2021-22 Ashes Tipping Competition

First topic message reminder :

The 2021-22 Ashes Tipping Competition Rules:

1.
Pick 2 (two) batsmen and 2 (two) bowlers from both England and Australia who you think will score the most runs and take the most wickets.
You get both batting and bowling points per innings so a bowler who scores runs has both batting and bowling scores added together.
e.g.
Warner, Labuschagne, Starc, Cummins
Malan, Root, Broad, Anderson

2.
Pick 1 (one) fielder from each team; excluding wicket keepers for most catches in the Series.
It can be a bowler (for c&b) if you want.
e.g.
Smith, Stokes

3.
Select which wicket keeper will take the greatest number of catches, stumpings and run outs combined for each Test.
If a wicket keeper is injured then the replacement keeper's figures shall be used.
e.g.
Australia (Carey) or England (Bairstow... or Buttler) or the same number of dismissals.

4.
Predict the Toss:
a) Who wins the toss?
e.g.
Australia

b) Winning captain's decision - bat or field?
e.g.
Bat

5.
a) Predict the 1st Ashes Test result.
e.g.
Australia or England or Draw

Selections must be posted a minimum one (1) hour before the commencement of each Test. No PM reminders shall be sent.


Scoring:

Note:
The figures in bold below represent changes to previous competition scoring values.
I have increased the bonus amounts - for batting and bowling bonuses, the toss and captain's decision and for correctly selecting the test match result - for added point-scoring value.

1.
1 point for every run scored by your nominated batsmen. Add together for each Test.
Bonus 25 points for 100 runs.
extra 30 points for 150 runs.
extra 45 points for 200 runs.
extra 60 points for 250 runs.
extra 125 bonus points for 300+ runs.

Note: the batting & bowling score bonuses accumulate so;

Batting: (per innings)
100 runs = 125 points. A player scores 137 runs + 25 = 162 points.
150 runs = 205 points. A player scores 177 runs + 25 + 30 = 232 points.
200 runs = 300 points. A player scores 243 runs + 25 + 30 + 45 = 343 points.
250 runs = 410 points. A player scores 282 runs + 25 + 30 + 45 + 60 = 442 points
300+ runs = 585 points. A player scores 321 runs + 25 + 30 + 45 + 60 + 125 = 606 points.

Bowling: (per innings)
25 points per wicket with a bonus 50 points for a 5-fer.
An extra 30 points for 6-fer, 45 for 7-fer, 60 for 8-fer, 75 for 9-fer.
An extra 100 bonus points for a 10-fer.

5 wickets = 125 points + 50 = 175 points
6 wickets = 150 points + 50 + 30 = 230 points.
7 wickets = 175 points + 50 + 30 + 45 = 300 points
8 wickets = 200 points + 50 + 30 + 45 + 60 = 385 points
9 wickets = 225 points + 50 + 30 + 45 + 60 + 75 = 485 points
10 wickets = 250 points + 50 + 30 + 45 + 60 + 75 + 100 = 610 points

Caught and bowled = 25 points for the wicket + 25 bonus points for the catch = 50 points.

2.
Fielder catches: Your nominated fieldsman earns you 25 points per catch and 25 points for a run out.

3.
Wicket keepers: 50 points for correct selection for most dismissals across both innings.
Or if you think the wicket keepers will take the same number of total dismissals per innings - then nominate "the same" = 50 points.
If they take the same number of catches and stumpings (combined) and you've picked either one of the keepers - then you earn 25 points only.

4.
a) Correctly predict who wins the toss = 25 points
b) Correctly predict what the winning Captain decides to do = 25 points - only for those with part a) above correct; no points if your a) was incorrect.

5.
a) Correctly predict the winning team for each Test match = 125 points.
b) If you guess all 5 Test match outcomes correctly then there is a further 125 point bonus = 625 + 125 = 750 points.
Note: Correctly predict a "Draw" = 125 points

If one (or more) of your selected players gets injured during a match or is dropped from the Test side after a match, then you’ll have the opportunity to select replacement players – either as it happens - for the injured player or before the next Test commences (for a player who gets dropped).
It doesn’t have to be the actual substitute player – it can be somebody else already in the team. However, you don’t receive any of their previous points up until the point of the replacement of the injured player from the field – you must start accumulating points from scratch with them.

*****

December 8-12, 2021: 1st Test at The 'Gabba, Brisbane. Australia won by 9 wickets (1-0)

December 16-20, 2021: 2nd Test (D/N) at Adelaide Oval. Australia won by 275 runs (2-0)

December 26-30, 2021: 3rd Test at MCG. Australia won by an innings and 14 runs (3-0)

January 5-9, 2022: 4th Test at SCG. Match drawn (3-0)

January 14-18, 2022: 5th Test (D/N) at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Australia won by 146 runs (4-0)


*****

Good Luck!

