England v Australia - Test 1, Cardiff 8th - 12th July

First topic message reminder :

England

Lyth
Cook
Ballance
Bell
Root
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Broad
Wood
Anderson


Australia

Warner
Rogers
Smith
Clarke
Voges
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood



Officials

Umpires - HDPK Dharmasena and M Erasmus
TV umpire - CB Gaffaney
Match referee - RS Madugalle
Reserve umpire - NGB Cook



Toss

Won by England who choose to bat.

We can all feel a bit more comfortable now. Deserved wicket for Broad.

Breakthrough. Broad gets Rogers. Edged one to Bell at slip. Broady bowling beautifully this morning.

Australia's morning so far. If this pair bat through to lunch Australia have won the session.Another wicket down it is level but two more wickets down then its England's morning.

Don't think we've bowled badly - Warner playing an incredibly lucky innings so far

Some people will say that's a good fifty from Warner - but to counter that it's not

You legend Moeen! Gets Warner lbw just before lunch.

Moeeeeeeeeen!

I was just about to write about how England needed a dabble of luck, or a moment of inspiration...well I'll certainly take that!

Think this one is done and dusted. Get the MBEs, Knighthoods and a bus to Downing Street ready

Steffan wrote:Think this one is done and dusted. Get the MBEs, Knighthoods and a bus to Downing Street ready

Players and team can't be blamed for that so take your angst out on those handing out the rewards ie Queen and her advisors.

My main question is...did the disgusting Welsh pitch help England or would they have won by more with a better pitch?

Steffan wrote:My main question is...did the disgusting Welsh pitch help England or would they have won by more with a better pitch?

The pitch is what it is and both sides have to make the best of it. So far England have done that better than Australia - so far.

Agree with Gower - Moeen's wicket changes the complexion of the afternoon.

A very important wicket which should soothe England anxiety.

For all our concerns about Moeen, I read in the week that he has a better strike rate in Tests than Swann, Warne and Muralitharan. He doesn't tie down an end but he's popping up with crucial wickets. I think there's still an issue there with the balance of the team but that doesn't mean Moeen has to be the fall guy and in any case it's best to leave that sort of discussion until this match is concluded.

As for what's next - a couple more wickets for England in the middle session will do nicely, please ....

guildfordbat wrote:Agree with Gower - Moeen's wicket changes the complexion of the afternoon.

A very important wicket which should soothe England anxiety.

For all our concerns about Moeen, I read in the week that he has a better strike rate in Tests than Swann, Warne and Muralitharan. He doesn't tie down an end but he's popping up with crucial wickets. I think there's still an issue there with the balance of the team but that doesn't mean Moeen has to be the fall guy and in any case it's best to leave that sort of discussion until this match is concluded.

As for what's next - a couple more wickets for England in the middle session will do nicely, please ....

As people here will know I was adamant Rashid should replace Ali but credit to Moeen as he has contributed and done enough to keep his spot in the side for now certainly. He's got some key wickets and scored handily with the bat.

guildfordbat wrote:Evening (for you) Alfie - completely with you on your posts so far during this session; comments re Aukster's post, Root's drop and our bowling.

Even though we gifted Australia some wickets yesterday, I felt they bowled a lot better. Agree?

Sorry guilford , been off air...

Yes I do think the Australian bowling was better ; certainly Johnson , although he didn't get great reward , Starc was rather dangerous in bursts ...and I liked Hazelwood - as indeed I did in the first innings. Lyon is an underrated spinner among non-Australians , I think. He took some punishment at times , but kept coming back...
"gifted" wickets are often the result of a reaction to tight bowling anyway.

Great start after lunch ! Broad with a big wicket ...

Arent they glad they didn't waste the second review then

Cheers, Alfie. I'm never quite sure when you sleep anyway - guess you're one of those people who think it's overrated!

Certainly agree with you about Lyon being underrated among non-Australians (some comments on this forum in the build up to this series refer) although never by me. He's not a great but his value to the Australian team and its balance is considerable.

