Ashes 2023

[The Dark Knight]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the- ... rn-1381155
Interesting article about the batting decline of Australia's tail.

[whufc]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ashes-decline-in-runs-from-australias-tail-cause-for-concern-1381155
Interesting article about the batting decline of Australia's tail.

He's probably not to far off the mark regarding the impact of t20 and the tail does not have the defensive foundations to start with.

In saying that its just not how the game is really played now, teams all across the world are generally looking to move the game forward at all times. Sure, if there is a recognised batter still in the tail will look to hang around but if it's just the tail, they are looking to get the game moving.

Also throw in the fact that opposition bowlers are now completely ruthless against the tail end batters and will bounce the crap out of them if needed.

[whufc]

How nice is it to have a test match start on a Friday meaning we know we will get a decent amount of play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

[The Dark Knight]

England have named their team for the first test-
Duckett
Crawley
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

[batmanbegins]

England have named their team for the first test-
Duckett
Crawley
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Robinson
Anderson

Surprised no Mark Wood but guess might be saving lords which is a flatter pitch. It's an exciting batting line up but one that could easily collapse against the quality of Cummins and co. Can't wait for Friday.

[Brodlach]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

[whufc]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

Only logic can be is that he adds to the Bazball batting line up.

Bowling wise he and root will probably share the spinners overs. This is bad news for us as i reckon Root is englands best spinner.

[gazzamagoo]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

Only logic can be is that he adds to the Bazball batting line up.

Bowling wise he and root will probably share the spinners overs. This is bad news for us as i reckon Root is englands best spinner.

When you say "us", to whom do you refer?

[whufc]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

Only logic can be is that he adds to the Bazball batting line up.

Bowling wise he and root will probably share the spinners overs. This is bad news for us as i reckon Root is englands best spinner.

When you say "us", to whom do you refer?

Australia and the windies

Yeah my father grew up in England and my younger sister was born there making me the only Australian born in my family but I don’t support England despite really enjoying watching them at the moment.

[amber_fluid]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

Only logic can be is that he adds to the Bazball batting line up.

Bowling wise he and root will probably share the spinners overs. This is bad news for us as i reckon Root is englands best spinner.

When you say "us", to whom do you refer?

Nonbinary

[Brodlach]

Happy Ashes Day!

[batmanbegins]

I’m perplexed at Ali being recalled

It's not ideal but realistically there is no other viable option. Bess has fallen away, Ahmed is only 19 and Jacks isn't good enough. The lack of spin depth is is due to them never getting to bowl in county due to the pitches. The reason Leach improved is because he played for essentially the only team that played on more of a spinners wicket at Somerset and got to bowl consistently.

[mal]

Joe Root is a champion batsman and a handy offspinner
But England cant pick him as a frontline spinner
England has to pick a frontline spinner- no matter who it is

The way England bats, and should the weather not affect any game , it looks like a 3-2 win for one of the teams
I predict 2-2 and a draw
David Warner potentially can either win or lose this series for Australia

[whufc]

Joe Root is a champion batsman and a handy offspinner
But England cant pick him as a frontline spinner
England has to pick a frontline spinner- no matter who it is

The way England bats, and should the weather not affect any game , it looks like a 3-2 win for one of the teams
I predict 2-2 and a draw
David Warner potentially can either win or lose this series for Australia

Think Starc is in that category as well if he plays. Will either take for 4/15 or 1/100 of 12 overs.

Dont think ive been this pumped about an Ashes since i was a teenager.

[gadj1976]

2-1 win to the Aussies

Draws in Melb and Sydney. Sydney due to rain of course.

[gadj1976]

Joe Root is a champion batsman and a handy offspinner
But England cant pick him as a frontline spinner
England has to pick a frontline spinner- no matter who it is

The way England bats, and should the weather not affect any game , it looks like a 3-2 win for one of the teams
I predict 2-2 and a draw
David Warner potentially can either win or lose this series for Australia

i think he's a very good spinner. Should be a front liner but concentrates on batting (for good reason!).

[mal]

Well I got Travis Head and Alex Carey performing well
Now that those two are safely in the team, its time to defend another cricketer who i think does not deserve the flak he gets

Mitchell STARc's turn
What a superb bowler
310 test wickets at 27.64
strikes at less than 50
Numerous 5 wicket hauls

I reckon any bowler who ends up with a career ave of 25 or less with the ball is a very very very very good player
25-29 average is a good to very good bowler

STARc is a lightning leftie giving the attack variety
Having Cummins/Boland/Hazelwood/Neser is much of a muchness
He is an exceptional fieldsman
Handy lower order bazball batter
That is a great package

I hear the same diatribe about this superb bowler that includes:
" Heez to expensive"
" He only gets the tailenders out"


2 of my favourite posters are at him over the years
Life member of the Steve Blonde Don Smith association WHUFC
Rooster LOCKY the joker

So Im gunna support the lightning leftie in this series !

Regards
Mal
Member of the Mitchell STARc cheer squad

PS
DISCLAIMER
STARc might be left out of the team and Boland/Cummins/Hazelwood GET selected
But thats only coz those 3 bowlers are ALL world class bowlers- not coz STARc dosent deserve selection

[whufc]

Ill run with.....

I'm not much of a gambler, i reckon Starc is a bit of a gamble this series. Will either take 4/15 or 1/100 of 12 overs.

If Starc can take his wickets at under 30 i would consider that successful regardless of the run rate he goes at.

Also agree Starc is a very very very good bowler, just think as mentioned by MAL our 3 other world class options are a better opposition for the opponents and pitches that will be dished up.

Would love to be wrong and see Starc take heaps of wickets and Australia win 5 nil........................provided Warner doesnt hit 500+ runs and carry on like a wanker.

[mal]

Looking at the bowling attacks , it would seem logical for the English curators to make pitches without too much bounce and carry
Flatter decks more likely help with Bazball ?

[locky801]

2 hours and counting