Thanks PJ and Merry Christmas to everyone

Smith Marnus Root Malan
Cummins Green Wood Stokes
Root Smith
Carey
England win toss and bat
Australia win

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

alfie wrote:Going to keep my powder dry until late as gawd knows who England will end up selecting...

But will probably go with Tino's mad idea and tip an England win ('cos that trick worked so well for me last time !) : at least win or lose it should make sure Tino doesn't overtake me

l*l.

They are exactly the sort of underhand tactics I can totally respect, alfie!

Yep, although not quite as underhand as KP-f who used to try and make his selections half way into day two!

Stokes & Woakes ( Butler if no Woakes)
Bess & Wood ( Broad if no Wood)

Green and Head
Cummins & Richardson

Smith and Stokes

WK
Carey

Aus win the toss and bat first

Aus win

Batsman - Smith and Labuschagne, Root and Stokes

Bowlers - Cummins and Starc, Wood and Robinson

Fielders - Smith and Root

Keeper - Carey

England win toss and bat

Australia win

Thanks everyone. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas day today!

Labuschagne, Head, Green, Cummins
Malan, Root, Stokes, Wood

Smith, Root

Carey

England, bat

Australia

Warner, Smith, Cummins, Leon
Malan, Root, Stokes, Robinson (Wood)

Warner Stokes

Buttler

Australia bat

Australia

Smith, Labuschagne, Starc, Cummins
Crawley, Root, Robinson, Anderson

Smith, Root

Carey

England bat

Australia win

Still holding off to save making bulk changes when England name their XI - imagine we will have some hints before the toss ?

But this is as good a thread as any to wish everyone on here a Merry Christmas...already is here

Off to luncheon...

England have just confirmed their team for tomorrow.
Burns, Pope, Woakes and Broad are out. Crawley, Bairstow, Wood and Leach are in.

Australia XI:
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green,
Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

England XI:
Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (capt), Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow,
Jos Buttler (wk), Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Can I change Robinson for Anderson please Joey? I have a feeling Olly might be a bit goosed as T3 drags on!

Thought about going to Warner and Labuschagne, but I'll keep the pressure on Harris and Smith instead . Cummins and Boland as the bowlers please.
On the England side I'm going all bowlers: Root, Stokes, Robinson and Anderson.

I'll stick with Labuschagne, and swap in Hameed for Burns in the field.

Carey at WK again.

Aus bat.

Aus win.

Merry Christmas, remember to keep yourself properly refreshed PJ

KP_fan wrote:Stokes & Woakes ( Butler if no Woakes)
Bess & Wood ( Broad if no Wood)

Green and Head
Cummins & Richardson

Smith and Stokes

WK
Carey

Aus win the toss and bat first

Aus win

here is my revisions based on announced teams

Bairstow & Butler
Stokes & Wood

Green and Head
Cummins & Lyon

Smith and Stokes

WK
Carey

Aus win the toss and bat first

Aus win

Back from typical late Xmas family gathering so better get this done in case I don't wake up for the toss...

Smith Warner Cummins Lyon
Root Stokes Anderson Wood

Smith Root

Carey

England win toss and bat


England win. Yeah crazy I know but I am too far down to care...

Thanks Soul, JD, alfie and Lowland, KP_f and Carlos for your changes.

I might stick my neck out too and change my toss to Australia win and bat.

Pal Joey wrote:
Labuschagne, Head, Green, Cummins
Malan, Root, Stokes, Wood

Smith, Root

Carey

England Australia, bat

Australia

Labuschagne, Smith, Cummins, Lyon
Root, Malan, Robinson, Wood

Root, Smith

Carey

England, bat

Australia

Cheers everyone... almost there.  

Just awaiting Dolphin, Compelling and Gooseberry.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:1. Smith and Marnie, Cummins, Starc
Root, Stokes, Wood, Robinson (edited but was my pick used in the first test)

2. Smith, Root

3. Carey

4. Australia win toss, bat first

5. Australia win

Forgot again so roll this over. Think it's fair to take the two Cummins has got away, cos I missed them before confirming.

