Cricket Thread: Ashes 2025-26 Pink Test

[Vader]

It's interesting. The averages there are far more in agreement with my visual assessment of our batsmen than the totals are. Labuschagne just ahead of Green, down the bottom, looks about right. Both of them always look just about to get out when I watch, with Labuschagne probably having more excuse after coming in earlier.

He's had a hit-or-miss summer. He's had 2x 50s, which have only been bettered by Head & Carey. But he's failed in the other innings, with scores of 9, 3, 19, 13 and 6.

 

[Mostyn]

As usual there's too much hyperbole.

Test match cricket is supposedly dead one week after it's alive and well and 90k turned up to watch it.

The wicket is disgraceful because it allows seam movement for once. Anyone with a memory longer than a gold fish can remember the odd pitch that favours good seam bowling. Some batters will get it regardless of technique, but most batters aren't up to a moving ball these days.

I think I read something that there's been more seam movement this series than ever before in Australia, and this pitch has more movement than anything this year.

 

[Mostyn]

Don't think Labuschagne gets enough pressure for his spot. Was in poor form for a very long time, has some decent Sheffield form and gets back in the team only to fail so far in 4 tests. He doesn't look like he found genuine form again. If he doesn't find some in the last 3 innings he'd be the first I'd drop even before green.

In general I think England (and our bowlers) has saved Australia from proper criticism of a struggling batting line Up.

Labuschagne was dropped earlier this year.

 

[Mostyn]

What a gem of a call that was.

The wicket isnt terrible TBH, youve just got 1 side who refuses to change their approach and another who has half their batting line-up out of form.

It might be pretty tricky to bat on again this morning.

The wicket is pretty bad. It's too green for a day one pitch, there's just been too much grass left on there. You want the ball doing something but there was movement in both directions throughout the day that made batting really difficult.

 

[Mostyn]

the batters didnt help themselves.You claim Brooke is the proof. Is he? he got out to an inswinger that went continued on its line once it hit the deck. It was shit poor defense and footwork that got him out because the guy was no doubt pre emptively going to try and swing for the fence. He got caught out. How is that the pitches fault? Head got bowled playing cute. Again not the pitches fault. Same with Weatherald. Cant say it was the pitch at all. Stokes got out trying to be cute and steering a wide delivery that did nothing of the pitch.

Basically if you go through the wickets of both sides its going to be a 50/50 batters fault v bowlers skill. Most of the time the ball did sweet **** all off the pitch. From what I could tell the only crime the pitch is guilty off is picking off batsman who had hideous technique and mindset.

If you think the ball was doing nothing off the pitch, you weren't watching the game.

 

[adelaidecrows]

If you think the ball was doing nothing off the pitch, you weren't watching the game.

I never said it wasn't. Just wasn't as often as people are hyperventilating about.

 

[maxlilly]

Travis Head is no good….

I don't understand Head opening and Usman batting #5
It should be the other way round

 

[Scorpus]

The wicket is pretty bad. It's too green for a day one pitch, there's just been too much grass left on there. You want the ball doing something but there was movement in both directions throughout the day that made batting really difficult.

It's a brilliant wicket.

Because I have stuff to do on day 3 so ideally for me this Test is wrapped up today

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

It's a brilliant wicket.

Because I have stuff to do on day 3 so ideally for me this Test is wrapped up today

Australia may have a match winning lead by lunch day 2.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I don't understand Head opening and Usman batting #5
It should be the other way round

Imo Head is our most important batsman & more likely to do more regular damage at #5.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

No doubt there is too much movement in this pitch, but made worse by a lack of application by the batsmen.

Batters under fire as MCG wicketfest labelled 'not good for Test cricket'

England's batters once again fall flat on their faces in the face of tricky conditions at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test.

www.abc.net.au

 

[FR0GGY]

Weatherald leaves a ball and the movement does him in.

 

[Vader]

Atkinson's hamstring injury could be a real problem for the Poms. It leaves them with just 2 decent bowlers (Tongue & Stokes) and 2 pie chuckers (Jacks & Carse). This creates a real opportunity for the Australian batsmen, as there are easy runs to be made whenever Tongue & Stokes are out of the attack.

 

[Mostyn]

I saw a bit of chat overnight that George Bailey as a selector may do a George Bailey on Jake Weatherald. A five test career, all at home in the Ashes.

Kellaway, Konstas, Renshaw - there's a few others worth investing in.

Still, I'd give Jake Sydney, and probably the Darwin test as well.

 

[spenze]

I think I read something that there's been more seam movement this series than ever before in Australia, and this pitch has more movement than anything this year.

It is the smart way to combat Bazball, that style needs a one day wicket

 

[Mostyn]

Jesus, this pitch might injure a player or two before it's done

 

[spenze]

I saw a bit of chat overnight that George Bailey as a selector may do a George Bailey on Jake Weatherald. A five test career, all at home in the Ashes.

Kellaway, Konstas, Renshaw - there's a few others worth investing in.

Still, I'd give Jake Sydney, and probably the Darwin test as well.

I don't mind the idea of blooding Kellaway

 

[spenze]

JFC Uzzie, wear a ball every now and then

 

[Mostyn]

JFC Uzzie, wear a ball every now and then

Or just get out of the way. Defensive shots like that never work.

 

[Mostyn]

It's a 50/50 game. Should have put some money on the Poms ...

 

[spenze]

Or just get out of the way. Defensive seats like that never work.

Yeah, he took his eye off the ball and paddled in hope, not a great look. I hope for his sake he puts his hand up to retire next match

 

[Eagleboy2011]

OMG, we were cruising along 30 minutes ago.

That 4.25 for a win to England looks more than very good atm.

 

[Cromulant]

This series has been an extremely poor advertisement for Test cricket.

The easy thing is to blame the pitch

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

This series has been an extremely poor advertisement for Test cricket.

The easy thing is to blame the pitch

The pitch is a contributing factor... but so has the application of the batsmen.

Some are too simplistic thinking it's only one or the other.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

It's a 50/50 game. Should have put some money on the Poms ...

We already have more runs than the Poms scored in the 1st innings.

Another 2 day tesr incoming...