Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[THE A5]

A lot of people, including many on here, still somehow don't understand that many game plans involve trying to get the batters to play shots so they make a mistake. A lot of people simply don't understand cricket despite watching it regularly.

It also just shows that Harmison was an idiot that had no plan/b/c. Rather some one being prepared than turning into a wet noodle in the middle of the battle because they’re one dimensional

 

[Gough]

Courtney Walsh did that for years, must be some shoulder injuries you can still bowl with and not throw.

Last bit of Gower's career if he chased a ball to the boundary someone chased him to act as throwing wallah to get the ball back to the keeper.

 

[passmark]

Courtney Walsh did that for years, must be some shoulder injuries you can still bowl with and not throw.

Jeff Thompson did it for the entire second half of his career after breaking his shoulder in the onfield collision with Alan Turner.

 

[JackOutback]

This will be fun! Excited to watch Jhye and Murphy play.

All three of Smith, Starc and Boland to play is massive.

Assume the XI is;

1. Weatherald
2. Head
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith (c)
5. Khawaja
6. Carey
7. Green
8. Starc
9. Richardson
10. Boland
11. Murphy

Probably our strongest batting lineup thus far. I like Uzzie at 5.

Reckon that is what they will go with.

Rocc has had two good seasons in a row, putting together a third, and apparently impressed Steve Smith in the nets, according to Langer. But Murphy is basically the incumbent back-up, hasn't really put a foot wrong, and is the obvious choice. If Rocc keeps bowling well, could see him get a chance soon. At 28, he could still put together a 5-10 year career.

 

[SSSSSS]

In a deadrubber I'm okay with bringing Murphy in.

No way am I playing a four eyed Milhouse look alike when the series is on the line though. I don't care how good he is, I just can't trust goggles.

 

[philreich]

Love the tweet from Iceland Cricket, "After playing 3 tough first class warm up games, it looks like England are ready for the first Ashes Test in Melbourne."

 

[The Tilt]

An article I read said he had already committed to being back for Boxing Day

I'm not even sure that's possible.

 

[JackOutback]

Love the tweet from Iceland Cricket, "After playing 3 tough first class warm up games, it looks like England are ready for the first Ashes Test in Melbourne."

Did Iceland Cricket hire GWS' social media guy? They have been on fire.

 

[Scorpus]

Cummins out for the series

 

[THE A5]

 

[BGman]

While Ben Stokes has been praised for showing more steel than his team mates over the series, his answer to a routine question raised a lot of eyebrows.

When asked what he could have done differently in the first three Tests, Stokes mentioned the coin tosses in a sarcastic manner.

“Called heads first two (coin tosses) and won this one,” he said.

For the record, Stokes won the first two tosses and chose to bat first both times. For this faux par the Pom skipper copped heaps on social media from his countrymen.

 

[Bedi]

Cummins out for the series

Not a great result but if the skipper was choose any test to play it'd be the one where we won the Ashes. Job done.

 

[jannissary]

i’m as vicbiased as the next flog but rocc’s form has been excellent for a good period of time. a match like this (in what is essentially a dead rubber) would be a good opportunity to play him, especially since i’m less than impressed with murphy as a frontline spinner (as the test side has been too, given the occasional hesitancy to bowl him in matches)

 

[BGman]

Happy Christmas all!!

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

The audacity of The Project to post this after their shitty show got cancelled.

 

[BGman]

Not a great result but if the skipper was choose any test to play it'd be the one where we won the Ashes. Job done.

He ruled out himself as he said I played in Adelaide even tho there was a risk (of reinjuring his back) a risk he was prepared to take for such an important game. That is inspirational from our skipper.

but rocc’s form has been excellent for a good period of time.

Has it what, doubled that of the other two contenders. Past two full seasons no fewer than 82w, that is more than most quicks. Only one of the three to have taken a first class hat trick too. Seems form and specially continued form, does not matter to these selectors.

 

[Black Diamond]

Look at the set that show catered to.

Unsurprising post, and unsurprising cancellation.

And a reminder that Waleed Aly and Peter Helier helped to stifle Heretier Lumumba's racism claims.

 

[Orange crush]

This sounds unhinged but is hilariously true

bound to be a voges or hussey floating about looking for a game

 

[Pistol Night]

All I want for Xmas is Green out.

Sorry you’ll have to settle for a Lynx Africa gift set and a Cadbury Favourites box with extra Turkish Delights

 

[ams4crows]

So Cummins plays 1 match Lyon 1.75 Smith 2 and Hazelwood 0

And it's still 3-0??

These next two matches if England don't win one with shield bowlers plus Starc you'd have to sack the coach.

 

[Daka]

i really want him back in the side – esp as deserves another shot given how well he bowled in last test – but just not at the expense of Starc, Boland or Neseer

Agree with the others but Richardson should be ahead of Neser at this stage he is much younger and bowled great for AUS A v Lions.

 

[Run n Spread]

I'd give Starc and Biland a rest. Have had high workloads.
Head
Weatherold
Labaschagne
Smith
Khawaja
Webster
Carey
Nesser
Murphy
Doggett
Richardson

 

[Pistol Night]

I'd give Starc and Biland a rest. Have had high workloads.
Head
Weatherold
Labaschagne
Smith
Khawaja
Webster
Carey
Nesser
Murphy
Doggett
Richardson

Not really a high workload at all 3 tests into a series. Starc has bowled only 90 odd overs. 30 a test. Boland significantly less. Thats **** all. Both should be raring to go Boxing Day

 

[Around the Wicket]

So Cummins plays 1 match Lyon 1.75 Smith 2 and Hazelwood 0

And it's still 3-0??

These next two matches if England don't win one with shield bowlers plus Starc you'd have to sack the coach.

It's pretty bad, they were in some of the matches though.. 1/103 1st Test, that's commanding position and lost 9/102 and only gave Australia 205 to chase lol.

2nd Test 4/210 batting 1st and lost 5/54.. last wicket partnership got them to 334 but well below par on that pitch.

& this Test they only lost by 82 runs and again some set batsmen threw there wicket away when set, Jamie Smiths dismissal was a shocker when England were fighting back.

 

[Pistol Night]

The audacity of The Project to post this after their shitty show got cancelled.

Sure Project you can not talk about as much shit as you want on your show champion