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...

[CaledonianCraig]

And up comes the 50 partnership between Woskes and Broad. England 350 for 8 and they extend their lead to 66.

[Soul Requiem]

That single century accounts for nearly half of his runs in his last 18 innings, that isn't a decision made over night but from a prolonged period of substandard batting.

[CaledonianCraig]

Now the highest ninth wicket partnership for England against Australia. 52 and counting.

[alfie]

Fifty partnership

Good work from these two. The advantage gained by batting time : even when a collapse occurs , the bowlers are getting tired and aren't quite able to finish the job...as we saw in the Australian first innings.

Stuart Broad's batting has gone badly off in recent years ; but he's played valuable hands against Ireland and again today. This one might prove very significant - as the lead passes 70.

[CaledonianCraig]

And as this pair bat on more miles being put into the bowlers legs.

[Duty281]

Possible test-winning partnership this, enough to put England in front for now at the very least.

Australia look exhausted, perhaps they thought the hard work had already been done?

[CaledonianCraig]

England lead now at 80 as they move onto 364 for 8. Woakes 30 not out and Broad 29 not out. This is beginning to get better and better for England.

[guildfordbat]

Now the highest ninth wicket partnership for England against Australua. 52 and counting.

If you are going to list the other eight, probably worth putting in a spoiler.

[alfie]

Possible test-winning partnership this, enough to put England in front for now at the very least.

Australia look exhausted, perhaps they thought the hard work had already been done?

Don't think so . Reckon they had put a lot of effort into taking those four wickets...on top of a full days work yesterday. Left them pretty stuffed...nothing left to apply the coup de grace. The plus side for England in electing to try and bat through the morning rather than just blazing away ? It's always a trade off...

But full credit to Woakes and Broad. They've played really well

Drinks. Lead is 81.

[guildfordbat]

Possible test-winning partnership this, enough to put England in front for now at the very least.

Australia look exhausted, perhaps they thought the hard work had already been done?

Don't think so . Reckon they had put a lot of effort into taking those four wickets...on top of a full days work yesterday. Left them pretty stuffed...nothing left to apply the coup de grace.  The plus side for England in electing to try and bat through the morning rather than just blazing away ?  It's always a trade off...

But full credit to Woakes and Broad. They've played really well

Drinks.  Lead is 81.

Alfie - when can I mention Starc again? Not many number 10s fancy their chances against real pace.

[Duty281]

A concentrated spell of short bowling at Broad yields a reward. Think the drinks break helped them regroup! Looks like Anderson will bat.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Pitch seems a little strange. Difficult against the new ball. Once it gets older staying in seems pretty easy. But difficult to score freely.

[alfie]

Cummins finally induces a leg side up and under to get Broad...logical sort of attack I think. Though maybe a bit lucky it carried to long leg as he only flicked it. Surprised they didn't bowl more short stuff to him earlier ?

No matter. A good partnership ends. Jimmy in so I'd imagine Woakes will look to take out the long handle...

[alfie]

Possible test-winning partnership this, enough to put England in front for now at the very least.

Australia look exhausted, perhaps they thought the hard work had already been done?

Don't think so . Reckon they had put a lot of effort into taking those four wickets...on top of a full days work yesterday. Left them pretty stuffed...nothing left to apply the coup de grace.  The plus side for England in electing to try and bat through the morning rather than just blazing away ?  It's always a trade off...

But full credit to Woakes and Broad. They've played really well

Drinks.  Lead is 81.

Alfie - when can I mention Starc again? Not many number 10s fancy their chances against real pace.

Panel here in Aus bemoaning the absence of Starc for that very reason ! But I do point out again that Siddle has been good value overall. I'd have picked Starc. He will play at Lord's I'm sure. Time will tell whether this unofficial rotation policy ( they deny that's what it is ) will pay off or not.

[Soul Requiem]

Think we can safely say that Jimmy won't be bowling.

[CaledonianCraig]

Evidently, though they fore went playing Starc (and Sidfle) to put another batsman in there to beef up the batting line-up which did not work given that Smith scored more than half of all of Australia's runs.

[Gooseberry]

Starc in theory might have been the bowler to take more wickets ...but if riddles struggling to bowl 30 in an innings they'd be absplutely screwed with 3 out and out pacemen.
All round batting time should pay big dividends for England even if they don't have a huge lead. Even beyond this game the physival flogging the Aussies seamers have taken will force rotation and possibly a shift to playing one of their mediocre all rounders for the next test.

[CaledonianCraig]

Think we can safely say that Jimmy won't be bowling.

Yes I saw him grimacing there after running one of those runs. But agree with Botham that he has to bowl or else he cannot realistically be picked for the second test.

