With only two days to go, I am surprised this one hasn't been started yet. The bi-annual Antipodean vs. Colonialists discussion.

As a Brit, I'm happy to dive headlong in to the usual BS that is the fervent hope and expectation that England will win the Ashes. BUT, this time around I am not so confident. A brittle top order that I think will likely crack under the pressure from what I think is one of the best pace attacks Australia have had for a while. An embarrassment of riches if Hazlewood/Pattinson loses a place to the other. So, I have some questions, and would welcome healthy input from all.

1. Do Australia really need a spinner? I don't think Lyon is as good as he used to be, but he does seem to have the wood on a few English players. Would Australians prefer to see a 4-pronged pace attack to accommodate Starc/Cummins/Hazlewood & Pattinson?

2. Is the Ozzie middle-order the weak link? Get you 3 or 4 down, and it could be panic stations. I'm not so sure about Khawaja @ 3.

3. What do Ozzies think about England's top 4?

4. Should England play Woakes or Archer in the first test at Edgbaston? (Woakes' home ground.)

Any other questions/comments/insults/banter that can be exchanged over the coming days/weeks? @clutchcargo - as long as it is clean and obvious banter!!

Hmmmm, a humiliating defeat at "fortress" Edgbaston. Well played Australia. Lord's next, with England's worst test record at home. Steve Smith played an absolute blinder in Test 1.

Some points of note. I didn't like the booing of the Sandpaper 3. Anderson pulled up lame, time for Archer I think. Moeen Ali bowled like a douche and batted like an even bigger douche.

Anyhoo, we'll see what next week holds. Well done Aussies.

thanks

Yerg wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 8:28 pm With only two days to go, I am surprised this one hasn't been started yet. The bi-annual Antipodean vs. Colonialists discussion.

As a Brit, I'm happy to dive headlong in to the usual BS that is the fervent hope and expectation that England will win the Ashes. BUT, this time around I am not so confident. A brittle top order that I think will likely crack under the pressure from what I think is one of the best pace attacks Australia have had for a while. An embarrassment of riches if Hazlewood/Pattinson loses a place to the other. So, I have some questions, and would welcome healthy input from all.

1. Do Australia really need a spinner? I don't think Lyon is as good as he used to be, but he does seem to have the wood on a few English players. Would Australians prefer to see a 4-pronged pace attack to accommodate Starc/Cummins/Hazlewood & Pattinson?

2. Is the Ozzie middle-order the weak link? Get you 3 or 4 down, and it could be panic stations. I'm not so sure about Khawaja @ 3.

3. What do Ozzies think about England's top 4?

4. Should England play Woakes or Archer in the first test at Edgbaston? (Woakes' home ground.)

Any other questions/comments/insults/banter that can be exchanged over the coming days/weeks? @clutchcargo - as long as it is clean and obvious banter!!

QED on the Nathon Lyon issue. England have not got a decent international standard spinner. The counties have very few spinners that cause much trouble even at county level, let alone international level. As a result England's batsmen get into a lot of trouble when they come up against a decent one, and decent is all it needs to be.

Nathon Lyon is no bowling genius but he worked hard at his game and has grown into the role. On the other hand Moeen Ali has not improved his bowling at all; if anything it seems to be getting worse. His batting is also now so suspect he is no longer worthy of a place. He hasn't helped himself with so many stupidly reckless shots that got him out in recent times. He seems incapable to knuckling down and playing for time as well as runs. This is a sure sign that he knows there is a ball with his name on it coming along very soon, ergo, 20 runs off 20 balls and out, is better than 2 runs off 20 balls and out. Unfortunately, he cant even manage to slog his way to 20 very often.

A balanced attack does not mean 4 good seamers and a duff off spinner because that all the spinning options you have. Far better to replace him with a left arm seamer for a bit of angle/pace/swing variety. Sam Curran is a good option and he bats with the carefree flair that only youth provides.

All rounder's need to be worthy of their place for at least one discipline and highly competant in the other. When, like Stokes, they are worthy is both disciplines plus brilliant in the field, you then have a genuine all rounder. Moeen Ali fails on all three fronts. It's time to face the facts.

Anderson is the biggest concern, without the spearhead that attack naturally looks dull. Broad did well but is a bit one dimentional and well known to the Aussies. Woakes is ok but not threatening enough of the time. It's time to bring in Archer and let him loose.

As for the batting.... I'm too upset with the bowling at the moment to talk about it.

After Day 1 of the second Test, England have bounced back, arrested the Australian rampage and honours are definitely even in a finely balanced day of Test cricket

England will be looking forward to day two to capitalise on their strong position.

BEN STOKES

The Seawolf wrote: ↑Mon Aug 26, 2019 12:47 pm BEN STOKES

Just WOW!!!!