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Right then guys (& gals) the 1st test against New Zealand starts tomorrow to kick off the Summer. I know we have an 'Ashes 2013' thread already but there is a lot of cricket to be played between now and then so thought I'd kick things off with a Shaw Rosso style write up!

First up New Zealand-

New Zealand Itinerary:
Thu 16–Mon 20 May - 1st Investec Test, Lord’s
Fri 24–Tue 28 May - 2nd Investec Test, Headingley Carnegie

Fri 31 May - 1st NatWest Series ODI, Lord’s
Sun 2 June - 2nd NatWest Series ODI, The Ageas Bowl
Wed 5 June - 3rd NatWest Series ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)
Tue 25 June - 1st NatWest International T20, Kia Oval (f)
Thu 27 June - 2nd NatWest International T20, Kia Oval (f)

England (from): Alastair Cook (capt), Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson.

New Zealand (from): Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Dean Brownlie, Brendon McCullum (capt), BJ Watling (wk), Tim Southee, Bruce Martin, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.

Odds (via SkyBet): England massive favourites to win the 1st test (8/11) and the series (1/3), You can get New Zealand at 10/1 for both the 1st test and the series, the draw the test at (6/4) and the series (3/1). One special I do like the look of is Root/Taylor top run scorers at 40/1. Top wicket taker in series: Swann (9/2), Anderson, Finn (9/4) and Broad (2/1), NZ's only threats I can see Boult (3/1) and Southee (11/4).

Major says: I got the test series away in NZ completely wrong, and only for the heroics of Matt Prior did we come out of it with a draw, but back on home conditions and this time taking NZ seriously I can see England winning the series 1-0 with adverse weather affecting one of the test matches. Would like to see Joe Root open the batting after his early season form, but I think we'll stick with Cook/Compton. Trott 3, Bell batting at 4, Root 5 and Bairstow 6. Matt Prior 7. Swann back into the side, alongside Anderson (on 298 wickets), Finn and Broad with Bustling Bresnan to miss out!

Enjoy the Summer everyone!

Should deal with NZ fairly handily on home territory but they're strong enough to put up a good fight. Will be interesting to see how their newer guys do- think Fulton will be at a loss when Anderson gets the ball moving but Rutherford is a different question. Would put some money on him top scoring the series but the odds are pretty shit on any NZ batsman bar Brownlie. In fact the odds aren't great on the whole series really so probably staying out of the bookies on this one.

For the sake of my predictions

Score: 2-0 England, but not without scares
Most Runs: Bell (ENG) Rutherford (NZ)
Most Wickets: Anderson (ENG) Boult (NZ)

Boycott criticising England for scoring too slowly on the radio :D

Ed Smith and Boycott commentating together is fun as well, you can tell Smith is uncomfortable with Boycott's slightly old school opinions.

Not the greatest of starts 113/3 but still another 4 and a bit days left yet!

"Working" at home this afternoon... Might actually get started as that was like watching paint dry

Cock. Two in two as Root gives it away and Prior gets a first baller. Broad to face the hattrick ball.

Broad lasts three balls, 195/7. This watchful 2 an over stuff works fine when you don't get out, but as far as I can see our idea of "batting sensibly" appears to be batting normally but turning down clear singles regularly and not going after Martin who has bowled a lot of cack for very good figures.

Haven't watched this morning as at work, but been reading the cric info site...sounds boring and dreadful! 208/8 at lunch nothing to shout about when we batted 2 an over all the way through! Be lucky to get to 250 here and if NZ strike up a decent 1st innings total then that 10/1 doesn't look so bad! English minds elsewhere and looking towards The Ashes?

All out for 232. Poor batting performance but the way Wagner was moving that ball I think we're about to see Jimmy Anderson in rather fine fettle.

Prior dropped Brownlie and now Williamson's just edged behind and we've not reviewed it. Not got enough runs to make these mistakes.

Anderson looks unplayable- Broad rather less so.

Big 1st session tomorrow...similar sort of score to what we were last night, couple of wickets and they'll scrape around our score...no wickets 1st session, looking at a lead of 100+ I'd say!

Anderson's fifth to Martin

First ball inswing, second ball inswing, third ball outswing bowled top of off as he plays for the inswing.

He's a bit good this lad. Looks like we might get a lead!

Should be a good conclusion here, NZ 21-3 chasing 240 odd to win!

29/6, Broad is having one of those days I wish he had more often.

Yep,important little knock he made as well.

Good win that, hopefully can take it into Friday's 2nd test! Broad was immense!

Great stuff.

I should think all the goons who hate KP are now a little wiser as to why we need him back as well.

Start of the 2nd test at Headingly today, I'm going to predict England winning by an innings and 50 odd runs!

Sky Bet odds for this test: England 5/6, NZ 11/1 and Draw 5/4.

An unchanged team for me and a nice little boost heading into The Ashes!

What's the weather forecast like for Leeds?

5/6 is a mortgage job with 3-4 days play.

Overcast w/ showers, highs of 10 today...rest of test looks fine though!

Day one washout
Day 5 will be the same - 84% chance of rain  :badmood:

3 day test it is then

Well done to Joe Root on getting his maiden test century at his home ground. Had hoped that Bairstow would join him, but not to be. Still a pretty good day for England.

Always wait until both teams have had a bat before casting judgement. Pleased for Root & Bairstow today. Hope they both develop into top test players and represent their country for years to come. Hope neither have to give their place away for Pietersen to come back. Admittedly Pietersen is a better batsman than both at the moment, but they are the future of English cricket.

That was posted last week you clown but at 60 for 3 today my point stands.

Drop Compton, Root open, KP back at 4

Shows how much attention I pay to your post then doesn't it.

Clearly enough to be riled by both of them but I'm flattered you feel like you have to pretend you weren't annoyed. Saddo

Root's doing well in the middle order, don't think we should be sending him in to open too soon. Compton still has more test hundreds, he deserves a longer run at it

He's an opener

If England can rattle on to 400 with Prior/Swann around for an hour tomorrow, big pressure on NZ and Lords will still be fresh in their minds! Well batted Joe Root!

I was annoyed by your second post. I thought it was unnecessarily aggressive. I was trying to respond to your first post by discussing the subject of the thread. But if all you're interested in is throwing personal insults then I won't bother.
 

Just found this on wikipedia...

'In 1922 at Edgbaston, Hampshire were bowled out for 15 in just nine overs in reply to Warwickshire's 223 in a 3-day match. Hampshire's total is the seventh lowest score for a completed first class innings. Hampshire were put back in to bat, and then famously scored a mammoth 521 before dismissing Warwickshire for 158 to win by a comfortable 155 runs.[7] Hampshire's first innings total of 15 remains the lowest score for a completed innings by a winning team.'

Made me laugh.

Why are we still batting? I'm actually not against the decision to bat again but we're bloody 400 ahead!

What decision to bat again? Do think we batted a little too long and a little to slowly though.

Interesting your opinion on Compton's position DMR. I thought you were a big fan? (Not a dig at all mate, I just remember you were very complimentary about him when he first came into the side - and I knew next to nothing about him).

I am a big Compton fan but he hasn't done enough to keep Root or JB out the side. KP is the first name on the team sheet for the Ashes so Compton must be the one to miss out.

I think they'll drop Bairstow anyway mind

I think you're right.

I wonder how much of the decision not to follow on was in order to give Compton the opportunity to play himself into the next match?

None I wouldn't have thought. I strongly suspect they'll have had the Ashes eleven in mind already, assuming everyone's fit.

Think you're probably right on both counts FWIW. Agree with you too, although think its best to keep as much continuity as possible too going into an Ashes series. Dropping Bairstow for KP is not as big a change as dropping Compton and moving Root up to open. Probably why they'll go that route.

I've just heard we had the option to enforce the follow on (missed most of it yest). How does that work then? I thought it was 200 runs less? Didn't they get within 180 in the end?!

Reduced to 150 in line with a 4 day game if the first day is washed out before the toss

When the first day is missed, the score goes down to 150

Ok - beaten to it.

Englands decision to bat again was understandable only if they then played aggressively.Trotts 11 in 69 balls yesterday was a disgrace.This mornings run rate of 4 an over with 9 wickets in hand was poor.As for batting on after lunch..mystifying.              Teams often go on about getting an edge in the smallest ways. fine,but if your not prepared to do your best to win. Conservative bullshit, and poor captaincy.

Do think we did go on a bit too long and batted a bit slow too. I suppose it's about respecting the opposition though - plus not really giving them a sniff to win the test and more importantly level the series. If we're 1 up in the Ashes going to the Oval I'd be happy just to watch us bat them out the game so maybe the thinking is about winning the series.

Cheers fellas. Never knew that. Been on a stag this weekend so been following the score but missed the little details. Thank fuck I don't have to work today!

Kiwis now 5 down with 10 overs left tonight!

Tomorrow looks a total write off, so I fear England may for batting to long and too conservatively

Just been pointed out England could claim the extra half hour.  But would a NZ 7 down for that to be realistic.

Personally think we batted an hour too long and batted too slowly last night and today (Trott/Compton), just shows when Root/Bairstow came out they were prepared to sacrifice their wicket to get the score moving! Ah well, weather looks shocking tomorrow, but I think we'll need an hour tops to mop NZ up! Anyone notice Finn get noticeably more aggressive the over he got Brownlie out? As I think Sir Ian said at the time someone from the crowd must have told him the Watford score!

Won by 247 runs in between showers and Anderson ties with Trueman on 307 test wickets.

We now have an extended ODI break before the Ashes, with a fair bit to ponder around that opening slot. I think we can't make a decision yet as:

1) The whole thing is immaterial if KP doesn't recover

2) Compton could get form back for Somerset, who play Australia in a tour match before the start of the Ashes.

Overall though, a good warm up series, Finn and Swann got wickets in this test and everyone but Bell has got a decent amount of runs. 9 spots in that first side are sewn up leaving two between Compton, Bairstow and KP's knee.

Anyone going to any of the Champions' Trophy?

A good win and a 2-0 series victory as well! Anyone take my tip on Root and Taylor being top run scorers at 40/1? If so you'd have come out winners at 40/1!  :D

Strange that Jimmy Anderson hasn't performed so well at Headingly, a ground which is renound for swing under cloud!

I have tickets for the semi final Nemo, also think I'll go to Eng v NZ at Cardiff if there are tickets available still!

ODI Series starts today; England currently batting and 45-1.

A couple of changes in squads for both teams before the Champions Trophy:

England's ODI & ICC Champions Trophy squad: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

New Zealand's ODI, Twenty20 & ICC Champions Trophy squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Grant Elliott, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi (wk), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.

I can see England winning the series 2-1. England 2/5 to win today, NZ 7/4 (SkyBet). Brendon McCullum 11/4 to be top runscorer, with Ross Taylor at 7/2.

feel sorry for Vettori missing out again, always liked him as a player.

Not sure they need him right now, they have England 120 odd for 5!

decent start, 1-2 after the first over

Not so good now, 127-1 since then! More interestingly Boyd Rankin has been called into the squad to cover for injuries...hope he gets a go, I seriously rate him and more importantly so do better judges like Marcus Trescothick. Can't be worse than Dernbach.

No surprise Giles looking towards Warwickshire for a replacement.

Surely we have some English players that we can bring through?

What's happened to Onions? Is Tremlett still recovering? What about Stuart Meaker (Yes, I know he's a Saffer) or even Luke Wright?

Onions isn't seen as a one day bowler by the selectors, same for Tremlett who's out of form. Luke Wright is a batsman who bowls a bit, definitely not a guaranteed 10 over option.

Meaker was probably the other name in the frame but Rankin is a bit taller and bouncier, more of a like-for-like for Finn. Personally I think Rankin can fill the role Tremlett did in the last Ashes series of coming in and roughing up the Aussies a bit if any of the first three lose form- Bresnan/Onions/Meaker back up Anderson and Broad, while Tremlett/Rankin can fulfil the Finn role. Guess they just fancy taking a closer look at him.

Don't disagree with you at all.

Just feel a bit sorry for Onions. I would have thought someone who bowls wicket to wicket with a little swing and sideways movement should be good in all forms of cricket - Think Alderman or McGrath.

I know Wright isn't a proper international bowler, but, my thinking was, if you are going to have a bowler who gets 50+ runs knocked off of his spell, you might as well have one capable of scoring 50+ himself! (Woakes bowling has gone backwards - His batting has improved, but still isnt good enough to be considered an effective all rounder).

Dernbach hasn't impressed me for a couple of years. I think people have worked him out. I'm also a bit old fashioned and I don't like someone with those ridiculous tattoos representing our country.

and your dislike of KP suddenly becomes clear...

If we're going to pick someone with ridiculous tattoos it should be Peter Trego

Onions is a good bowler but please don't put him in the same bracket as Glen McGrath again

Apologies, but I meant to draw a comparison to the way they bowled - close to the stumps and wicket to wicket. Onions is not in the same class. Terry Alderman briefly was as he was totally unplayable for a year or two, but faded fast. McGrath was just annoyingly brilliant for what seemed like an eternity.

NZ 92-1 off 19. A good launching pad for a score well in excess of 250.

Like Friday Woakes and Dernbach being milked seriously easily for over 6 an over.

I quite like Denbach but if Chris Woakes is an England player I am an a wagon wheel

NZ batting really well, but bowling/fielding from England has been pretty ordinary at best! Don't rate Woakes/Dernbach personally but I can't see the selectors changing it until after the Champions Trophy at the earliest.

Well, this is going to be one hell of chase if we get anywhere near it, credit to NZ that was outstanding. Shows how much we need Broad and Finn fit. My emmity for Dernbach grows once more, 9 an over from a frontline quick...

Woakes to me looks like a seam bowling Adil Rashid, good domestically but lacking that extra bit of quality and very much a bits and pieces all rounder...of the type NZ usually have 4-5 of in a team, the Grant Elliots and James Franklins

Dernbach I don't think is in the Champ trophy squad which is a right bonus!  Essentially in the side for his variations which seem to have been found out.  He and Woakes had zero threat during those middle overs and couldn't keep it tight either which was a git.

The importance of Finn and Broad underlined right there.

