England Vs Australia

Just seen the highlights as working. Incredible knock by Stokes, truly incredible disciplined knock. The ability to go from a sound defense to crazy clean striking. Just wow. Such concentration, energy and ability. A remarkable knock better than the world Cup?

He's an incredible character. Just a year ago, his 'offence' nearly ended his career. Stupid yes, lucky not to be charged, yes. He really could be an emmense all rounder, one of the best.

How on earth did we ground out that result? So many faults within that display, across the first 3 days. How on bloody earth did Joel Wilson not give Stokes out, from Nathan Lyon.

We need to resolve the openers, does Roy drop down? Bairstow, keep or drop. Pope come in? Whom gers dropped for Anderson? Starc and Smith I assume back.

We must improve in many areas. Otherwise, this amazing win, will end up in vein with the Aussies retaining the Ashes.

 

BTW, I never thought Edgbaston 05 could be bettered but I reckon this occurred today, god I wish I could have seen this live.

So looking forward to going to The Oval for the last test.

 

If Jimmy Anderson hadn’t have got injured at the start of the first test I think we’d have won that, such is the difference he makes. Second test we’d have won if not for the rain. So it could already be England 3-0 Smith, on the other hand the Aussies could already have the ashes retained, fine margins but if Jimmy comes in for Woakes and stays fit I think the ashes will be staying on these shores.

 

Edgebaston made me fall in love with cricket as a young lad, that will never be topped from a personal perspective. Plus we performed well against one of the best test sides to play the game. This was up there for drama, but we were terrible at times against arguably the worst Australia team I’ve seen without Smith. For it to get close it will depend on how the Ashes end, if we win then it’s right up there, if we go onto lose then it was just an exciting consolation. We built on Edgebaston to make history, Stokes has given the other 10 players a lifeline, I just hope we take it. I think we will tbf as long as Jimmy comes back.

 

Can we not grab a solid opener from a county who'll stick around for a session or 2. I like Roy, he's a great one day player but in those conditions there's field restrictions and therefore always places for him to score. They bowl differently in tests with a field set to it. He's not that guy.

 

You never know, but hopefully England has revived after such a wonderful performance from Ben Stokes. Fine lines, but to me the teams are equal, they both have problems. We shall see.

 

I agree, wouldn’t mind him lower down the order. We still need a couple of openers, surely we can find some in the counties.

 

No, @Onside ,the cupboard is bare.

Would you like to see buster/keaton jennings again?
Remember stoneman or borthwick or gubbins or robson or malan or vince or lyth or.....................
the list is endless as many have been tried and failed.
Sadly lankysheer's hameed never progressed after an early start for england.

It alright for @Offcomedun in the counties as they are not taking any essex players at the moment.
Zummerzet have to make do without the legendary 1* jack leach.

 

U lucky bum!
Full throated welcome for Sir Ben Stokes please.

 

and why is the cupboard bare? Discuss

 

Personally I’d put Roy at 6 and have Denley open next test, not ideal put there’s nothing else in the county game that’s played against an attack like Australia’s. Roy has ability but he’s not a test opener, doesn’t mean he can’t bat down the order.

Bowling wise as I’ve already mentioned Jimmy to come in for Woakes fitness permitting. It’s 1-1 if things had gone different we could be winning or losing, we’ve not played particularly well but to many changes at this stage will only make things worse imo.

 

If we need some more miracles then i think they are sending for a Pope.

A good idea.

 

Counties are currently full of bloody aussies, restricting chances for our young 'uns.
Got Mo Ali from brummie league, Adil Rashid- riddlesden, Johnny Bairstow-bradford.
Need to seek out the next generation not expect them to just turn up to the counties.
England u19 have recently been playing india/bangladesh and the results were not good.
Noticed only one player Quadri as being from immigrant stock and he was in and out of the team.
Need more talent with a chip on their shoulder and a Stoked desire(see what i did there) to better themselves and family.
Have no idea where all our west indian/asian/oirish(ok ewan) and saffers have gone.

 

Tom Banton is someone to keep an eye on. He looks like a fantastic talent.

 

First class average of 32. Maybe football's more your game, son?

 

He's having a great t20 blast. Averaging over 40, striker rate of 160 and still only 20. I was watching him today and he looks in that Buttler mould.

Think he'll go on to become a good white ball player.

 

Jimmy not fit for his home test, big blow. Wonder if we’ll see him for England again? Tbh I thought he might call it a day after the ashes.

 

That is a blow, I was hoping he would get fit enough for one more blast.

 

To be honest, probably blessing in disguise he felt his calf again in the Lancashire game, taking away the option of probably selecting him for the next test when clearly not fully fit, and risk the chance of him breaking down in the crucial test, leaving us short of a bowler for much of the match again

Stick with same side, and swap Denly and Roy in the batting order