3rd Ashes Test, Perth

First topic message reminder :

Western Australia next, which means staying up even later to watch the start of the third test.

You would think Perth is one place the Aussies should win, so what do we do?

Panic, and drop Swann, but leave Monty in? Or perhaps play four or five seamers? Has Stokes done enough? He showed plenty of attitude, so yes, he probably has.

Has Prior done enough to see him promoted to six, as Stokes isn't one..............yet? Maybe not but we have to try and win, and playing him at six, would enable us to play five bowlers again, with Monty dropping out.

Who comes in? Finn, the 90mph quickie, with a strike rate around 50? Reliable Tim? Just coming back from injury but will give 100%, won't get smacked around, and can bat a bit. Or rankin? This would be the biggest gamble imo, as he has no test experience.

My team:

Cook
Carberry
Root
Pietersen
Bell
Prior
Stokes
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

Ah. Johnson warming up to bowl some 90+ yorkers at Broad's feet. Payback coming really soon it looks like.

Always look on the bright side - hopefully this'll slap England back into some sort of order. You know, just like when England lost in the West Indies.

Oh hang on - we haven't lost yet!

Come on England!

No mysti she is already through the first chorus.

There might be an earthquake which could make the cracks in the pitch 7 inches large and the game could be called off. There is allways that duty!

maybe play will be called off on account of heat?

sun strokes are a real thing¡¡

The    has actually been warming up for a couple of days now...

Imagine she has a good chance of completing her aria some time today   

Would be nice to see these two bat on for a bit though ...prolonging the inevitable but at least something to watch.

I am pleased to see Stokes getting a chance for more experience anyway : I don't hold too many fears that being on the wrong end of a couple of carve ups is going to cow him for the future - he doesn't seem that type. He may not secure a permanent place in the team just yet - depends how they decide to adjust things in the aftermath of this defeat - but I think he has a future.

And I have to say I do admire the Australian fielding in this match (and series generally) . Old man Haddin has led the way beautifully   

Breadvan wrote:You can only doff your cap to Aus this tour. Out played, outcoached, outcaptained. Tactics and composure spot on. The re-invention of Johnson after his mauling in 10//11. The morning session has typified Australia's will just to smash Eng out of the series altogether. Nightmare! lol..

Lineb, you be aboslutely loving this, especially after 3 series in a row for Eng. Talk about payback!

Yes Breadvan. As one of our ex-PMs said to the Opposition once: "We want to do you slowly..."   

Good little partnership from Bell and Stokes. The wicket is still good for batting despite those huge cracks.
Australian bowlers finding it hard work.

This looks most likely it will go into Day 5. They must have already done their Xmas shopping.   

In truth England have played better this test bar that horrid 3rd day. shame really- 350 in the first innings was all that was needed to make a game of it

Dunno about that , lb ...one wicket might bring several. Extra half hour , Broad probably shouldn't bat ...

Call me again an hour   

Enjoying the stroke play anyway.

mystiroakey wrote:In truth England have played better this test bar that horrid 3rd day. shame really- 350 in the first innings was all that was needed to make a game of it

Story of the series , really. Same game three times , with slight variations...

We will get to 440 this innings...

and agonisingly fall short

Stokes is a big plus though.

The one player in aus that I would pick over any other has allways been Watson.

The most underrated player by many but does such a good job.

Good batsman- rarely fails to get a start and bowls so economically on the whole which takes pressure of the top bowlers and gives them more chances due to him strangling the rate. And oiff course the fact that he is two players in one(true all-rounder)

Stokes can do that job for us.

alfie wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:In truth England have played better this test bar that horrid 3rd day. shame really- 350 in the first innings was all that was needed to make a game of it

Story of the series , really.  Same game three times , with slight variations...

I think there has been quite a big difference in attitude and application , even though the same outcomes have come about- i think on the whole our batters haven't given there wickets away.

that application from the top order has been improved.

geez... did that thing with the title again. All fixed now.

Mysti, he was lucky to get that ton. He nearly dragged it on, twice. His century conversion rate is still very poor for a Test player of comparable ability. Sure, he chips in with the odd wicket here and there but he is no Jacques Kallis.

