In Ashes Down Under ?

[bwildered]

 One of the worlds top bowlers facing one of the worlds top batsmen, was a bizarre finish, with Smith probably bowling the easiest delivery of the day (even I would fancy keeping out ).
Perhaps reversing the batting order might not be a good idea, given that Hameed would have had to survive.

[JasonP]

Nice not to lose 5-0, I suppose but hard to get too excited about a game we would have lost had there not been time lost for rain earlier in the match.  It's also kept Crawley in the side for another 6 months, I fear.

[bwildered]

Nice not to lose 5-0, I suppose but hard to get too excited about a game we would have lost had there not been time lost for rain earlier in the match.  It's also kept Crawley in the side for another 6 months, I fear.

One of the longest tests played, has most of the time made up and also the predicted fourth day rain did not arrive. Ironic that it started raining during post match interview. Perhaps if the Aussies had declared earlier when Carey came in and a 380 run lead the “ What Could Have Tour,” would be so different .

[bwildered]

Apologies to all . Not sure we can call it a white wash , alternative please .

[Andy]

Nice not to lose 5-0, I suppose but hard to get too excited about a game we would have lost had there not been time lost for rain earlier in the match.  It's also kept Crawley in the side for another 6 months, I fear.

Well, we keep trying these players, we’re running out of alternatives. I guess the likes of Crawley and Pope will eventually establish themselves in the side. As we know, players tend to get found out after the first few matches, then it’s up to them and the coaching staff to rectify technical faults and fight their way back into form.  Foakes’ form wasn’t great last season.  We tend to forget that even the likes of Sir Chef we’re kept in the team despite going through troughs in form.

[Andy]

Apologies to all . Not sure we can call it a white wash , alternative please .

Unfortunately the alternatives are unprintable.

[kingstonj1]

Boland as our 2nd O/S player? Yes please.

[nat]

Boland as our 2nd O/S player? Yes please.

Crazy idea. It's batting we need.

[kingstonj1]

Disagree.

If Cook or Porter get injured we are in big trouble. Our 'pace' attack most games will be those 2 plus Snater, who despite doing wll last year remains very much a 'juries still out' player in my view. To have to rely on Alison, Plom and Beard, if either of the main men get injured renders our attack paper thin.

On the batting front we have signed Critch, who should, improve the batting as RTD was a spent force last year. Browne, Cook, Westley, Critch, Wheater, Walter, Khushi/Rymell/Buttleman/Pepper, should score sufficient runs. I certainly wouldnt hurt to have another front line batsmen (Ben Brown would be nice, but budget wont go that far), but think the bowling is more precarious. Cook and Porter have been relatively injury free but its not unusual for youngish pacemen to get big injuries that put them out for a long time, and i feel we have been lucky so far, but its a risk to hope they remain fit each game.

[honkytonk]

Watching the BBL this morning, they mentioned James Pattinson has pulled out to focus on FC cricket. He said he is also playing CC this summer.  Is he still at Notts??  (I wondered if we were an option as most teams seemed to have announced players now).

[kingstonj1]

Yes hes at Notts.

[bwildered]

Well by getting the dishonourable draw in the last test, no point in getting beaten in the final test, another dishonourable result would be most welcome .
Reported that Stokes and Bairstow to play only has batsmen to keep the momentum, which would mean Overton, Bess and Lawrence becoming the main tour netters and baggage handlers .
 

[bwildered]

After finally winning the toss and early wickets, England bowlers letting  the proactive top order back in the game . Two Kent cricketers included in the side in Crawley and Billings, when did than last happen ?

[dazedpenguin]

After finally winning the toss and early wickets, England bowlers letting  the proactive top order back in the game . Two Kent cricketers included in the side in Crawley and Billings, when did than last happen ?

I think it was Joe Denly and Zak Crawley, first test against West Indies 2020.

I wonder when we'll next see 2 Essex players, or even one at this rate, in the England side.

[LeedsExile]

Wood may be quick but his economy rate is consistently high. We can't afford a bowler gifting so many runs to the opposition every match. Apparently Head benefitted from having an awful time at Sussex last season, playing on tricky pitches. Yet our batsman blame county wickets for their failures. You can't have it both ways.