Off Topic The Ashes

Starts in 20mins. Who's interested?

We should beat these again. The Aussies have been beat at home to South Africa, lost at India and drew a series in Bangladesh. The first test is at the Gabba, which isn't friendly to us. We generally get blown away in the first session, but we have won the toss here and we've chose to bat on a good wicket. Get through the first session, with no more than one wicket down and we will be well placed to build a big first innings score.

Bairstow batting at 7, with a weakish looking tail by our standards. He should be number 5 or 6, or he could have nobody left to bat with when he starts to loosen his arms.

 

I’m massively excited, one of the best sporting event in the world IMO.

Think we’ll struggle against their pace with our inexperienced top order across the series, but today looks like a bit more English conditions with some clouds and a bit grass on the wicket.

 

Ive never been able to get into Cricket. Shame cause i love most sports.

 

Can't wait!!!!

 

Cook is out already..

 

Yeah, I love the ashes. I always stay up for it

I've backed Starc to be the top Australian bowler throughout the series. Good start with that one.

 

That doesn't look to be as good a batting wicket as first thought. The ball seems to be holding up and Stoneman especially is struggling to judge the pace, so there's definitely something in it for the bowlers. If we can now graft out to the end of the day to 250 - 280 with the loss of no more than 3 wickets, that will be a very good day.

 

Really good session I reckon. The whole bollocks about Starc and Cummings bowling 90mph+ and they’ve never troubled them.

Same again from these two and we’ll be in a good position because there’s a bit there for the bowlers so hoping Broad and Anderson can work some magic tomorrow.

 

Australia strong favourites especially with Stokes missing.
I'm shocked that it isn't on sky sports tho. It's on BT sport ffs!

 

Seeing a couple of days at the SCG in January. Should be an experience.

 

Love the ashes but wont see much of this series due to the time difference.

 

I'm only really interested in the Ashes when its over here. As long as we beat them at home im happy.

 

Coverage, Commentary, Camerawork isn't a patch on skysports! I'm really disappointed with it (I use my brother's BT accpount to watch on my ipad)

Love the ashes though

 

Stopped up and listened to the commentary until lunch.. Love the cricket and especially the games against Australia..

 

Even first day but impressed with the 'unknowns' of England. Hopefully build on a good score tomorrow.

 

I just know I'm gonna wake up at 7.30 tomorrow morning and Australia will be something like 150-1

 

Love cricket. Go to Headingley all the time. I’d say it’s been an even first day. Hope we can kick on and get 350!

 

It’s a pity Durham doesn’t get international test cricket anymore. Stupid sanctions placed on a club that could have done without them.

 

I missed the last test match on Antigua old ground 2009
I was told the match had finished.
Infact many people on our cruise attended the match.

 

They could have done without them but would they have won titles if they were spending within their means? Durham CCC needs a major investor because they've banked on international cricket to keep them afloat and now that's been stripped away. They've got a lovely ground but very little support, they need to reach out to the local community and draw in more people for their games. They should be looking at putting more big concerts on, with bigger names performing too. They don't seem to be doing any of that at the moment but they need to start generating more revenue somehow.