Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Thought I'd start a new thread for the winter cricket of 2021 that we (covid depending) have ahead of us. Obviously the World T20, but that has it's own thread...

The main event being the Ashes, with the dates below

Men's Ashes schedule
First Test: 8-12 December - Gabba, Brisbane (00:00 GMT)
Second Test: 16-20 December - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n - 04:00 GMT)
Third Test: 26-30 December - MCG, Melbourne (23:30 GMT, 25 December)
Fourth Test: 5-9 January - SCG, Sydney (23:30 GMT, 4 January)
Fifth Test: 14-18 January - Optus Stadium, Perth (02:30 GMT) (subject to change)

Women's Ashes schedule
Test: 27-30 January - Manuka Oval, Canberra (23:00 GMT, 26 January)
First T20: 4 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)
Second T20: 6 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)
Third T20: 10 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (08:10 GMT)
First ODl: 13 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (23:05 GMT, 12 February)
Second ODl: 16 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 15 February)
Third ODI: 19 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 18 February)

India have a busy winter, with New Zealand touring in November/December and then India head to South Africa for the boxing day test/January.
There's an interesting test series between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Bangladesh in Nov/Dec, which should be an entertaining watch. Unfortunately I don't see much cricket on the schedule for Pakistan/Sri Lanka (unless I am missing something!)
A few others on the future tours programme, but not confirmed yet as far as I see...

[alfie]

Given the history of England captains sending Australia in at the Gabba it is hardly a surprise that Root didn't hesitate in saying we'll bat.
If the weather forecast is anywhere near accurate the seam bowler friendly conditions should continue for much of the game so not much difference between starting under the added pressure of difficult early moments or batting with the added pressure of having to chase a target.

Facing Starc Hazlewood and Cummins with a new ball never going to be easy...

[alfie]

Wonder whether it is better to have prior experience of Test Cricket in Australia or be free of past bad memories ? Because with the team eventually selected there are only 4 England players today who have played one here before.

Starc ready to bowl...good luck Rory

[alfie]

Oh dear...

[Duty281]

Oh good. That's terrible from Burns, amateur hour.

Remember Anderson picking up a wicket first ball of the series v South Africa in 2019.

[JDizzle]

Strauss was out first over in 10/11? 3-1 England it is.

[guildfordbat]

Oh dear...

Oh well ... just give me the points, Joey.

[compelling and rich]

I’ll apologise to burns for picking him in the prediction game

[alfie]

Something about first ball of the series at this ground

At least another left hander is here to maintain that valuable left/right combination...and the runs are flowing

Burns won't want to watch that back. But I reckon he will need to avoid TV and social media for a while or he will have little choice...

[JDizzle]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I’ll just watch the first… oh come on!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Also a massive fan of Malan starting quicker here than he does in t20s

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Looks like he’s going for a walk

[king_carlos]

I had a feeling Starc might have a good Test...

So interesting that Hazlewood started up with the wobble seam straight away rather than seam up. The rise of its use combined with DRS effecting LBW decisions has had such a big effect on the game in the last few years.

[JDizzle]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

Enjoyed the graphic showing the ball would have missed leg stump by a foot if it didn’t swing - after Warne spent 6 balls offended at Waugh for saying it did.

[king_carlos]

Warne's hatred of Starc is bordering on some sort of fetish at this stage.

[king_carlos]

Hameed confidently leaving on length as well as line is good to see. An underrated but important skill for an opener in Australia. Langer used to do it very well.

[compelling and rich]

All hopes hang on root

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So sleep it is then

[alfie]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

The fact that the wicket taker wouldn't be here at all if Warne had his way hasn't stopped him blathering away from the off...

Might need to exercise the mute button here.

Malan gone now... Good stuff from Hazlewood and an easy first for Carey. Not exactly the start England wanted.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yep, with that I’m off to bed. Think I’ll watch the day-nighters only and pretend the rest don’t exist

[Duty281]

Starc hasn't started well, despite the wicket. But Hazlewood has...and he does for Malan with some very neat bowling.

Root at the crease inside 20 minutes, just what Australia would have wanted.

11/2...but why expect different? It's a top-quality bowling attack v a flimsy batting line-up that has had scant preparation.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

“Look Joe, we’re just going to need you to score another double hundred so we can get to 400 ok”

[king_carlos]

All hopes hang on root

Fella must have the most tiring job in cricket.

[Duty281]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

The Sky commentators get some criticism, but at least they know when to let the game breathe. These Australian commentators never shut up, like they're being paid-per-word.

[alfie]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

The Sky commentators get some criticism, but at least they know when to let the game breathe. These Australian commentators never shut up, like they're being paid-per-word.

