Just The Ashes

[Falconista]

Well articulated philreich and moginie. I though, have a touch more to say about the issue.

Bazball (2022-24)
Here lies Bazball. Which took England from a middling cricket team capable of epic flops, to a middling cricket team capable of epic flops with more media coverage.
Thanks for your contribution to keeping England as the perennial nothingburger of cricket.

 

[moginie]

Tomorrow at Hagley is going to be fascinating. I'm not hopeful, as I can clearly remember every flopped run chase going back to v India at the MCG in 1981.

But where there's life, there's hope.

 

[Falconista]

Tomorrow at Hagley is going to be fascinating. I'm not hopeful, as I can clearly remember every flopped run chase going back to v India at the MCG in 1981.

But where there's life, there's hope.

Wouldn't be upset if we lose. The batting line-up is all wrong and hopefully it kicks the selectors into action. A top-six of:
Khawaja
Bancroft/Renshaw/Speculative Shield opener selection (Hunt etc)
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green

Looks much more balanced. Smith is as much of a Test opener as I am a ballet dancer.

 

[moginie]

Wouldn't be upset if we lose. The batting line-up is all wrong and hopefully it kicks the selectors into action. A top-six of:
Khawaja
Bancroft/Renshaw/Speculative Shield opener selection (Hunt etc)
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green

Looks much more balanced. Smith is as much of a Test opener as I am a ballet dancer.

True. The Smith experiment has not been a success. Marsh is in good a vein of form to be dropped just yet though. I'd really like to see Travis Head bat through this innings and tough it out.

We definitely need a specialist opener and I'm a huge Pucovski fan but I'm also resigned to the fact that it's doubtful that he'll ever play another test. Bancroft has been the form Shield player and I've always believed that great Shield form should be rewarded.

I'd really like Aaron Hardie and Jack Edwards to get their chance at some point.

 

[moginie]

Well, all things considered, that was a pretty good win.

 

[philreich]

Well, all things considered, that was a pretty good win.

That was pure guts from the Aussies - the Kiwis must be wondering what the hell they need to do to beat us.

 

[moginie]

That was pure guts from the Aussies - the Kiwis must be wondering what the hell they need to do to beat us.

Take their catches. That's a good start.

 

[philreich]

 

[moginie]

View attachment 1926574

Hey Phil, we might get a win and be off the bottom of the Shield table.

Wonders will never cease!

 

[philreich]

Hey Phil, we might get a win and be off the bottom of the Shield table.

Wonders will never cease!

Forgive me - I'm still a bit worried: if anyone can lose from here, it's the Redbacks .

Edit: OK now I believe......

 

[moginie]

Lovely day at Adelaide oval watching SA struggle against a not-too-dangerous Vic bowling attack. Hunt batted well, as did Scott. Ball that Siddle got him out with was a ripper. Only four non-SA born in the team but that's 4/5 of our bowling attack. philreich jackster83

 

[jackster83]

Lovely day at Adelaide oval watching SA struggle against a not-too-dangerous Vic bowling attack. Hunt batted well, as did Scott. Ball that Siddle got him out with was a ripper. Only four non-SA born in the team but that's 4/5 of our bowling attack. philreich jackster83

Looks like a lot of starts but no one went on with it.

 

[philreich]

Looks like a lot of starts but no one went on with it.

And our bowlers/fieldsmen get to be in the field on a 35C day - could be a tough slog.

 

[moginie]

And our bowlers/fieldsmen get to be in the field on a 35C day - could be a tough slog.

The pitch is an AO special. Even pace and bounce. We'll have to bowl really well to keep them under 400.

 

[philreich]

The pitch is an AO special. Even pace and bounce. We'll have to bowl really well to keep them under 400.

They'll do well to get to 400 from 4 for 66 .