The Ashes - official thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Seeing as this starts next week, I'll kick it off - the Aussies have selected their 17 man squad


Australia's Ashes squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

Main takeaway there is no specialist spinner selected behind Lyon, with Neser included suggests they don't anticipate many, if any, spinning wickets...

[Soul Requiem]

Root played solidly today it was like a Dravid style innings where he made the Aussies bowl to him. Risk free batting. I just don't get why Root's conversation rate isn't as good as Smith/Kohli/Williamson.

The only reason I can think of is his back problems.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Root played solidly today it was like a Dravid style innings where he made the Aussies bowl to him. Risk free batting. I just don't get why Root's conversation rate isn't as good as Smith/Kohli/Williamson.

Couple of factors , I think.  One is the pitches he plays on at home : not quite so easy to go big when the bowlers are always in the game , as they've often been recently in England. Second he is a busy rather than super aggressive player when he starts ; but tends not to throttle back when he's settled in - and seems to get out by pushing perhaps more than he needs to in the middle stages...or what ought to be the middle stages of a big innings ! And finally I think the captaincy doesn't sit as easily on him as on some.

He's got a lot of career to go. I think - hope - he will improve the conversion rate before he's done.

Gotta hope Root’s back problem is manageable as we can’t afford to lose him prematurely

[guildfordbat]

Hi Compelling - tbf to me, I'm not saying Root didn't do well today. I am though not hiding disappointment that he didn't go on further particularly when, as you say, he had tired a fairly small attack and didn't put us in an even stronger position.

If you still don't like what I'm saying, I'll name drop and hide behind behind Alec Stewart. I spoke to him during a Surrey seconds' game at Guildford a few years ago and expressed the view that Arun Harinath had done well that week in scoring 80 odd for the firsts. Stewie didn't disagree but his frustration and some annoyance was clear as he came out with the comment I quoted earlier.

[guildfordbat]

Great session for England. They've both had a huge slice of luck, but they're sticking in there and grinding it out. No real x-factor from the bowlers yet, just steady stuff.

...

Duty posted this at lunch. Fairly similar positive second session for England. Yet again I question the wisdom of Australia omitting Starc. His pace might have provided the missing x-factor.

[robbo277]

I think it’s bold to go for a 4 man attack with no real 5th bowler. England obviously forced into that situation but Australia picked it.

Pattinson and Cummins both are capable of bowling quick, but their pace will drop the more they bowl. They’ve both done 12/13, and may need to get through another 6 or 7 tonight.

[alfie]

Great session for England. They've both had a huge slice of luck, but they're sticking in there and grinding it out. No real x-factor from the bowlers yet, just steady stuff.

...

Duty posted this at lunch. Fairly similar positive second session for England. Yet again I question the wisdom of Australia omitting Starc. His pace might have provided the missing x-factor.

As you know , guildford , I sort of agree about Starc. But if he'd played , no place for Siddle...and he was second top (and vital) score ...and has been the pick of the bowlers today. Choices...

Denny unfurls a lovely cover drive reminded me of Tom Graveney , that one...not bad for a journeyman county batsman.

[CaledonianCraig]

Burns into the nervous 90s. England 185 for 2 and the lead down to double figures.

[Duty281]

Might be time for Steve Smith's leg spin and for Australia to think about editing the balance of their side for Lord's. Starc is a certainty, I think, but will it be a four or five man attack?

20 overs till the new ball. 20 overs for Australia to get two new batsmen at the crease.

[alfie]

Burns into the nineties...and the umpires are now ready to change the ball.
Fielding sides always get a confidence lift when that happens. Whether it actually makes a difference we shall see...but I'm sure Pattinson will steam in now...

[alfie]

Well the first ball swung ! Second went to the mid off fence...

But it does look to be doing more. Interesting passage of play.

[Duty281]

Actually, the 'new' ball has arrived a bit early. England were trying that trick all last evening - to get the ball changed - but got no dice with the umpire.

[CaledonianCraig]

Well three England batsmen whose inclusion was questioned (Roy, Burns and Denly) have scored a total so far of 120 runs averaging 40 runs apiece. A decent return I would say for players so vilified.

[CaledonianCraig]

Denly trapped lbw and exits for 18. England 189 for 3.

[Soul Requiem]

Stupid how changing the damn ball can change things so much, this practice of complaining about the ball has to stop and England were guilty of it too yesterday.

[Duty281]

Pattinson's using the 'new' nut well. Opening for Australia.

