England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes

by Duty281 Tue 21 Mar 2023, 1:12 pm

First topic message reminder :

June 1st-June 4th: One Test v Ireland (four days)
June 16th-July 31st: Five Tests v Australia
August 30th-September 5th: Four T20s v New Zealand
September 8th-September 15th: Four ODIs v New Zealand
September 20th-September 26th: Three ODIs v Ireland

England try to wrest the Ashes back from Australia, in a series which could be the greatest since 2005. Australia have currently held the urn for just over five years, which is the longest spell of urn-holding since the 1989-2005 period.

Ireland also visit for a test before that, and then there's some limited-overs games squashed into the last days of summer.

by Duty281 Mon 12 Jun 2023, 2:54 pm

KP_fan wrote:BUT as I see the template of this Eng side is to play tests like T20s and they are looking for batting skills from their bowler especially spinner..
And more specifically T20 skills . Re: Moeen.

--Oct 2022 Eng approached Moeen to join the squad for Pak tests but he declined

"Baz phoned me, we spoke at length and I said, "Sorry, I'm done," Moeen said.
"I've had an honest chat with Baz and I can't see myself being stuck in hotels for another month and playing to the best of my ability.
( source: from BBC sports)

--April 2022 Moeen's name was in discussion to be test captain inspite of him having retired had retired from tests already in 2021
( source: various English news papers and punter's odds

-Feb 2021 : Moeen was recalled to play test in India and Eng / Root openly wanted him to continue but he walked out and walked back after 2nd test

-Sep 2021: Moeen was made Vice Captain in tests, but he retired soon after to focus on limited overs

-Summary England has been chasing & requesting/enticing Moeen to be in the test squad for quite some time
Including appointing him as VC and discussing him as a potential for captaincy inspite of him being in retirement when captaincy opening appeared.

-They wanted him for long...forever....It's Moeen who accepted it this time.

Moeen was not 'made vice captain in tests'. Jos Buttler was England's vice captain at the time, but missed the match in question (fourth test v India in 2021) due to a family matter, so Moeen was made a temporary vice-captain for that one test, it was never intended to be a permanent arrangement.

Further, I don't think Moeen was ever in serious consideration or discussion to be England's test captain. If I recall correctly, his odds were around the 50/1-100/1 mark, which are generally the joke prices.

Moeen was approached for the Pakistan tests, but this was to be England's second spinner for a subcontinent tour. In past times, Panesar has been brought out of the wilderness to fulfil that role, and, less memorably, Samit Patel and Gareth Batty.

England also only wanted Moeen for this series because Leach got injured. If Leach was fit, and remained fit throughout, Moeen would not be back.

by VTR Mon 12 Jun 2023, 3:07 pm

The timeline also misses out stories from around June/July last year, where Moeen himself said he might be interested in a return because of the new regime. KP Fan's selective timeline makes it sound like he was begged to come out of retirement from nowhere

by KP_fan Mon 12 Jun 2023, 3:17 pm

VTR wrote:The timeline also misses out stories from around June/July last year, where Moeen himself said he might be interested in a return because of the new regime. KP Fan's selective timeline makes it sound like he was begged to come out of retirement from nowhere

You are representing your view as an English fan and few( may be many) more English fans have similar views

However I am looking at and quoting the English cricket Establishment
( Previous captain, current captain/coach , Selectors ) = Establishment

Establishment has been requesting / pleading / enticing /patronizing big-upping him to play test cricket
He had thrown tantrum and walked out or shows a finger and declines
And Establishment pleads again.

Never before in the history of cricket have I heard of a nation's cricketing Establishment so desperately pleading a cricketer & standing outside his door with ready test place served on a platter.

There is no more perfect fit to the word indispensable than this Moeen's stature in eyes of Establishment

by VTR Mon 12 Jun 2023, 3:50 pm

Nope, I'm filling in the gaps in your selective timeline. That has nothing to do with my opinion

by KP_fan Mon 12 Jun 2023, 4:19 pm

VTR wrote:Nope, I'm filling in the gaps in your selective timeline. That has nothing to do with my opinion

so where is the month-year-quote to back your point
Without which it still remains your opinion guised as missing fact

by Duty281 Mon 12 Jun 2023, 5:06 pm

KP_Fan - what's backing up your point? You've said England wanted Moeen back for Pakistan, which is true and no one disputes, but you've also said Moeen was in discussion to be test captain (no evidence; odds indicate he was a no-hoper) and was appointed vice-captain (false).

You also claim, I didn't pick this up earlier but I have now upon re-reading it, that Moeen walked out of England's tour v India in 2021, and England wanted him to continue. This is also false. It was initially reported, incorrectly, that Moeen walked out, but it was later clarified that Moeen's exit was always planned as part of Silverwood's rotation policy (alongside a number of other players).

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12220701/england-made-decision-for-moeen-ali-to-leave-india-says-apologetic-head-coach-chris-silverwood

To most people's eyes, someone who comes in as an emergency injury replacement is not indispensable, and your falsehoods do not alter this.

by VTR Mon 12 Jun 2023, 6:42 pm

From an article in The Independent, June 2022.

“I have played with him [McCullum] in the Indian Premier League and really enjoyed the way he works. We spoke and he mentioned potentially, in the future, if there is a tour – or whenever, really – would I be available? I said ‘Call me at the time’. We’ll see – if and when he calls me, we’ll chat."

So there's been a discussion for a while, like I said. It's not a huge surprise that someone still featuring in the short formats might be asked if they would play Tests again I.e. they are part of the set up anyway.

by alfie Tue 13 Jun 2023, 4:57 am

All this nonsense about Moeen is , I suppose , serving to keep everyone distracted in the few days before the serious stuff starts. But the argument is a bit pointless , isn't it ? KP_fan is enjoying winding people up with his exaggerated canonisation of Moeen : fair enough he rates him higher than most do but I can sense him chuckling behind his laptop at posters taking his more outrageous claims seriously...

The whole spinner issue is interesting , of course : Leach was probably not in the first half dozen England players that came to mind as the stars of the team ; but upon his absence he seems to have been the most indispensable member of the side - simply because there was no like for like replacement. (A Woakes for a Stokes , or even , say , a Lawrence for a Root , while obviously a huge downgrade , wouldn't have messed up the team balance so badly).

