2019 2nd Ashes Test - Lords 14-18 August 2019

[demondavey]

Hazlewood outperforning Starc in the tour match, 3 for 11 comparered to 2 for 38 both off 8 overs, at this rate we'll see Hazlewood for the 3rd test and maybe no Starc at all

2/38 off 8? That’s rubbish. Near on 5 an over is rubbish.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Precision and pressure have been the name of the game at Lords lately - Murtagh and Adair rumbled essentially the same English batting lineup bowling a super-consistent line and length and letting the conditions do the work, not blasting them out.

 

[deanc]

Marmite is better actually. Or promite.

I don't mind Marmite, but if I was strapped to a chair being tortured and offered the choice of a hot poker in the eye or eat Promite - I'd probably choose the poker...

 

[Seagrave_Holmes]

Starc going at 4 runs an over this game - no way he gets into the team.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Why weren’t we all just automatically included in this thread?

 

[ROOTA#6]

Have any of guy blokes pushing for Starc actually paid any close attention to how he bowls. Some of you saying he has to play on green tops because he seams and swings it while others saying he needs to play on decks where he needs to bang it in. Unfortunately for him he cannot consistently do either and that the problem. The gap between his best and his worst is just too wide

 

[Kappa]

How the **** does their number 10 make a 50

 

[Gethelred]

It'd be hard to do worse than Ali but it will be interesting to see if England bring Leach in. His record is pretty good but I hadn't seen much of him so from a quick youtube search, I had a look at his 2017 wickets (too much time on my hands). 41/51 of his wickets came against right handers. It obviously would be a move to try and get Smith out but I feel our lefties in Warner, Ussie, Wade and Head wouldn't be too fussed about his inclusion.

It would be poetic justice if Smith averages 50 for the rest of the series due to bringing him in, but Warner, Ussie, Wade and Head all average 40+ as a consequence. I'd take that; in seeking Smith's demise, they enabled the rest of the batsmen to find form, and brought about their own destruction.

 

[Gethelred]

I'm surprised that Patterson didn't get a trial.

Looked absolutely terrific last summer. Opposition couldn't get him out or stop him scoring.

 

[avishka5]

Whats the story of having 2 tour games in the middle of a series? I can understand one in the middle but not sure about two or having one straight after the first test.

 

[Kappa]

Bancroft fails again... He's in a horror patch right now

 

[demondavey]

I don't mind Marmite, but if I was strapped to a chair being tortured and offered the choice of a hot poker in the eye or eat Promite - I'd probably choose the poker...

I used to eat it on bread with honey

 

[Ducky Tie]

A ton from Harris makes things interesting. Maybe not for Lord’s but third test will be interesting.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Why was Mitch Marsh moved up to 3? Seems like they are trying to get runs into him so they can play him down the track...

 

[demondavey]

Why was Mitch Marsh moved up to 3? Seems like they are trying to get runs into him so they can play him down the track...

They just won’t let that campaigner go...

 

[Fat Nyfe]

They just won’t let that campaigner go...

Especially after the 1st test it doesn't make sense. We have two world class bowlers on the sidelines if any of the quicks get worn out.
We just saw the value of having a number 6 who can score runs. We have Harris who can step in as opener if needed, and Labuschagne should be the first reserve middle order batsman due to his county runs. There is no need for Marsh.

 

[demondavey]

Especially after the 1st test it doesn't make sense. We have two world class bowlers on the sidelines if any of the quicks get worn out.
We just saw the value of having a number 6 who can score runs. We have Harris who can step in as opener if needed, and Labuschagne should be the first reserve middle order batsman due to his county runs. There is no need for Marsh.

I guarantee you he will play. They’ll justify it somehow. He is an absolute liability and shouldn’t be in the squad with those numbers. But I guarantee you he will get picked for some bullshit reason like ‘variation’ or having a 5th bowler.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Interesting article

 

[frankrizzo]

England probably need to pick leach just to target Smith but the issue then is you have a frontline spinner who is unlikely to cause our left handed dominated top 6 many issues.

I guess with how poor Ali is playing it's still a gamble they have to take.

 

[Tugga27]

Starc at his best does keep it tight and he's dangerous even when not at his best. While I didn't have Starc in my XI for Edgbaston I also think that a few around here are forgetting just how good he is when his radar is on.

I said it's rarely fair to judge a batter on one match. Regardless, I'm not judging the English batters on one Test. Bancroft is one Test into a comeback. Roy is two Tests into a career since being picked, Denly had already played 2 more than that, and Bairstow has been out of form in Tests for some time. Butler I'd probably keep anyway but he needs to adjust his approach. Roy is not even a good FC batter and he's nowhere near being a Test opener.

I guarantee you he will play. They’ll justify it somehow. He is an absolute liability and shouldn’t be in the squad with those numbers. But I guarantee you he will get picked for some bulls**t reason like ‘variation’ or having a 5th bowler.

Relax.

There's no way MM will get picked for the next test.

They probably just bumped him up to give him a hit.
Both Head and Kwahaja don't need another one.

Two possible changes are Harris for Banners and Hazlewood for Siddle methinks.

 

[Tugga27]

Why was Mitch Marsh moved up to 3? Seems like they are trying to get runs into him so they can play him down the track...

Nothing sinister.

Just giving him a bat as he missed out in the first innings.
Head and Uzzie don't need another one.

 

[Tugga27]

Bancroft fails again... He's in a horror patch right now

Also dropped two catches in the slips.

I reckon his confidence might be shot.

 

[ROOTA#6]

Relax.

There's no way MM will get picked for the next test.

They probably just bumped him up to give him a hit.
Both Head and Kwahaja don't need another one.

Two possible changes are Harris for Banners and Hazlewood for Siddle methinks.

No way am I leaving Siddle out

 

[Ok Boomer]

Harris for Bancroft

 

[Tugga27]

No way am I leaving Siddle out

He doesn't deserve to be dropped, but it wouldn't surprise me
if he was left out for Hazlewood.