Points Table
3rd Test, Melbourne, Day 1:

2662 Guildfordbat [242]
2647 JDizzle [259]
2593 Olly [306]
2585 Duty [267]
2577 Soul Requiem [349] *
2556 Superflyweight [267]
2536 Afro [220]
2524 Dolphin [203]
2504 Gooseberry [181]
2485 KP_Fan [294] *
2481 James [272]
2477 King Carlos [256]
2453 Pal Joey [245] *
2426 Alfie [319]
2412 Compelling and Rich [211]
2318 Tino [278]
1910 Lowlandbrit [267] *

* denotes correct pick Australia win toss
# denotes correct pick Australia elected to field

Average score: 2479 [261]

First figure - accumulative score / accumulative average score
Second figure in [brackets] - daily score / daily average

Points Table
3rd Test, Melbourne, Day 2:

2976 JDizzle [329]
2961 Guildfordbat [299]
2873 Duty [288]
2871 Olly [278]
2825 Dolphin [301]
2807 James [326]
2803 King Carlos [326]
2791 Superflyweight [235]
2755 Gooseberry [251]
2730 Afro [194]
2688 Soul Requiem [111]
2687 Alfie [261]
2658 Pal Joey [205]
2646 Compelling and Rich [234]
2612 KP_Fan [127]
2555 Tino [237]
2223 Lowlandbrit [313]

Average score: 2733 [254]

First figure - accumulative score / accumulative average score
Second figure in [brackets] - daily score / daily average

Thanks for the quick update , PJ.

How are you taking the match ? You've not been on the match thread yet today ...must be thrilled with the bowling of Cummins and Starc , no ? Though I suspect you are also hoping for a closer contest...

alfie wrote:Thanks for the quick update , PJ.

How are you taking the match ? You've not been on the match thread yet today ...must be thrilled with the bowling of Cummins and Starc , no ? Though I suspect you are also hoping for a closer contest...

Thanks alfie.

As you've mentioned on the match thread; today was a thoroughly entertaining day. I've got family here so there have been a few distractions with the cricket on in the background. I checked your comments during the day and have largely been going along with what you've said - the analysis as well as the general updates too. Thanks for that.  

I was a little concerned during the early afternoon when Jimmy took control and the wickets fell. I always felt anything over 250 runs would be decent on this grassy MCG pitch... (given some low domestic scores there this year) and 300 plus runs would be well above par. England had their best day on tour today.... apart from that unfortunate start (players getting called off the team bus at the hotel for a covid test) and the last part of course. That was cruel!

Thrilled with Cummins and Starc and it was also great to see Boland chip in with a couple of wickets late in the day. Kicking myself I dropped Anderson... and Lyon (who I think will snare a couple of wickets tomorrow) and for not picking Starc of course. (I was saving him for Sydney*) but I now hear that we might not even get the 4th test played here. We'll have to wait and see where the last two matches will be played but the near future looks like a mess... even tomorrow could bring more bad news.

* only after seeking and subsequently receiving official approval from Guildford of course.

Pal Joey wrote:

alfie wrote:Thanks for the quick update , PJ.

How are you taking the match ? You've not been on the match thread yet today ...must be thrilled with the bowling of Cummins and Starc , no ? Though I suspect you are also hoping for a closer contest...

Thanks alfie.

As you've mentioned on the match thread; today was a thoroughly entertaining day. I've got family here so there have a few distractions with the cricket on in the background. I checked your comments during the day and have largely been going along with what you've said - the analysis as well as the general updates too. Thanks for that.  

I was a little concerned during the early afternoon when Jimmy took control and the wickets fell. I always felt anything over 250 runs would be decent on this grassy MCG pitch... (given some low domestic scores there this year) and 300 plus runs would be well above par. England had their best day on tour today.... apart from that unfortunate start (players getting called off the team bus at the hotel for a covid test) and the last part of course. That was cruel!

Thrilled with Cummins and Starc and it was also great to see Boland chip in with a couple of wickets late in the day. Kicking myself I dropped Anderson... and Lyon (who I think will snare a couple of wickets tomorrow) and for not picking Starc of course. (I was saving him for Sydney*) but I now hear that we might not even get the 4th test played here. We'll have to wait and see where the last two matches will be played but the near future looks like a mess... even tomorrow could bring more bad news.

* only after seeking and subsequently receiving official approval from Guildford of course.

* official approval granted (but only to you, Joey).

Starc is so valuable to the Australian team and me in your comp. He even scored more runs today than my four main batters! Like England though, I'm really struggling to pick a batsman in form.

Thanks Guildford.

Now I'll just have to await Service NSW's approval. They said it would take about 24 hours; if not... then I might have to visit one of their service centres to sort it out.

Pal Joey wrote:Cheers everyone... almost there.  