[Soul Requiem]

Well three England batsmen whose inclusion was questioned (Roy, Burns and Denly) have scored a total so far of 120 runs averaging 40 runs apiece. A decent return I would say for players so vilified.

Huh?

Burns doing well doesn't justify anyone but himself.

[compelling and rich]

Hi Compelling - tbf to me, I'm not saying Root didn't do well today. I am though not hiding disappointment that he didn't go on further particularly when, as you say, he had tired a fairly small attack and didn't put us in an even stronger position.

If you still don't like what I'm saying, I'll name drop and hide behind behind Alec Stewart. I spoke to him during a Surrey seconds' game at Guildford a few years ago and expressed the view that Arun Harinath had done well that week in scoring 80 odd for the firsts. Stewie didn't disagree but his frustration and some annoyance was clear as he came out with the comment I quoted earlier.

I do get what you/alec are saying. of course ideally he goes on more and it is frustrating that he seems to get out a lot between 50-99. but Ive been crying out for our top order to blunt the new ball, more than happy with his performance today and slightly disagree with the bit that it doesn't win you a test match. him and burns (even if he doesnt reach his ton) have set a platform for a strong middle order to push on and put us in a very strong position. no reason why we shouldn't have a decent lead from here and put us in a winnable position. and that to me is down to root and burns innings

[Duty281]

Well three England batsmen whose inclusion was questioned (Roy, Burns and Denly) have scored a total so far of 120 runs averaging 40 runs apiece. A decent return I would say for players so vilified.

That's an odd way of talking up Roy and Denly's returns so far!

"I only scored 10, skip, but if you add my score to Burns' and Smith's, I'm averaging about 80!"

[alfie]

Denly gone...that change of ball has worked for Australia.

Took a long time to give it ; but looked pretty good live...as hawk eye confirms.

Buttler in rather than Stokes ; keeps the left/right combination. This ball is swinging around like a yo yo !

[dummy_half]

Denly trapped lbw and exits for 18. England 189 for 3.

Did an umpire just get a decision correct?

[Soul Requiem]

Can we add the selection of this ball to the long list of umpiring mistakes?

[Duty281]

This ball is swinging around like a yo yo !

Bet it has given Cummins and Pattinson some extra energy and incentive to bowl. Burns struggling to lay a bat on one.

[guildfordbat]

Great session for England. They've both had a huge slice of luck, but they're sticking in there and grinding it out. No real x-factor from the bowlers yet, just steady stuff.

...

Duty posted this at lunch. Fairly similar positive second session for England. Yet again I question the wisdom of Australia omitting Starc. His pace might have provided the missing x-factor.

As you know , guildford , I sort of agree about Starc. But if he'd played , no place for Siddle...and he was second top (and vital) score ...and has been the pick of the bowlers today.  Choices...

Denny unfurls a lovely cover drive reminded me of Tom Graveney , that one...not bad for a journeyman county batsman.

Hi Alfie - oh yeah, swings and roundabouts, I get that. Tbf to me (I'm saying that too often today!), Siddle and Starc would both have been in my Australian side with Pattinson on drinks duty (in line with my picks on Joey's comp). There again, Patto is now Austalia's leading wicket taker!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Change ball, suddenly they get swing.

Seems unfair to me

[guildfordbat]

Denly trapped lbw and exits for 18. England 189 for 3.

Did an umpire just get a decision correct?

I think some credit is due to Burns there for a tough and correct call in apparently advising Denly not to review.

[Duty281]

Now it's lively. Buttler totally turned square and a very smart catch. Two wickets for five runs and Burns has completely stalled at the other end.

Two lefties at the crease now. Two walking wickets coming after them. I sense sudden collapse.

[alfie]

Ball swap has transformed the situation dramatically...

Australia looked out of ideas and flat : suddenly they're right at England's throat . Buttler gone cheaply (very good catch from Bancroft !)and 284 is looking a fair way off now...

Of course these two can't bowl forever. And the "real" new ball is only 14 overs away. But the game is alive right now.

[Duty281]

Lyon on. Very sensible move.

[alfie]

Lyon a great pressure over to Burns then

I don't think Australia have bowled quite as many dangerous deliveries as England did yesterday - at least up to tea. But equally they haven't bowled as many loose ones. Have had to earn every run today. Makes Burns' effort today even more meritorious .

And they aren't half making it hard for him on 99...some excellent run saving fielding !

[CaledonianCraig]

That is a great maiden test century for Rory Burns. Superb knock.

England move onto 205 for 4 just 79 runs behind.

