Off Topic Sport Other than Football - formerly the Ashes Thread

Botham had some amazing stats in individual Tests but his overall bowling record v Australia is statistically ordinary. I think this is due to bowling many overs on Australian pitches not conducive to swing and seam bowling. Jimmy Anderson's record has been similarly affected.
Few English bowlers have done well in Australia. John Snow in 1970-71 has probably the best performance.

 

Steven Finn has been ruled out of the Ashes series and replaced in the squad by Tom Curran.

 

Mitchell Starc just took 2 hat-tricks in the just finished state comp for New South Wales - just sayin'!

 

I opted for only players that I have actually seen play so - Hayden, Boycott, Border, Gower, Waugh (S), Botham, Knott, Warne, Lillee, McGrath and Alderman - Anyone accusing of Kent bias (3 players who played for the county and another born in the county) would be correct in doing so!

 

Can anyone explain why it's taking so long for the police to sort out the case concerning [against (?)] Stokes.
I thought I'd read that the two vital witnesses they were seeking had come forward ages ago.
Why the delay? What's the issue?
Are all the investigating officers Aussies?
Are they waiting till 29 January (or 19 February?)?

 

The three officers left on the force are busy directing traffic.
But it's next on their list of things to do.

 

Heard this conspiracy theory on the radio yesterday.
Stokes will be handed a 2 match ban taking in the first 2 tests (allowing his injury to heal) - Australia wins in Brisbane, England win the day/night in Adelaide. Stokes returns for the other 3 and helps win the Ashes back!
This was from an Australian commentator.

 

Not sure who is conspiring here? England player playing for England scandal?

 

Good bowling performance in the last warm up game, but not necessarily a guide for the Tests when some of the wickets will be unresponsive after the shine's gone off the new ball.

 

Moeen Ali says the Aussies like to talk a lot.

I should have posted this on the "No S*** Sherlock" thread

 

Everyone in the runs today. 330 odd for 3.
Ton for Stoneman, 70 for Cook, unbeaten 50s for Root and Malan

 

A few features in the papers today about the best Ashes players.

No doubt who the best was.

Lilian Thomson

 

Almost there - 5 hours or so to go.

 

Anyone else watching?

 

Too late to watch live, but a reasonable start for England. Moeen, Malan and Bairstow need to get in the runs tomorrow, but 350 is a reasonable start hopefully.

 

Now you turn up!

 

I'm not sitting up all night to post about the game. I've got important work to do today

 

350 not looking so good now Root is gone, mind you Ali has a few shots in him. Mind set is really important, the talk around the media is that England want to avoid defeat in Brisbane (not go for the win) and hope the day/night test in Adelaide will more to their liking.

 

I don't need the media to tell me that England would like to avoid defeat.
350 won't be necessary. At the present rate (under 200 in a day ) if they bat till tea on day two , they will have eaten into a large chunk of the game .
It would be difficult for Australia to force a win from that situation. England would need to have a mare of a second innings ( quite possible) and the rain would have to keep off.

 

196-4 is level pegging.
Australia have a second new ball now though.
First session tonight could be the most important of the series. They need to see off that new ball.
If England are 270-8 or so at lunch, they will struggle to avoid going 1-0 down as Australia will get the best of the batting conditions in their first innings.
If England are 290-5, they've a decent chance of 400+ and the pressure is all on Australia.