He is no Kallis or even a flinty. But all rounders are so rare- they add so much , just to have one is a massive plus and he is a genuine one.

Kallis is one of those rare all rounders that could almost get in the SA team for either role.

But You allways know what you are getting out of Watson. You will get economical bowling and a 35-50 almost every innings.

I won't get carried away yet , roakey. So far Stokes has shown promise , but whether he can hold down a regular top six spot remains to be seen. Because that will require a lot more than the odd forty or fifty , if you want a successful Test team.

But today he has shown a bit more , and it will be interesting to see how he develops from here.

Good fifty Bell    The aggressive approach in this innings rather does show up the questionable tactic KP and Bell took first time around.

He is an allrounder alfie.

he doesn't allways need to go big.

he only needs a long term average of 38 or so with the bat and 33 with the ball.

add to that look at our other no.6 batsmen in the past.

Collingwood was ok , but not a genuine all rounder- more of a part time bowler and averaging something like 60 with the ball!

the rest like Ravi and morgan have never been up to standard since.

And a qualified agreement to your suggestion that the top order batting has been a bit better here , roakey. (it could hardly have been worse than Adelaide !)

Still a couple of poor dismissals in the first innings though - when it really counted. And that is why I say same story : they have still never really forced the Aussies to bowl long enough to get tired , before getting their chance at the poor old tailenders.

Bit late now. Though a bit more of this might give them some heart for Melbourne.
Would still be nice to see Australia have to bat under some scoreboard pressure for once and see if it makes a difference.

Apparently Eion Morgan is getting excited about the big bash. Playing for my local team the Thunder. They had a meet the fans day yesterday just down the road from me.

It's good to see Stokes and Carbs tough it out in this series. As some of you say, maybe Carberry is a stop-gap for a future reshuffle of the batting order but he's done OK considering the amount of pressure the team is under. Stokes looks like a decent competitor too.

Whaddaya mean alfie? They've been batting under scoreboard pressure for the last 3 years!  

Come on Belly............................................................................walk!

Bell gone. strange dismissal that one. Is hotspot failing under the heat!!

The fat lady had a cup of tea, but now she is ready again

Looked to b a big gap between bat and ball when the noise was made! Hot Spot on the ball, Snicko and Bell's guilty expression said otherwise though. Right call me thinks. Could be all over very quickly now.

Linebreaker wrote:Come on Belly............................................................................walk!

dont be silly

mystiroakey wrote:He is an allrounder alfie.

he doesn't allways need to go big.

he only needs a long term average of 38 or so with the bat and 33 with the ball.

add to that look at our other no.6 batsmen in the past.

Collingwood was ok , but not a genuine all rounder- more of a part time bowler and averaging something like 60 with the ball!

the rest like Ravi and morgan have never been up to standard since.

I don't disagree with that : but those projected figures are pretty good ! You won't get that without making some centuries ... which you need from a number six , even if he is a good bowler as well.
Collingwood would never have claimed to be a real allrounder . But he was a genuine number six , and while the right four bowler attack was firing , it worked.
What generally doesn't work is a number six who isn't quite good enough with the bat , because unless you can make up for it with a very strong seven-eight , you tend to lose too many runs , too often , for the extra bowler to help.
Even with Freddie : It was OK while he was batting well , and Jones and Giles were adding handy runs...but when those two gave way to lesser batsmen it became five out all out...

Will hold judgement for a while yet , thanks.

Good fifty Stokes   

Pity about Bell ...pity the Aussies had a blasted referral left   

mystiroakey wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Come on Belly............................................................................walk!

dont be silly

ha ha... remind me not to play monopoly with you!

He's as guilty as hell. On ya bike son!

Linebreaker wrote:Apparently Eion Morgan is getting excited about the big bash. Playing for my local team the Thunder. They had a meet the fans day yesterday just down the road from me.

It's good to see Stokes and Carbs tough it out in this series. As some of you say, maybe Carberry is a stop-gap for a future reshuffle of the batting order but he's done OK considering the amount of pressure the team is under. Stokes looks like a decent competitor too.

Whaddaya mean alfie? They've been batting under scoreboard pressure for the last 3 years!  