With Leach out of the attack , England clearly felt they needed to accept a different balance between what they could get out of a spin option and what the same chap might add to the batting. I'm personally unsure whether the belief that Moeen might be the best choice to try and do so is founded on reasonable grounds or is a bit of romantic fantasy ; but I guess if he could live up to management expectations , even to a degree , then he might well prove the best available replacement. Which doesn't mean he is - or was - indispensable. Just a handy patch for an unfortunately timed hole in the planned template.

I really hope he does well. But I am sort of holding my breath...

by KP_fan Tue 13 Jun 2023, 7:03 am

Duty281 wrote:KP_Fan - what's backing up your point? You've said England wanted Moeen back for Pakistan, which is true and no one disputes,

Good we are in agreement but to put it in right color......Buzz caled and pleaded & Moeen declined
but you've also said Moeen was in discussion to be test captain (no evidence;
every news paper at that time ( april 2022 reported him as one of the contenders ...you chose not to google it. Here is one suhc example from mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-root-stokes-broad-moeen-26568874

odds indicate he was a no-hoper)

and was appointed vice-captain (false).

Look how Establishment tried to please him by appointing VC..and he dumped them again by retiring soon after
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/12396512/moeen-ali-named-england-vice-captain-for-fourth-test-against-india-at-the-kia-oval

You also claim, I didn't pick this up earlier but I have now upon re-reading it, that Moeen walked out of England's tour v India in 2021, and England wanted him to continue. This is also false. It was initially reported, incorrectly, that Moeen walked out, but it was later clarified that Moeen's exit was always planned as part of Silverwood's rotation policy (alongside a number of other players).

The relevant part of the argument is that Root wanted Moeen to play T3 and T4.....but Moeen Chose to go . Yeah he had a two test rest ....but Captain was serving a test spot on a platter and yet again Moeen declined and on top of that Root had to apologize to placate Moeen again

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12220701/england-made-decision-for-moeen-ali-to-leave-india-says-apologetic-head-coach-chris-silverwood

To most people's eyes, someone who comes in as an emergency injury replacement is not indispensable, and your falsehoods do not alter this

you are unhappy at Moeen being treated indispensable....but it's not between you and me
But rather between between you and the cricketing Establishment in your country. I am incidental and an observer watching in amazement how establishment running after Moeen with a test spot on a platter
.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 13 Jun 2023, 7:25 am

I thought the rugby threads could get petty, this Moeen stuff is right up there.

It will be interesting if he comes in and bags a 50/5 wickets.....

by alfie Tue 13 Jun 2023, 8:50 am

Anyway , Moeen bickering aside , it is getting very close to the proper action starting. I see a host of pundits have had their say on expected results : Glen McGrath (possibly slightly tongue in cheek) trotting out Australia 5-0 and others generally siding with their nationality...though I see Agnew is a bit pessimistic. On the post your own section I have gone for England 3-1 (though I acknowledge it could easily go strikingly the other way) for reasons I will now outline.

If you just look at the last Ashes Series in Australia , and reflect that England have the same bowlers available now - less Leach - you might reasonably suggest Stokes and his mates should just give up now. But that fails to take into account the huge difference between playing in England and doing so in Australia.
I have always felt , when trying to work out what might happen in a series , that the best guide is to look at what happened four years ago in the same fixture and then consider how each of the teams has improved or slipped in the intervening period. So :

Australia brings a very similar squad to this round. Only real changes to the batting are the arrival of Cameron Green at six , taking the place of Matthew Wade ; and the keeper switch Carey for Paine. I reckon Carey shades his predecessor ; but whether the undoubted potential of Green will be an improvement on Wade's contribution of two centuries and the third best average in 2019 remains to be seen. The other bats are the same : two openers with fine overall records but much less so in England ; the two guns - no change there ; and Head who really does look to have lifted his game. He may be the key...

On the other hand , England have swapped in Crawley , Duckett , Pope and Brook - for Burns , Roy , Denly and Buttler. All due respect to Burns , who managed a hundred and a couple of fifties in 2019 : but I reckon the new group presents an overall improvement. The caveat , of course , is that the likes of Duckett and Brook have yet to taste the pressure of The Ashes - but still...

As to the bowling : Aussies have Boland now and Neser in reserve , as against Pattinson and Siddle. Is it a gain ? May be more a case of how much the other regulars perform ? Still good , either way. But I don't see a huge difference.

England of course are missing Archer. On the other hand , they will have a (hopefully !) fit Anderson . And a fit Wood I think. Plus the big gain of the rapidly improving Robinson. No Leach but as KP_fan assures us - they have the magic of Moeen Smile

Overall - as long as they don't cop more injuries - I think they might be a little better off and probably won't need to call up Craig Overton...

Obviously I'm biased ; but I do feel that there has been a bit more improvement - at least on paper - in the resources available to England this time around : and maybe enough (taken together with the very much more positive approach of the Stokes regime) to turn 2-2 into 3-1. Can't guarantee anything of course : if I was always right in these predictions I could have saved myself a lot of working and just hung out in the betting shop ! But I think it is a reasonable hope.

Guess we will see over the next few weeks.

by eirebilly_01 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 9:04 am

Like alfie, i am going for a 3-1 series win for England. There just seems more balance to them now.
Strangely, i am not too worried about Travis Head, i think he can be easily contained by the English bowlers. Yes he got 160 in the WTC final but India did not bowl intelligently at him for long periods of time. Something England will be much smarter at.

Not sure that Warner will be Broads bunny again and i think he will be the Aussie making the big runs.

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 10:06 am

KP_fan wrote:
Duty281 wrote:KP_Fan - what's backing up your point? You've said England wanted Moeen back for Pakistan, which is true and no one disputes,

Good we are in agreement but to put it in right color......Buzz caled and pleaded & Moeen declined
but you've also said Moeen was in discussion to be test captain (no evidence;
every news paper at that time ( april 2022 reported him as one of the contenders ...you chose not to google it. Here is one suhc example from mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-root-stokes-broad-moeen-26568874

odds indicate he was a no-hoper)

and was appointed vice-captain (false).

