Australia v England First Ashes Test at the Gabba - 2017

[SterlingArcher]

Geebers, these bowlers are offering nothing more than glorified medium pace.

Lift.

Yeah, tend to agree. I don't think the bowlers have been poor - it's not like it's wild off-the-pitch shit that is allowing England to score at 4+ an over. England have been very disciplined.

But it's not threatening either. Get through the 1 or 2 balls every 10 overs that may be a wicket ball and they then can pick off the bad balls in that time for runs.

As much as I hate the massive overuse of the word by C9 commentators, we do need some aggression right now.

 

[SilentHunter_]

Stoneman is as solid as a rock.

Definitely living up to his name so far.

 

[frankrizzo]

Just got home, so has it been poor bowling ? or just a flat Australian pitch ?

ok bowling, batting pitch as usual but less bounce than normal for the gabba and very good disciplined partnership.

 

[kidgorgeous]

Vince is a class act

 

[myyakhasfleas]

Feels like we're bowling through a school zone.

 

[Badesumofu]

I agree 4 day tests are purely about saving money not improving the quality of the sport but if CA want quicker tests why do they produce pitches that will lead to longer game more often than not?

4 day tests would only really work on pitches that suit the bowlers a lot more than ours do, if they bring in 4 day tests and keep the pitches the same you can only assume they actually want to kill off test cricket.

And that is the only reason I would consider supporting 4 day Tests becoming a thing. I think I am okay with it in the context of the coming Test Championship - any Test that is part of the Championship must be 5 days. Tests between Ireland and Afganistan can be whatever works to make that a viable thing. That also provides something like a two tier structure without actually saying that the lesser Test playing nations are officially lesser. The chances of, say, CA being willing to host Ireland for a Test are much higher if they are allowed to make it a 4 day Test.

But anyway, it's a discussion for another thread. But look at the ticket sales for fifth days of Tests - then consider that it costs almost as much to put that on as it does to put day 1 on.

Edit: and to be clear I'm not defending this pitch. Just think it's wrong to suggest that it is the way it is because Kevin Mitchell, while preparing his final ever Test pitch, thought he'd just make a road on CA instructions.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Ball is starting to move

 

[SilentHunter_]

**** SO CLOSE

 

[Upgrayedd]

He needs to be boulder with his shots though.

I reckon a bouncer could rock him.

 

[SilentHunter_]

FGS Come on.

 

[dogs105]

I reckon a bouncer could rock him.

Nah. Made of granite

 

[Saint12]

Fixed it for you.

Thank you Sir

 

[Upgrayedd]

Nah. Made of granite

Stone cold resolve

 

[The_Reaper]

Stoneman is as solid as a rock.

Need a fighting pokemon

 

[SilentHunter_]

*clap* *clap* stoneman well batted mate.

 

[Power Raid]

The Aussies must be getting a bit worried about their record

 

[StillAtLarge]

The running between the wickets has been impressive. There's always a run to s marsh

 

[Power Raid]

not sure what that shout was for

 

[The_Reaper]

Come on Gazza going to do it

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Stoneman & Vince etc have pretty underwhelming 1st class averages so this is impressive from them.

 

[KingRagnar93]

Sad cos you know England are a chance in this series but when we play over there its a matter of how much we lose by.

Pretty much, if this was over there and we won the toss and elected to bat we would be 8/167 right now.

 

[funk44]

BRING BACK WADE

 

[SterlingArcher]

Lyon!!

Finally troubling them regularly.

 

[Magma]

hoo boooooyyy

 

[Underarm]

Wade would have caught that.