These two are awful. Why the devil are they rattling on about the non-selection of Broad and Anderson when all this early action is happening ? Apart from a ludicrous pivot away from the important current situation, if this collapse continues England's bowling make up will be somewhat irrelevant...

[alfie]

Oh that's excellent bowling...Hazlewood on fire and Root gone for a duck !

All England's nightmares coming in early... Am a bit sorry for you fellows who had to set the alarm for this.

[Duty281]

World-class from Hazlewood. 11/3. Root's rotten (by his standards) record in Aus continues.

Is it already over?

[JDizzle]

Do we really need a fifth Test match? Take 4-0 and run.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

How many times will Root come out to bat after let’s say 30 overs, in this series? Like once, maybe twice?

[alfie]

World-class from Hazlewood. 11/3. Root's rotten (by his standards) record in Aus continues.

Is it already over?

Might need a lot of rain...

Was my biggest fear , that the batting could be blown away from the start. Suppose poor Root will now be rubbished for choosing to bat first but if the Aussies bowl like this to this very flimsy England top order it can happen anytime.

Hope they can cobble together some sort of score from this rotten start so the bowlers have something to work with. But you'd have to say the early signs are less than good...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

The Sky commentators get some criticism, but at least they know when to let the game breathe. These Australian commentators never shut up, like they're being paid-per-word.

These two are awful. Why the devil are they rattling on about the non-selection of Broad and Anderson when all this early action is happening ? Apart from a ludicrous pivot away from the important current situation, if this collapse continues England's bowling make up will be somewhat irrelevant...

Someone tell them that a few seconds of silence isn’t a criminal offence please

[GSC]

Just resting broad and Anderson for when the batsmen put up a 3 figure score

[alfie]

How many times will Root come out to bat after let’s say 30 overs, in this series? Like once, maybe twice?

Ian Chappell thinks he should go in at three. Tempted to say he might as well...

Early days but I do fear Malan's decent figures from the last Australian tour (which were from batting at five) had been used to raise a bit of overdone confidence in his chances at three. Hopefully he will prove my doubts unfounded later but I'm not placing bets. A new Trott would be so handy but I don't see one in the touring party.

[guildfordbat]

Warne already insufferable and we are only 6 balls in. It’s going to be a long winter!

Legitimately a National cricketing tragedy that we’re going to have to take the goddamn Aussie comms feed again for this series. Already horrendous

The Sky commentators get some criticism, but at least they know when to let the game breathe. These Australian commentators never shut up, like they're being paid-per-word.

These two are awful. Why the devil are they rattling on about the non-selection of Broad and Anderson when all this early action is happening ? Apart from a ludicrous pivot away from the important current situation, if this collapse continues England's bowling make up will be somewhat irrelevant...

''The key thing was to learn the value of economy with words ..'' - the late and much missed Richie Benaud about commentary.

[GSC]

Pretty much every fear and reality of where this England team is brutally exposed in about an hour

[Duty281]

Decent defensive vigil from Stokes, ends with Cummins mixing it up and forcing him to play.

29/4. Not much batting left. Expect England to be in the field...by tea?

[alfie]

Getting worse...as if the first hour wasn't bad enough. Now Stokes departs to more fine bowling , this time from Cummins.

Will be a very good time for Pope to justify Olly's high opinion with a vital innings. Like his positivity in getting off the mark first ball at least...

30/4 which is the "horror scenario" being conjured up by more than one commentator before the series. So I'm blaming Tufnell , among others

[alfie]

Made it to fifty

Lyon starting economically as usual : I do like the approach that Pope and Hameed are taking , at least trying to score off him early on - even if they haven't yet managed to actually put any away.

Green getting a go now. Don't think England will be getting much rest from the main three quicks after the interval but important these two don't relax now against the change bowler. Only eight minutes to lunch...

[alfie]

And so to lunch. 26 overs , 59/4.

Think we can call that Australia's session

[Duty281]

Fair play to Hameed, he's done his job well. But his opening partner's test average has sunk below 32. Pope looking awful v Lyon, that's not a match-up he's enjoying. Might be worth keeping Lyon on for a few overs after lunch.

Hazlewood and Cummins immense, as expected. A fine exhibition of bowling in their 13 overs, a brilliant example of consistent line and length. Clean fielding effort, too, another area where Australia are superior.

59/4. Batting should be easier after lunch, but only a couple of wickets away from the bowling all-rounders. Have to try and wriggle up to 250 minimum, however that looks pretty remote at this point.