England finally bowled out for 374 and they have a lead of 90 after the first innings. England in the box seat.

[guildfordbat]

Alfie - as you know too well, I'm with the panel in Aus. Just to emphasise, Patto would have been the one left out by me allowing both Starc and Siddle to play.

[alfie]

So it's a lead of 90.

Unfortunately it appears Anderson is still feeling calf trouble by the look of his batting so they're a bowler down. But that is quite a handy advantage : get a couple of wickets early and the pressure will be right on Australia.

Game still pretty open though.

[Duty281]

Jimmy was going so well until that shot. More assured than Moeen anyway...

Lead of 90. That's a good'un on this wicket. Australia will need a minimum of 265 in their second dig to stand a realistic chance - they would like someone other than Smith to stand up in the top order.

A lot's going to depend on how Moeen bowls on a turning pitch. Great opportunity for him to play a decisive role in this test. I wonder if his bowling confidence has been squashed by his batting struggles?

Chance of a draw is starting to grow, particularly with some rain around tomorrow and Monday as well as the slow-is scoring rates.

[alfie]

Alfie - as you know too well, I'm with the panel in Aus. Just to emphasise, Patto would have been the one left out by me allowing both Starc and Siddle to play.

Fair enough ! But I do know they were very keen to pick Pattinson. Heck I expected Hazlewood to play a couple of weeks go

[alfie]

Pitch seems a little strange. Difficult against the new ball. Once it gets older staying in seems pretty easy. But difficult to score freely.

Has been the case throughout the match , hasn't it ? Suggests it might be hard for either team to score big second time around ; which would make a lead of 90 quite significant.

[guildfordbat]

Think we can safely say that Jimmy won't be bowling.

Yes I saw him grimacing there after running one of those runs. But agree with Botham that he has to bowl or else he cannot realistically be picked for the second test.

England finally bowled out for 374 and they have a lead of 90 after the first innings. England in the box seat.

Sorry, Craig, but if I understand you / Botham correctly, that seems nonsense he's once more spouting. Whether Jimmy bowls in the innings coming up needs to be determined by whethr he's fit enough to bowl and nothing else. Bowling in an unfit condition now (which we all think is his case) is likely to lessen his chances of bowling not only in the second test but also the rest of the series.

[CaledonianCraig]

Think we can safely say that Jimmy won't be bowling.

Yes I saw him grimacing there after running one of those runs. But agree with Botham that he has to bowl or else he cannot realistically be picked for the second test.

England finally bowled out for 374 and they have a lead of 90 after the first innings. England in the box seat.

Sorry, Craig, but if I understand you / Botham correctly, that seems nonsense he's once more spouting. Whether Jimmy bowls in the innings coming up needs to be determined by whethr he's fit enough to bowl and nothing else. Bowling in an unfit condition now (which we all think is his case) is likely to lessen his chances of bowling not only in the second test but also the rest of the series.

The point is he came into this test in supposedly fit condition. Now I cannot see (and Anderson hasn't come out to field) how England can select Anderson and risk carrying him in the next test as well. They cannot risk that on him passing a fitness test as that happened here too.

[Duty281]

No Anderson, so England are down to three seamers and Moeen and the occasional lobs from Denly.

Long old session this one.

[CaledonianCraig]

And the problem England have is their replacement in waiting Joffra Archer is also carrying a niggling injury so it is a risk selecting him as well knowing he could very well break down too.

[guildfordbat]

Anderson was fit coming into this test. He came unfit during it, albeit early on. If he's not fit for the second test (which certainly looks like being the case from this distance and to my non-medical eyes), he won't be picked for it. The best way though of ensuring he won't be fit though - and probably for longer than the second test - is to give him the ball now.
Suggest you PM if you want to discuss further - not worth hogging the thread on this.

[alfie]

And the problem England have is their replacement in waiting Joffra Archer is also carrying a niggling injury so it is a risk selecting him as well knowing he could very well break down too.

Well that's going to be down to the medical staff...Archer is apparently going to play for Sussex seconds next week so they'll have a good chance to assess him. Anyway they have Stone , Curran...a few options at the moment. Imagine Jimmy will be out of action for a while...

Is this a wicket ? Looks like it...yes ! Warner gone ...drs rescues the umpire again...

[Duty281]

Huge breakthrough for the English. Thank the Lord for DRS.

[Soul Requiem]

On first glance I thought that was a hopeful referral based on Broad not looking sure.

[alfie]

Huge breakthrough for the English. Thank the Lord for DRS.

Needed it in this match ! Surprised that wasn't given live...seemed pretty clear to me ...although amazingly Broad didn't seem sure. Bairstow was in no doubt.