Trott batted well and got a ton at better than a run a ball but was let down by Bell, Cook, Root and Morgan getting a start but not going on to make anything substantial.  But then again Trott dropped Guptill when he had about 20 I think.

Also think England should have learnt from how NZ accumulated there total.  In the first 40 they didn't hit masses of boundaries but utilised the big outfield with loads of 2's through clever placement and made hay in the last 10.  Bell played like an hyperactive kid and needs a score.  I heard it mentioned he hasn't scored a ton for England in a year but not sure if that's true.  Then during the Root/Trott partnership where they got going by hitting the out boundary but mixed in the with lots of brisk running then Root slapped one down long ons throat.

With the absence of KP there a lot more emphasis on Morgan to provide the x factor. The problem there is his lack of cricket.  He spent most of the IPL sat on the bench and I am not sure how much cricket he has played since he returned.

I'm sure there are bits in there people will agree/disagree with.

I think the Saffers will win the champs trophy for what its worth.

Trott impressed me today, batted well and deserved a ton, it's a shame none of the others went on as well! Without KP I think we have a lack of 'x factor' you were talking about FCB. Morgan seems to be a shadow of his former self in ODI's, and NZ had McCullum come in at the end to bash it about. The pressure was off for NZ as they did the hardwork at the start of the innings and England were always playing catch up, so whenever wickets fell that pressure was always climbing! Fair play to NZ outplayed England in both games so far and a dead rubber on Wednesday. I think England will make a couple of changes to get the likes of Bairstow a game before the Champions Trophy.

My money would be on South Africa or India (who chased down 330 odd against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston for anyone who saw that on Sky) to win the Champions Trophy!

I think that they are also looking for Buttler to provide the 'X-factor'. Didn't watch it all today. I had to stop watching when Bell got out, but I could hear it in the background and it didn't sound too clever.

Where the fuck is Prior!

Surely he has got to be given a place.

I did notice that the Aussies were bowles out for 65 against India today, losing by 243 runs.

And Clarke's back is playing up again...

All that carrying he is doing.

I'm going to Edgbaston on Saturday.  The way that both England and the Aussies are playing at the moment, it could be all over by mid-afternoon!   :hmmm:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Miles

At the Swindon club for a while.

Think he took six wickets last week.

Very promising start to his County career...not seen him in action......any England prospects i wonder?

Have a good day on Sunday Pissy....take your suncream!

Went to Bradon, brother of Adam who was my club and school captain and has played a few FC himself as a keeper.

Nice to see another Swindon lad doing well, think it's a bit early to use the E word mind, not many from Gloucs get a look in.

Yes, Miles took 6 for 88 (and 1 for 47) at Liverpool last week.  He also took 6 for 99 at Worcester a couple of weeks ago.  I was there on Day One of that match, when Gloucester were batting and he scored 5 off 5 balls at the tail end of their innings.  I didn't get to see the couple of overs he bowled at the end of the first day, though, as I had to leave to get the train.  One to keep an eye on.

Adam, is with the Cardiff MCCU, so he must be decent, although the gap to proper 1st Class  is massive....Hildreth and Compton put on 450 against them last season.

Yep, he's played for the MCC combined side too. He's a good keeper but perhaps his batting isn't good enough to get him into the pro ranks...although he did get 50 against Somerset this season. It was disappointing to see a few foreign keepers getting kolpak contracts over the winter (Roderick at Gloucs, Johnson at Worcs) ahead of him and some of the younger english keepers. Although to be fair, keeper isn't a position where England are lacking depth at the moment with Prior, Foster, Read, Bairstow, Buttler, Kieswetter, Ambrose and Foakes around the scene.

Don't know if anyone saw the YB40 games over the last two nights ....

Jamie Overton looked a real prospect last night. Bowled quick up around the 90mph mark, generally full and possessed a terrific Yorker at only 19 looks to have a real chance of progressing to full honours in the not massively distant future.

Stuart Meaker I think has played before but again quick strong generally pitched up.

Both attacking wicket taking options during the middle over period.

Don't know if either of them bat really which seems to be a pre requisite as is the only way I can really explain Chris Woakes!

I played with Adam and Craig Miles at Purton CC for quite a few years although Craig was probably only about 12 or 13 when I was last there. He was always quite tall and looked a good prospect bowling fairly decent pace but I never though a pro career was on the cards so fair play to him.

Call me biased, but I was delighted to see Gareth Roderick get a deal. He's a good mate, having played all season with him at Cheltenham last year and beginning of this, and above all, a top class batsman (as SCC discovered last year). He has an English mum and passport, so will qualify for England. Long term he is an opening bat, not a no.7/keeper.

You're biased and so am I, just in different directions :D

Haha.

Churning out a few hundreds in Glos/Wilts isn't England material!

Not staying it is. I said he qualified. In any case, I would think a selector would take more notice of the fact he's knocked 70+ twice in his first few first class games.

Another couple of openers bagged by Miles today.

Good result from England today as well, saw our innings and Jos Buttler made the difference! Obviously having a few wickets helped, but pressure was on after a slow start...then to lose Root and Bell just before the final powerplay led me to believe we'd struggle to make 240 let along get 287 comfortably! Morgan, Bell and Buttler looked useful, Root and Trott getting starts too. Haven't seen the wickets, got that on record so I can watch tomorrow!

Start of the Champions Trophy tomorrow, NZ have to be dark horses going in to it having spent the past month or so getting used to English conditions! Disappointing ODI series defeat for England though, first since Australia 09 on home soil!

I shall repeat myself.

70-odd in a county game is not England material :)

Ha....at risk of getting boring, I'll repeat myself too. I didn't say runs at league level or a few decent scores at first class level qualify you. My point is, he isn't an overseas player keeping out an Englishman, which was the original point about English wicketkeepers.

Glos have a number of really promising kids at the moment. Miles has been superb, as has Dent and Liam Norwell will become a really solid player for them too.

Champions Trophy starts today and its wide open, Pakistan look decent but a few question marks about their batting, WI have lots of game winners but not much reliability and SA have lost a lot to injury. India should do well but their pace bowling is dubious outside of Yadav.

Should be interesting!

Beware the wounded Aussies, even without Clarke. Especially if it seams about.

Big result for India today, beating the SA'ffers at Cardiff...another road of a track in the glorious weather spell we're having! 331-7 plays 305 ao, India must be favourites having chased 300+ against Sri Lanka, Scored 300+ and bowling Aus out for 60odd in the warm ups and now beating South Africa, again racking up 300!

In county news, Compton scored 136* for Somerset at Taunton today!

Not a time for Johnny Bairstow to be carrying drinks for England during the Champions Trophy whilst  Compton gets into gear.

My thoughts exactly, I'd would have played Bairstow instead of Bopara at Trent Bridge in the final ODI, why England keep going back to Bopara really puzzles me...he's had many chances and showed he can do sweet f-all in the international arena! He scratched around for 20 odd the other day, but looked all at sea. He was released to play for Essex, when Bairstow was still in the squad...then jumps the queue ahead of him? As I say, puzzling!

Because Bopara can bowl pretty well and Bairstow can't? If we'd picked Bairstow over Bopara we'd be left trying to get 10 overs from Root and Trott. Bopara came in for Woakes, not a batsman.

I guess it depends on the balance of the side they are looking for, on the flip side NZ have Williamson and someone else who can make up their 5th bowler to bowl 10 overs between them so if England did fancy bringing in Bairstow then as you say Nemo they'd look to Root/Trott to make up 10 overs.

1st go at Australia today this summer, anyone heading to Edgbaston?

123-1 off 28.1, Bell and Trott have scored 68 at 4 an over...which works as long as Morgan and Buttler fire, but could be a bit embarrassing if they don't.

Typical timid England.

Trott should not be let near anywhere near a limited overs side.

Boring as fuck

ODI Averages:

Cook Averages 39 SR 78
Bell Averages 37 SR 75
Trott Averages 52 SR 76

I don't think we can sustain all three in an ODI side but Trott should not be the one dropped- Cook is the captain so Bell, regrettably, has to go.

KP being in this side improves it massively not just because he's a fantastic player but he helps the balance of the side too. That said, the Aussies are missing their best batsman too (although you could make a case for Watson being better in ODIs) so a couple of quick wickets and 260-270 is defendable.

With KP injured I'm not really sure how you'd structure our top 6, particularly with Morgan in no form at all (just out for 8 off 12). Tricky.

212/5 - Buttler needs to serve up a few quick runs

...and bowled for 1. You can't rely on a young kid to dig you out of a hole the top 6 have dug every time.

Buttler gone.

That England top 3 is far to ponderous! Left Morgan and Buttler to much to do ....

Par on this featherbed is about 290

We have a good team for tricky pitches with a bit in for the bowling where you have to play proper shots- the 240/250 par pitches. Not so much for the flat beds.

Ravi's delivering now though, first 6 of the innings in the 49th over. 270 is below par but we could do something with a good bowling performance.

SWING THE FUCKING BAT

Mitchell Johnson bowls a wide, much to the delight of the Barmies.

Ravi slams the penultimate ball for four and a single off the last ball, 270 to win, game on. Well batted Ravi, 46 off 37

A lot rests on dismissing the openers quickly, Warner and Watson are the two I fear here.

Comfortable win in the end, but I thought the Aussies performance with the bat was poor, and if that was a pre-cursor to the Ashes, they are going to struggle with the bat. Thought their attack did well in the final 10 overs to keep us down to 269.

Agree...except the last bit....our batting kept it down to 269 i reckon.

Keep saying it but cannot fathom why Prior isn't in this team.....brilliant Wiki and just what you need with the bat in the middle order.

Prior has had a decent chance in the past, and never really quite done it....68 matches, 3 50's and an average of 24.  Wicketkeeper is always a highly contested place in an England side, because more or less all counties have an England qualifies keeper, and many of them are very good.

Get what your saying Reg...but Prior is a much better player these days than his last stint i reckon.

Maybe being out of the ODI's has helped Prior improve his keeping and Test batting who knows?

I dont see England capable of scoring more than 280 in an ODi in current team format
Luckily a lot of the CT13 games havent seen massive totals so far

India look the team to score big, expected more from SL but 138 and not batting out the 50 is a shocker for them.
NZ bowled well but now that well.

I'm not sure it's luck that there haven't been too many total's of 300+. The tournament's in England and there's no games at Taunton so that's usually the norm in this country i would surmise. While 300+ is not impossible there's usually "something" in it for the bowlers whatever the weather. Yesterday's game is a prime example, both sides bowled well but didn't get near to using the overs. The way our side is set up we take the approach that 269 is a reasonable total. Had either Buttler or Morgan come off the we may well have made 300. Admittedly it can be a little frustrating watching Trotting seemingly scratch around but you can't argue with his stats and he does a pretty good anchoring job IMO.

I fucking love Trott but he should either open or not play at all,

Pak v SA today.

With both teams having lost there first game.  This game is pretty much a knock out.

I think Pakistan will win.  SA with no Morkel, Kallis, Smith and probably no Steyn. Even though Pakistan lost their opening game to the Windies, the bowling attack is hugely impressive with the 7ft giant, Junaid Khan and Wahab all capable of bowling 90 mph plus and the mystery spin of Ajmal.

However Pakistan are quite similar to England in that they probably have the two best bowling attacks but you have question marks over both when it comes to the batting.

The main entertainment of watching Pakistan, is trying to decide if the match has been fixed or not, and so where the betting money lies...against WI, with extras being 3rd highest scorer on 6, I would say so.

 Warner spices things up by getting banished from today's match for chinning Joe Root...in Walkabout in Brum.

 

Rooty should have smacked him back. I'm glad he didn't though.

Warner's a hard fucker, probably best little Joe didn't swing back!

Have you seen Rooty up close?  He'd have trouble seeing off an 8-year-old girl!  Shows what an absolute knob Warner is though.

You would've thought that Warner would be in bed doing his homework...

It's great seeing the Aussies in a mess...hopefully the Kiwis will turn them over today.

Warner is a perfect example of why it's absolutely fine to hate the Aussies this summer. Can't wait for the Barmy Army to start dishing it out....

I'll be joining in with that Paolo, something along the lines of 'Warner Warner you're a cunt' or is that a little bit extreme for the 'gentleman's game'  :D

I'd imagine 'Warner you punch like a girl' would be more appropriate.

It is cricket after all.

We're playing Sri Lanka today.  Im very tired and this isn't helping.  The usual solid but slow from us batting. 84 for 1 after 20 overs.

134/2 after 29 overs, Cook just gone for 59 off 85 balls (S/R 69.4%)...here comes Joe Root!!!

238 for 3 in the 45th.  Bit of a sprint and it could be quite competitive.

Ravi Bopara still plays for England? Interesting...

Now 254 for 7 in the 47th

This plan of waiting for the last 20 overs ONLY works if the big hitters stay in
Buttler, Morgan both went cheaply
Only Root put the bat about.

Thank fuck we have more than one decent bowler  ::)

293/7 at the end of the innings. It seems the plan worked.

Not a bad last over there! 

Certainly is! :-)

Hahaha, I missed him being good as I was on a phonecall!

Yeah fair play to Bopara there. Massive last over  :clap:
Still not gone over 300 tho soapy tit wank

Think the big test will come if they face India or the Windies

Over to Anderson and crew now

Still don't rate Bopara, but give credit where it's due...that 30 odd got us up to a decent score instead of a good score!

Think Ravi as a lower order hitter might not be a bad idea, he's got all the shots, just a few question marks over his temperament. Certainly worked well today.

Been away for a few days so missed the Warner thing but - Joe Root? I could see Broad or Swann winding him up enough, but Joe Root???

159/2 in the 32nd over...England need some wickets and fast! It's going to be a close one that's for sure!

Not close now - 253 for 3 after 43
Couple of sixes in last over hurt England

That was an absolute cruise!

So in this group both games are effectively quarter finals:

England v NZ on Sunday with a mixed weather forecast.
Aus v SL on Monday.

In the other group India are through, and tomorrows game between SA and WI is a quarter final but with a very ropey weather forecast meaning play is unlikely until mid afternoon.  So may get a 20/20 or something similar in which case I am going to take a chance and back WI.

Cracking innings from Sanga, bit disappointing we couldn't get Kulasekara out but you can't win them all.