Just awaiting Dolphin, Compelling and Gooseberry.

sorry pj hectic Christmas with family and running the pub. shame as its the one positive that i have when Australia bowling us out for not much reckon id done ok as i wouldn't have changed much. as honest as i can reckon id gone similar with root malan anderson and robinson. and lamber, smith, starc and cummins

Points Table
3rd Test, Melbourne, Day 3:

3305 Duty [432] #*
3194 JDizzle [218] #*
3177 Guildfordbat [216] #*
3123 Olly [252] #*
3034 James [227] #*
3030 King Carlos [227] #*
2982 Superflyweight [191] #*
2955 Afro [225] #*
2883 Pal Joey [225] #*
2875 Dolphin [50]
2863 Soul Requiem [175] #
2831 KP_Fan [219] #*
2807 Gooseberry [52]
2764 Alfie [77] *
2729 Compelling and Rich [83]
2655 Lowlandbrit [432] #*
2630 Tino [75]

Average score: 2932 [199]

First figure - accumulative score / accumulative average score
Second figure in [brackets] - daily score / daily average

# Australia win = 125 points
* Carey most dismissals = 50 points
(Carey: 4 caught behinds; Buttler: 2 caught behinds)


Special Team Scores for the Third Test at the MCG are as follows:

First figure: Accumulative Score
Figure in brackets: [3rd Test Score]

Australia:
3563 [975] - average player score 323.91 [88.64]

England:
2473 [598]  - average player score 224.82 [54.36]


Top 12 Individual Player Scores: (using the special formula for bonuses, catches, run outs, w/k dismissals)

First figure: Accumulative Score
Figure in brackets: [3rd Test Score]

487 Starc [149]
413 Root [138]
345 Lyon [105]
320 Warner [78]
309 Labuschagne [21]
307 Green [107]
307 Smith [36]
288 Head [27]
283 Cummins [96]
283 Robinson [72]
272 Malan [14]
237 Carey [59]

Followed by: Stokes 236 [36], Boland 221 [221], Buttler 196 [28], Anderson 184 [102], Wood 165 [56]

Notes:
Congratulations Duty... you are our new leader (by a full Nelson) after the 3rd Test. Great work picking Scott Boland!  
Lowland also had Boland; so also earned the 80 bonus points for his 6 wickets; plus the 25 points for the caught and bowled.
Still quite competitive near the top, middle and bottom. Lots of jockeying for positions after 3 action packed days of cricket.
Thanks for your participation again. Wonder where we'll be on January 5th? I know I'll be stuck here most probably!  

"Like" PJ's prompt report , that is - not the scoreline

If I hadn't tried to finesse /pray for miracles/toss a dart at the board and pick an Egland win I'd be ahead of five others including you PJ !

Hats off to Duty for picking Harris and Boland. Inspired

alfie wrote:"Like" PJ's prompt report , that is  - not the scoreline

If I hadn't tried to finesse /pray for miracles/toss a dart at the board and pick an England win I'd be ahead of five others including you PJ !

Hats off to Duty for picking Harris and Boland. Inspired

Thanks a heap, alfie. For the compliment... not your attempted dart throwing curse!

Hard knocks I know... but you have been brave, daring and optimistic with your selections throughout (this last match in particular) and if it wasn't for that you'd most certainly be much higher up the table.

p.s.
I'm still recovering from Boland's performance. What a dream debut! Didn't expect it to finish this quickly when I woke up this morning...
Happy to see Australia retain The Urn but I also feel for the England team and you guys especially. It's tough to swallow I know.
It's all a bit cruel and surreal really; although not totally unexpected isn't it?

Not totally unexpected , PJ . But still a bit depressing . especially with Australia suffering a couple of bowling drop outs I'd hoped for closer games - even if the actual results were similar.

With Smith mostly kept within bounds so far I'd have had some hope of keeping Australia to a few less runs in the first two games. Warner recovering his form via the t20 gig has flowed on nicely which has been a big help - and Head has done better than I'd expected. But the real issue has been England's abject batting displays. I feared it might happen - but had hoped for just a little better...

Australian team confirmed. They are sticking with Scott Boland. Khawaja in for Head.

Warner, Harris, Labuschagne, Smith, Khawaja, Green, Carey†, Cummins*, Starc, Lyon, Boland.

The weather here is still relatively fine but the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth should appear off the coast later tonight. It's like a circular saw moving clockwise lashing the coast but not nearly as intense as further north where rainfall totals will be well over 50mm per day (up to 200mm) for the next few days. It will be more in the 15-25mm range here over the next few days in comparison. I hope.