[compelling and rich]

Anyone else worried about our attack on this pitch. That green tinge will dry out. Australia’s attack is very good and got the best out of early conditions. Don’t think we’re as good with the ball certainly without broad and Anderson. Can see Australia getting quite a few on this pitch

[king_carlos]

Ouch.

Pope looking to be proactive against Lyon I like. That shot down the track in the final over before lunch I don't like. Whilst I think Pope is massively talented he does have issues against spin.

Hazlewood was excellent first up. I know I keep banging on about it but how the wobble seam is changing Test match bowling is just fascinating. Hazlewood has always been a seam bowler not a swing bowler. Earlier in his career he'd bowl like traditional seam bowlers though where he'd either try to bowl an off-cutter or leg-cutter with different grips for each. Now he has foregone the traditional seam up with the new ball default for that wobble seam as he clearly thinks it's a more reliable weapon.

We have seen a lot of bowlers in the last few years stop looking for reverse swing with the old ball and instead use the wobble seam as it is a less temperamental/random skill than reverse. Seeing opening bowlers using it instead of conventional swing or seam up bowling with the new ball is another step. It's a ball that is changing Test bowling so much.

[king_carlos]

Anyone else worried about our attack on this pitch. That green tinge will dry out. Australia’s attack is very good and got the best out of early conditions. Don’t think we’re as good with the ball certainly without broad and Anderson. Can see Australia getting quite a few on this pitch

Yep, I'm worried about the attack. With Archer and Stone unavailable that's going to be the case regardless of who we pick though. Even looking towards the pink ball Tests that Anderson should enjoy more these Aussie bowlers are absolute guns in D/N games.

Whilst I think Leach is our best spinner and I wanted him selected I also have worries with Leach's ability when the pitch isn't turning big and especially his bowling to left-handers.

The bounce seems very true and pitches tend to flatten out under the Aussie sun, then cracks will appear later on. Whether the forecast rain will see it flatten out and crack less remains to be seen. I don't think it's a bad batting track at all.

[Duty281]

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Is 150 possible? This is on course to be a big innings defeat already.

[alfie]

Ouch.

Pope looking to be proactive against Lyon I like. That shot down the track in the final over before lunch I don't like. Whilst I think Pope is massively talented he does have issues against spin.

Hazlewood was excellent first up. I know I keep banging on about it but how the wobble seam is changing Test match bowling is just fascinating. Hazlewood has always been a seam bowler not a swing bowler. Earlier in his career he'd bowl like traditional seam bowlers though where he'd either try to bowl an off-cutter or leg-cutter with different grips for each. Now he has foregone the traditional seam up with the new ball default for that wobble seam as he clearly thinks it's a more reliable weapon.

We have seen a lot of bowlers in the last few years stop looking for reverse swing with the old ball and instead use the wobble seam as it is a less temperamental/random skill than reverse. Seeing opening bowlers using it instead of conventional swing or seam up bowling with the new ball is another step. It's a ball that is changing Test bowling so much.

Think Pope will at least get a chance to settle in again , with Cummins already taking out Hameed since the break. But I do worry a bit about how he will fare against Lyon. Hopefully he's got that kamikaze shot out of his way now...

Agree Hazlewood has found a method that really suits him - and has been brilliant for him this morning.

Buttler wants to play his shots : probably best tactic. Really need these two to have a proper partnership...

[alfie]

Batting does look a bit easier since lunch - perhaps largely because Buttler's aggressive intent has seen the Australian bowlers bringing their length back . Ball older too , of course ; but although a couple of deliveries have gone through the batsman there isn't quite the same sense of menace that seemed to be a permanent feature earlier in the day.
Couple of fielders out of the close catching spots too.

Pope doing his part with some good running of singles. Good start to a fightback ; and we will probably see Lyon again soon.

[Duty281]

They just persisted with Hazlewood and Cummins for too long, but Starc's on now. Intelligent effort from Pope, he's picked up a number of sharp singles and rotated well. Buttler's starting a decent counter-attack despite dodgy footwork...but looks as though he's feathered one down leg. He does look very guilty.

No, not out. No ultra-edge? Have we gone back in time?

[king_carlos]

Really good stuff from Buttler in the circumstances. Obviously it's still a terrible position but he's at least forced some field changes and a slightly more defensive line from the bowlers.

That's a poor waft to Starc's first ball back though. And a review for strangled down the leg side off the second. He survives though!

[alfie]

Now : is Carey in the Tim Paine class with referrals ? I think he is...

Yes. Wasted a review , as Buttler's thigh pad , not bat , was the thing that one had flicked. Didn't think he'd hit it but he looked a little anxious initially which was a scare we could do without !

Lyon here as expected at 96/5

[Sponsored content]