I fancy Sri Lanka to beat Australia....they could go on to win it.

England 169-ao from 23.3 overs...I think England probably 15-20 runs short half way, but we'll see! NZ favourites for me to chase these down!

Off to a good start with the bowling, Ronchi is a pile of toss and Taylor's just been given a tricky lbw so that's a huge wicket, lets get Brendan Mac quickly

After a poor show with the ball against SL, this has been really impressive so far. Thank god there's no Dernbach out there to bring them back into it.

20 overs in, so the game counts! England have bowled/fielded very well! 55 off 24 needed for NZ

Semi v SA at the Oval on the cards then
As England finished top of the group if its rained off then we go thru
Nice

Not defo finished top, surely

If Sri Lanka beat the AUssies and attain a better average we will be 2nd

 :-[ yeah meant to say IF England finish top
For once the Aussies could do us a favour tho  :hmmm:

Would rather the Aussies get knocked out personally tomorrow to compound even more misery on them before The Ashes begins!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/642389.html

The Aussies are 80-5 chasing 250 odd.  But more importantly if Aus are bowled out for less than 164 SL will win the group and England will face a semi against the stand out team of the tournament thus far India in Cardiff on Thursday rather than the injury ridden South Africans on Wed at The Oval.

Yup, we're in the really tricky position of hoping the Aussies don't fail too hard.

 Nice to see Mitchell Johnson get the run necessary to keep England at the top of group :)

Sri Lanka should win this now despite Aus only needing 70 odd off 130...England v SA and SL v India, England should fancy their chances at making the final!

Final is at Edgbaston right?

England v India at Edgbaston would be fun, not sure who would consider that a home match!

A couple of tidy catches: http://t.co/vp5j2broPJ

That's right Nemo, I too also think it will be England v India in the final!

As a valued supplier to a major tool wholesale distribution company, I have been invited to a 20/20 match at the Ageas bowl formerly the Rose Bowl at hedge end on 26th for a touch of corporate hospitality. Now the rub is this. I adore cricket but have never been to a first class or test match in my life. I am so excited. The fact that my trade show stand was chosen as a winner along with another supplier (hence the invite) amongst many who attended the show is a real feather in my and my companies hat. I have had to book a hotel nearby as I have been told you'll not be in a fit state to drive back home! My luck it'll piss with rain and I won't be able to go to the re arranged date!

Managed to get an Ashes ticket last week for the lords test, only problem is that it's for the Monday so chances are I may not get to see a lot of cricket, but for only £30 well worth a punt. Love the Ashes - nothing quite like it IMO, can't wait!

First Champs Trophy Semi tomorrow ......

England v South Africa ....

Fighting for the right to lose to the mighty India in the final :-)

I have managed to bag myself a ticket for tomorrow and am going to the final so should be a good'un!!!

Ticket arrived in the post this morning......

Hope you enjoy it Fats......give my love to the lovely little village of Hedge End...where generations of my dads family lived and when i eventually traced my dad...he was living in Hedge End.

Been built up abit around the small town now.

Have a great day.

They don't rearrange these matches, just share the points.
If it pisses down you'll just have to eat and drink inside in the hospitality all evening.

Anyone else going to the Old Trafford Ashes test match? If so have you received your tickets yet? I have my Trent Bridge and Oval tickets, but no sign of the OT ones.

Tough old game today....winnable, but in Amla, Steyn and de Villiers Saffas have 3 who are a class above anything we've got. If these 3 can be dealt with we should be OK.

Agree about De Villiers and Amla but Jimmy is a wonderful bowler. Equal to Steyn.

Blimey. It can only go downhill...

Will take that!

50/4 and we have de Villers.

Jimmy bowling fantastically- 7-1-11-2

Saffers 76-7

80/8

This is such a bottle job that Coca Cola are trying to write names on the side.

Got to 175 ao! Shouldn't be a problem for England as SA have no Steyn/Morkel....yeah right!

71 to get from 25 overs with 8 in hand. Should be safe from here and this really is the value of Trott, he looks an absolute oasis of calm out there and that must help Joe Root who is also going along nicely

England roll home by 7 wickets, great knock from Jonathan Trott (80odd*) to get us over the line! I didn't think we'd escape the group after being beaten by NZ in the first 2 ODI's against them...fair play to the bowlers they've been working as a unit over the past couple of games after the Sri Lanka mauling and they did the damage early on!

Got my Sunday afternoon sorted now, Come on England...bring on India or Sri Lanka!!!

Thought Tredwell was superb again today, unlucky to not have another couple. Economically a sound bowler.

Someone give Mickey Arthur a drug test...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/22982588

I think the lack of a quality spinner would suggest they dont have 'the best all round bowling attack in the world'. 

Clearly whichever spinner they have will now take 10 in the first innings.

Loving some of the comments :

"England could crack"... that's rich coming from a Saffa!

Hence the expression:

"You're taking the Mickey, Arthur."

is the Aus calendar different to ours? not April 1st down there is it??


In depth bowling attack?!?! Is this why you pushing ahead with the Citizenship Act that was passed through both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament in Australia to get Ahmed within the bowling attack. Hmmmm

Also saw in an interview with Ryan Harris on Sky Sports News having a pop at Michael Vaughan for all of his twitter remarks...seems to be like they're well and truely rattled! Don't recall England having too many pops at Glenn McGrath when he kept predicting 5-0 all the time...nice to have the shoe on the other foot for a change!

India need 182 to beat Sri Lanka in the 2nd CT SF today.

England /India final then
Have to say India by far the best team have seen in the tournement
Their fielding has come on dramatically and they are always a force with the bat
Nothing like the team that that played here last

Tough one  to call - if it swings we may keep the score down otherwise  :doh:

The best two bowling attacks in the world have to be South Africa and England with Pakistan not far behind. The Aussies for me would be on a par with New Zealand and India from what I've seen over the past 18 months.

I'm pretty sure Tremlett, Onions, Bresnan and Panesar is a better back up unit than the Aussies can muster also.

Australia are insufferable cunts when it comes to cricket, for 16 years they had us by the nutsack and squeezed harder and harder and we hardly complained. Now we are doing the squeezing and they mew like frightened trees...

Agreed
SA have been unlucky with injuries during the CT13
Losing Morkel was bad enough but Steyn in the last game too - ouch
Pakistan were one of my tips to win the tourney but didnt win a single game  :badmood:

No-one whinges like an Aussie.

Final today and its going to rain probably all day and there's no reserve day.

In a rain reduced match we are a bit fucked as our team is very much set up for the full 50 overs- if we get a T20 in then India have to be heavy favourites

Great toss to win. Really puts us in the driving seat and able to change our order according to the rain situation, which will be a lot clearer this afternoon.

But at the same time the fact that we've had the toss at all means we can't change the sides. If it's 20/25 overs I don't much fancy Cook/Bell/Trott/Root vs Dhawan/Sharma/Kohli/Raina

Rain all day in Birmingham, such a shame there's not a reserve day and the trophey will be 'shared'!

Looks like we're going to start at least...A T20 game from 4:20 and we can't change the team...

Cook, Bell, Trott, Root. T20. India to bat first but if they score 150+ it'll be an interesting decision to make in terms of the batting order.

Cant see them getting in 20 overs a piece here.

Bad news...It's raining again

Good news...KP's reached 150 in his comeback innings

India 66-5 off 13

Bopara 3 wickets.

India 66/5 with Ravi Bopara getting Raina and Dhoni ina double wicket maiden- take that man of the match award son.

If it rains I'm going to be very cross!

England need 130 to win.

Thought we bowled too short at times, but England would've quite happily taken that at the start.

3/1 off two overs isn't a perfect start, Cook gone. All for a sensible innings at this stage but let's not let the rate get out of hand.

That was a streaky little cameo from Cook there...

The scriptwriters are inking in Ravi scoring the winning runs, aren't they? Dubious selection to MoM in the final?

*touches copious amounts of wood*

Trott's strike rate is currently 300!

Oh.  Cheerio Trotty.

40/3 Eek.

Gonna gas it

Shocker from the third umpire

Hmmm... not convinced by that decision

Cheating Aussie fuck

Had doubts about him when he gave a boundary in the Indian innings when Bresnan moved the boundary rope and the ball went nowhere near it.

Deffo not out for Bell
England struggling somewhat here
Still Bopara in so can stake his claim for MoM

That Bell call was every bit as tight as the Broad no ball thing in the game v NZ.

I'm just wishing India had another spinner!!

Broad had something behind the line v NZ, but the Bell decision was a shocker.

I remember when England played the Aussies in the first game, Johnson should've been given out without facing a ball, as his bat was in the air...but was given not out.

The third umpires have had a bit of a shocker this tournament...despite them having to just look at TV replays.

Come on Chavi you king

Isn't that a double wide?

Are we going to cock this up again?

Tim fucking Bresnan coming in.

How this man is so highly rated by England I just don't know

This Jos Buttler chap, is he normally good? I'm not familiar with his work...

You can tell India are looking like winning again, the crowd have started to make some noise

I rest my case, stupid northern clown

Yes, but not in this tournament.

Nearly scored the fastest fifty in ODI history against the Kiwi's a few weeks ago.

Woooo Hoooooo

Come on India!!!!!

Good of Ravi to remember his Indian roots in the nick of time!!!

We're doing what the Saffers normally does...Well we do have one or two in our side.

And there are still thousands of spastics out there who reckon we're better off without KP

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory again  :badmood:

what a complete and utter fuck up...

This.

Well I'm happy at least. 

Looking forward to the ashes now.

Does anyone know when England will name the squad for the warm up v Essex? This will prob give the biggest clue of if Compton will get another chance or not?

How crucial do those 5 overthrows Bresnan gave away look now?

Tomorrow FCB. Already a clue in that Bairstow isn't in the T20 squad.

Gutted by the CT, the game had everything but how oh how did we fuck that up. I'm sure there are jokes about South Africans bottling it again around somewhere

Not forgetting the shocking decision to give Bell out.....frustrating to watch us prod and poke our way to defeat.

And the boundary that shouldn't have been given...

In a T20 game, never.

In the Ashes series, almost certainly not.

When the going gets tough in an away test series, we will have to see but I'm not so sure he is the world beater that many spastics seem to think he is

I suggest you look at his record in places like Australia and India and move yourself quietly into the spacker building

He's been injured...not ready...who gives a fuck,start the debate if he is dropped....which he wont be.

As usual you've missed the point

Gutted by that, England well and truely fucked that up! I felt we held India to a chaseable total but it was never going to be easy. We lost too many wickets early on and the Indian spinners bowled extremely well. Morgan getting out and then Bopara straight after summed it up for me; Brainless cricket when 20 needed off 16 balls!

Oh well, The Ashes next and KP knocking 177* today has cheered me up!

16 days before start of ashes the Aussies sack Micky Arthur as coach!!! Mental!!

Gives them a nice excuse. See they battled to (or was that fluked) an unconvincing victory against 'the mighty' Glos yesterday.

Clarke to also step down as a selector....Australian cricket is pretty pathetic right now! 5-0 England!

I see they are talking about Darren Lehmann as his replacement. Saying that anyone would be better than Mickey Arthur.

Where's the homework boys?!!

The eight best teams, all over in 2.5 weeks, tight competitive cricket in well attended stadiums.  A terrific format. Because of the cosmopolitan make up the UK is the perfect venue.  If it were held in WI or SA then I suspect the neutral games would be attended by one man and his dog.

England:
Well the plan was obvious the top 3 to set the platform for the rest to explode.  Cook, Bell and Trott had good tournaments which is handy as Morgan and Buttler were disappointments.  Root had a good tournament at 4 as that buffer between the solid top 3 and potentially explosive lower middle order.
A terrific win over Aus which could set the tone for the next 6 months.
A defeat to SL in which they were subjected to a masterclass from Sangakarra about how to chase down a 290 target with plenty left in the tank still.
Can remember much about the NZ game and the Saffer were sorted out early by terrific swing bowling before Trotty put the cherry on top.

So in so far as the plan towards 2015 world cup:
KP obviously comes back in.  I think it would have to be in for one of the top 3.  Cook is captain and Trott in undroppable.  Sorry Belly.
The wicket keeping is an issue.  Buttler has producing an occasional amazing knock such as the 47 of 15 not to long ago but after 14 games he averages 11 and that just isn't enough.  Other options include Kieswetter or Bairstow. I know people will say Prior but I think the England selectors have shut the door on that so haven't considered it.
Bopara is without doubt the surprise.  A few weeks ago most wouldn't have imagined him in the squad let alone such a leading light with vital late order runs and also filling the 5th bowler role.
The bowling again was pretty decent.  Though on the one pitch that didn't swing or seam or spin the Sri Lankan's made hay.

Announced that Joe Root will open for England against Essex next week!

http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12173/8790948/Joe-Root-will-partner-Alastair-Cook-at-the-top-of-the-England-order-next-week

Boyd Rankin also selected as part of the squad

Rankin seems to fit a tall strong stereotype that David Saker likes.  I can only assume Chris Tremlett isn't fully fit because if he is I would take him over Rankin 10/10.

Rankin's prospects for a winter in Australia must take a massive upturn with this.

Have done so, and excluding Bangladesh (as even a spacker could score runs against Bangladesh), his test average away from England is a shade under 42 (41.89), which is just less than Ian Bell's test average (45.57) who is the player most likely to make way.  (PS His average including Bangladesh is 43.51)

As you say, he has a better record in India (46.87) & Australia (56.67), but unfortunately for you he also had to play against Pakistan (22.33) & the Saffers (25.29) away from Jolly Old Blighty.


Fell free to join me in the spacker building, unless of course you are also of the opinion that Ian Bell is a world beater and also must be in the team.

Sorry Posh I'm with DMR on this one. England are a far better team with KP in it than out of it! His overall record backs this up regardless of the comparison you've made which incidentally is not really comparing like with like.

Can't see Bellers getting dropped anytime soon. Certainly not at Test level anyway.