I've seen varying reports. Some say 10-20mm or 5-10mm of rain on some days; others only 0.2-2mm. Most predict the heaviest rainfall will be further inland (evening thunderstorms); so the SCG could get the initial burst of rain coming in from the east or south-east and escape the worst of it. Winds will then swing around more from the ENE (Thursday-Saturday) which are usually stronger and tend to push the clouds over much quicker.

It doesn't feel as though continuous rain is about to set in but every time I look out; it is either cloudy in patches (but with no rain as yet) or decent periods of sunshine; alternating every half hour or so. Quite warm and humid. It will be about 29 degrees C on most days of the Test with humidity at around 85-90%.

England have dropped Robinson and brought back Broad.

Hameed, Crawley, Malan, Root*, Stokes, Bairstow, Buttler†, Wood, Leach, Broad, Anderson.

Bairstow, Butler
Stokes, Leach

Khawaja, Green
Lyon, Hazelwood

Crawley, Labuschane catchers
Butler WK

Eng win the toss and bat first
Eng win

Thanks KP_fan.

Slightly boggled at KP_fan's selections for this match

Does he "know something" or is he rolling the dice ? Think I will watch the weather forecast and sleep on mine...

Smith Marnus Root Stokes
Cummins Starc Wood Anderson
Root Smith
Carey
England win toss and bat
Australia win

Cheers Afro!

alfie wrote:Slightly boggled at KP_fan's selections for this match

Does he "know something" or is he rolling the dice ? Think I will watch the weather forecast and sleep on mine...

I am banking on Eng redeeming hurt pride & Aus taking it a bit easy

KP_fan wrote:Bairstow, Butler
Stokes, Leach

Khawaja, Green
Lyon, Hazelwood Starc

Crawley, Labuschane catchers
Butler WK

Eng win the toss and bat first
Eng win

Hazelwood still not fit, I replace him with Starc
thx

Sticking with my all-bowler approach for England after last time, but swapping in Warner for Harris (and Broad for Robinson):

Warner, Smith, Cummins, Boland
Root, Stokes, Anderson, Broad

Labuschagne, Hameed

Carey

England bat

Aus win

Thanks Lowland.

Hi Joey - can I just check where players like Stokes and Green belong in the comp? Can they be picked as either batsmen or bowlers? Cheers.

T4 picks, Pee Jay -

Batting - Warner & Smith / Root & Malan

Bowling - Cummins and Starc / Anderson and Broad. (If any one them don't play, just make something up for me please)

Catchers - Warner & Root

Keeper - Carey

England win the toss and bat.

Outcome - England win (Still don't believe it but might as well carry on)

I don't know what is more depressing. England's performance or mine. I had low expectations for both but I've managed to be even worse than England which is an achievement in itself.

guildfordbat wrote:Hi Joey - can I just check where players like Stokes and Green belong in the comp? Can they be picked as either batsmen or bowlers? Cheers.

Both all-rounders. So yes, you can pick them as a batsman or a bowler.

* * *

Labuschagne, Smith, Cummins, Boland
Malan, Root, Broad, Anderson

Warner, Root

Carey

Australia, bat

Australia

Pal Joey wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Hi Joey - can I just check where players like Stokes and Green belong in the comp? Can they be picked as either batsmen or bowlers? Cheers.

Both all-rounders. So yes, you can pick them as a batsman or a bowler.

Cheers, Joey. Thought so but like everyone here wouldn't want to do anything underhand.

Smith, Khawaja, Cummins, Boland.
Root, Stokes, Anderson, Broad.

Stokes and Smith as the catchers.

Australia's wicketkeeper.

England win the toss and bowl.

Aussie win.

Thanks.

Cheers Duty.

Given the way England have been batting I was contemplating asking if I could have Wood and Broad as batsmen

Anyway can't trust my alarm clock so the Kiss of death goes to :

Root Stokes Anderson Broad
Smith Green Cummins Starc

Root Smith

Buttler

Australia win toss and bat

England win

alfie wrote:Anyway can't trust my alarm clock so the Kiss of death goes to :

Root Stokes Anderson Broad
Smith Green Cummins Starc

Root Smith

Buttler

Australia win toss and bat

England win

The Eng win brigade is growing..I will stick a few Francs on bet365 for Eng to ensure I remain loyal in support through out the game
& yielding 12 times the return

Thanks as ever, Joey. Here goes -

Smith Green Cummins Starc
Malan Root Stokes Anderson

Smith
Root

Carey

Australia win toss and bowl

Australia win.

Smith, Labuschagne, Cummins, Starc
Root, Stokes, Anderson, Wood

Smith, Root

Carey

Australia, bowl

Draw (rain affected!)