Look how Establishment tried to please him by appointing VC..and he dumped them again by retiring soon after
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/12396512/moeen-ali-named-england-vice-captain-for-fourth-test-against-india-at-the-kia-oval

You also claim, I didn't pick this up earlier but I have now upon re-reading it, that Moeen walked out of England's tour v India in 2021, and England wanted him to continue. This is also false. It was initially reported, incorrectly, that Moeen walked out, but it was later clarified that Moeen's exit was always planned as part of Silverwood's rotation policy (alongside a number of other players).

The relevant part of the argument is that Root wanted Moeen to play T3 and T4.....but Moeen Chose to go . Yeah he had a two test rest ....but Captain was serving a test spot on a platter and yet again Moeen declined and on top of that Root had to apologize to placate Moeen again

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12220701/england-made-decision-for-moeen-ali-to-leave-india-says-apologetic-head-coach-chris-silverwood

To most people's eyes, someone who comes in as an emergency injury replacement is not indispensable, and your falsehoods do not alter this

you are unhappy at Moeen being treated indispensable....but it's not between you and me
But rather between between you and the cricketing Establishment in your country. I am incidental and an observer watching in amazement how establishment running after Moeen with a test spot on a platter
.

I disagree that McCullum 'pleaded' with Moeen to come out of retirement for Pakistan. Like many of your claims, there is no evidence for this. Yes, he asked, but this doesn't mean he pleaded.

The Mirror link you provided is the thoughts of a tabloid journalist. You said Moeen was in discussion to be test captain by the establishment. Your Mirror link does not evidence this claim (unless you think the tabloid journalist is an undercover member of the establishment)

Vice captaincy - false. Moeen was not appointed vice-captain. He was made a temporary one because the actual VC missed a game due to a family matter.

India tour - again, false. Moeen was rotated out of the squad by the coach, alongside other players. Moeen did not choose to leave.

I am not unhappy at Moeen being treated indispensable, simply because he has not and never has been treated in that way, I am merely correcting your evidence-free assertions. Crawley is being treated as indispensable - you know what that means, don't you? It means he plays every game, and gets excuse after excuse made for him by the likes of Key and McCullum - but Moeen isn't.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 13 Jun 2023, 10:23 am

Lets try and keep things civilized now boys......no need for the little personal digs.

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 10:59 am

My prediction for the series as we move closer to the action starting - 4-1 Australia.

Big factor for me is the wickets. England usually beat Australia because the Aussies struggle with the moving ball, whether it's swinging or seaming. But this year we're going to see hard, flat wickets, that are more akin to something you'd see in, erm, Australia. It's silly. It'd be like England visiting Australia and seeing raging green-tops presented. England have surrendered their natural advantage. It'd be like King Harold leaving the hill and fighting Duke William on level ground. You've also got the Dukes ball, which, while does it stay harder for longer than last year (a low bar), doesn't seem as potent as it usually does past the 30/40 over mark.

And England gambled, not unreasonably, on having pace resources available on these flat decks, but a succession of injuries means it's all down to Wood and Tongue in that department. Tongue, struggling in Division Two, and Wood averaging 40+ in tests in England. Eek.

As far as the overall England batting goes, there's a lot of question marks. Crawley is not a test standard player and had immense struggles last summer v NZ and SA, and this is another step up again. Duckett and Brook, very good starts to their career, but they're untested against opposition this good. Pope has weaknesses versus spin, and also has a big drop off in scoring from the first innings to the second innings of a game. And Bairstow - stupendous last year, but has suffered with consistency issues before, and, more damagingly, suffered that horrific injury last year. How good has Bairstow's recovery been? We simply don't know, because he's only played a few Division Two games (where he hasn't scored many) and Ireland, which is not a reasonable warm-up to playing Cummins, Hazlewood and Boland! Root will be Root, but what's a badly injured Stokes going to manage?

It's a common theme, actually, with England's batting. A lot of them haven't had much practice or warm-up time, while Australia are coming in with quite a few having played county cricket and that high-intensity test v India. Australia are coming in better prepared.

Australia's batting, by contrast, looks much the stronger. Whereas England have one definite performer (someone who'll average 45+) in Root, Australia have three in Smith, Labuschagne and Head. Smith and Labuschagne get into any test team in the world and have already proven themselves in England, while Head is the most improved batsman in test cricket in the past couple of years. England are simply outgunned in the batting. And it's nice that they get flat wickets to play on, isn't it? There are question-marks over the openers: Khawaja enjoying a renaissance, but has found England tough in previous tours, and Warner on a career-low after what happened here in 2019. But I feel, with the 3-4-5 combo, that whatever these two can make can just be considered bonus runs. If Warner comes off for just a couple of innings this summer with a breezy 50, Australia will take that, and if Khawaja can just hang around long to soften that Dukes ball for the 3-4-5 combo, does it matter how many he makes? Green needs to average around 35 and he'll probably beat Stokes in their individual duel. Carey a useful player, also, especially if pushing Australia on against a tired attack.

When it comes to bowling, it's a closer battle. Australia obviously have the win by a distance in the spinner category. England are dragging Moeen out in the hope he can replicate a bygone time, whereas Australia have a proven performer in Lyon. A proven performer who will likely enjoy the hot, dry, cracked up wickets.

In the seam bowling, England have Anderson, Robinson and Woakes as their three best. All superb options, with Broad, Potts in the back-up category, and also Wood and Tongue for pace. Some concerns about Wood and Tongue, but Anderson/Robinson/Woakes/Broad are all fantastic. Maybe some concerns about Woakes on flatter pitches - he averages 50+ overseas and he won't be getting green seamers this summer! - and the fitness of Anderson and Robinson, but otherwise this is England's strongest area. Trouble is, Australia can near enough match them. Cummins gets in a world XI, so does Hazlewood if he's fit, and Boland's probably pushing hard after the magnificent start he's made to his test career. Starc can be raw and unpredictable, bit like Mitchell Johnson. Starc can go 10-1-67-0, or he can be 12-3-37-4 just as easily. They've also got Abbott and Neser as depth options, which are more than solid options. Maybe neither as good as Broad, but certainly as good as Potts.