[alfie]

Hundred Well run single...well done that man

Now Rory , enjoy the moment ...and then bat on ...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Anyone know why the umpires swapped the ball for the Aussies today and not us yesterday?

[Duty281]

Good century for Burns, but he's had a summer's worth of luck in two and a half sessions.

Great individual moment for him, though.

Lyon dominating these two at the moment and it seems only a matter of time before the inevitable.

[guildfordbat]

A century for Burns

Just 50 more needed so he and Roy average 80.

[king_carlos]

Excellent innings by Burns. He now needs to do what England batsman have rarely done recently and go big. He's done well to get here against an excellent opening pair from Australia, if he can see off the second new ball against them then he will set the strong lower order up to make this a commanding total.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

That’s a great hundred for Roy, Denly and Burns

[king_carlos]

That’s a great hundred for Roy, Denly and Burns

The sort of post that makes me frequently wonder whether several of the cricket posters on 606v2 actually garner any semblance of joy from cricket!

[CaledonianCraig]

Oh dear it would seem I have cheesed off the purists.

Well the point stands. Three players that had their selection greatly questioned have contributed with the bat.

Also waiting for this collapse that was predicted on here this morning to give Australia a 50+ lead. That collapse has 18 runs to happen.

[alfie]

Been tough going since tea. Ball change the big factor , of course. But you have to admire the way the Aussies have swarmed back into the game once given a sniff...some excellent bowling and very energetic fielding.
Has put a lot of pressure on..I guess Burns being ninety odd contributed a bit too.

New ball not far off so these two need to stay in. But part of me wants to see Stokes put the bowlers back on their heels...

Guess it's not that kind of day .

[Duty281]

Stokes starting to settle. Give him another hour in the middle and England might lead.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

That’s a great hundred for Roy, Denly and Burns

The sort of post that makes me frequently wonder whether several of the cricket posters on 606v2 actually garner any semblance of joy from cricket!

I garner no joy from anything, I’m English

[alfie]

Oh dear it would seem I have cheesed off the purists.

Well the point stands. Three players that had their selection greatly questioned have contributed with the bat.

Also waiting for this collapse that was predicted on here this morning to give Australia a 50+ lead. That collapse has 18 runs to happen.

You haven't annoyed this purist , Craig...

You had an odd way of putting it perhaps ; but I took your point. Roy probably won't be happy with his share ; but Denly - in a modest way - contributed. So far it's been a better batting reply by England than most recent efforts. Despite three of the top four having a handful of Tests between them.

Not too far off your road map at this point ? New ball may be key to the end of day position...

[CaledonianCraig]

Cheers Alfie.

Looks odd on that England will take a lead into the second innings. The big question is how much?

[king_carlos]

That’s a great hundred for Roy, Denly and Burns

The sort of post that makes me frequently wonder whether several of the cricket posters on 606v2 actually garner any semblance of joy from cricket!

I garner no joy from anything, I’m English

Not even seeing Australia turn to their 5th and 6th choice bowlers just before to the new ball?

[VTR]

Roy and Denly failed, neither even got to twenty! Burns has done really well, excellent innings I didn't think he had in him. Doing that though doesn't answer any of the question marks over Roy and Denly. Roy has a bit of credit from the Test vs Ireland. Denly some from the Windies tour but will be extremely vulnerable to getting the chop

[guildfordbat]

Excellent innings by Burns. He now needs to do what England batsman have rarely done recently and go big. He's done well to get here against an excellent opening pair from Australia, if he can see off the second new ball against them then he will set the strong lower order up to make this a commanding total.

Exactly, Carlos. So important to go big. A commanding total could well be on but if Burns and another go quickly now, we could even be struggling for parity.

[No name Bertie]

I suppose if you can't get a ball to swing because you are no longer able to use sandpaper, asking the umpire to change the ball might work instead.

[king_carlos]

Small targets till close should be the aim here. First get to the second new ball, then 50 partnership, 250 total, etc.

It's all about batting time now for these two. Stay in, see off the second new ball and the score will naturally build.

[compelling and rich]

key spell this with the new ball, we see off this period and its a massive step towards the first test

[Dolphin Ziggler]

That’s a great hundred for Roy, Denly and Burns

The sort of post that makes me frequently wonder whether several of the cricket posters on 606v2 actually garner any semblance of joy from cricket!

I garner no joy from anything, I’m English

Not even seeing Australia turn to their 5th and 6th choice bowlers just before to the new ball?

I can't count my chickens yet. It can all go horribly wrong, always

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