Off Topic The Ashes

It’s no surprise at all… just disappointed.

 

Buttler is a world class white ball batter. Hasn't convinced totally in test innings. Bairstow probably a better choice.

Opening bats, since Cook retired nobody has proved good enough... its a problem.

 

I know he hasn't done it consistently yet but I think worth sticking with Pope, looks like he has something to me and has been a bit disrupted by injuries. Could be a nearly man but equally could become very important if he fulfils his potential. Hopefully we get out of this test with a draw somehow and some magic happens in second test, Broad might fancy making a point!

 

Agree. I never saw GB play but I used to like Graham Thorpe for the same reason. He wasn't an opener but at 3 or 4 you knew he would rarely ever get himself out, it'd take a good ball. A proper grinder. Nothing spectacular but someone who would build an innings. Once got a ton against Pakistan with only 2 boundaries!

 

I fully agree about Pope. He's one of the most naturally talented batsman I've ever seen in an England shirt. If we can get his mentality and consistency to match his ability he'll be one of the best in the world.

I think Hameed is definitely worth sticking with at the top of the order. He's shown signs that he could be a decent opener. Not sure why people seem to be writing him off already. I think it's ingrained in Sunderland fans to never give people time or support people through hard times in sport.

We've bowled brilliantly in this first session and we are simply terribly unlucky that Australia aren't 4 or 5 down.

 

This is gonna be an absolute battering.

 

Might have gone early with this gif.....

 

Don't worry, we've saved Broad and Anderson for the pink ball test - where our batters will be even less able to score runs and the Aussies will have all the momentum from an innings defeat at the Gabba

 

The scary thing is who do England turn to? As far as I can see this is the best team we have available to us. This is as bad as the early to mid-90s at present.

 

In terms of batting, not a clue. Bairstow, Crawley and Lawrence are there by default - none of them earned their spot on the tour through merit.
They might as well stick with the same top 7 and rotate the bowlers as planned for the 2nd test.

 

Did anybody stay up and watch it? We were very very good in that first session and so unlucky. Bowling Leach changed everything and allowed Australia to cruise into a lead. He shouldn't even be in the side on a wicket like that.

 

No he shouldn't. Root wouldn't touch him in the summer anyway, he clearly doesn't rate him.

But why take Broard and Anderson on tour and then start with none of them in this match? Despite Broard having a good record at the Gabba, and despite Broard always getting Warner out? This bowling attack has never once played together, in any format. Calling that shambolic thinking would be charitable.

Expecting Stokes to be fit to bowl a full spell in a test after no prep is just stupid, desperate captaincy . As was not bowling one single ball around the wicket to Warner.

It's not Root's fault the team is in transition, and it's not his fault he is not a natural captain. But those are the unfortunate facts of life for us now, and with the current duo of Giles and Silverwood " guiding" the ship, it will be a long time before it gets better

 

Just gets better!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/5...eU0E_w68wVgetpZpiNuDmwo5O67MG-NpIO7BZCYQPQ4bg

I don't know why Stokes was picked if he's not fit enough

 

Fearing the worst for tonight/tomorrow morning.

 

I just don't want to watch any of the cricket atm... its too pathetic...the no balls of Stokes which were not picked up but the ball that got Warner out was..!!!!!

 

I've just put it on. Will give it to 1am then I'm off to bed but they are in 375-7 as I type. Not ****ing good.

 

Starc.......Gonnnnnneeee. Ya bazza.

 

This is gonna take some saving… Dig in lads

 

Malan Keep going!