[eirebilly]

It looked out straight away to me anyways. Warner must have felt it as well. DRS works well for England there.

I think 90 is a decent lead to have in these conditions but not having Jimmy available to bowl will really take its toll on the England bowlers. Woakes and Broad may have to have a very fine day with the ball again.

[Soul Requiem]

It looked out straight away to me anyways. Warner must have felt it as well. DRS works well for England there.

I think 90 is a decent lead to have in these conditions but not having Jimmy available to bowl will really take its toll on the England bowlers. Woakes and Broad may have to have a very fine day with the ball again.

It should in theory be less of a worry for England with it spinning and having Denly available to throw down a few.

[alfie]

Root will need to be careful in his handling of the bowlers. Woakes and Broad obviously the cutting edge so he needs to keep them fresh enough to enlarge any breaks they make ...don't want to be stuck with exhausted bowlers and part timers - at least before Smith is out

Though I wouldn't be surprised to see Stokes be a different bowler in this innings.

Moeen getting spin immediately.

[Duty281]

Moeen generating some serious revs and getting plenty of spin. With Lyon in the fourth innings, I think if these Australian batsmen get a lead of 175+ then their side will be favourites.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ali strikes and Bancroft is caught at short leg. Australua 27 for 2.

[Duty281]

Bancroft gets into a horrible tangle and perishes. Time for the main man. England can (effectively) win it in this session if they get him early.

[Soul Requiem]

Bancroft is not very good at all.

[Duty281]

One positive for Australia is they're scoring at a pretty fast rate. 4.33 an over. Wouldn't expect that to be maintained, but it won't be long before they've made up the deficit.

[Duty281]

Broad out of the attack, Moeen dipping in intensity and bowling with little control, and these two starting to look set. Runs still flowing which is a surprise and also has to be a concern for Root. Lead could be 50+ at stumps.

Stokes soon, I think.

[alfie]

As soon as Smith comes in England seem a bit unsure of how to proceed. Runs coming rather quickly for these two and batting actually starting to look relatively easy again. If they knock off these runs and bat on through to the close Australian heads will lift .

The old story I guess : add two wickets and look again. But they relly need to shift one of these...

Root having a trundle.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Without Anderson not only do England lose wicket taking ability but in a tight contest(relatively tight anyway), Root has lost the element of control. The Aussies going at 4rpo

[Duty281]

Broad out of the attack, Moeen dipping in intensity and bowling with little control, and these two starting to look set. Runs still flowing which is a surprise and also has to be a concern for Root. Lead could be 50+ at stumps.

Stokes soon, I think.

Stokes! Important wicket as Khawaja was breezing along out there.

[alfie]

Stokes does his magic...seams back in to him and takes Khawaja's inside edge...

Greets Head with another ripper. Pace up , he'll go hard in this last session.

[alfie]

England still unable to stop Smith from scoring at will through mid wicket... He must love facing English bowling !

Have get the other seven out I guess

[Duty281]

No wonder the run-rate is so high - Australian batsmen finding the gaps at will and running well between the wickets, turning the easy ones into hard-run twos.

Bit worried for England here as they look surprisingly flat in the field. Moeen nowhere near as threatening as in his first few overs. Perhaps the presence of Smith just demoralises them? Another easy three.

[CaledonianCraig]

Australia 92 for 3 and lead by two. Very delicately poised now this Test.

[alfie]

Scores level.

Moeen bowling OK , but not really looking dangerous at present. Unless Smith makes a mistake they'd better hope they can shift Head and get at the wicket keepers and bowlers the other end... Head played quite well in the first innings and has started soundly enough again.

For whatever reason , it just doesn't seem as tense for the batsmen in this innings. Pitch is playing fairly OK , bowling has been decent but not consistently threatening. May also suggest Australia will need a fairly solid lead unless conditions change , of course.

Archer on as a sub ? Guess he must be fit then ...maybe Jimmy should have bumped his head on his way up the steps and they could have him as a concussion sub

[alfie]

No wonder the run-rate is so high - Australian batsmen finding the gaps at will and running well between the wickets, turning the easy ones into hard-run twos.

Bit worried for England here as they look surprisingly flat in the field. Moeen nowhere near as threatening as in his first few overs. Perhaps the presence of Smith just demoralises them? Another easy three.

Well that's my feeling. Maybe not demoralizes ; but it does seem to upset their focus... Smith has an excellent record against Moeen in particular.

That said , a couple more wickets tonight and Australia would not sleep too easy. England need to just stick to their game : the odd ball does something for Moeen so it's not as if they're bereft of threat. Would love to cut some of these twos...and singles.

Nearly a post drink run out ! Missed by a whisker , that... Not quite Gary Pratt

[Sponsored content]