Kiwis hitting it for fun on the twenty 20
McCullom just gone - 161 for 3 off 15.5   :(

EDIT

201 for 4 after their 20
England will need some decent wallops to get that

5 runs short again ffs
Again was ahead of the rate till the halfway stage then slowed right down when Morgan came in

Oh well roll on thursday

Morgan's absolutely lost the plot. Ben Stokes is laughably shit too. As for Chris Woakes....

 Morgan's cameo seemed to stall us somewhat...

Why the hell Stokes and Bopara tried smashing it out the ground when 10 needed off 5 balls, the amount of gaps around they could have done it in 2s! Again, I said it Sunday and I'll say it again, Brainless cricket from England! Thursday will be interesting to see if they change it and bring KP in!

Kevin Pietersen ‏@KP24 1m
Back with ENG! #T20 http://instagram.com/p/bBgHUeyyxh/

Somerset got to 320 against the 'Australians' at Taunton, Compton chipped in with 83 and another young lad scored a ton! Aus were 2-0 at the close!

Swann taken for a scan after being hit by Tymal Mills

Would be a terrible omission. Cushioned only by the fact we've got Monty.

I'm a member at Essex as its just down the road from me. Mills is erratic but he's bloody quick. He was up to 94mph yesterday and looked a real handful, especially early on. Heading down for the final see soon later today.

Obviously, 'see soon' in last post should have said session...

If Swann were to miss out, then England would certainly play Bresnan ahead of Finn

I know it's easy to say in hindsight but did we really need a 200 partnership between Bresnan and Swann? Would surely have been better off declaring far earlier, even if Essex then outscore us, to give the frontliners another go.

Hope it's just bruised, if he's out then it's a huge blow.

If Mills has done Swanny serious damage a week before the Ashes by bumping him then the moron should be castrated

Apparently he carried on with the chin music even after hitting Swanny. He also struck Bresnan on the jaw. Someone should have had a word.

All ok for Swanny. That's a relief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU

I think when England bowl Essex out tomorrow we'll see the top 7 England batsmen bat for a long period, possibly 4 sessions...result doesn't really matter in this game, but still expect England to win! Thank goodness Swann didn't break anything, hopefully he can bowl Wednesday!

Hallelujah indeed but fair play to Mills for giving it a go - worked his balls off on a pretty good batting wicket when I watched - not his job to lob down a few easy hits with a tennis ball.

Shame we can't send him to Worcestershire this week: as good as Alan Richardson is I don't think he'll be injuring anyone.

Would be quite funny to send Worcester Tremlett, Rankin, Meaker and Jamie Overton.

Exactly....Mills had an opportunity to show what he can do and took it, so fair play.

Cricket is a tough old game, so there'll always be injuries...don't supppose too many remember Ken Suttle of Sussex, who was a decent county standard bat, and slow left armer, who played 423 consecutive championship matches between 1954 and 1969.

The John Trollope of the county championship, always impressed me....don't suppose his record will ever be beaten.

It's a tough one. Of course Mills had every right to target the lower order with short stuff, in the same way you can tackle hard in a friendly. But Swanny had just come back from elbow surgery and the game was arranged purely for the purpose of preparing England for the Ashes, no other reason. Indeed, this was compounded by the farcical, predetermined toss in which Bopara said "Looks like a great track for batting so I think we'll have a bowl."

All Mills did was bowl quick.

He went round the park. 2 for hundreds.

You DO realise this is not that impressive right?

Tymal Mills is all about potential. He's dirt quick but erratic. That said, he's only 20. Yet he has already gone past 90 mph and that's fast in anybody's language, and will potentially rough anyone up. He's one for the future, especially considering we don't produce that many proper express bowlers.

So I think the point is not how good his figures were but the fact he bowled a lot of short stuff to our lower middle order, hitting two of them, in a warm up game.

Shaun Tait springs to mind

Exactly.

And he ended up being one of the best death bowlers of recent times. Ironically, bowling full and straight.

Mills has just hit Bell hard on the knees while batting- gotta raise a slight smile (although not for Bell, I imagine). Have we checked him for Australian ancestry?

Swann back on, bowls Mills with his ninth ball- good news.

Bad news- the first 8 went for 19.

Heard a little whisper that the reason Compton has been sacked off is because he and KP have their "differences"... anyone else heard this?

We'll have to wait for the official line from Chang on this.

I heard they had a spat over who was more South African.

I'd have thought his terrible knock v NZ, had more to do with it. Reminded me of when Owais Shah played for England, the wrong sort of intensity...leading to an inability to find the middle of the bat. Trott has intensity but also calmness, and you need that almost zen like state.

Ramprakash was another...

Isn't it also because KP is back and Root is better than Compton? Someone's got to go.

Yes, Bairstow. The Root debate is a red herring, his position was never in doubt, the decision made was Bairstow against Compton.

Yes to an extent.  complicated a little by:

If Compton plays he has to open.  He couldnt bat in his style with the tail.
I think Bairstow has more long term potential and hasnt actually done to bad when he has played.  He got 2 50's v South Africa in the last year and I think got 2 50's in the last test at Headingley.  But he has been hamstrung by spending long periods as twelth man so missed out a lot for England and Yorkshire.
The one in that middle order who needs to find his bollocks is Bell.  Full of style and substance but no test hundred in over a year!  So he's bound to make a ton at Trent Bridge next week and sxecure his place for the next year.

I'd pick Bairstow over Compton every time. Clearly being primed for the gloves once Prior is gone, he has shown enough about him to warrant keeping his place. Compton's reaction in the press to being dropped was disappointing, he is now thirty and is not as useful in the field as the ginger Yorkshireman. Plus Compton was very poor against an ordinary New Zealand attack earlier in the Summer. He's also quite a limited batsman, definitely stoic but could easily be found out by a decent Aussie attack.

I agree Root is the long term pick to open but I do have a concern about him moving up so early. 

For all the stick the Aussies have taken the pace bowling is decent.  Pattinson, Siddle, Starc, Harris ..... I do expect them to run through England here and there. 

Yep, we'll have the odd major collapse without doubt. Our tail should wag though. The good news is that Siddle has been out of form of late and he's been their most consistent quick over the past few seasons. If we can limit the runs of Clarke and Watson whilst Swanny takes care of their lefties we'll beat them. Cue Jimmy.

Got all of my tickets through for The Ashes this summer now (Day 1 Trent Bridge, Day 2 Old Trafford and Day 1 Oval) and I am fucking buzzing for it! Fingers crossed the weather is like it is right now!!!

Team for me next Wednesday:

Cook
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

12th Man-Bresnan (who will come in for Finn at some point during the series)

I think that's the team in everyone's heads. I'd choose Onions over Finn but only just.

I forgot it was the first test next week and have arranged to go on holiday...amateur mistake.

I've had several complaints from friends because I'm getting married on Day 3 of the Third Test and the opening day of the football season.

Rookie :)

At least you'll be able to check the scores!

Second Test tickets have arrived :D

Now I just need to sell the spares!

Which day you got spares for?

I have Ashes tickets for that day but am looking to swap them for the Friday/Sunday.

Any takers please get in touch.

It's only so I can go to Peterborough, not your wedding Costanza, so don't worry.

First (Thursday) and fourth (Sunday). Not entirely sure how many at the moment!

Edit: Never book tickets at 2am- the Sunday ones are in the alcohol free bit. Fuck my life.

Another couple of wives and you'll get the hang of it.

I'm off to Surrey v Middlesex t20 after work this evening. Sell out at the Oval which is nice.

I don't know much about first class cricket but looking at the team sheets it looks like David v Goliath. Surrey's team looks like it could easily compete in the IPL. I'm living south of the river so will be supporting the brown caps.

We are the Re, we are the Re, we are, we are, we are the Re.

"Middle, Middle, Middle ... Sex, Sex, Sex"

One of the great chants in British sport.

Nice to see that the 'best bowling attack in the world' could only take 15 wickets against Worcester.

So it's finally here, today is the day us cricket fans have waited for; the start of the 2013 Ashes series! Personally I can't wait as I'm going...leaving RWB at 7.30am, hoping to see England bat and pile on the runs before returning with a decent tan and more than just a few beers on board!

Some odds for you (SkyBet http://www.skybet.com/cricket/the-ashes):

-England series winners 2/5, Australia 4/1 and the draw at 13/2
-Some specials: England to win 5-0 16/1, KP top run scorer 4/1, Jimmy Anderson 11/2 for player of the series!

Major's prediction: Personally I think England will retain The Ashes and beat Australia 3-1!

Here's to a good day's play!  :beers:

I don't post on this thread often, but...well, I just have.  Bring it on.  The Ashes!  It's back.  Settle in, everyone.  This is going to be fun.

The best thing about today, is the rarity of knowing it won't be affected by rain.  I can see why there's an assumption Engalnd will win, but I'm not wholly convinced....said before Engalnd are not as good as what people think and Australia not as bad. Therefore could go either way

Oz at 4/1 is pretty good, might chuck a few quid on it.

Ashton Agar a 19 year old left arm spinner debuts for Australia.  A decent bat from what I have heard so could Aus take the aggressive option and play 2 spinner with Agar batting at 7?

Nervy start from England.  In to bat and 78-2 shortly before lunch.  Cook went very cheaply.

Utter bollocks we'll thump them at home and still win away.

Agar has only taken 10 wickets in first class cricket, and baring in mind the 'quality' of Aussie spinners since Warne has retired, it's simply not going to happen. They didn't even play one spinner in one of the India tests a few months ago, just to prove how much faith they have in the spinner department.

Bit loose from KP there...

Very.  This cloud cover and ball moving isnt going to last forever.

England need to make sure they dont get knocked over for 250 or so. 

Trott is the key man now me thinks.

Feck

Trott goes. 124/4.  Now Australia have a real opening ....

Fuck off Bell

Prior slaps it straight to point!  What a cunt!

Two sessions down in this series with a possible 73 to go.  Is it time to adjust our expectations a little?   ;)

213-8

England way below par here!

Make that 213-9 ...

Starc on a hat trick!

Flintoff on BBC Radio 5 the other night was saying that England always underperform on the opening day when expectations are high.  He's not wrong.

There is a trend appearing of England underperforming in opening tests of recent series

The trend is tht they can't seem to get past 300 in their first innings

All out for 215.  Abysmal.

Australia in reply?  25-3.  Equally abysmal.

Funny old game.

You can always rely on the Aussies to make us look good.

Was a pity Broad couldnt bowl after that blow.
Have a feeling we could have taken a couple more wickets had the bowlers been able to rotate

Be interesting to see how they perform in the morning.
Quick wicket or two and the aussies may fold

Either way was an interesting days cricket and dont think will be an indicator of the series ahead

I think we're going to brush them aside with ease this series. We have a much better bowling attack. We gave away half of our wickets today and the weather didnt go according to plan. Think we will skittle them for less than 200 if we get a few early doors tomorrow.

Don't think we'll hammer them - still too many questions over the top order recently getting themselves in then getting out. 3rd time in the last 18 months the top 6 have all reached double figures without one of them passing 50.

As good as our attack is, you can't rely on the bowlers to bail you out defending scores of 200-300 all the time.

Three wickets already this morning- for anyone else outside the uk there's a perfectly legal stream on YouTube for most countries- ECBCricket. Loving watching this from a balcony in Malta!

I pity anyone with tickets for the weekend.  This test is going to be over in 3 days.

Ah, woke up just in time to see 4 wickets.

114 - 8

Ashton Agar is blatently blagging this at no 11!

Well, we had a good half an hour... (and Agar was definitely stumped from what I could tell?)

Ashton Agar, take a bow.  'Stumping' incident aside, incredible innings.

Love the ebb & flow of a game of test cricket.

Sorry it's late but what a fantastic day I had yesterday at Trent Bridge! On the tv 4 times, sat 2 rows in front of the fanatics, the view was great, the beers were cold and the cricket was well...not how I expected. A great fightback from England last night, hoped they would finish off the Aussies earlier than they did but still did a good job! Jimmy had the crowd going last night and when it was announced we would bat under yesterday's conditions I'm not sure many people were too keen on us batting first and not exploiting a swinging pitch with the best swing bowler in the world playing.

Come on England!!!

England 11/2 .... Root and Trott gone ..... Starc on a hat trick!

BIG BIG TROUBLE!

This is KP's chance to make a big score when England really need it.

Well, this is a terrible start...

This is embarrassing - a debut no 11 can make it easier than an opening batsman and a normally reliable no 3.
I knew it wouldn't pay to be overly confident about our chances in this series.

Went out at 120/9

What the actual fuck.

2 runs ahead at the mo - bit of digging in going on

Does make you wonder how a number 11 on debut can score near on a ton and our top 6 batsmen go so cheap, esp when you consider the aussies batting line up was supposed to be their weakness AND we have the best bowler on view in JA

I guess its why test cricket is so enthralling
Ebb and flow

IF we manage to get a decent lead its ours for the taking

IF  :clap:

So, on watching the highlights, Agar was out twice in one ball on six- caught and then stumped. Thanks Mr Erasmus.

Still, can't take anything away from the debutant as he was changeless after that and showed a whole lot of more distinguished batsmen up. Suspect that's the last time he'll bat at number 11 in his career.

Smart play from Lehman. Wouldn't have picked him in the first place if he didn't think he could do a job, but puts him at 11 to keep the pressure off. Agar rises to the challenge and won't bat 11 again. He'll be coming out at 3 or 4 the way the rest of them are going.

Top knock. Loved the grin and shrug of the shoulders when he got out. Top lad, fair fucks.

We'll still fucking pump 'em.

Great day of cricket ahead. You almost get bored of hearing how matches like this show the supremacy of Test cricket, but it's so true. Now our middle order has to fire, and bat as long as they can because the pitch will only get tougher. I fancy Root may have a role to play with the ball if it starts to turn as much as they expect. Ideally, we don't want them batting until mid morning or lunchtime tomorrow.

I'm going today. Can't wait but this could still easily go either way. I'll be happy if we bat all day drifting along at less than 3 an over mind. Need to set it up today and tomorrow.

He had a crap day did Erasmus, Trott was not out and Agar was!!

Nice & boring first hour.  Just what was needed.  I'm going to stop writing now for fear of jinxing it.

For the love of god man

Oh dear.  My apologies.  KP gone for 64.

Bad to worse.  I'm gone now.  Over & out.

England 91 ahead with 6 wickets left at lunch.

New nut due in 8 overs.

The session between lunch and tea actually will decide who wins the first test IMO.

Need one of IB, JB or MP to get a hundred and we'll be alright,

We've had a few issues with the TV umpire over the last few weeks, when you consider Bell was given out in the CT final, when most observers would say he had enough over the line to be given not out.

Bell certainly had more over the line than Agar had yesterday !!

That's what we were saying last night about KP and Cook, though.

But someone needs to put some runs on the board. This session is critical.

Blimey!  Bell saved by the technology.  Commentators on TMS (except Boycott) convinced he had gone.

Has the pitch really changed that much since yesterday when a number 11 hit 98? I suppose it has been a hot couple of days.

Prior gone!  Lead 153 ...... SHIT FUCK BOLLCKS

Ian Bell is playing the kind of innings Ian Bell gets mountains of stick for not playing. 200 the lead and every run is helping massively from here, another 50 and we should be safe.

That should jinx it nicely

I did consider that but me not posting isn't exactly sending us on the way to a crushing victory either.

Shocking....got to walk for that.

How on earth has he got away with that!

Even in the Ashes you have to walk for something like that.

And then Haddin drops Bell. Quite funny really.

I don't have the sound on but is that just cheating?

Just looked again....maybe it bounced off the pitch?

Off the pitch? He's hit the cover off it!

Should have walked.

How the fuck did the umpire not see that though?! Hardly feathered it through did he.

Thats what i thought....cannot believe he never got the finger.

Let's play a game.  We're currently 232 ahead.  What lead would we need, in your view, to have

(a) a 50% chance of winning; and
(b) a 75% chance of winning.

I'll start.

(a) 250 runs
(b) 320 runs

I think we're past 50% already and 280 is 70%

250 lead is a 75% chance of winning.......300 about 95%

Disagree

It's the umpires job to give him out - none of the down under thieves would have .......

I like Broad even more now for that... stroll up to Bell as if nothing has happened. Excellent.

If we're going to invest our faith in the honesty of the batsmen, then if Broad should walk when he knows he's nicked it, Trott should be able to refuse to leave the field when he knows he's hit it onto his pads.

Putting myself in the shoes of Broad, I don't think I would have walked.. I don't think many people would have.

Would like to see walking but accept in hindsight that its not common now- Sky just shown one of Clarke hitting it into his thigh guard, being caught and not walking from the last series so what goes around comes around.

261 lead - 110%

Job done. Clarke and Watson apart the Aussies are pony.

Think England are 80% if they don't get another run.

As Bell and Broad have proved you can stay in but scoring unless the ball is really short or really full is tough. Also expect Swann/Anderson to find that bit more out the pitch ...

At the end of the day the Aussies had two reviews to use on 'poor' umpire decisions...and they've used both up.

As you mentioned, the Clarke incident when Pietersen got him out in the last series, when England had to review the incident to get him out despite him hitting it off the face off the bat onto his thigh guard.

And anyway, aren't we due a bit of luck considering the Agar and Trott incidents yesterday.

Glenn McGrath talks sense (for once)...

  Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath, BBC Test Match Special
"DRS was brought in to correct obviously wrong decisions and that is how captains should use it. Alastair Cook does just that, he is very sparing with it, and hopefully Michael Clarke does the same after this."

The Aussies wrote the book on not walking and saying it's the umpires call.

Can't feel any sympathy for them, Broad did the right thing.

Quite right. You waste your reviews on stupid appeals then you can't moan when a fucking stupid decision costs you a wicket. Those appeals are supposed to prevent howlingly bad decisions. Piss them away on nothing and you've only got yourself to blame.

I have to agree with DMR. I think the jobs done. Whatever they put on tomorrow morning will be insurance. It's set to be even hotter tomorrow, so I'm hoping the pitch will bake a bit more, get dustier, slower, more uneven and more difficult to score on, and then break up a bit to give Swann something to play with.

If the kid at number 11 tries to play the sort of innings he did in the first I think he'll find he has a bit of a different experience.

Re. the Agar incident yesterday, apparently Aleem Dar was watching the incident on the big screen, and so certain that Agar was out, he gave Swann his cap back as he thought it was the end of the innings.

This test reminds me of the many games over many years when England were the big underdogs,and we got a good sniff of winning and before you know it that sniffle is wiped out.


England strong favourites now.

I've always had a soft spot for Ian Bell. He's a lovely batsman to watch, but he's the England player that has got me into more arguments than any other.

He disappoints so often that when he walks to the crease I'm almost holding my breath willing him to do well. Thank fuck he's managed to hold his concentration today.

And fuck me I've just seen the Broad "catch" on the highlights. That is fucking funny! I think Clarke might have a stroke.

Clarke 'walking' after hitting the ball...Adelaide 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDA_vCl2yGc

I'm with you there - for me one of the most stylish batsmen to watch.  You can always rely on him to produce an innings just in time not to be dropped.  It would be good if he did it a bit more frequently but the wait is worth it.

Good day for England, I think if we can bat the morning session we'll go a fair way to batting Australia out of the game! Hopefully Ian Bell can complete the ton and Broady can go on to 50 and hang around for a bit. 320 lead would be great IMO!

FWIW if I was Broady I wouldn't have walked and I don't walk when I play; Umpires job to give you out!

Agree with the 320 point.

Totally disagree with not walking. No matter how you look at it, he cheated. No different to Maradonna's 'Hand of God' imho

But they won the world cup and no one outside of England gave a fuck.

The Jocks did

I don't much like cricket, let alone understand it properly, but I still want us to batter the Aussies.

For that reason the principles of fair play should be abandoned, let the umpires do the umpiring. It may not be cricket, but stuff it!

That's fair enough NMH, as I said I believe it's up to the umpire to make the decision. It's evened itself out a little as I don't think Root knicked it but was given out, and the same with Trott when he was given out lbw when it looked as if he knicked it and there was no hotspot available...that's cricket as they say.

You won't see an Aussie batsman walking in their 2nd innings.

2 bad decisions went against England yesterday, 1 went for us today.

Seems fair to me - just like penalty decisions with those cheating scumbag footballers - things will equal out over the course of 5 days (or in the case of the Aussies, 4 days)

Clarke wasted their last review yesterday on a ridiculous lbw call. Tough shit!

And I do seem to remember Clarke not walking in a ashes game when he had clearly nicked it!!  What goes around comes around - just wonder what the aussie papers are saying this morning.  Siddall had the right attitude in my opinion when he said this sort of thing happens and we just get on with it.

The technology has been introduced now where you can disagree with the umpire and ask for a second look. The sport is professional now, not what it used to be (and not entirely in a bad way).

If it was me playing Sunday cricket then I would have walked. If it was me in a professional test match where the opposing teams have access to, and have used, their second calls, then fuck it, I'm staying in. Their own fault for not judging the situation correctly.

A low-key apology to the Australian captain after the game would be sporting and in the nature of the game.

I think it was Atherton who was called a "fucking cheat" by the wicketkeeper in Australia during the Ashes, and he just replied "When in Rome dear boy." The Aussies have done, and will do exactly the same thing time and time again.

Lead past 300 now, Bell (109) just got out...not too far away from posting the 320 I thought would be a good score last night.

Teams chasing 300 to win a test have lost 336...drawn 191...only 26 times have a team gone onto win while chasing over 300.

Source BBC TMS.

Glad that we've managed to recover and gain an encouraging lead, would have been very difficult protecting a lead of 180-200 odd.

Let the fireworks begin!

310 to win, this should be comfortable but I'm still going to be nervous until we're absolutely certain.

If their number 11 can get 98 then 310 doesn't feel very comfortable!  :D Think it may be close but we should be able to do it.

Based on the first half hour of batting Aus have every chance.  Pitch doesn't seem to have broken up and will be interesting to see what turn Swann gets out the omelettes.

It would be a record Trent Bridge 4th innings score from Australia to take this test.  We should win this.

I backed the Aussies at 13/8 just before lunch. They are now 8/11.

It seems to be a trend that in country rather than breaking up pitches seem to get flatter and slower.

We're in trouble here.

8/11 favourites? Blimey the gambling lines change fast, I still think we're favourites although obviously we need a wicket. Get this reversing and we'll be back on the attack

There u go!

Needed that.

227 needed with 9 left.

Hopefully one will bring two.  I think the key man is Rodgers.  Bags of experience in the UK. Plays it late.

Watson gets a start and fails to go on. Hands up who's surprised?

This fella Cowan seems determined to bag a pair

Cowan gone.  We needed that.

Massive session coming up. Assuming a full session Aus will be 70 or 80 short so it's all about how England can get.  I think they will need aus 7 down minimum

Huge session coming up with Clarke in and the possibility of a thunderstorm apparently...

Clarke edges behind and gone! And even better he's wasted a review when he knows he's hit it- none left for the Aussies now, excellent.

Smith goes next ball and they've got no reviews left, poetic fucking justice is delightful

Edit; Hughes given out lbw on review and I'm editing rather than posting a fourth Aussie wicket in a row- I'm enjoying this collapse mightily and I hope the rest of you are too.

Agar comes in at #8 - please don't score 98 lad.

Regarding reviews, Strauss said that when he was captain, all three of the bowler, the wicketkeeper and himself had to agree that they were going to review, which I'd expect Cook is also doing.

When he was in the field, Clarke was deciding on his own.

Agar gone which is a relief.

Poised wonderfully. Haddin is moving nicely now so hoping he falls soon.

The Ashes c Cook b Anderson

That last one was an absolute cracker

Anderson one more for a tenfer?

Anderson out of attack and Haddin targeting Finn

49 for aussies to win  :eek:

Still feeling confident.  If they score another 20, I won't be so sure.

I'm starting to get a little bit squeaky. Steve Finn needs to be banished to third man immediately. And twelfth thereafter.

well they have 18 of those 20
me no like this tightness

Nervy times.

Win or lose...this will go down as one of the great ones.

So far in this Test, Australia's last wicket has added 220 and rising for 1. Rest of the team - 348 for 18. (from Cricinfo- bloody hell!)

AAARGGHHFUCKOFFFINNJUSTFUCKOFF

Get Finn out !!!!!!!!!

This is just extraordinary.

If they go off for lunch I am going to lose it. Surely they wouldn't...

They will.  Probably with Australia needing 3 to win.

Only one over left, so probably 15 or so...this is painful. 40 minutes of torture is not in anyone's interests.

Well done umpires, fair play for playing another over pre-lunch.

One wicket. Twenty runs. Fourty minutes of feeling vaguely sick.

This is both brilliant and dreadful at the same time.

great finish to a quality test.

This. Can't believe it's become this close

Can't call this now.

What is it about the convict no 11s! >:(

I can't believe this, Edgbaston 05 revisted! 20 runs, 1 wicket...I'm nervous as fuck! Can't call this!

Both 10th wicket stands from Australia have been extraordinary.  Fair play.

This should be out

I love DRS.

Well I heard a nick.

Clear audio, tiny hotspot. Glenn McGrath not happy at all.

Dear fucking lord that was an excellent, excellent test match.

Definite snick behind, get in England and well played Jimmy Anderson, 10fer and has to be MoM!!! :clap: :beers:

Feel sorry for the Aussies.  All the decisions went against them and on another day they would have won that one.  Still all that matters is England won

Great test - deffo heard a nick on that

Would drop Finn next time around for sure
Still lets bask in the glory of unusually winning the first test

Not all the decisions (Root and Trott and Agar's stumping), but all the reviews- but we managed them better, they wasted theirs, we saved them for when they really mattered.

Snicko now confirms the edge.

Tiniest of hot spots there...even England players seemed unconvinced at first, though it certainly sounded like a nick.

Unlucky Australia, for a bunch of 'no hopers' as described by some in the media, they didn't half put up a good fight.

England were always ahead for me, when's the next match?

Rubbish. Agar should've been given out for 6 in the first innings, and Trott got an inside edge but the 3rd umpire still gave him out.

Of course, Haddin should have walked. Cheating scum, against the spirit of cricket blah blah yadda yadda

Thursday

Thursday at Lord's

Thursday at Lords

What a test match that was.

Poor ol' 'plucky' Australia. Fuck 'em. The nation that put is to the cricketing sword far too often, far too easily for far too long.
 
I'll become far more rational in a couple of hours.

Fuck rational and fuck the Ozzies

The footballisation of cricket is a shame. 'Fuck Australia' etc comments should be kept to the terraces not regarding the Ashes.If Bradman was around this days I suppose we could all call him a cunt and give him plenty of fuck offs. Brilliant.

Shame people can't support the cricket without having to go down the let abuse the opposition route.

Well played England and roll on Thursday, hope it's another close match, it's what makes the Ashes such a great series.

You're right. The final part of my post is cheerfully withdrawn.

:)

Okay then. One is highly delighted to have secured the First Test despite the best endeavors of our beloved defeated foe.

I'd happily tell Bradman he was a cunt. Footbalisation of cricket is nothing new in my house but then I footbalise nearly everything, shopping, politics, religion etc.
I also have a sneaking admiration for the Ozzies and what they nearly achieved but yes, fuck them.

They wouldn't have come close to winning had Agar been given out when he should have been in the first innings. So to say all the decisions went against them is utter rubbish.

228 runs for the last wicket in this Test by Australia...mad

I agree.  Very impressive.  Think we will win this series, but this Aussie side has fight...and youth on its side.  In 2017 when they're back here again (I think?), they will be formidable.  Transitional phase right now.

Hmmm im not so sure. I think they have good young players but they wont be the next Warne, Mcgrath etc.

Really we should have beaten them more convincingly this test. Batting and inability to polish the tail let us down a fair bit.

We normally start a series slowly, so to still win the Test, considering on day 2, two big decisions went against us.

Hopefully at Lords' they'll produce a wicket with a bit more pace and bounce that will more suit our attack, because the wicket at Trent Bridge seemed to negate Swann, as it was slow.

Don't follow cricket much, but the Aussie tail surely can't perform that well again. They will have to up their game to win, so can they up it that much?

The aussie batting line up were suspect from the start, the bowling lineup was known to be able to perform
I see them dropping Cowans - who they replace with is up for grabs.
Depends if they send Warner off to join the A tour or not

They can up their game and expect them to do so

If its a hard bouncy Lords track I see us playing the same team as that will suit Finn
If not then its Bresnan for me

Think that Trent Bridge pitch helped the aussies somewhat as did no favours for Swan or Finn
Anderson will perform no matter what as long as the ball swings

Needs our top 6 to go on and make a score instead of getting starts and out ( Bell aside )
Bairstow esp needs a score

Bresnan's fucking pump.

Compton for Bairstow, Root back to 6, Onions for Finn

I doubt there'll be much change to a winning team....Finn is the most vunerable, on the horses for courses bowling policy, I'd assume he's decent at Lords, without knowing.

Bresnan to come in for Finn for me. Not sure if it's the change in Finn's action that he's still getting used to...went at 5.33 an over in the 1st innings (2-80 off 15) and 3.7 an over in the 2nd innings but got it all wrong in a period that could have cost England the game. Bresnan also lengthens the batting. If it doesn't happen at Lords then I expect to see the change at some point in the series.

I've just finished watching Kerry Packer's war, a 3 hr tv film, on iPlayer. Not sure that it'll be available for much longer, but it's an absolutely superb watch for anybody remotely interested in cricket.

And we start all over again tomorrow. Unchanged for me, think Finn is the best of our third bowler options if we can get him into form and you'd hope playing at home might help him with that. Interesting that Tremlett has been training with England all week though.

Talking of playing at home, I'd recommend a bet on Chris Rogers top scoring in this one.

Agreed with the "home" observations, sticking with Finn for Lords makes sense. 

Tremlett can offer a different option - especially on a bouncy wicket like Perth this winter, so he may be in with a chance of an appearance later this summer, even if his form after injury isn't exceptional. 

Wish I was going, love a first day of a Lords test.

I'm hoping it goes down to the wire as I have a ticket for Monday, well excited  :)

Fantastic stuff, watched on BBC4 myself and gripped by how much that whole incident (and Packer) changed the game!

Finn I think will get the nod tomorrow, purely down it being his home ground but if he doesn't bowl well then I expect Bresnan to come in at Old Trafford.

Wish I too was going, but sadly will be at work reading cricinfo updates! Missed out on Lords tickets in the ballot, but looking forward to going OT and The Oval!

England to win this test for me.

.

Exactly the same changes that I said to my mate last week.

Don't rate Bresnan either.

Aussies have dropped Cowan and Starc for Khawaja and Ryan Harris. Little bit nervous about Ryan Harris, if he stays fit he's a very good bowler indeed.

No England team news yet.

Totally agree Nemo. I rate Harris too unfortunately. Khawaja has looked reasonable when I've seen him as well. Can't be any worse than Cowan lets face it.

Not going to be easy this one I fear.

Agree - Harris is a top class paceman. Bowled really well at us when we did see him in Oz.

Still think they'll stick with Finny.

I think they will too, home ground and all that. I like Finny but he's not bowling in his usual rhythm at the moment. We'll soon see if that's the right call I suppose.

Also notable that they've dropped their left arm seamer- Swann will be gutted.

Bres for Finn then. Sorry Dave.

We've won the toss. Just need to bat for 2 days now. Simple!

On the bright side, Bresnan has a better test average than Bairstow :D

Fuck off Bresnan

FWIW i like Bres. He's no world beater but is pretty steady. Can see why the selector's have gone with him.

Cook out already  :badmood:

Root gone lbw too, referring but doesn't look good.

Ooh he's hit it...he didn't look confident at all, wonder if he knew at all? But possibly pad first, this is a big call either way...gotta stay with the umpire's call for me but close.

Gone. 26/2 on a storming batting pitch, just need to get to lunch with no more casualties and we'll get to 400

That's out

KP caught behind, two for Harris. Holy crap.

Awful start.

Oh, fucking hell

I blame Jed.

Fuck me sideways

Thought my bet on Cook top scoring this innings was fucked. Now I'm not so sure...

How could everyone (and I do mean everyone) collectively underestimate this Aussie side to the extent that they have?

Cos they are still going to get dicked

Nothing unusual about a shitty English first innings

Ummm, sorry Ardiles.

I don't think anyone said they couldn't bowl. Everyone said they couldn't bat, and they haven't exactly proved that wrong yet barring a (touch wood) freak innings from Agar.

The surprise, if there is one, is that England appear to have a "fuck up the first innings" policy

Because they are shite we just keep giving our wickets away cheaply.

Ashes on Youtube, nice!

This thread needs it's title changing. Remove the quotation marks from summer, and instead insert around "cricket"

I was discounting you, Reg.  You always think everything's shit.   :D

They're fucking rubbish.

Watson's a good cricketer, Pup is world class and Harris and Pattinson are decent bowlers. They've got some passengers.

Don't confuse England underperforming for the Aussies being underrated.

Bairstow clean bowled Siddle for 21.

...Aaaaand it's a no ball. Tehehe. More than a little bit lucky, I hope he capitalises but horrible technique playing across the line. Bairstow for me has a touch of the Eoin Morgans about him, plenty of shots but not good enough in defence. I hope I have to eat these words when he brings up his ton shortly before the close tonight.

From 28-3 to 183-4.  Sound response.  Clawed it back towards respectability.

100 up for Bell

Back to back hundreds, both when needed desperately by the team. He'll be delighted with that and so he should be.

My only worry is that thinking back to 2005 edition Ian Bell makes me worried that Steve Smith and Phil Hughes might be quite good after all in 2017.

Out to Steve Smith, that's faintly embarrassing. Decent ball though, and we'll let him off after 109

After seeing Smith bowl, I think Swanny could get a few wickets on this pitch.

Where's Mexico Red?

Matt Prior has undone an excellent 2yrs in the last 3 innings. What a spineless cunt. Get your head down you fucking drip.

"That's my natural game" fist yourself you prick

Ah that feels better

Never thought I'd see the day Ian Bell was carrying England in The Ashes.

Haven't seen too much of the day except up until Bell got his ton...Bresnan for Finn, I'm happy with...I like Bresnan and think he'll come good. Now is the time for him to show it...If England can get past 300 with Anderson still in, they should be looking at 350+! From what I've heard 400 is about par, but I'd back our attack to get a 1st innings lead....still all to play for!

Come on England!!!

Good assessment. Anderson just needs to hang round and be a nuisance in the morning. Easier said than done! I would have stuck with Finn but given the muddle we're in, an extra batsman may pay dividends.

You'd think they've picked Bresnan exactly for this type of situation...if he doesn't bat well, and bowls a load of tosh, then he hasn't done himself justice...fingers crossed he gets it right! Like you say Frigby easier said than done!

For those of us following the game online, what's the consensus about which is the best site?  I am alternating between TMS Commentary (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23365388) on the BBC and OBO (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/19/the-ashes-england-australia-live-report) (Over By Over) on the Guardian.  Comments on both are very entertaining.

I have been trying to find the facility on the Telegraph site that I remember from previous Ashes series where there is a real-time graph being plotted of win probabilities (%), which was a fantastic way to plot the 'ebb & flow'.  I can't find it this time around though.

Bresnan gone first ball!

Bresnan nicks behind first ball. Bugger.

Handy having Bresnan for his batting...

The Lords groundsman is genuinely called Mike Hunt. Excellent.

I'm fairly relaxed now we're past 300.  Not a record breaking total, but enough to be fairly sure that Australia are unlikely to have much a first innings lead.  If the tail can dig in and stay in for most of this session, I'll be happy.

Anderson gone.  So much for digging in.

48 added by the 10th wicket now, and I have all of no sympathy for the Aussies whatsoever after Agar!

All this final wicket stand proves is par is 450ish.

I fancy the Aussie to have a lead here.

Chris Rodgers with all his county experience at Lords. Clarke back of 2 failures.

All done for 361, that's not bad at all from 27/3, a shade below part but nothing disastrous and not a surprise as both teams bowl better than they bat. Going to be interesting to see how Swann bowls after Smith's exploits last night.

Let's do a sweep on their first innings total.  I'm going lower at 345.

290, Rogers to top score. We're too good for them :D

Ah, these new tinted specs are good, everything's a lovely shade of rose.

270 max

Watson gets a start and gets out lbw. Shane Warne once described Monty Panesar as "playing the same test 32 times" and the same has to apply to Watson, he just does the same every time.

And he's wasted a review on something so plum you could make a pudding out of it.

400 plus is a par score on this wicket.  If the Aussies want any chance of winning though, they will need to be looking at getting 450-500 which i cant see them doing

That review was beyond stupid!

What the hell is Rodgers doing up the other end?  He should have told Watson to keep walking!  Have Aus not learnt from wasting reivew in the first test?

That's one of the worst balls ever to take a wicket in Tests I should think, a full toss into the groin and it's plump willy before wicket :D

Even better it was missing and would have been overturned on review but he's not reviewed it out of embarrassment and because Watson's already wasted one. Hilarious.

Shit balls get wickets as the saying goes!

Bresnan takes a second- Hughes caught behind and, as is now traditional for Aussies, wastes the review.

Thought we got lucky with that Hughes dismissal.

Now we need to do what they failed to do after 3 early wickets - and move in for the kill.

I love how with DRS we seem to be getting more bad decisions, drama and controversy rather than less.

Shouldn't this be in the new manager thread? I didn't think dean liked cricket.

Khawaja gone!  This is turning in to a terrible session for the Aussies.

That's the trouble with the system. If thete wasn't enough evidence to overall then the umpire was guessing in the first place. If he's not sure then it's not out.

I bloody told ya

I may have overestimated the Aussies!

Smith gone.  Score at 86-5.  If we can manage another couple of wickets quickly, the follow on becomes a possibility, surely.

The big one, Clarke gone.

Clarke now gone...91 for 6

361 looks a mile off.

Clarke lbw, he's furious but they've wasted both reviews. Think I'd stay out of Michael Clarke's way in the dressing room for the next few hours, he's going to be a touch sore.

TEF poll- should we enfore the follow on?

Clarke out lbw ... No reviews ... 91/6 ....

Given Watsons shocking review he wasted earlier if he and Clarke didnt get on befroe they certainly aint going to be getting on now!

Edit .... Think Clarke is just fucked how Aus have collapsed on a belter!

No. We've still got 3 and a half days to go, and it's bloody hot out there.

Important we give our bowlers a rest, and let them bat last on this wicket.

Something about not enforcing a follow on that feels awkward to me.  Seems the safer option.  But I wouldn't try to pretend I understand the intricacies.

No.  Get them back in the field especially with Agar having an hip injury.  Get the Aussies quicks having to bowl especially with dubious injury records and sap them in the field.  Also create extra rough for Swann in the 4th innings.

As a side note .... With no left armer in the Aus dressing room, i'd be telling Broad to go round the wicket to Agar to roughen up the area around and just outside the left handers off stump.

Agar run out!

Funny stuff this!

They are in such disarray that I'm really not convinced that the arguments in favour of a follow on not following on are that strong.  If we do manage to get the final three wickets in the next 10 to 15 overs of play, we could get them back in and maybe take a few scalps from their top order while they're still reeling.  Manage that, and the game could be as good as over by the end of the 2nd day.

Edit:  Oops.  Corrected above.

And Jimmy hasn't taken a wicket...yet !!!

Cook never follows on
No matter what the score

96 for 7 at tea
cracking days play

Fuck em.

Bat long. Really long.

You are always going against the belief however unlikely that Aus could somehow wangle a lead of 150-200 then England are chasing on a waring wicket becoming more partial to going up and down as well as encouraging turn.

is this still going on? thought it was done

You'd have never caught the 90s/early 00s Australian sides batting again. I say go for the jugular as Ardiles intimated above.

Anyway, in 2000+ Test matches teams have enforced the follow on and and lost only 3 Times.

And all 3 times it was the Aussies  :D

Most memorably against India in 2001 at Kolkata when VVS Laxman and Dravid batted all through a day.

The Aussies havent enforced the follow on since to many times. 

There goes Siddle.  Two to go.

And Haddin. 104/9.

And I thought 290 was rose tinted.

My 375 was a masterpiece of punditry.  I haven't got a fucking clue, and should never be let anywhere near a betting shop.

(Actually, my record there isn't that bad.  The last time I placed a bet in a bookies was at the start of the 1995/96 season when I put a £5 bet on a 12/1 that we would win the league that year.  Much to the disgust of the chap behind the desk, I collected my winnings 9 months later from a branch in Bristol.)

Micky Arthur is sat somewhere having a glass of wine and smoking a cigar thanking his lucky stars he got fired!  Darren Lehmann must be wondering what the fucks he's done wrong!

It's the second day. At Lords. In fantastic sunshine which is set to stay for the weekend.

They're not going to enforce the follow-on and end this two days early are they?

All gone for 128

128 All out...lead of 233.

128 all out.  Lead of 233.

Cook and Root running off to bat.

Bat for a day and make hay .... Aus will need 600 when there openers return!

Be interesting to see how long they bat for?  Will probably try and bat until Sunday and maybe declare an hour or so before lunch?  Alot depend on how quick England score.  Bit knock for Joe Root, could do with a score.

wow its true - the ashes are second only to the Ryder cup in terms of excitement.................

Anyone beginning to feel just that little bit sorry for the Aussies?

Nope. They weren't sorry for us when they beat us 5-0 !!

And to top it off, Root edges...and Haddin and Clarke look at each other !!

This is still not as bad as Boxing Day 2010 at the MCG for the Aussies.

That will take some beating as one of the worst cricketing days for Australia, in front of 90,000...or 10,000 Poms at the end of the day's play.

What a strange day of cricket, and it hasn't finished yet! England 23-2 with a lead of 256...I'd potentially say that's enough already as this pitch is going to spin more and more then next 2 days! I can't see it lasting much more than the morning session of Day 4 at this rate! England's bowlers did the job and Swanny bowled excellently...set up for a match haul of 10 wickets+ for him!

Classic sensible KP innings.

KP gone! 30-3, and here comes Bresnan!

I love KP but my god

Have to say after the second innings of the first test when England were in a bit of trouble I thought perhaps he had got rid of that perception of not scoring runs when coming in to bat in a bit of a crisis situation.

