The Ashes, Second Test Australia v England @ The Adelaide Oval d/n 16-20 December

[Golumless]

We've got tours against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India coming up next year.

With the way Harris is going we can't afford to have him opening in those tours. He'll be eaten alive.

Usman has at least shown he can do it. I wouldn't want to put a young opener in that position.

You're never going to get a good opportunity to pick a young opener at this level, so it's a moot point. If they're good enough, they'll thrive. If not, they'll either learn and adapt their game, or we've found out who isn't a person to focus on in the future. Both are valuable things to find out.

We certainly shouldn't be shirking from looking at a younger opener, especially as we only have a short time before we're forced into that decision with Warner retiring (and really, I wouldn't even rule out that he pulls up stumps at the end of this series at the moment).

 

[The Casey Cat]

Just a small point, but it annoys me a little how Barmy Army sing, and then applaud themselves at the end.

Nothing else to applaud at the moment.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Just a small point, but it annoys me a little how Barmy Army sing, and then applaud themselves at the end.

That's because they remembered all the words.

 

[Crashy]

Pucovski has a terrible techniques against the short ball, absolutely awful.

HE TAKES HIS EYES OFF THE BALL

 

[Pistol Night]

Just a small point, but it annoys me a little how Barmy Army sing, and then applaud themselves at the end.

I dont mind the banter and shit they bring to the game apart from the ****n “We are the Army, the Barmy Army” chant. Annoying as **** after 14 repeats. We know you’re the ****n army lads.

 

[Crashy]

Got a bad feeling about today, relying on Lyon to bowl you to victory never ends in disappointment...

 

[PhatBoy]

The bell comparisons are very accurate with pipe he has a real simplicity about his shots and an economy of hand movement.

If he becomes as good a player as Bell he will have a fine career

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Got 'im yessssssssssssssssss

 

[Woody15]

That's great, but that's not what I said is it.

Khwaja's body of work in his career has not been stellar and he does not put runs on the board when Australia needs it in a big series like the Ashes. That's why he is not in the team. I merely used the Ashes as a comparison to someone selecting one match were Khwaja managed to get a double century in Dubai.

I said I would have no issues in Khwaja replacing Harris in Melbourne, I merely said why not look at a guy like Tim Ward by way of blooding younger talent.

You referred to it as a shithouse test against Pakistan. You then referenced a series in which he performed better than another couple of openers in a series where most of our batsmen were incredibly ordinary.

Ashes 17/18 averaged nearly 50. 170 at the SCG. I mean, you rate Ashes performances yeh?

He is worth a shot opening. Has done it before with success and has scored well in the Shield this year. As I said last chance saloon though.

Theres blooding younger talent. Then there's taking it ridiculously too far and picking someone after 11 FC innings. I wouldnt have an issue if you said someone like Hunt.

 

[gordo2016]

How has been been concussed at least 10 times? Who else is taking that many solid hits to the head?

Five of those concussions had nothing to do with getting hit while playing a short ball.

 

[k31th]

good catch Smith... nice ball from Starc to get that angled ball right.

 

[PhatBoy]

One over of play down, one use of the ‘long levers’ cliche

 

[Golumless]

Got a bad feeling about today, relying on Lyon to bowl you to victory never ends in disappointment...

Keep having those bad feelings man.

This is likely going to be over in the first hour.

 

[kozi]

“If only Pope can bat for 3 hours”

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Starc making me eat some humble pie leading the attack this test.

 

[Handsome_Jack]

Don’t think this will take up much of the day…

 

[ROOTA#6]

I’m not Starc’s biggest fan but he has bowled well and is having a proper crack in this match

 

[Santana]

 

[footyfan1978]

Pissweak.

But fair...

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Five of those concussions had nothing to do with getting hit while playing a short ball.

I've seen him hit twice in the head in the games i've seen of him, both times he took his eyes off the ball and ducked into it. Not good enough against test level bowlers,

 

[Golumless]

Starc making me eat some humble pie leading the attack this test.

I have to admit I'm starting to wonder how much having Hazlewood and Cummins neuters Starc as a cricketer.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

England suck.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Starc entering MOTM calculations.

Killed ‘em.

 

[WaywardSonSon]

Stokes should just barrage his way to fifty now, as his teammates are not going to provide any resistance whatsoever, and he'll at least achieve some personal success.

 

[Moonwatcher]

I'll give Pope some credit, he lasted till 2:30.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk