The Ashes 2023
- Thread starter WhyLikeThis
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littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Yes, I think that's very possible. And I also think Stokes wants to give him every opportunity to put in a match-winning performance.
One more day to do it. If Jimmy can win it with a five-fer, that will be amazing.
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
Yep. Feels like kicking a puppy given his record, but selecting Anderson was the single worst selection mistake, certainly the last 2 games. Not his 'fault', but it is the selectors.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
Team of the series? Yes I know there's still a 5th Test to finish but it doesn't start again for at least another hour and I'm supposed to be working.
Openers - easy, Crawley and Khawaja.
No.3? It's not Pope and Labuschagne has been a bit disappointing by his own massively high standards, so I'm going controversial - Ben Duckett to open with either Crawley or Khawaja moving to 3, both have played the role before.
4 - Joe Root, Smith is a brilliant brilliant batter but in this series it's not really a contest.
5 - there's no right answer, Travis Head or Harry Brook with very similar series stats. On the eye test I think Brook just about shades it for his destructive style, but it's a 50/50 if ever there was one and Head still potentially has a big part to play today.
6 - Mitchell Marsh makes a compelling case from his 2 1/2 tests, but overall it's Ben Stokes all the way and he captains the side.
7 - Carey's been shite with the bat but decent behind the stumps, Bairstow has been decent with the bat but shite as a keeper. As far as keepers go, the one whose reputation has increased the most is Foakes. 50/50 from the 2 who played and I think the actual keeper gets my vote.
I can't find a case to pick a spinner - Lyon started well and has been a big miss, but 2 tests isn't enough. Starc and Broad are in, as the series' leading wicket takers. Then it's 2 from Cummins, Wood and Woakes - Cummins has more wickets but from 5 tests, and for impact from their 3 tests each Wood and Woakes have a solid argument. Personally, I think I'm going Cummins and Wood.
So overall and after much thought:
Crawley, Duckett, Khawaja, Root, Brook, Stokes, Carey, Starc, Cummins, Wood, Broad.
Openers - easy, Crawley and Khawaja.
No.3? It's not Pope and Labuschagne has been a bit disappointing by his own massively high standards, so I'm going controversial - Ben Duckett to open with either Crawley or Khawaja moving to 3, both have played the role before.
4 - Joe Root, Smith is a brilliant brilliant batter but in this series it's not really a contest.
5 - there's no right answer, Travis Head or Harry Brook with very similar series stats. On the eye test I think Brook just about shades it for his destructive style, but it's a 50/50 if ever there was one and Head still potentially has a big part to play today.
6 - Mitchell Marsh makes a compelling case from his 2 1/2 tests, but overall it's Ben Stokes all the way and he captains the side.
7 - Carey's been shite with the bat but decent behind the stumps, Bairstow has been decent with the bat but shite as a keeper. As far as keepers go, the one whose reputation has increased the most is Foakes. 50/50 from the 2 who played and I think the actual keeper gets my vote.
I can't find a case to pick a spinner - Lyon started well and has been a big miss, but 2 tests isn't enough. Starc and Broad are in, as the series' leading wicket takers. Then it's 2 from Cummins, Wood and Woakes - Cummins has more wickets but from 5 tests, and for impact from their 3 tests each Wood and Woakes have a solid argument. Personally, I think I'm going Cummins and Wood.
So overall and after much thought:
Crawley, Duckett, Khawaja, Root, Brook, Stokes, Carey, Starc, Cummins, Wood, Broad.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Starc's the only Aussie seamer who would make my team. Both Cummins and Hazlewood have been disappointing. Cummins took 18 wickets but at a cost of 37 each and had a number of very ordinary spells. His figures are a fair reflection of his bowling. Hazlewood's 16 wickets at 31 flatter him a bit. He took a few meaningless wickets at the end of England's innings at OT.
I'd still want to pick Lyon (he may only have played two matches, but they were Australia's two victories and that's not a coincidence), which creates a problem. Of course there is still a day left to change things, but England's best bowlers have been Woakes and Wood. Broad's the leading wicket taker but that's because he's played all five matches. One of those three would have to miss out to get Lyon in. Still a day's bowling to go.
I'd still want to pick Lyon (he may only have played two matches, but they were Australia's two victories and that's not a coincidence), which creates a problem. Of course there is still a day left to change things, but England's best bowlers have been Woakes and Wood. Broad's the leading wicket taker but that's because he's played all five matches. One of those three would have to miss out to get Lyon in. Still a day's bowling to go.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Weather watch: a few miles north of the Oval, it was very dank first thing, but it's clearing up. Chance of a shower in the afternoon then clearing up later. We could be in for a very late finish but should be able to play until 8pm no problem as it's forecast to be sunny by then.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
These should be excellent bowling conditions. Overcast, fifth-day pitch. Scoring 250 may not be straightforward.
Whatever happens, it looks like we're going to end the series with every innings passing 200 - 19 innings in total. I would not have bet on that at the start.
Whatever happens, it looks like we're going to end the series with every innings passing 200 - 19 innings in total. I would not have bet on that at the start.
marty21
One on one? You're crazy.
pretty much stopped raining 5 miles north
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
I did wonder why Broad should do his announcement mid-game and what effect that might have. To be honest, I thought it might actually spur Engand on. I haven't seen any of this match on telly and none of yesterday even on TMS, but maybe it worked against them? Ultimately I guess it was about England's modest bowling attack, but the distraction probably didn't help.
Ted Striker
Foot's on the other hand
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
And we're off!
Ted Striker
Foot's on the other hand
It was either the greatest or worst thing he's ever done. And we'll not know which of these it was for a couple of hours...
Wilf
Slouching towards Billingham
He deserves all the plaudits of course, but it did seem a tad self indulgent. Almost certainly a coincidence, but yesterday was the only day England haven't taken a wicket, iirc.
It was carefully stage managed by his agent and Sky one would assume. They did already have a career highlights reel ready
Ted Striker
Foot's on the other hand
We did sarcastically comment yesterday "Ah, yes, this will crush the famously mentally brittle Australian side, and not spur them on in the most ridiculous fashion to ruin the swansong of their arch nemesis"
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Two awful reviews.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Marsh... There's still a lot of batting and weather to come, but there's a chance. Come on England!!!
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
WhyLikeThis
Something, something, something
Wood bowling 84/5mph. Sad times.
May as well use spin at both ends.
May as well use spin at both ends.
Ted Striker
Foot's on the other hand
It's just not enough that we lose, is it? Is that we lose in the most frustrating/humiliating fashion possible /eyeoremode
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WhyLikeThis
Something, something, something
What a depressing shit show. Anderson has been a dead weight England have dragged through the series.
Being prepared for the series instead of playing golf (and no doubt going on the lash) should have been the priority.
Playing Foakes and Bairstow was totally doable.
Allowing the WSC to lose fitness and put on the lbs, going against what Stokes demanded of him was not OK.
Being prepared for the series instead of playing golf (and no doubt going on the lash) should have been the priority.
Playing Foakes and Bairstow was totally doable.
Allowing the WSC to lose fitness and put on the lbs, going against what Stokes demanded of him was not OK.