I guess not :(

Today was hardly a crisis

Maybe not in match terms, but 22-2 is hardly a flying start to an innings.

That wasn't even a "KP being KP" and throwing the bat a bit too enthusiastically moment. That just seemed fucking careless

Like he couldn't care less....shows how low the Aussies are,we are trouncing them with a poor playing KP in tow....though to be fair it was a decent second innings knock in the first test.

But no worries he will come good in Australia...where there will be more of a challenge on and off the square.

No...and no...and no

I'm extremely happy that the Aussies are in a sorry state.

Comment from TMS earlier:

Rule #1:  Never feel sorry for the Aussies
Rule #2:  Never underestimate the Aussies

The mini-collapse at the end just a reminder that this isn't over yet.

Pissed off that we keep gifting them stupid wickerts. A wicketless score at the close and its all over. Tbh though anything over 350 in a 4th inninga chase is very tough to get especially with the pitch cracking up.

I hope we batter them and take a 2-0 lead. I honestly think a 5-0 is on the cards here if the weather holds for the rest of the series.

Another 140 runs today and that's a 400 lead. I'll be comfortable then. Yes they capitulated the last inning but don't forget they nearly knocked off well over 300 last Test. Need to bat them out the game. Easier to take wickets then too. Don't give the convicts a sniff.

I'll be happy with a 450 run lead; I can't see the Aussies getting anywhere near that but always nice to have some comfort! Another 200 runs today and we'll bat them out the game!

I'm feeling sleepy just listening to TMS today.

TMS online commentary is very slow.  Bell's wicket took ages to come up.

Turning the screw now.  This is quite important, the way I see it.  It's starting to redress all those humiliations we suffered at the hands of the Aussies during the 1990s and early 2000s.  A whitewash is  the target now.  5-0 a possibility.  10-0 by next Jan/Feb...you can dream.

Will probably see an overnight declaration I reckon with an lead in excess of 550.

Root flawless today, Bell imperious bar the incident on 3 when he should have gone.

Interesting to see Clarke hasn't taken the new ball, probably to save the 3 seamers.

As a side point I think Bell was out on 3.  Time and time again we see these decision complicated by TV over the 2D/3D issue.  I think umpires should take more responsibility with those as there was nothing blocking the umpires view.

9 days between the end of this and the start of the third test.  Aus have plenty to contemplate.  Warner will be back from Zimbabwe and I suspect  he will come back in almost certainly at 3.  Lyon will probably replace Agar.

Based on Warners scores in Zimbabwe I'm not so sure. If they do I don't think we have too much to worry about.

Get the fuck in there! Brilliant day! Nice work Rooty lad. Hammer them into the ground and now skittle em. This is payback for many years of pain as I grew up.

KP to be monitoring ahead of 3rd test with a calf strain.

If he misses out I imagine James Taylor would be favourite to get a call up, though would love to see Carberry get a chance.

Me too FCB. Carberry has been in great form for Hants this season. Fear he may get overlooked based on age but mainly because he opens.

May as well play with 10. Wont really notice the difference. KP has been shite.

Might as well bat on for another hour and get a lead in excess of 600, leaving us around 160 overs to get them out.

Cannot see the point of not taking the new ball this evening. All Smith and Agar bowled was declaration filth, whilst the seamers were keeping the run rate down.

Cant help thinking that the powers to be behind the scenes have had a little influence on this match...all days are sold out and this match would have finished by now i reckon if we had enforced the follow on.

Not saying its a bad thing by the way.

Let Rooty get 200 and declare.

Would be surprised if we need more than 3 sessions to bowl these chumps out.

all over by tea.

The Aussies are never going to score over 500 in a day ;)

First target for the Aussie "Vincibles" is 174 - or the 65 year record winning margin (in runs) for any Lords Test - will fall. 

136-6 at tea. You know it's your day when you choke the Aussie captain down the leg side with a leg slip.

Last wicket harsh...no hot spot. Not that it will make any difference though to the final result.

He's fucking smashed it

I'm in favour of DRS (not that one) but Jesus they're implementing it badly. How hard is it to say stick with the on field call unless you're 100% stonewall sure.

By the way, Oz are cack and it's beautiful.

The problem is not with DRS, but with the umpires using it.

It also doesn't help that their are only 4 non-English/Aussie umpires on the elite panel currently.In fact there is talk that Billy Bowden will be put back on it before the Ashes series in Oz.

All done in four days for 347 runs.

Arf.

Also, I have two spare tickets for the first day's play in Manchester (Thursday 31st) that I no longer need. Anyone on here fancy them?

Another fantastic win for England! It's great seeing the Aussies get fucking smashed, a 5-0 whitewash is on the cards! Joe Root well deserved MoM IMO, under a little bit of pressure going into the 2nd innings and he comes up with 180...he's young, but a class act and a much better bet than Compton. KP injured, but I think he'll be fine for OT. If he's not I think it will be James Taylor although I'd like Varun Chopra to be given a chance at somepoint. He's scored a lot of runs the past few seasons for Warwickshire and wouldn't be a bad shout either.

Can't wait to go to Old Trafford, hope the weather stays fine and there is a lot more Aussie bashing coming this series!

  You know he was given out LBW?

I posted that straight after Agar's wicket before the game had finished, given out by 3rd umpire but no hot spot.

Off to Manchester Wednesday night, have tickets for Days 1, 3 and 4 so if we could retain the Ashes late on Day 4 that would be fucking smashing.

Taylor likely to come in for KP if he's injured, few other changes to the squad but don't expect any other changes. Talk of two spinners is fanciful, although Australia appear to be genuinely considering it- considering they don't have one good spinner, that seems silly. Although both Agar and Lyon are probably better batsmen than their top 6, so perhaps that's the logic, fill up on tail enders and then score 400.

What does the weather forecast looks like... we've not had a rain for 2 Tests and there seems plenty around atm, just in time for Old Trafford. Still a rain affected draw, would be enough to retain the Ashes.

Not really sure why Lyon hasn't played, he has looked by far and away the best of the bunch that the Convicts have tried in recent years...and at a decent age, whereby he should improve

Forecast is a bit of rain here and there but shouldn't lose masses of time. Bit of cloud cover wouldn't go amiss for the hometown bowler either.

Lyon is fine but nothing more, and the Aussies can't cope with that- they dropped Hauritz similarly as they're desperately searching for the attacking spinner they just don't have any more. Lyon/O'Keeffe as a Giles-type holding bowler who bats a bit is the best they can hope for right now.

I'm going up for Day 2 Nemo and staying over the Friday night! Weather forecast looks better Thursday/Friday now but Saturday/Sunday don't look the best!

Surprised at the Tremlett for Finn option, like Tremlett myself but he's been fairly quiet since coming back from injury to displace Finn?? Can't see Panesar playing...it's a home test match for one and we all know he only plays away! I can't see KP missing an Ashes test match and think the Taylor selection is just a precaution!

I think England will try and play the same 11, whch mean Tremlett and Panesar won't play. This way it means both Finn and Onions will both play in Championship games this week and get some bowling in the middle. Of course, the 4th test is at Durham, so he becomes an option especially if England starts to rest some bowlers with a view of the Ashes down under.

Not a bad shout! Win this test and the series (and Ashes) are ours once again! A long Winter ahead may mean we see the likes of Onions (Durham-4th test) and Tremlett (Surrey-5th test) play at their home ground. I do think like you Summerof69 England will try to play the same team where possible, but nice to have the options available should we win the series in the next test match.

I'm not sure England would ever rest Anderson for an Ashes match, regardless of whether it's in the bag.

I think that it's more a case of keeping Tremlett and Panesar involved in the squad because you'd expect both to be taken down under.

A spinning, bouncing deck with a bit of moisture around.

Fuck me if we need 3 days I'll be suprised.

Apparently they've sold 15,000 tickets for day 5.

Did like this though...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2381420/Ashes-2013-Jimmy-Anderson-welcome-Manchester-billboard.html

I have tickets for Day 4, it would be nice if they could at least make it to tea!

A lunchtime finish followed by 6 hours in the pub before you're expected back home does have its consolations though

My train's on Monday, I could get 24 hours in a pub in!

I'm with Nemo. It better go to 4 days. Nice 5:30pm finish as we wrap up the game and the Ashes would be ideal.

I'm not asking for much.

Just noticed the draw for the 2015 WC and we've got the Aussies first game again...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23493953

Weather for weekend looks a bit shit!

Sheesh.  This pitch is turning big for a match only 40 overs into a test match.

Its a pretty poor surface really. Anything over 300 and Australia well in the game.

Should always pick Monty

Tony fucking Hill, what the actual fuck?

Fucking cheating scumbag. The only, and I mean ONLY, reason he can not give that is because he know he fucked up Khawaja earlier.

This is a farce.

It's only cricket, Dave...

Must... not... bite... It's the fucking Ashes!

:fishing:

That's OK, let them bat for a couple of days. Let the rain take up a day and a half. Take a draw and the Ashes are still ours.

Well that wasn't the best. Had some Town fans a few rows behind me though, at one point I heard Jay McEveley described as a working class hero.

Smith was plum but que sera, Broad very unlucky today, beat the outside edge 5-6 times. Need early wickets tomorrow, not out of this yet

Tim Bresnan is fucking dump

Pitch still looking pretty flat as the Aussies near 500...

We'll see how we bat on this but there's no reason we can't score 500 too.

Right, the declaration makes things interesting. Just seem Warner's review- hilariously bad

I reckon the Aussies were 150 under par!

But bizarre to pull out when runs were so easy to come by.

Way England have started I reckon they could get up to or maybe a bit beyond Aus and turn up the heat in the 3rd innings.

The additional factor will be then Swann will have footmarks from the left armer to work with as well.

Get to 500+ by lunch day 4 and see if we can bowl them out.

Lyon all over Cook here

Root a bit negative as well. 1 off 40-odd. Don't get bogged down.

A fucking nightwatchman ?  What the fuck?!  :blowup:

worked like a charm

Clarke doesn't review an lbw decison on KP...only to be told from the dressing room the ball was hitting and would've been given out.

Watson, who was bowling and wanted a review, is not a happy bunny.

That is really going to help their strained relationship.

Still yet to be convinced about Bairstow.

Gives his wicket away far too cheaply too often for me

Good innings from Pietersen today, enjoyed the two consecutive sixes from Lyon. We gave a few wickets away at unfortunate times but we're not a million miles behind, gotta remember that Haddin & Starc had a merry old thrash to inflate their score. Hopefully our last four can add some and avoid the follow on.

The weather forecast for Sunday and Monday is pretty poor so we should have a draw as the most likely result. Would be a shame to win the Ashes like that but I think I'd get over it.

Whatever happens at OT there are two more tests to hammer them and drive home our superiority.

Sure we do, I just don't get to see four days of those two in person!

I think some of stick Bairstow has got has been unfair.

His problem has been he has spent too much time in the winter just gone and this summer so far carrying drinks.

In the winter he didnt play in any of the 20/20 or one dayers or the warm up games in NZ and was then asked to come into a test on the back of not having held a bat since the 2nd in India which was around 3 months back.

Same kind of issue this summer really, he made a terrific 150 for Yorkshire and that would have been the time for him to have been playing for England but instead he spent 5 weeks in the Champ trophy squad not playing and then is put in the ashes team when he hasnt held a bat in anger for a while.

While generally most players have been handled well, I think Bairstow could have been dealt with better.

Enjoyed my day at Old Trafford Friday...great weather compared to what I expected/what the forecast said! Shame the Aussies made 500+, the last stand between Haddin/Starc was close to 100...England came out very negatively with 2 and a bit hours of play left so no surprise Joe Root got out. Had 3 fights in the stand I was in between England/Aussies... and compared to Trent Bridge more people were pissed up early in the afternoon than just before the end!

As for yesterday, KP batted extremely well, looks like we lost wickets at crucial times again....Harris bowling really well though, should be a draw though!

Michael Clarke justs makes himself popular with another one of his team mates, but getting them run out.

It's raining.

It's pissing down at OT, no chance of any more today. Going tomorrow too, probably will be no play but if it is, we retain.

Terrible review from Cook there... and a shocking start.

don't panic, there's no way we'll get much play today:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/old-trafford-lancashire-ccc#?tab=fiveDay&fcTime=1375653600

Don't speak too soon, looking out of the office window inthe middle of Manchester at the moment and we have some blue sky and sun!

There appears to be a whole heap of wet stuff heading in Manchester's direction. Give it an hour or two:

http://www.raintoday.co.uk/

Good stuff although if we could have a dry spell from say 1700-1720 whilst I walk to station and catch train that would be handy!

With the start we've made, the sooner the better...

If anything weathers getting better in Manchester at the moment....

do a fucking rain dance then

KP Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear, a case of the last day jitters....27-3....come on rain!

Eh? He's not touched it has he?

Gone the noise and rightly so!

Its suddenly got very windy so fingers crossed the rubbish weather is on the way.

We are doing our best here.

He's fucking missed that

Come on Manchester - bring on the rain!!!!

The rain radar doesn't lie. That'll be us retaining the Ashes now (unofficially, when will they call it, 6pm?). Mwhahahahaha.

If it keeps chucking it down...Sooner !!

Apparently 5pm at the moment when a decision is made... can't see any more play today...oh what a shame  :)

I've officially called it and left the ground, 20 overs today is probably more than anticipated it and 300 ish across the four days I've been here better than I dared hope.

Job done, Ashes retained. Now for some sheen over those last two tests. Onions in at Durham I think.

Play abandoned. Bit of an anti-climax to retain the Ashes...

I'll take it...been out all afternoon, it was supposed to piss down here and didn't...we'd deffo lost without the weather.

Fuck nose why we're playing the next match at Chester le Street....probably be snowing...

England retain the Ashes and Rolf Harris has been arrested. It is not a good day to be Australian.

Tory peers usually spout utter bollocks, so it's unusual for one to get something right.

Been a funny old series so far...think in every match England have been about 30-3 at some point in either or both innings. Siddle and Harris have got better hauls or averages than England's seamers, Clarke is second leading run scorer, when he's only seemed to play one innings.

Big difference has been Graham Swann and Ian Bell  :o with Jimmy and KP chipping in.