In the seam bowling it'll come down to the depth. Anderson/Robinson/Woakes is probably just edged out by Cummins/Hazlewood/Boland, but it'll be a depth and rotational challenge. One further advantage for Australia is Stokes is unlikely to get through many overs, while Green can, so the workload is increased on England's specialist bowlers.

So, overall, Australia have the better batting line-up, the better spinner, and narrowly the better seam-bowling, or maybe this last one is a tie (depends how much they can get Hazlewood on the field). Plus they're a better balanced side, with the inclusion of an all-rounder who can bowl overs. They also have conditions more to their liking than their usual tours of England, plus their slip catching is better, they're less injury hit, they'll probably use their reviews better (Stokes really is hopeless at this), and they're better at bowling to the tail than England (England are the worst test nation at doing this).

Some general thoughts about Bazball, also. While many seem to think that Bazball is the divine message - because England have beaten a few mid-tier sides, something which they used to do quite often anyway - I still have doubts and concerns. The only time so far that we have seen Bazball v a decent bowling line-up in a series, so far, was the South Africa series last summer. And, though it's been largely forgotten seemingly, England were bowled out for 165 or fewer in three of the five innings played. That is a big concern, especially as Australia's bowling is an upgrade on what South Africa had. Sure it's all fine and good to smash around some Pakistani debutant on a pancake, or Tickner, or some Irish lads, but this next challenge is Cummins, Boland and Hazlewood, and England struggled with Rabada, Nortje and Jansen. Hmm.

Another concern I have about Bazball is actually the negatives of batting quickly, not often talked about. It is actually better in test cricket to score 450 in 5 sessions than it is to score 450 in 3 sessions, because of factors of pitch deterioration and putting the opposition out of the game. But Bazball means scoring quickly. Bazball also means the bowlers will be less energised for the second innings of games, which can be a concern with England's somewhat aged, in places, and somewhat injury-concerned, in other places, bowling attack. Imagine that Australia bat first and score 380, getting bowled out at the start of Day Two. England now return fire and get bowled out for 350 inside 65 overs. But that means England's bowlers haven't had much rest ahead of Australia's second innings, they're out in the field again on Day Two, and the batting conditions won't have worsened much. Again, in this scenario, it's better to make that 350 in 120 overs, wearing down the wicket, putting overs in the legs of the Australians (another key factor because it's a compact series), and allowing Anderson to put his feet up for longer. Obviously, these concerns are removed if England are chasing a target.

Let's see how it goes, but a big Aussie win is my prediction. The first test is of greater importance to England, than Australia. Edgbaston is the closest thing England have to a fortress. They need to win in their fortress to have a chance of winning this series. If they can't do that, I can't see them having a hope.

by alfie Tue 13 Jun 2023, 11:31 am

Nice to see you so optimistic , Duty Very Happy

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 11:48 am

I do my best!

by VTR Tue 13 Jun 2023, 12:41 pm

I'll go for 3-1 Australia, with them shading a close Test that makes the difference between 3-1 and 2-2

Just feel its their time to win over here, they have all the bases covered and a very experienced line up. Would never have believed in 2001 that we'd get to 2023 waiting for them to win over here again

by **Pal Joey** Tue 13 Jun 2023, 12:54 pm

Duty makes some very sensible comments. You could publish that in Wisden.

I was thinking a similar thing regarding conditions and whether they might suit Australia a bit more for this series. Especially if there's harder, drier and flatter wickets (which would suit Bazball but also would suit Australia) and less seam and swing as there usually is in England. Perhaps we'll see a bit of that typical sideways movement early on in matches (but for how long is the question) before the pitch dies down a bit and favours batting... and spin bowling.

Only a couple of selection dilemmas across both sides for the 1st Test but it will be interesting to see how both teams manage their selections over the six weeks or so. I'm a firm believer in sticking with form players for consecutive matches and would therefore definitely include Boland for the first match. The dilemma for Australia is then who do they leave out? It's a tough one. Personally I'd keep Starc on and give Hazlewood another week's rest and let the Achilles heal a bit more and build more confidence and strength in the nets.

As for England, (you guys will have a better feel as to who should start) but I'd imagine it's 3 of Broad, Anderson, Robinson, Woakes plus Mo.
Not sure if Stokes can bowl much but no doubt he'll chip in at some stage and nab a wicket when required.

Of course, we can expect a dash of controversy here and there - it wouldn't be an Ashes Series without some of that. Like your guys, we need to treat DRS reviews like gold bars locked away in a vault and use them even more sparingly than we have in the past. Hopefully both captains take a deep breath on those iffy 50-50 'appeals' from Marnus (or Stuey in your case) and let the timer run down. But I bet there'll be wasted ones as usual.

For me it will be a contest between the premeditated yet calibrated and seemingly chaotic appeal of Bazball (for you guys) versus the more considered, controlled, Old School Version 3+, "slow build at first - then try and accelerate" approach from Australia. That should be a good spectacle to watch.

Call me out if you want - but Australian teams have generally tried to score quickly too (of course there's some exceptions when they are under the pump in desperate situations) but I'm quite happy where they are as a team at the moment. As Duty pointed out; any runs from Warner will be a bonus. Usman needs to get through those tough initial patches, find his feet again and get some confidence back after the Indian game. 3,4 and 5 also have experience in riding out a storm, then building runs on the scoreboard as conditions for batting improve and the tail can wag a bit if a decent platform has been set.

How the series eventually pans out does not necessarily depend on the events from the first session of the 1st Test - but by the same token - it's always better to get off to a good start on that first day and try and win the mental game as well as controlling the scoreboard. I'm so glad that there's none of that nasty sledging behaviour anymore and that there's a lot of decent players on both sides who show one another the deserved respect that they should in such a noble game like cricket. That's how it always should always be.

I agree with a lot of what Duty has said but I don't want to get ahead of myself and make a series prediction for sanity reasons. But if I was really forced to do so I'd probably go for an Australian win this time around. Maybe 3-1 or 3-2. Although 4-1 would be nice. Need to account for a brain fade at some stage with the inevitable disastrous (for me) result.

