England v Aussies Cricket Tests

Always rely on the Yorkies when a breakthrough is needed.

 

Looks like the protesters were more disruptive to the aussies than our bowlers

Another win on the cards for them unless something magical happens

They feel way too comfortable here but they are the very best test team currently

 

Bet Crawley,Pope and Duckett felt like reet numpties for throwing their wickets away,

Losing Lyon is a huge loss for the aussies, can see a draw in this match unless we want to keep playing baseball shots

 

And Root.
Brainless cricket. The Aussies were looking toothless. They tried the one tactic left - chin music - and three of our batsmen fell for it. Much better to have ducked and weaved for a few overs until they got knackered and then made hay once they went back to normal bowling.

 

This so called 'Bazball' is bonkers in an Ashes test against one of the best teams in the world. It might work against Ireland and other inferior opposition.

Root was too arrogant after the no ball let off to continue with his baseball shots, he was made to look a right numpty.

That last hour should have been all about protecting their wickets.

 

The collapse this morning, in poor batting conditions, was dispiriting but not that surprising.

But our bowlers, for me, are more worrying. They allowed the Aussie tailenders to to score 70+ runs to win the first test. They failed dismally on the first day of this test in classic English swing bowling conditions. And did so again today on an excellent bowling day. It all reminds me of the frustrating days when Mike Hendrick and Chris Old would 'beat the bat' frequently without actually taking wickets and then the opposition would come in with proper fast bowlers and clean up our batsmen.
The Aussies are bowling at 8-10 mph faster than us. Without Mark Wood, Ollie Stone or Jofra Archer we look samey and pedestrian. I don't believe that we currently have the wherewithal to get 20 Aussie wickets quick enough and cheaply enough to allow us to win matches against them.

 

Farcical

 

Oh dear.

 

Australia philosophy win at all costs.

 

I’m on the western terrace on Thursday.
Gonna be a bit lively.

 

Think it's time for Anderson to have a rest? To be honest I'd stop the Robinson plan too, he just doesn't have a game changing ability in him. I know he's carrying a knock but having a guy who doesn't get any swing and barely bowls over 80mph isn't going to cut it against the Aussies.

I'd change Anderson and Robinson for Ali and Wood. Can always bring Anderson back in at Old Trafford, but with Headingley being traditionally a flatter track I'd go for the pace and bounce potential Wood brings over Anderson with his current form. Ali at 8 instantly improves that tails chances of getting runs too.

Fingers crossed they realise that entertaining cricket can also be playing the conditions and situations. A few of our daft decisions just have another minute to think over it in both tests, and we are 2-0 up. The Aussies once that ball is 25+ overs old will just go back to the bouncer plan, our lads needs to realise not every short ball needs thumping for 4 or 6, seeing out the bouncer with strong defensive play can also be entertaining.

 

Pope ruled out of the series.

 

It's either Lawrence and a swap, although that would probably mean Root at 3, which is a role he doesn't want, thought he's probably stuck with it for the rest of the series.

Or Foakes comes in for Pope, we have a better keeper behind the sticks and just play Bairstow as a batter.

Or Ali comes in for Pope, Bairstow moves up to 6, Ali at 7 and the bowling attack stays long but with 5 proper bowlers, Stokes can save his knee and Ali isn't expected to bowl as many overs as the first test.

 

As predicted yesterday Brook to 3.
Moeen,Wood and Woakes in.
Anderson and Tongue get a rest.

 

I'd have kept Tongue in for Robinson. Aussies have shown the aren't too bothered by our 80mph bowling, having Woakes and Robinson bowling a similar pace with little movement off the seam doesn't fill me with confidence. That extra 5-8mpn Tongue gives and his bounce would have been my preferred route.

Not surprised Ali is in a 7, imagine the pacers will bowl the majority, Ali doing something different at the other end up occasionally with a few 5-6 over spells. Or to break up the bouncer spells after the ball stops swinging and we run out of ideas again.