The Ashes

I’m watching it on my phone in a service tunnel under the bridge that spans Conwy bay by the castle on a night shift.
Might have to do some work soon.

 

A hard watch/listen. We needed to make a statement in this opening test, go behind and i cannot see us pulling it back in the series. 147 first up doesn't generally win you tests.

Easy with hindsight but player selection and match day conditions suggest decisions made prior to the toss are highly questionable.

For a test opener to be bowled leg stump is a shocker never mind first ball. Set the tone i'm afraid. Think we will be reliant on the weather to save us.

Root has carried the batting line up for past 12-18 months. Bridge too far this tour. A number not deserving central contracts.

Looking at the sides i would say that only 3-4 England players would probably get into a joint side. Aussies favourites.

Cricket Press appear to be suggesting 2-2 but cannot see it. 3-0 or 3-1 Aussie win at best for me.

 

They'll regret not picking Broad. Ridiculous decision. If Jimmy ain't playing, then play Broad and vice versa! With all that rain, there will be absolute no spin, and Root will use Leach for damage limitation and resting Robinson. He's not going to be as much threat as Broad would have been.

 

Overcast.

Left handers... Nice lush pitch with bounce... Why would you need Broad (and Jimmy) .....

Why did we not ball. Why, why, why??
Harmy and Cook called it before the toss. We opted to bat in overcast conditions with sweet FA preparations. The ball was always going to nip around. Maybe the omission of Broad and Jimmy, was an acceptance we had to build a big score, with the 'attack' light.

 

I think our batsmen (SORRY - "batters") didn't get that memo

 

Dose not help with 7 debutant on Australian soil either

 

One positive on the first days play though. No Michael Vaughan.

 

The impact of the priority given to the shorter format plus the downside of central contacts has led to players such as Burns being given more than their fair share of opportunities. Let's hope he comes good but as mentioned earlier his technique has too many moving parts to probably being successful down under against this bowling attack.

 

Ashes to ashes.
Dust to dust.
RIP the series

 

Well, I must be mad. Planning to stay up and watch..

Whose joining me?

 

I’m on my night shift in North Wales so I’ll be with you for a bit.

 

Costa to keep me going.

 

Cricket is a cure for insomnia. Awful.

 

Can you believe it. Overstepped the mark but what a belter of a first over from Stokes.

 

Not seen owt yet tonight but Stokes,Root and Anderson are the only players who I think are truly test class.The rest seriously need to step up or this series will quickly slip away.