The Ashes 2023

[planetgeli]

England have scored faster than Aus in both innings. Unfortunately they are going to lose, they don't appear to bat deep and Danni Wyatt, as much as I like her (one of the few I've followed for a few years), is a one day player. She'll score quickly but not enough (she needs a century - this is her first ever test too).

Good game but inevitable result now.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

What’s your 11 for Lords? Its a tough one. Woakes has an astonishing record there but hasn’t played for a long time. Wood’s pace was missing at Edgbaston but who do you drop? The 3rd test starts 3 days after Lords. Who do you save for that. Moeen’s finger cannot heal in time, Rehan is very raw. Lords is a must win. What are you gunna do?

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

And bowl first!

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Moeen out, Tongue in.

I am very surprised Mark Wood is missing out again. I liked the little I saw of Tongue, but in an all seam attack, why not pick your 150 k man?

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Moeen out, Tongue in.

I am very surprised Mark Wood is missing out again. I liked the little I saw of Tongue, but in an all seam attack, why not pick your 150 k man?

Got to be a fitness issue surely?

Big call on Tongue. He did well against Ireland but with all due respect to them that's not a lot to go on is it.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

A surprising and disappointing move. Although Tongue has got Smith put in county cricket apparently.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

The wicket today

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Green tinge. Given the forecast - warm, cloudy and humid, bit of rain around on Thursday - it could swing and seam all over the place, turning this into a three day test. Happens sometimes at Lord's. In which case, no spinner makes sense. Could be a tricky decision at the toss tomorrow. May be better to lose it.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Anderson may be more use on that pitch than he was at Edgbaston. I'd still have rested him though.

 

[planetgeli]

Horses for courses, I think I'd have gone with Woakes who has an incredible Lord's record.

At some point England are bound to get bowled out cheaply. I'd nominate Lords as a good contender for where.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Pitch much less green now. England bowling, Aus leave out Boland. Surprised by that - these look like conditions made for Boland.

 

[Idaho]

I predict bairstow dropping 3 or 4 and an England batting collapse.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

I predict bairstow dropping 3 or 4 and an England batting collapse.

Well he didn't drop that protester

 

[Petcha]

I've never seen that before I have to say

Not the most dignified way to leave for the field for that fucking idiot

 

[Petcha]

 

[Bingoman]

Well he didn't drop that protester

Just seen that on sky news, where was serciuty

 

[Petcha]

Another drop

Bairstow should have gone for that though.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

Robinson back to his blistering pace of 77mph

 

[WhyLikeThis]

The commentators banging on about the buzzing atmosphere in the Long Room. A room full of uptight, grey haired gammons. Not exactly Glatonbury.

 

[Petcha]

Lords does get more 'buzzing' through the day. One of the most awful sights/sounds at a cricket ground is the champagne corks from there being popped and fired onto the boundary for minimum wage paid black people to pick up.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

England win the toss, bowl, drop two catches. This passage of play could lose England the game if they don't get on it.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

Lose the series

 

[Petcha]

I think they need a new fielding coach. Collingwood appears to be failing. I think NZ hold the most slip catches, get their guy. Which would make virtually the entire leadership kiwis but fuck it

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Collingwood was of course an outstanding fielder. He was also a grafter both in his style of play and his work off the field, working his arse off to make the most of his slightly limited ability. Should be a good choice. But you don't improve your catching by playing golf.

 

[pbsmooth]

England win the toss, bowl, drop two catches. This passage of play could lose England the game if they don't get on it.

maybe Stokes could declare?

 

[littlebabyjesus]

In commentary, Mark Taylor is talking about Mark Waugh, possibly the best slip fielder ever. Guess what? He practised a lot.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

At least Anderson’s pace is back

 

[Wilf]

In commentary, Mark Taylor is talking about Mark Waugh, possibly the best slip fielder ever. Guess what? He practised a lot.

That's a bit sneaky.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

Moeen is rocking the bucket hat and shades

 

[littlebabyjesus]

First one! If they can't catch it, just going to have to clean up the stumps instead.

Still Aus's morning. Warner ominous - how costly will that drop be.

Mini-moan from me. I've never agreed with the idea that you take lunch/close of play when a wicket falls. Make the batter come out and face the remaining deliveries.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

At least Anderson’s pace is back

Anderson's looked alright. Beat the bat a few times, catch dropped.
Broad also looked good. Probably the pick again, beat the bat a few times, catch dropped.
Tongue was getting a bit of a lashing but that was an ace delivery to get Khawaja.

Robinson probably the least threatening. And pace down again. Broad's speeds were good - mid-80s mph. Anderson 83-84, which is good for him. Robinson struggling to get to 80. Is it a fitness or rhythm thing?