It's funny, the odds were well in England's favour only a few weeks back. I don't bet... but I was checking on a horse race at Epsom for a friend.
Then, after Day 2 of the India match, the whole thing had swung around completely. It seems like a jumpy sort of market for this series, doesn't it?

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 1:25 pm

England's selection is likely, for Edgbaston at least, to be Moeen, Robinson and Anderson. The final spot appears to be a battle between Woakes and Broad, however I wouldn't be surprised if England go left-field and pick Tongue because they don't want their attack to be so one-paced. The original plan was probably to have Archer come in here, with Stone as the back-up choice, but that's been kiboshed through injury.

Wood is probably being saved for Lord's, where a lot of faith is reposed in him but he has a poor record (Wood has played 6 tests at Lord's, more than any other ground, and has 17 wickets @ just under 40).

by alfie Tue 13 Jun 2023, 1:35 pm

Duty281 wrote:England's selection is likely, for Edgbaston at least, to be Moeen, Robinson and Anderson. The final spot appears to be a battle between Woakes and Broad, however I wouldn't be surprised if England go left-field and pick Tongue because they don't want their attack to be so one-paced. The original plan was probably to have Archer come in here, with Stone as the back-up choice, but that's been kiboshed through injury.

Wood is probably being saved for Lord's, where a lot of faith is reposed in him but he has a poor record (Wood has played 6 tests at Lord's, more than any other ground, and has 17 wickets @ just under 40).

Anyone's guess what combination they'll pick (assuming all fit). Can't see Woakes if Moeen is batting at eight - though probably would be in if they went with four seamers.
Fair point about maybe wanting some extra pace : but if they went that way , wouldn't it make more sense to pick Wood now and save Tongue for Lord's ?

by **Pal Joey** Tue 13 Jun 2023, 1:47 pm

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:England's selection is likely, for Edgbaston at least, to be Moeen, Robinson and Anderson. The final spot appears to be a battle between Woakes and Broad, however I wouldn't be surprised if England go left-field and pick Tongue because they don't want their attack to be so one-paced. The original plan was probably to have Archer come in here, with Stone as the back-up choice, but that's been kiboshed through injury.

Wood is probably being saved for Lord's, where a lot of faith is reposed in him but he has a poor record (Wood has played 6 tests at Lord's, more than any other ground, and has 17 wickets @ just under 40).

Anyone's guess what combination they'll pick (assuming all fit). Can't see Woakes if Moeen is batting at eight - though probably would be in if they went with four seamers.
Fair point about maybe wanting some extra pace : but if they went that way , wouldn't it make more sense to pick Wood now and save Tongue for Lord's ?

Yeah definitely, alfie. I've heard the lunch menu at Lord's is second to none. His mouth will be watering just at the thought of that.

by msp83 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 2:37 pm

alfie wrote:All this nonsense about Moeen is , I suppose , serving to keep everyone distracted in the few days before the serious stuff starts. But the argument is a bit pointless , isn't it ? KP_fan is enjoying winding people up with his exaggerated canonisation of Moeen : fair enough he rates him higher than most do but I can sense him chuckling behind his laptop at posters taking his more outrageous claims seriously...

The whole spinner issue is interesting , of course : Leach was probably not in the first half dozen England players that came to mind as the stars of the team ; but upon his absence he seems to have been the most indispensable member of the side - simply because there was no like for like replacement. (A Woakes for a Stokes , or even , say , a Lawrence for a Root , while obviously a huge downgrade , wouldn't have messed up the team balance so badly).

With Leach out of the attack , England clearly felt they needed to accept a different balance between what they could get out of a spin option and what the same chap might add to the batting. I'm personally unsure whether the belief that Moeen might be the best choice to try and do so is founded on reasonable grounds or is a bit of romantic fantasy ; but I guess if he could live up to management expectations , even to a degree , then he might well prove the best available replacement. Which doesn't mean he is - or was - indispensable. Just a handy patch for an unfortunately timed hole in the planned template.

I really hope he does well. But I am sort of holding my breath...

If KPF can bowl some spin, he should be able to do serious damage to any batting lineups!. He just flights them up with a bit of drift, and they all go for it and ends up stumped or caught in the deep!
Think there are many who seriously rate Moeen's record and abilities. I wasn't a fan of Moeen when he came, at that time I was completely done with English cricket, though England used to be my 2nd favorite team earlier. It was the saga with Kevin Pietersen that put me off the England team, and Moeen at that time, was even hyped up as KP's replacement by some. So took me time to really warm up to him, and even then it was a love to hate thing as he made Indian batters look clownish! Moeen was never a worldbeater as a spinner, but he by a country mile, has been the best to have emerged after the Swann-Panesar era. And he's among the worst managed England players of recent times too. For a batter who could bowl to emerge into a led spinner of his team in tests is no mean achievement and Moeen did just that. He wasn't even a regular bowling option for the majority of his FC career prior to his test emergence. If I remember correctly, it was only for a couple of previous season before his test debut that he had emerged as a regular, fulltime bowler for his team.
He hasn't always got the credit he deserved, and often his place was messed up for far more mediocre spinners.
I hope Moeen does well in this opportunity, and under a more favorable management, a player with a rather fragile temperament find that ex factor to thrive.
But his record against Australia isn't great, and he has been out of red ball cricket for a long time. And he's not getting any younger. So will be a tough ask for Moeen. But I really hope he does well for himself and his team this time round.

by msp83 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 2:49 pm

Looking at the first test, think Australia should go in with the same team that won the WTC final. Boland has really earned his spot, and Starc, while can go for a few, can always get you wicket. And don't forget his contribution with the bat particularly in the 2nd innings, made the door firmly shut on India there. Hazelwood has had a not so impressive fitness record of late, give him time to really come into the series...
As for England, think they should go in with the oldfirm and Robinson in the pace department besides Moeen and the skipper himself. If Broad-Anderson aren't clicking, then start rotating, or if there is a real road, get in a proper quick.

by KP_fan Tue 13 Jun 2023, 2:57 pm

Duty281 wrote:

I disagree that McCullum 'pleaded' with Moeen to come out of retirement for Pakistan. Like many of your claims, there is no evidence for this. Yes, he asked, but this doesn't mean he pleaded.

