitness issues will undoubtedly impact Australia. If England can win that first test, I think we'll have a series.
For those that partake, 8/1 for a drawn series looks worth a punt.
I’ve just come back from Oz. Their main talking point (in QLD) is that the 1st test is not in Brisbane, for the first time since 1982. It’s in Perth, at the new stadium.
Latest score
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_s...7-08dded5af61d
Steve Smith saying that England may have picked the wrong type of bowlers because the character of Australian wickets has changed in recent years - he may have a point.
I think the pitches aren't as fast as they were but im sure Smith would still prefer a low to mid 80s bowler to face rather than Archer or Wood bowling 90 plus at his head.
Archer and Wood are accurate enough anyway.
Tongue is the only one id say who falls into the category of maybe a traditional English seamer may be more effective.
Steve Waugh on facing the scatter gun Devon Malcom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0fgeUCnE2o
Josh Hazlewood is also out of first Test -
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cwy7z7xjep1o
I believe the day nighter is the 2nd Test so England really cant be fancied in that so its vital they win the 1st Test.
Unless there's rain I don't see draws in this series and the day nighter may not see day 4.
Looks like it’s bashir v 5th seamer. If wood doesn’t make it guess they’ll go the bashir route. If he does then we could see a 5 seam attack.
No matter how badly the Tests go, England can at least say they won a game in Australia. Looks like Pope has seen off the challenge of Bethell.
https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_s...7-08dded5af61d
Anyone seen the trailer of the series on TNT Sport with the frighteningly imposing figure of Alistair Cook baiting the Aussies?
I bet they're absolutely quaking in their boots...... NOT!!!!!
Now if i was a mod* this thread would be immediately banned...Grown men running about with balls and rubbing their balls! Disgusting.
*Ready to hop in at any time Mike.