Anyway, 3 down now and looking good ....

Going back to the first session : Thought the bowling generally excellent. The first experiment with Moeen failed ; though that doesn't mean it wasn't worth trying.
Wood was unlucky not to get a wicket I thought...very good short spell backing up the main pair. And the double spin shuffle just before lunch came up with a wicket that was no more than England deserved...

Three of the Big Four out. And only ten past lunchtime. Looking good : but need to keep up the pressure.

Been watching it all , today , guildford - though a bit of trouble with my stream there for a while. Hence temporarily going off here...
Sleep is easier at weekends , at least .

Even so , I wouldn't mind this done and dusted by about 2 am (5 o'clock to you )

I think Aussies going from a chance of win to the verge of either defeat or draw. England are on the safe side from here.

alfie wrote:Been watching it all , today , guildford - though a bit of trouble with my stream there for a while. Hence temporarily going off here...
Sleep is easier at weekends , at least .  

Even so , I wouldn't mind this done and dusted by about 2 am (5 o'clock to you )

I was just about to say I think it'll be later than that, Alfie. Not so sure now as Broad gets the Australian skipper!

Three for Broad

Clarke gone and England looking better by the over...

Broad 3/19! He deserved better from the first innings, so this is good to see.

England on for a huge win...

alfie wrote:Three for Broad

Clarke gone and England looking better by the over...

I remember the team Steve carried where even 5 down was not safe for the opposition. These days ts rare to see a game in pressure.

Steady on England don't get ahead of my road map. ;-)

I wonder if it's odds-on that Watson is dismissed LBW?

Wood gets number five

Fat Lady warming up...

Duty281 wrote:Broad 3/19! He deserved better from the first innings, so this is good to see.

England on for a huge win...

Yeah man, you were hoping for some party on Sunday, well I think you need to visit the bar today itself. Enjoy this moment.

delighted for Wood, he's bowled very well this innings and more than deserved that. England once more excellent with the ball.

A point about bowling partnerships: Wood and Broad seem to work well together, they're the ones who started yesterday morning too...

Looks like alfie may get an early night. Wood earned that. He has bowled a great little spell.

I'm not that surprised to see this rattle of wickets. Lot of good pressure bowling went unrewarded before lunch...things often tend to even out , as it were , over time...

Still Haddin etc to get out , of course. But England on the charge.

I've liked what I've seen of Wood , right from the off. Just hope his fitness allows him to have a solid career ; because it could be a very good one. No big hauls yet ; but I reckon they're coming.
Can handle a bat a bit , too. Fielding could do with a bit of work...

CaledonianCraig wrote:Steady on England don't get ahead of my road map. ;-)

To be fair, I thought a couple of wickets in this session would do nicely. 106/5 now. What were they just before lunch? 97/1?

This hasn't even been close. Other than the first session, England have been on top for every single one. Superlative performance.

I wonder how the Australian press are interpretting this?

So will we have a 4 day finish?

CaledonianCraig wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Agree with Gower - Moeen's wicket changes the complexion of the afternoon.

A very important wicket which should soothe England anxiety.

For all our concerns about Moeen, I read in the week that he has a better strike rate in Tests than Swann, Warne and Muralitharan. He doesn't tie down an end but he's popping up with crucial wickets. I think there's still an issue there with the balance of the team but that doesn't mean Moeen has to be the fall guy and in any case it's best to leave that sort of discussion until this match is concluded.

As for what's next - a couple more wickets for England in the middle session will do nicely, please ....

As people here will know I was adamant Rashid should replace Ali but credit to Moeen as he has contributed and done enough to keep his spot in the side for now certainly. He's got some key wickets and scored handily with the bat.

Msp - a gracious post there from Craig. Your turn.

Not been able to watch cricket for ages due to stopping sky but enjoying listening to a bit of this during a break.

Sounds a good match.

Ali Bomaye! Mo strikes again, getting rid of Haddin. Into the tail now.

guildfordbat wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Agree with Gower - Moeen's wicket changes the complexion of the afternoon.