Pleaded as I see it and you might find that hurtful...I too would feel hurt if my Establishment was bending over backward to keep offering a test place on a platter to an individual and who keeps turning it down

The Mirror link you provided is the thoughts of a tabloid journalist. You said Moeen was in discussion to be test captain by the establishment. Your Mirror link does not evidence this claim (unless you think the tabloid journalist is an undercover member of the establishment)

It wasn't one tabloid....but almost every one that reported Moeen as a contender.
But since there was no official list declared by Establishment of all those who were considered, you could deny that Moeen or anyone else was discussed.
It's for such denials the term Plausible Deniability was coined

Vice captaincy - false. Moeen was not appointed vice-captain. He was made a temporary one because the actual VC missed a game due to a family matter.

So you are agreeing Moeen was made VC
He retired after that test.
As I see it even after being granted the honor to Vice-Captain your country, he still dumped his test place and retired

India tour - again, false. Moeen was rotated out of the squad by the coach, alongside other players. Moeen did not choose to leave.

He was in rotation schedule is not in debate. That Root wanted him to stay on and play....but citing his agreed rotation he walked away from a test place...and Root said Moeen chose to leave
whihc was correct.
Inspite of his agreed rotation break....Moeen had the choice to stay on.
Root was made to apologize

I am not unhappy at Moeen being treated indispensable, simply because he has not and never has been treated in that way, I am merely correcting your evidence-free assertions. Crawley is being treated as indispensable - you know what that means, don't you? It means he plays every game, and gets excuse after excuse made for him by the likes of Key and McCullum - but Moeen isn't.

While I do feel Moeen is useful, but digging deeper now I was amazed to see how Establishment bent backward and down on one knee to keep offering a test place to him on platter, even after he kept shooing away these offers
I mean how he asked Bazz to Buzz off and arrogantly stated so in media Oct 2022 when declining Pak tour test place, I would not even look at him again even if he was a Muhammad Ali

[/quote]

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:00 pm

Is Wood not fit for Friday? I'd have thought he'd be far more likely to play at Edgbaston than Lords

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:08 pm

There's no evidence McCullum pleaded. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is a baseless claim.

Again, no evidence Moeen was in discussion to be test captain. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is another baseless claim.

I'm not agreeing Moeen was made VC, because he wasn't. He was a temporary replacement, not an appointment as you claim. If he hadn't retired, he would not have been VC in the next test.

Moeen also did not arrogantly decline a place in the Pakistan tour. He was very respectful towards McCullum and cited his reasons.

by guildfordbat Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:10 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I thought the rugby threads could get petty, this Moeen stuff is right up there.

It will be interesting if he comes in and bags a 50/5 wickets.....

Yes, the Sarge is spot on. Rather than continue to mess up this fine parade ground (see what I did there, Sarge! Wink

), it probably would be best if KP_f's comments about Moeen and anyone wishing to debate them with him were from now on confined to PMs. Thank you.

by KP_fan Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:18 pm

Duty281 wrote:There's no evidence McCullum pleaded. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is a baseless claim.

Again, no evidence Moeen was in discussion to be test captain. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is another baseless claim.

I'm not agreeing Moeen was made VC, because he wasn't. He was a temporary replacement, not an appointment as you claim. If he hadn't retired, he would not have been VC in the next test.

Moeen also did not arrogantly decline a place in the Pakistan tour. He was very respectful towards McCullum and cited his reasons.

OK. You are entitled to your opinion England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes - Page 8 1f604

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:26 pm

KP_fan wrote:
Duty281 wrote:There's no evidence McCullum pleaded. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is a baseless claim.

Again, no evidence Moeen was in discussion to be test captain. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is another baseless claim.

I'm not agreeing Moeen was made VC, because he wasn't. He was a temporary replacement, not an appointment as you claim. If he hadn't retired, he would not have been VC in the next test.

Moeen also did not arrogantly decline a place in the Pakistan tour. He was very respectful towards McCullum and cited his reasons.

OK. You are entitled to your opinion

Indeed, I am. And I base my opinions on evidence, not fantasy. thumbsup

by Duty281 Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:28 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Is Wood not fit for Friday? I'd have thought he'd be far more likely to play at Edgbaston than Lords

Wood's only played once for England at Edgbaston, and six times at Lord's, so I'd have thought they'd prefer him to play in the second test. Won't have to wait too long to find out, guessing England will name the team on Thursday.

by KP_fan Tue 13 Jun 2023, 3:31 pm

Duty281 wrote:
KP_fan wrote:
Duty281 wrote:There's no evidence McCullum pleaded. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is a baseless claim.

Again, no evidence Moeen was in discussion to be test captain. If you have any, please provide it. Otherwise it is another baseless claim.

I'm not agreeing Moeen was made VC, because he wasn't. He was a temporary replacement, not an appointment as you claim. If he hadn't retired, he would not have been VC in the next test.

Moeen also did not arrogantly decline a place in the Pakistan tour. He was very respectful towards McCullum and cited his reasons.

OK. You are entitled to your opinion

Indeed, I am. And I base my opinions on evidence, not fantasy.

You are also entitled to be a party to the debate and declare yourself correct in the same debate and award yourself a thumb-up England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes - Page 8 1f601

England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes - Page 8 1f601

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue 13 Jun 2023, 4:03 pm

Duty281 wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Is Wood not fit for Friday? I'd have thought he'd be far more likely to play at Edgbaston than Lords

Wood's only played once for England at Edgbaston, and six times at Lord's, so I'd have thought they'd prefer him to play in the second test. Won't have to wait too long to find out, guessing England will name the team on Thursday.

I'd have thought with Woakes's record at Lords they might employ him there, and Wood here...but you're right, England like to announce their XI increasingly early so not too long to find out now!

by JDizzle Tue 13 Jun 2023, 10:16 pm

I will probably come back to eat my words on this - but I do think this Australian batting line up has become a bit overrated?

Warner looks badly done and will be tough for Khawaja to reverse an average career record in England at this stage in his career.

Marnus and Head have the same number of overseas 100s combined that Zak Crawley does on his own. Marnus is clearly quality and will add to that record at some point - but 50s don’t win series as he found out last time.