I know ! And it was fun to watch the results ...but it is your turn now   

alfie wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:He is an allrounder alfie.

he doesn't allways need to go big.

he only needs a long term average of 38 or so with the bat and 33 with the ball.

add to that look at our other no.6 batsmen in the past.

Collingwood was ok , but not a genuine all rounder- more of a part time bowler and averaging something like 60 with the ball!

the rest like Ravi and morgan have never been up to standard since.

I don't disagree with that : but those projected figures are pretty good !  You won't get that without making some centuries ... which you need from a number six , even if he is a good bowler as well.
Collingwood would never have claimed to be a real allrounder . But he was a genuine number six , and while the right four bowler attack was firing  , it worked.
What generally doesn't work is a number six who isn't quite good enough with the bat , because unless you can make up for it with a very strong seven-eight , you tend to lose too many runs , too often , for the extra bowler to help.
Even with Freddie : It was OK while he was batting well , and Jones and Giles were adding handy runs...but when those two gave way to lesser batsmen it became five out all out...

Will hold judgement for a while yet , thanks.

He is our hope, we haven't got many. I will take that hope. thanks   

Linebreaker wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Come on Belly............................................................................walk!

dont be silly

ha ha... remind me not to play monopoly with you!

He's as guilty as hell. On ya bike son!

His acting was shocking , I prefer roots style-

Root's gone down in my estimation now. Luckily the technology didn't fall for his innocent looking baby-faced countenance.

At least we've found England's next number 6.

Hope for the future!

Look i am being a bit harsh on root. In truth I trust him.

The first dismissal we can all understand, and even if he did hit it, you may not feel that sort of edge. The second one he did hit the ground at the same time as hitting the ball. Therefore its hard to pick up two impacts.

But if he is on the con, I will call him the baby faced assassin.

And we haven't lost yet!

Duty281 wrote:And we haven't lost yet!

True duty!

True- prior owes us a 200 as well.

Steffan wrote:Gotta bring them down a peg or two init   

Especially in cricket

If you're going to WUM, pick a decent target at least. You know perfectly well it's England and Wales.

Bell has 16 fifties in his last 21 Ashes innings! Form.

JDizzle wrote:Bell has 16 fifties in his last 21 Ashes innings! Form.

he needs to open.

we need to look at the future.

carbs on ya bike(harsh but he is not the future)

KP and root must keep there places.

stokes stays at 6- if prior doesn't do well today Barstow in,

ballance at 5

Australia need Mitch to target Prior.
Go for the trifecta, I say - a batsman, a bowler and a wicket-keeper.   

Linebreaker wrote:Australia need Mitch to target Prior.
Go for the trifecta, I say - a batsman, a bowler and a wicket-keeper.   

Mitch is gone mate.. He wont be able to hit a haystack tomorrow. Prior fighting hard for his place.

Mitch will come good tomorrow. They should polish England & Wales off well before lunch as usual.

Well it was certainly Aussies day- set up the win well.

But at least we had something for us England fans..

A good days cricket- England didn't have the fear. The fear is leaving us LB.. You wont get that whitewash

Too late mate. The paint brushes have already arrived.

I think you're right, Breaker. I can't see Prior batting all day tomorrow. Then again, Swann and Bresnan can bat, and seeing as crease occupation should be the name of the game, it doesn't matter that Broad can barely walk. He should do an Inzamam and just deal in boundaries.

there is more chance of a win than batting out the day.

but even that is a massive shot.

Is it too hard to believe? One century partnership, one batting half-century and a bit from the Bres, 20s or more from Broad and Swann.

Come on England - never doubt, never falter, never waver, never, never, never give in!

When this series is over, I hope the selectors have a good look at our bowling as well as our batting. Anderson and Swann have been poor, but they seem to be undroppable.

LP

a poor swan is still better than most competition leg spinners- so he has a lot of leeway

True. The good thing is that he can just concentrate on batting tomorrow. If we manage to salvage something from this Test, it will be a huge boost to morale.

Just getting past 400 would be massive LP.

outcomes unless an act of 'god' happens.

1% draw

5% win

94% aus win

That's about right. I still can't believe how Pietersen got out. He knew the deal, he knew the stakes.