Ooh and mustn't forget young Root...

Good to retain The Ashes so early on, it will be great to go on and win the series next week at Durham. I don't think England have played the best cricket they can do, but they've been better than Australia. 3 matches into what is effectively a 10 match test series and the Aussies have shown in this test match what they can do. Hope it's just a one off!

Bizarre story about Monty Panesar in the Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/england-cricketer-monty-panesar-sorry-for-urinating-on-bouncers-after-being-kicked-out-of-brighton-nightclub-8749487.html).  Completely humiliates himself just as he's about to be called back in to the side.  What a tool.

Cricket star Monty Panesar today “apologised unreservedly” for urinating on bouncers who kicked him out of a club.

After he was thrown out for allegedly pestering a group of women, the England bowler went up to the prom above the beachfront nightspot and relieved himself on the doormen below.

They gave chase and cornered the Ashes star in a pizza restaurant, before putting him in an arm-lock and dragging him back to the club in tears.

Panesar was kept in a holding room for 45 minutes - with the bouncers apparently taking pictures of him - until police arrived and fined him £90.

He is believed to have been at a vodka bar earlier in the evening.

Panesar, 31, who had just been named in the 14-man England squad for the next Ashes Test match, had been in Brighton’s trendy Shooshh nightclub which was hosting a Gay Pride event.

A group of girls complained that he was hassling them, so he was asked to leave.

A source close to the star told the Standard Panesar had not intended to urinate on the bouncers, saying: “It was completely out of character - he didn’t mean to wee on them, it was just high-jinx.”

His spokeswoman said Panesar did not dispute what had happened and said he wanted to express his “unreserved apologies to anyone he has offended”.

She added: “His club Sussex have launched an official inquiry in accordance with their official procedures so until that is complete we can say nothing further.”

A spokesman for Sussex police said: “A 31-year-old man received a fixed penalty notice for being drunk and disorderly after being seen urinating in public near the Shooshh Club at around 4.13am on Monday.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Monty....

:D

I see the Aussies are sore losers...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23598798

Shane Watson just looks like a cunt!

That's because he his !!

4th test in Durham starts today with Onions likely to replace Anderson (rested) on his home ground. Glad for him, he's been the best bowler in the CC for two seasons and come back from a horrendous injury that would have finished a lot of careers.

Jackson Bird believed to be starting for the Aussies, not sure who for but I guess Harris, no way he plays three back to back tests without legs falling off. Bird is a good bowler but would be glad to see the back of Harris.

Looks like it is Bird for Starc.

Michael Vaughan has just tweeted it looks like no Anderson? Mental!

Dry pitch with some plates already moving.

Scrap that .... England unchanged!

England unchanged? Blimey Twitter's been going round in circles this morning. Feel for Onions.

Bresnan and Bairstow seem undroppable but are both dump.

Unbelievable that Onions missed out.

Onions massively unlucky. Don't get that Bres hatred in particular. He's done alright!

I do think that Onions would have played had his batting been as good as Bres or Broady's though. Naturally England won't admit that though.

Bresnan has a better batting and bowling average, and more wickets, than Shane Watson over the last year or so. Perhaps we should open with him.

Going to this on Monday, staying in Durham. Glad Jimmy is playing.

anyone got a decent stream for this? I've watched the last two tests on the ECB's youtube page but it's fucking hopeless today, pauses every couple of seconds.

Blimey, hotspot gets one right!

this thread has been a bit quiet today

(http://i.imgur.com/PMYlqDZ.gif)

Er, yes. Painful to watch. I have no problem whatsoever with scoring at 2 an over if you lose one wicket a session. HOWEVER, if you bat at 2 an over and lose wickets every bit as regularly as you would going along at 3.5-4 then that is bloody dreadful. Nathan Lyon, who isn't a great spinner by any means and wasn't turning it, has just taken four wickets on Day One with slow-medium pace bowling essentially.

Bairstow is the 2013 edition of 2005 Bell/2009 Bopara, about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Bell's shot was braindead and the worst dismissal but at least he's been good in the series up until now.

Without wishing to jerk knees all over the place, Root to 6 and Carberry to open with Cook.

I thought Boycott and Tavare had been picked.

Yet again England being timid when they should be putting the boot into the Aussies.

Pisses me off no end.

And bang goes Durham getting a test that lasts 5 days

Boycott and Tavare would have been 150/0 at the close. No problem with playing defensively if you have the mental strength to not lose patience and hoik it to a fielder or edge behind.

Suicidal batting again today
May be a slow pitch but a couple of players showed you can score quick - Trott for one and Anderson at the close making the other batsmen look clueless
Usual cameo from KP

Noone seems to be able to bat all day these days - 30/40 and they think its a decent score

Aussie spinner did well today and hopefully Swann will be able to mirror that

Hope Anderson/Bresnan manage to put on another 50 or so tomorrow to give the bowlers something to bowl at

Not knee jerk at all Nemo, exactly what I said to myself earlier. Carbs is in form and Bairstow needs to be taken out of the firing line at least temporarily. His natural game is an attacking one but the way the rest of our top order have been batting it doesn't really allow him to play his natural game. He's trying to consolidate and it's just not working for him at the moment.

Still think we win this Test.

Great sides don't change a great deal...we are unbeaten in three this series and Bairstow could come good.
Took Bell years to get to where he is now....Carbs for one day no doubt...Test player i am not so sure.

It took Bell years and being dropped twice. If Bairstow is good enough, he'll come back in future. Right now we're carrying him to the extent we were carrying Bopara in 2009, and he got dropped for a chap called Ian Jonathan Leonard Trott who's done quite well.

From what I remember (and startlingly in hindsight), Trott was considered more of a one day player too. First came to prominence in the T20!

Bairstow ain't good enough. Root not ready for opening. Get Compton back in.

As for carrying Chavi, at least he churned out some hundreds.

Fair enough,i just feel a player averaging 32ish after a dozen or so caps including four half centuries shouldn't be dropped.

I'm a huge Compton fan and I'm not sure that adding another defensive minded batsman in dubious form (all the county stuff recently has been T20 which hardly helps) is going to help the present situation. If you're arguing that we should get Compton back in to help us in Australia and it doesn't matter about this series as we've already retained the Ashes then I'd probably agree, but think Carberry is a better bet for this series.


A player averaging the same with two tons was dropped to accomodate him

A poor batting display once again from England, but take nothing away from the Aussie seam bowlers who set up Nathan Lyon to get his 4 wickets today. England didn't do anything and they really need to find a way to smack Shane Watson about. This bastad has bowled more maidens than he's had runs scored off him in his overs this series, and he's a dibbly dobbler! I wouldn't have Nick Compton back as I don't think he's good enough either. As a Yorkshire fan (through family ties) it's hard to see how Bairstow got into the test side as whenever I saw him prior to his call up in the ODI's 2 years ago the lad couldn't hit off the square. I think he needs to go back, play county cricket, do some of the Lions tours and come back stronger. He probably has the 2nd innings as his last chance before someone else is brought in. It's strange to have so many top order batsmen out of form as England do right now, or is the fact the Aussies have bowled well at us? I think England threw their wickets away today, but it was built up by the Aussies not going for very many,

I'd have Carberry in. He bats 3 in the championship I believe (as Dawson/Adams open for Hants) and could slot in at 6. Another one I'd look at is Varun Chopra who must be on the verge of a call up, the bloke has been scoring runs in the CC for the past 3 seasons (he's having a quieter one this season by all means) and also James Taylor, who appears to be next in line.

Anyway, rant/discussion over! Long way to go in this test yet!

The only thing about Carberry is that he's 33, while Compton is 30.

I suspect James Taylor, at 23, would be the one England will go with as 'one for the future'. Or maybe 28 year old Ravi Bopara...again!

Not sure that changing newly selected openers after a poor-ish run of scores is the answer.  Would have extended Compton's tenure just as I would now keep Root.  Both have shown promise opening although I agree Root appears more comfortable as a middle order bat. 

What aboit Gary Ballance?  Not seen him play but was mentioned as a potential replacement for KP for the third test.

If Bairstow and Prior are not getting runs then it undoes a lot of the tactics the team is based on.  We always go for 4 bowlers because they are pretty damned good, but having 7 batsmen all capable of averaging 40 means those 4 bowlers should have decent targets to work with.  If only 5 are getting close to 40 then we are wasting at least one spot in the order, and if we don't get the runs the bowlers are under more pressure, so having a 5th would be useful.

It's a shame Broad hasn't been able to get a mid 30's average, I think we would have had him at 7 if he could.

As it stands, Bairstow is probably the weak link.  Someone with near guaranteed runs is needed if Prior can't click into gear, or another Bowler if we don't think that would happen.

For the England team though, they'll probably keep it the same.

When all is said and done, we are 2-0 up, and Aussies haven't been in bat yet.

Haven't seen him either.  I do know that being from Southern Africa wouldn't do his chances any harm.

Warner b Broad 3 and we're on the scorecard. Need a big bowling performance today, it is swinging and it should turn too so I agree that we're not out of this just yet.

Perhaps our score of 238 doesn't look so bad now...convicts 12-2

Really odd moment- Rogers is given out caught behind, he's not hit it and he's umpire's call on the lbw...so not out. Although the umpire didn't give a call on lbw whatsoever.

DRS makes less and less sense to me now

Agreed to an extent, I'm a fan of the concept but it's creating tension between players and umpires and I think it's lowering umpiring standards...although that may just be that Tony Hill is fucking dire. Bowden may a preening peacock but he's better than Hill but country miles.

Something needs to be done, not quite sure what though.

If Tony Hill ever umpires another test match I will be flabbergasted

He's third umpire for the Oval, sorry.

TMS

Massive wicket. Come on boys. Ram it home now.

England need a breakthrough - and soon.

Couple of quick wickets this morning...just what was needed.  Have to finish off the tail now, and not allow the 'lesser' batsmen to pile on runs as they have recently.

Cracker to remove Root.

Cook out. I don't think that having Root as the other opener is helping Cook's game.

3 down.

This isn't going very well is it?

The way we (our batsmen) are playing at the moment we could end up drawing this series. We've retained the Ashes, yes, but we can forget winning down under unless we sort ourselves out.

Off for bad light then straight back on...farce

3rd hundred for Bell in this series, and we now lead by 200 with 5 wickets remaining.

This could be a cracker. Wicket doing all sorts with the new nut.

As an aside, Matt Prior has absolutely fucking lost it. Garbage.

Bresnan batting like Bradman.

He just hit a wonderful Caribbean style square cut which had shades of Gordon Greenidge about it.

306/8 lead of 274 ... Bresnan 43 no off 70

Off work this week so a rare chance to see the cricket. If only the train didn't cost so much I'd be tempted to head up there tomorrow if tickets available. Hope Bresnan gets his 50.

Long way to go based on the fact I doubt you'd get much beyond lunch.

Think you're right. Was hoping Bresnan and Swann could have added another 50 to give the team that wins it a bit more to do!

The Aussies need 299...

Sounds like there is a fair bit of rain about this afternoon, so might get a decent chunk of play tomorrow.

New ball didnt do much in the 5 overs England bowled, and England have already squandered a review!

Even Stevens now with Clarke out. Aussies need 124 runs, England need 6 wickets. England might regret the waste of two reviews.

Another gone...from 174-3 to 181-7.

And to think, we used to collapse like this.

Collapstastic. When I last looked we were certain losers! One to go, 87 runs to play with!

 :blowkiss: :blowkiss:

Matt Prior is a clown

England win

Another reason why Bairstow should stay.

Who else is there to back up Prior if he gets injured during a match :hmmm:

Great team we have got now.

Aussies 109-0 down to all out 224 - amazing

One to go.. :D

I suppose losing the last 7 wickets for 50 runs when they were favourites to win when they were 109-0 is a bit of a choke. That 7 defeats in the last 8 tests.

Now to make it 4-0 at the Oval...

Wow!

and there was I thinking the little possums had been pretty spirited this series - much prefer your take

What a test match! Not high scoring and the wicket always kept the bowlers interested! At 109-0 the Aussies were coasting to 299, but what a spell from Broad and Bresnan to rip through their batting line up! Not sure what's up with Jimmy at the moment, maybe suffering from fatigue?! Ian Bell man of the series so far for me, scored vital runs when needed and appears to have come of age with his 3 hundreds!

So 3-0 up with 1 to play, would you make any changes for The Oval ahead of a busy Winter down under? There's a week's gap between test matches and I know the England selectors like to keep the same side wherever possible. I think it's a good chance to perhaps rest Anderson and bring in Tremlett, harder deck at The Oval and we've seen the bounce Tremlett can get in Australia so a good chance for him to come in and show what he can do! Less pressure on the likes of Root/Bairstow/Prior so expect them to get big runs on what should be a good batting track!

Should we drop him like we should have Bres?

I was there today and will never forget it! Unfuckingbelievable. That was proper special! Love the north east, love Broady, and fucking love England. Been a long long day but I've had worse Mondays that's for sure.

Get in!!!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/current/story/662645.html

DMR will be pleased

Final test of the Summer starts tomorrow, looking forward to going to The Oval for Day 1, it's been 6 years since I last went!

I expect Tremlett to replace Bresnan in what looks like the only change, don't care about the Aussie side...all about the 4-0!!!

I'll be there, too, Major!  My first visit to the Oval.  Can't wait.

I'm going Friday and Sunday too if it goes to a fifth day.

Would love to see us make it 4-0.

Watson to bat at 3 for Aus and Faulkner to come in and bat at 7 in place of Jackson Bird with Haddin at 6.

Nice of them to give everyone a go and change everything all over again. The parallels with the 90s England side are very entertaining

Hopefully there will be one distinction as England used to win the "dead rubber" last tests at the Oval.

Thought Faulkner was a bit unlucky not to play before as I thought he was their best bowler in the Champions Trophy. He probably didn't play before as he's a left hander, who'll hopefully leave plenty of footmarks for Swanny.

Fully agree with Nemo that the Aussies don't know their best 11, trying just about anyone and everyone to get the best balance.

Just finished reading the Jim Laker autobiography.

A great read and a great insight into cricket in his time.


PS...its free to a good home if anyone wants it.