Test The Ashes Second Test December 4-8 1430hrs @ The Gabba

[The_Reaper]

I think they're saving face with their public words. The way Stokes and Jacks batted today said more than their words - although I think they went too defensive. Hard fought 30s and 50s aren't going to get it done either.

We will see.

 

[Permission Capable]

Mark Butcher (yes one of the has beens the England camp won't listen to) on Wisden Cricket after the game nailed it.
England have played a side with a stand in captain, stand in bowling attack, stand in openers and been beaten twice by old school test cricket discipline.

Holding a line and length while bowling, building pressure.
Displaying better technique and a dedication to hard work.
Batsmen playing for the stumps, protecting their wicket with a high price.
Holding their catches.

While their style on vibes, attacking cricket, showing flair and expressing yourself just reeks of trying to re-invent the test cricket wheel, and is failing dismally.

He's bang on. Just focus on doing the basics.

Harmison been good (as he was in 2023 also) also on Talksport 'Following on' podcast.

 

[sr36]

The tail is pretty good with Cummins and Mitch.
Maybe the rest Bollard for this test, I just can’t see dropping someone who just took 5 for 42

As they always should, they'll pick who they think will be the most effective in the upcoming match. Neser bowled beautifully, but they're not going to back him in over the other 3.

 

[CD Xbow]

Agreed - Kallis was consistent but Sobers could turn a match on its head and blow it wide open. Amazing that you saw that famous innings.

We went the second day of Sobers innings, my father said we might see something special, not really that amazing prediction because he'd already made 100 plus on the first day he batted. I remember my father being so excited, which was unusual. I think it was the first time I had been to the G for a cricket match.

 

[Tugga27]

Not to start the arguments of "best of all time" but Kallas is, imo, the 2nd greatest cricketer of all time. only behind Bradman

Warne for me.

 

[Kappa]

Say what you want about Broad, and we all hated the smarmy upper class git, but he was an absolute campaigner and gave it the kitchen sink. Very proud cricketer. Tough operator. Archer not fit to pour him a cordial.

Na this rewriting history.

Stuart Broad with the bat in the 2nd half of his career was absolutely pea-hearted. Would back away 2 meters down leg-side and get bowled early in his innings when the team desperately needed him to stay around

 

[WeightOfTheWorld]

I think they're saving face with their public words. The way Stokes and Jacks batted today said more than their words - although I think they went too defensive. Hard fought 30s and 50s aren't going to get it done either.

Aus would probably been able to chase 250 down fairly comfortably. The wicket was a road during the day.

Eng fought hard today, but their run rate and the storm forecast meant, that even if they keep batting, they wouldnt be in a position to bowl to Aus under lights if they were going to set a target.

 

[sabso]

Harmison been good (as he was in 2023 also) also on Talksport 'Following on' podcast.

That reminds me, England haven’t followed on yet. Another moral victory.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I know things have changed, but I began watching Test Cricket when England were here in 1965-66. England had batsmen such as Boycott, Barber, Edrich, Cowdrey and Barrington who just batted and batted and batted. Their bats appeared wider than the wicket and you never thought you would get them out.

Just saying.

 

[Tugga27]

they better not bring in ussie if he is declared fit

He's Max Gawn mate.

Reckon he should've been tapped on the shoulder and given a fairwell lap at the Gabba.

 

[sherb]

Agreed - Kallis was consistent but Sobers could turn a match on its head and blow it wide open. Amazing that you saw that famous innings.

I saw it (on TV) too.

I'm that old..........

On that same tour, the World XI played a 3 day game at Launceston. I worked on the sightscreens, as an 11yo kid (the old moveable ones on wheels).

Sobers scored a sublime, dominant ton (134*) in that match, out of a total of 6-226. And I got to witness it at ground level.

 

[Tugga27]

cummins for Doggett and lyon in and its between Neser and/boland who stays


Neser
Starc
Cummins
Lyon

or

Starc
Cummins
Lyon
Boland

Can't see Boland getting dropped.

