Ashes 2015

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@balbec

Who is the next opener? Compton, carberry, Robson all discarded. Trott gone, Lyth under pressure already, not giving him a few games in the West Indies was a big mistake.

That’s the problem. There’s not too many candidates for any of the problem positions. Hales has to be given a chance. He’s more suited to shorter forms of the game but the same was said about Warner before Australia took a punt on him at test level.

[braz83]

Hales, if they have the balls to try him in the middle of the Ashes

[thedancingbaby]

We have them right where we want them @Fitzy and @Little_Lord_Fauntleroy

[Little_Lord_Fauntleroy]

they are brittle, they will fold. they were banking on being 2 -0 by now

[Sidney]

@Little_Lord_Fauntleroy

they are brittle, they will fold. they were banking on being 2 -0 by now

I wouldn’t get too confident, mate.

The last time the Australians squared a major sporting test series against a British team at 1-1, when they won the second Test of the British Loins tour in 2013, Gatty’s troops regrouped and produced a resounding win in the third test to clinch the series.

And so will England and Wales in this series.

[Little_Lord_Fauntleroy]

the Australian rugby team are mainly islanders, the cricket team is true blue ozzies-not like with like

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@Little_Lord_Fauntleroy

the Australian rugby team are mainly islanders, the cricket team is true blue ozzies-not like with like

The Australian rugby team have a terrific record in England and Wales - they’ve won the two World Cup’s played there and routinely win at Twickenham and the Arms Park in the November internationals.

The Australian cricket team have a shit record in England and Wales - losing the last three Ashes series.

[Bandage]

Just want to add a little bit of flexibility to my view that England would comfortably regain the Ashes in the wake of the first test result. I now think it’s anyone’s to win.

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@braz83

Lyth looked good making a century at Headingley against NZ, but he’ll come under savage pressure if he doesn’t make a score second time around. Would be interesting to see what they do then. Hales would be the bold choice. He’s been making runs in Championship too. Would be an affirmation of their commitment to attacking cricket for sure.

If they drop Ballance, they could and probably should promote Root to three. Bairstow has been banging in the runs for Yorkshire and won them the last ODI against NZ so would be the obvious choice to bat at five then. Alternatively, could bring Moeen back up the order and play Rashid at eight.

Bairstow hit another century for Yorkshire in the County Championship against Worcestershire today as did James Taylor for Notts against Sussex.

Rashid should really have been blooded in the Caribbean. It was madness selecting James Treadwell in Antigua and not blooding Rashid when Moeen was injured.

[Sidney]

Those who predicted a 3-1 series win for England and Wales are firmly on target to be proved correct.

[thedancingbaby]

Ben Stokes

[Rocko]

@thedancingbaby

Ben Stokes

You wouldn’t see an error like that in a game of kids playing rounders.

[Fitzy]

Great win indeed, but the world seems to be getting a bit carried away, I read a very defeatist article by Mike Selvey this morning in the Guardian.
The pitch was prepared for England to bat, they lost the toss and Stephen Smith fired along with Rogers.Mitch Johnson is back and the Australia bowlers were impressive. But let’s not forget what happened in Cardiff. England are by no means a beaten docket and Edgebaston will be interesting. Australia can’t rely on Smith to always score and the rest have to step up. Clarke is clearly in a major form slump. This win just reinforces how compelling the Ashes are, England could very easily turn over Australia in the next test.

[Fitzy]

@thedancingbaby

Ben Stokes

That was absolutely woeful from one of England’s better players. U8’s get hammered over here for doing that.

[flattythehurdler]

Ali is a poor bowler and the Aussies have not the slightest fear of him. If he’s not picked for batting, rashid should be in. Ballance should be gone after ths, as should lyth. I’d say they will get one more match before the axe falls, unless, by some freak, bambi’s England don’t show the belly (I’m predicting a big win for the Aussies.

[braz83]

What Australia have is a top three that are all capable of scoring decent runs and in decent form, one of whom is probably the best batsman in the world right now. I’d have doubts about the rest of the order, but that’s a great base and England would kill for it. Is enough by itself to make them favourites.

On the bowlers, it beggars belief that England would want this pitch. If the conditions are offering nothing, they won’t take 20 wickets. Australia can, because the pace they have can overcome that. Johnson was sensational in this Test. The Lord’s pitch prepared for the NZ game would have been much better for England again here. Expect to see some green at Headingley.

[braz83]

I think they’ll drop Ballance. He’s so far back in his crease, he looks a definite wicket to the full ball every time. Needs to be taken out of the firing line. Promote Bell and Root, bring Bairstow in. Seems a no brainer. Lyth and Bell will probably get one more go, either could be dropped then.

[Fitzy]

@braz83

What Australia have is a top three that are all capable of scoring decent runs and in decent form, one of whom is probably the best batsman in the world right now. I’d have doubts about the rest of the order, but that’s a great base and England would kill for it. Is enough by itself to make them favourites.

On the bowlers, it beggars belief that England would want this pitch. If the conditions are offering nothing, they won’t take 20 wickets. Australia can, because the pace they have can overcome that. Johnson was sensational in this Test. The Lord’s pitch prepared for the NZ game would have been much better for England again here. Expect to see some green at Headingley.

Not probably, he IS the best batsman in the world at the moment.

[flattythehurdler]

Probably

[braz83]

I’d possibly take AB over him to be honest, though Smith’s form since the start of last Aussie season is sensational.