The Ashes 2015

[ManFromDelmonte]

johnfm said:

ManFromDelmonte said:

I would like to see England bat first, bang up 400 and then bowl Australia out twice on the second day. Fancy that John?

Unlikely. If England manage 400 it will take them 130 overs or so. You'd need to bowl Aus out twice in 50 overs.
Only one team out of the two unable to make it to 40 overs in this series...

It could easily happen. We scored at over 4.2 an over in the first innings of the first test, doesn't take much to score an extra run every 5 overs to get that up to the 4.4 required for 400 in 90.

Once it starts seaming sideways and swinging round corners, your OAP batting line-up will have no clue as to what's going on and will be bowled out twice.

Do I believe the above will happen? Maybe, maybe not, I just wonder why the Aussie fans are being so bullish after their team lost every single session of the first test. I actually know that answer to that, and it has nothing to do with the abilities of the cricket team.

[johnfm]

ManFromDelmonte said:

johnfm said:

ManFromDelmonte said:

I would like to see England bat first, bang up 400 and then bowl Australia out twice on the second day. Fancy that John?

Unlikely. If England manage 400 it will take them 130 overs or so. You'd need to bowl Aus out twice in 50 overs.
Only one team out of the two unable to make it to 40 overs in this series...

It could easily happen. We scored at over 4.2 an over in the first innings of the first test, doesn't take much to score an extra run every 5 overs to get that up to the 4.4 required for 400 in 90.

Once it starts seaming sideways and swinging round corners, your OAP batting line-up will have no clue as to what's going on and will be bowled out twice.

Do I believe the above will happen? Maybe, maybe not, I just wonder why the Aussie fans are being so bullish after their team lost every single session of the first test. I actually know that answer to that, and it has nothing to do with the abilities of the cricket team.

I don't think we're being particularly bullish. Sure, England can play cricket - but their win in Cardiff was a surprise to all (yes - the press is full to the brim of reports that England's win in Cardiff was unexpected) for good reason - they were and remain the underdogs in this series. Their test ranking is currently number 6.

You have home condition advantage - maybe Edgbaston will be proper English conditions. We will see tomorrow. I hope it is a good match. I think we will win.

[DJRC]

Anybody know if any tickets are available for Friday or Saturday? Ive found myself unexpectedly available to watch the cricket - and being paid for it

God bless gardening leave!

[spikeyhead]

DJRC said:

Anybody know if any tickets are available for Friday or Saturday? Ive found myself unexpectedly available to watch the cricket - and being paid for it

God bless gardening leave!

I thought you'd just started a new job, been fired already?

I'd come and join you but will be at Carfest.

[johnfm]

DJRC said:

Anybody know if any tickets are available for Friday or Saturday? Ive found myself unexpectedly available to watch the cricket - and being paid for it

God bless gardening leave!

I'm going on Thursday.

I will try to remember to check out the tout price spread - though I expect they'll be giving them away by Saturday if you lot make it that far....

[hornetrider]

Massive toss today. Huge. Gigantic.

[karona]

hornetrider said:

Massive toss today. Huge. Gigantic.

[johnfm]

Nah. Toss is overrated. Aus will win this batting second.

[hornetrider]

Of course they will cobber. But at least if we bat first it won't be over inside of 3 days.

[johnfm]

It won't surprise me if it's a good toss to lose.

I expect the ground staff have been under instructions to err on the side of green. Lots and lots of grass. So it wouldn't surprise me if whoever bats first really struggle. I think I'd rather we bowl first in this match.

Is there any rain about?

[hornetrider]

johnfm said:

I expect the ground staff have been under instructions to err on the side of green. Lots and lots of grass. So it wouldn't surprise me if whoever bats first really struggle. I think I'd rather we bowl first in this match.

Was listening to Corky on the wireless this morning. They are scrubbing it with a brillo pad mate, you won't see an inch of green.

[johnfm]

A new era in English cricket...

The first test since 2004 that England play without a South African!!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2015/content...

[johnfm]

hornetrider said:

johnfm said:

I expect the ground staff have been under instructions to err on the side of green. Lots and lots of grass. So it wouldn't surprise me if whoever bats first really struggle. I think I'd rather we bowl first in this match.

Was listening to Corky on the wireless this morning. They are scrubbing it with a brillo pad mate, you won't see an inch of green.

Really? Only chance you've got is Jimmy taking wickets, no?

[hornetrider]

Finn is in to bounce you all out, apparently.

I know.

[anonymous-user]

johnfm said:

Really? Only chance you've got is Jimmy taking wickets, no?

Yup, I expect it'll be hard to find the coin after the toss, it's going to be so green and bouncy.

[johnfm]

hornetrider said:

Finn is in to bounce you all out, apparently.

I know.

He takes wickets. Surprised to hear Alec Stewart say he's dropped his pace since remodelling.

Interesting show last night on R5 - saying that hardly any county sides have quick bowlers. I assumed they all still had an overseas quick, but I guess now they all play T20 instead for the money.

[anonymous-user]

johnfm said:

A new era in English cricket...

The first test since 2004 that England play without a South African!!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2015/content...

Sadly though, Australia keep fielding sides with no real Australians.

[johnfm]

Apparently Finn has been marking out his run. Looks like Wood definitely dropped.

[johnfm]

el stovey said:

johnfm said:

A new era in English cricket...

The first test since 2004 that England play without a South African!!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2015/content...

Sadly though, Australia keep fielding sides with no real Australians.

We tend to just pick the best players.

[Gargamel]

johnfm said:

Apparently Finn has been marking out his run. Looks like Wood definitely dropped.

Wood is injured not dropped. Ankle apparently, failed a fitness test. Quite a few people mentioned that Wood is unlikely to bowl a whole series, has always been slightly brittle. Indeed, it was a surprise to see him in back to back tests.

Cook is a useless tosser, so I guess Clarke will have a bat.