 

[sherb]

I know things have changed, but I began watching Test Cricket when England were here in 1965-66. England had batsmen such as Boycott, Barber, Edrich, Cowdrey and Barrington who just batted and batted and batted. Their bats appeared wider than the wicket and you never thought you would get them out.

Just saying.

I started with the 70-71 tour here.

And the three batsmen that tour who dominated were the 1, 2 & 3 - Boycott, Luckhurst and Edrich. They scored a ton of runs between them, they seemed immovable.

 

[sherb]

Na this rewriting history.

Stuart Broad with the bat in the 2nd half of his career was absolutely pea-hearted. Would back away 2 meters down leg-side and get bowled early in his innings when the team desperately needed him to stay around

Didn't something happen to bring that on? Was he hit while batting perhaps?

 

[Tugga27]

I would keep it the same and give Head one more at the top ...if he doesn't come off then look at bringing in a specialist opener for Melbourne such as renners

Pretty sure Head has got the opening position for good.

 

[sherb]

Can't see Boland getting dropped.

If he doesn't play it will be to rest him.

 

[Tugga27]

Don't know yesterday I would say yes Nes out.... but todays tactics and Careys great keeping up to the stumps has changed things...Neser economy rate was fantastic he put the brakes on ....and keeping up to the stumps muddled Stokes up a bit

Cummins and Lyon are definite's Doggett is out ...but I can see them resting Boland and giving Neser another test

Neser is a pink ball specialist.

Can see him making way for Lyon.

 

[sabso]

Didn't something happen to bring that on? Was he hit while batting perhaps?

Ball in the grille from varun aaron, in his only contribution to test cricket.

 

[sr36]

Aus would probably been able to chase 250 down fairly comfortably. The wicket was a road during the day.

Eng fought hard today, but their run rate and the storm forecast meant, that even if they keep batting, they wouldnt be in a position to bowl to Aus under lights if they were going to set a target.

It would have been a freak victory from there. But my point is about the messaging of that innings, which Stokes is getting praised for. If they had have gotten expansive once they'd done the grind, I'd get it more. But they're not going to win grinding out defensive 30s and 50s without getting more expansive and they didn't really look like playing shots and scoring more than that. That degree of stone walling isn't the answer for them either.

 

[The_Reaper]

Pretty sure Head has got the opening position for good.

Doubt it.

I think it will still be Weatherald and Renshaw next Ashes

 

[The_Reaper]

It would have been a freak victory from there. But my point is about the messaging of that innings, which Stokes is getting praised for. If they had have gotten expansive once they'd done the grind, I'd get it more. But they're not going to win grinding out defensive 30s and 50s without getting more expansive and they didn't really look like playing shots and scoring more than that. That degree of stone walling isn't the answer for them either.

The match was already lost so I don’t take too much note of how Stokes and Jack batted.

 

[010203]

Michael Neser is the oldest Australian pace bowler since Ken Mackay to get his first Test 5fer. If that turns out to be inaccurate, blame Adam Collins because it he who I was listening to when he revealed that.

 

[Permission Capable]

I know things have changed, but I began watching Test Cricket when England were here in 1965-66. England had batsmen such as Boycott, Barber, Edrich, Cowdrey and Barrington who just batted and batted and batted. Their bats appeared wider than the wicket and you never thought you would get them out.

Just saying.

Felt a bit that way with Cook and Trott in 10/11 too.

 

[010203]

Didn't something happen to bring that on? Was he hit while batting perhaps?

He got sconned while batting against India in 2014.

 

[grumbleguts]

Archer couldn't even look smith in the eye at handshake time, the guy is a pathetic campaigner and not a test cricketer

If you remove all balls bowled to Steve Smith, Jofra Archer's career Test bowling ..
.. strike rate goes from 63.37 to 59.26
.. average goes from 32.09 to 29.69
.. wicket tally goes from 54 to 54