Head is one to get after. Poor overseas record and clear and defined weaknesses in his technique to go at. Hard pitches will help him, but you can get at him and will have to as he takes the game away quickly.

Again, one Test 100 for Green and has never batted in England before. That’s a tough ask for a young lad to adapt early. His bowling will be a serious weapon though.

Knocking over the openers early regularly is going to be the key. And hope that the weather does allow for some seaming wickets - as I agree that ordering flat ones would be madness.

by Jetty Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:11 am

Looking at 2022 England bowled first and won the Tests except one time when we batted first and lost, Lords v South Africa.

Out of the six games Stokes lost the toss twice. Once NZ decided to bat. The other was the match above.

So bowl first when the pitch is new?

by alfie Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:30 am

The pitch business has been a little overplayed , I think. Certainly it would seem counter intuitive for England to deliberately give away home advantage by preparing strips more like those in Australia. But :

1/ Doesn't matter what you try and do , never going to recreate the Gabba in Birmingham.

2/ Stokes quoted on what he'd like. But the groundsman has just said he's had no instructions to do other than prepare what he always tries to do : a good cricket pitch.

3/ Last year the early Tests had pitches that were generally good for batting once the ball got old. But there was plenty of nip early on ; hence why top bats struggled and a lot of sixth wicket stands prospered. Were issues with the balls too so things might not change so much this time round - we will see.

4/ Pitches for the SA series were much livelier. Weather might have had something to do with that. Might do again this year.

All up I suspect we will see a mixed bag over the five games. I hope so as it adds intrigue ; and a procession of seriously flat dead pitches would make for rather one dimensional cricket.

I do agree very flat surfaces (like that dreadful Trent Bridge strip on which Root and Anderson had a record last wicket stand of 198 and Bhuvi made fifty in each innings !) would be both boring as , and favourable to Australia ; for the reason Duty outlined : England might score 500 fast but the Aussies would then have plenty of time to make 700 at their own pace. From an England perspective , am hoping we don't see any like that.

I see Jetty has just flagged the idea of fielding first as the preferred option. May well be ...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:00 pm

England XI confirmed

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

Woakes and Wood miss out

by KP_fan Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:14 pm

3 medium pacers + Ali and one legged Stokes will get them 20 wickets England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes - Page 8 1f617

by Jetty Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:25 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:England XI confirmed

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

Woakes and Wood miss out

Well we could have Woakes opening the batting

by king_carlos Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:27 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:England XI confirmed

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

Woakes and Wood miss out

Hm. I'd have preferred the variety of Wood's pace here myself. I think I'd have kept Woakes back due to his brilliant Lords record then made a judgement call on two from Jimmy, Broad and Robinson. I just feel we'd be better off in terms of balance for T1 and depth across the series to try to guarantee having 2 from those 3 for each Test rather than all of them upfront. Hopefully I'm proved wrong though.

I tend to be in the alfie camp re the talk of pitches. What sets Australian pitches apart is the bounce rather than pace or being flat. There are faster and flatter wickets everywhere but nowhere bounces like the Aussie pitches. Jarrod Kimber, an Aussie himself, has often said that they don't have to doctor wickets because they come pre-doctored! Laugh

It's that bounce which home batters feast on and away batters struggle with rather than the pace. Hence the shorter Aussie batters such as Warner and Head playing length balls off the back foot with vicious power at home. Then if bowlers adapt by pitching fuller most Aussie batters drive at the top of the bounce so dominantly. It gives so little margin for error even before considering the Kookaburra. Though it's been improved massively by the reinforced seam.

I'm honestly no closer to settling on a prediction. One minute I think that the England batters manipulating bowlers lengths by moving around the crease could help nullify Boland's brilliant wobble ball and accuracy. The next I can see our top order all nicking off to Boland in a session. I'm excited and terrified in equal measure. I can't wait for Friday morning, when it comes I'll likely follow a live text for the first hour rather than watch it if England bat first.

by Duty281 Wed 14 Jun 2023, 3:54 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:England XI confirmed

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

Woakes and Wood miss out

Well I thought it would be a battle between Woakes and Broad for the final spot, but the media seem to be reporting that Broad has edged out Wood for the final spot. Broad's record at Edgbaston very good, plus he took a 5 for here in 2019.

Main concerns are the attack looks very one-paced. Anderson/Broad/Robinson will be very dangerous early on, but when the ball gets 40 overs old, how much of an impact will they make? Can Stokes bowl, and bowl well? Apparently he got through five overs in the nets today. Moeen as spinner. Eek. Obviously so many question marks over the batting.

Apparently the pitch looks hard and true. The weather will still be hot throughout the test, but there is a threat of rain for days 3-5 of the test, disappointingly.

The new ICC rankings are out. Smith, Labuschagne and Head are 1-2-3 in the world batting rankings. Good luck, England.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 14 Jun 2023, 4:17 pm

I know rightly there is a lot of focus on Boland after last weeks efforts, and he's been out with a niggle recently...but think Ollie Robinson is rather going under the radar a bit in the build up to this one.

Averaging 18 with the ball, with 40 wickets in just 7 test matches in England to date. Averaged 25 with the ball in Australia when he was so unfit he ended up bowling offies at one point. He's a heck of a bowler, and fancy he will cause the Aussies a lot of issues...

by Duty281 Wed 14 Jun 2023, 4:52 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65903883

I know it's early to speculate on the 2031 Ashes, where Jimmy will be closing in on 1,000 wickets, but what madness it is to see that Edgbaston is not hosting an Ashes test in 2031. That's England's fortress! Southampton will be getting an Ashes test in 2027.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 14 Jun 2023, 7:31 pm

Way off but do not think the Ageas Bowl is good enough to be hosting an Ashes test match - should be on the almost "B" rota with your Chester Le Street, Taunton types

by king_carlos Wed 14 Jun 2023, 7:55 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:I know rightly there is a lot of focus on Boland after last weeks efforts, and he's been out with a niggle recently...but think Ollie Robinson is rather going under the radar a bit in the build up to this one.

Averaging 18 with the ball, with 40 wickets in just 7 test matches in England to date. Averaged 25 with the ball in Australia when he was so unfit he ended up bowling offies at one point. He's a heck of a bowler, and fancy he will cause the Aussies a lot of issues...