A very important wicket which should soothe England anxiety.

For all our concerns about Moeen, I read in the week that he has a better strike rate in Tests than Swann, Warne and Muralitharan. He doesn't tie down an end but he's popping up with crucial wickets. I think there's still an issue there with the balance of the team but that doesn't mean Moeen has to be the fall guy and in any case it's best to leave that sort of discussion until this match is concluded.

As for what's next - a couple more wickets for England in the middle session will do nicely, please ....

As people here will know I was adamant Rashid should replace Ali but credit to Moeen as he has contributed and done enough to keep his spot in the side for now certainly. He's got some key wickets and scored handily with the bat.

Msp - a gracious post there from Craig. Your turn.

Or there again, let Moeen answer himself with Haddin's wicket!

great catch by Cook, another wicket for Moeen, England now well on their way...

CaledonianCraig wrote:I wonder how the Australian press are interpretting this?

Well it is football season here , of course. But even so , it was perhaps significant that the cricket articles in the local papers this morning were fairly brief ; one was just inside the back pages and limited to a hatchet job on Watson. The other Eleven pages in and just in praise of Rogers with little about the rest of the play...

Wonder what will be in tomorrow

Ali strikes again. Great catch that from Cook to dismiss Haddin. I would be shocked now if this match isnt done and dusted today.

Don't be dropping that ball, skipper!

Though I thought England would win in Cardiff, I didn't think they would do so in such a ruthless, domineering way. Truly wonderful stuff.

Poor from Haddin there. Watson needs to at least stay not out, so it looks like he wasn't part of the riff raff.

What a catch

Ali and Cook a great combination in this match . Bogeyman Haddin gone ... And Moeen is going from "lucky to hold his place" to a candidate for MoM

trebellbobaggins wrote:Not been able to watch cricket for ages due to stopping sky but enjoying listening to a bit of this during a break.

Sounds a good match.

Hey Trebell ...nice to see you on again How's things in Cornwall ?

We haven't needed your Special Skills in this match ; but please stick around as we might need the Master of Reverse Later in the series

Hi Alfie.

All good thanks v much. Had a poorly old year last year but much better now after getting well and some much needed changes.

How are things in Aussie land?

I think what surprising me is that England have been the better more united team with each player contributing. Australia have been more like a disorganised rabble in comparison. They definitely have to look to be more consistent with the bat and ball for the remainder of the series.

trebellbobaggins wrote:Hi Alfie.

All good thanks v much.  Had a poorly old year last year but much better now after getting well and some much needed changes.

How are things in Aussie land?

Really glad to hear that. I knew you had a rough time for a while there , great things are looking up. I'm not complaining at the moment (though the weather has actually turned pretty nasty this weekend at least by Aussie standards : Polar Blast ! Is the headline , as the temperature hovers around ten Some people don't know when they're well off )

We were in your corner of the world this January and I thought it looked pretty good even in winter ; will be visiting again some time soon - when the sun is out I hope.

Well as a neutral - well maybe not since I get p1ssed off at England pinching our best players (Joyce, Morgan, Rankin and probably at some stage in the future Dockrell) - I shouldn't really have a preference between these two teams. But since in terms of boorishness, bad sportsmanship and downright unpleasantness for eons Aus are number one in the world and I'm delighted Eng are doing a number of them.

Take that smirk off Warner's face and that narky scowl off Johnson's mug. Now that doesn't mean that I've suddenly fallen in love with that cuddly twosome Anderson and Broad.....

This England team looks a lot more balanced now although top end of the order still a bid dodgy - but when you have good batting all the way down to Ali at 8 then maybe question marks over the openers isn't such a problem. A four-pronged seam attack with Ali improving as a spinner, and Root as well is a strong bowling combination

Can't wait to read the Aus press online when the inevitably happens - unless the weather intervenes and saves them from what will be a wonderfully ignominious defeat. But no doubt you'll get some down under who'll moan about the Cardiff pitch - strange that the Eng seamers haven't had too much problem with it