I very much agree, Olly. Robinson has everything to be an incredible bowler in the post DRS era of seam bowling we are seeing. It's become very wobble ball dominant and bowlers who can bowl full enough to have lots of balls hitting the stumps without getting hit on that length are taking lots of wickets. Robinson has a phenomenal skill set of a great wobble ball, accuracy, very high release point (second only to Jamieson last I checked) but a natural length that is so full he still challenges the stumps.

His obvious weakness, and it was a massive on at one point, was his conditioning as you say. That seems to have improved though.

Australia will be desperate to get 5 Tests from Cummins as skipper and attack leader, whilst I think England will be desperate to get 5 Tests from Robinson. They're my picks highest wicket takers. Cummins took 29 wickets in 2019 which is phenomenal for a pace bowler. I'd go are far as to say whichever of those two gets more might be on the winning side come the end of the series.

by alfie Thu 15 Jun 2023, 4:24 am

king_carlos wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:I know rightly there is a lot of focus on Boland after last weeks efforts, and he's been out with a niggle recently...but think Ollie Robinson is rather going under the radar a bit in the build up to this one.

Averaging 18 with the ball, with 40 wickets in just 7 test matches in England to date. Averaged 25 with the ball in Australia when he was so unfit he ended up bowling offies at one point. He's a heck of a bowler, and fancy he will cause the Aussies a lot of issues...
I very much agree, Olly. Robinson has everything to be an incredible bowler in the post DRS era of seam bowling we are seeing. It's become very wobble ball dominant and bowlers who can bowl full enough to have lots of balls hitting the stumps without getting hit on that length are taking lots of wickets. Robinson has a phenomenal skill set of a great wobble ball, accuracy, very high release point (second only to Jamieson last I checked) but a natural length that is so full he still challenges the stumps.

His obvious weakness, and it was a massive on at one point, was his conditioning as you say. That seems to have improved though.

Australia will be desperate to get 5 Tests from Cummins as skipper and attack leader, whilst I think England will be desperate to get 5 Tests from Robinson. They're my picks highest wicket takers. Cummins took 29 wickets in 2019 which is phenomenal for a pace bowler. I'd go are far as to say whichever of those two gets more might be on the winning side come the end of the series.

Like the two of you , I am actually basing much of my optimism for England's chances on Robinson. We know what we will get from Broad and Anderson ; but the new and improved Robinson , in English conditions , is something against which this Australian outfit has yet to test itself. Not to suggest he will take 8/15 or anything ; but he just might make life a bit harder for the engine room of the Australian batting as I don't think he is wholly dependant on the new ball.

I do see Boland as the wild card from the other side , mind. England couldn't handle him in Australia and we've just seen how well he adapts to the Dukes so he looms as a big threat. Obviously Cummins is class so no-one is pretending things will be easy for England's bats ; but I'm not so sure the visitors will find batting all that easy either.

Did think Wood might be included first up but with Broad apparently running into good form against Ireland can see why they elected to go with one bowler with recent match exposure along with those returning from lay-offs. Too one paced ? Maybe : leads me to suspect they might think there will be a bit more in the way of movement available than the popular vision of a semi-road for this game. Weather around for a few days too ?

And I guess there is the psychological matter of confronting Warner with his 2019 nemesis from the start !

by king_carlos Thu 15 Jun 2023, 10:38 am

It keeps sticking in my mind that Warner actually had a pretty darn good 2015 series. 4th highest run scorer, 50 in every Test, averaging 46. The 2019 series was then a disaster and he has been on the decline but I genuinely thought he batted very well in the 1st innings of the WTC final to be fair. Something's nagging in the back of my head there.

With two left-handed openers, then Head and Carey having a bowler as good around the wicket to the lefties as road does make sense regardless of the Warner matchup though.

It is due to rain which will potentially mean more overhead conditions as alfie says.

It still just looks very one paced to me though.

by JDizzle Thu 15 Jun 2023, 11:32 am

king_carlos wrote:It keeps sticking in my mind that Warner actually had a pretty darn good 2015 series. 4th highest run scorer, 50 in every Test, averaging 46. The 2019 series was then a disaster and he has been on the decline but I genuinely thought he batted very well in the 1st innings of the WTC final to be fair. Something's nagging in the back of my head there.

With two left-handed openers, then Head and Carey having a bowler as good around the wicket to the lefties as road does make sense regardless of the Warner matchup though.

It is due to rain which will potentially mean more overhead conditions as alfie says.

It still just looks very one paced to me though.

A lot Warner’s runs in 2015 were low pressure knocks though - when the game was already effectively over.

50 in the second innings at Cardiff chasing 400+. 50 second innings at Lords when already 200+ ahead. 50 second innings at TB after the 8/15, so again, game was over.

If he corrects a terrible career record at his age in England - it will be a huge shock to me. Cue 150 by close tomorrow…

by Duty281 Thu 15 Jun 2023, 2:00 pm

So, less than 24 hours away, what are we all thinking?

Series score - England 1-4 Australia
Top Aussie runscorer - Smith
Top English runscorer - Brook (I've had a late crisis of confidence with Root; I don't think he's scored an Ashes hundred since 2015 and Boland and Green have his number)
Top Aussie wicket-taker - Cummins
Top English wicket-taker - Robinson
Player of the series - Cummins
Flop of the series - Stokes
Surprise of the series - Khawaja

And some extra yes/no questions if you fancy:

Any opener to make a century this series? No.
Any player to make a double-century this series? Yes.
Any test to be won by fewer than 20 runs and/or by one wicket? Yes.
Will Anderson (685 wickets) level or overtake Warne (708 wickets) this series? No.
Will Crawley play all five tests? Yes.
Will either team be bowled out for a two-digit score at any point this series? Yes.
Will either team make 650+ at any point this series? No.
Will Smith make more centuries than the rest of the Aussie batting combined? No.
Will Cummins take 30+ wickets in the series? Yes.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 15 Jun 2023, 2:07 pm

Interesting transfer - Dan Lawrence going to Surrey for 2024 season. Feels like he's stagnated at Essex in the last year or two, could be the move he needs to kick on

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