Ashes 2017/18

like every country test cricket is dieing,  England tests do very well there . iam tired of players cause problems whilst representing England ,and earning good money now,  they should concentrate on their job  and losing 10 wickets very cheap.... i question their commitment to their craft

England' home tests are usually  sell-outs.

I dare say all young professional rich sportsman can be burkes at times.

Lets see what happens in Adelaide before everyone writes England off.

This looks grim now.

I expected us to be out-paced but felt we would use the craft and experience of our senior bowlers, I hoped Moeen would be a threat and that we'd also be able to match up reasonably well as a batting line-up.

Accepting I have only listened to the radio coverage it sounds like we have failed to bowl smartly and then lacked application with the bat.

Australia have been smarter and also more patient across both matches.

We sound like a beaten team, and Australia can only further exploit that and get better. I cannot see the addition of Mark Wood as really turning things round in Perth. Mason Crane could come in but you'd still need Moeen to bat so who drops out?

Bruce

Yes the Lyon has roared in both matches so far whilst Moen looks out of sorts with the ball.

All of the Aussie doubts and nervousness over their line up have disappeared and our neurosis has grown.

Could be a long winter.

Ray

Grim indeed,  however the lion has roared a bit,  or maybe better say the pussy cat has hissed a bit.   3 quick wickets 47-3 in 21 as I write.  Smith was called LBW on a duck but the review showed it going down the leg side,  thats probably our last straw to clutch at gone down the leg side as well.

53-4 at the close.  England found a lot of swing,  Anderson got 2 wickets for 16 runs with an impressive 7 maidens in 11 overs.  Smith did get nailed early,  LBW for only 6 runs.   Still a way to go but its turning into an interesting test.

More frustrating in some ways that when we have used the conditions well we have had some success. Why did we not do this with the new ball on day one (I know not under lights)?

I don't see a way back at all I'm afraid, batting confidence and form looks very low.

Providing we can skittle them out cheaply tomorrow, it offers an opportunity for a famous, albeit unlikely, win.

Botham/Willis/Headingley is the stuff of cricketing folklore and here is an opportunity for the young'uns to make their name.

Ray 

176 - 4 at the close - Eng trail by 177 with 6 remaining.   Root looks like he has got over his jitters on 67 & if he can find a few to build a partnership or two,  it's a long shot for a win but ya never know,  funny ol' game.

How Australia perform with the new ball in the first session may well be the deciding factor.

I think Lyon may be at least as important as the pace bowlers.

At least we are making a fight of it. Root, Bairstow and Ali are not going to block out a draw that is for certain.

Bruce

Oh well, skittled out in pretty short time & 120 short.   Reading the press it seems it was superb bowling with two early wickets that did the damage. 

Yep Root got one with his name on - it kept low and nipped back to catch the bottom corner of the bat.

With Moen Ali's form with bat and ball and the Perth pitch (from memory some teams go without any spinner), I reckon his place in the team for the next one could be in doubt.

At least we haven't quite got the worst player taking part in the Ashes - Peter Handscomb wins that award unless we go with Balance in place of Vince at Perth.

The Aussies also win the most annoying player award too - although I cant decide whether to give it to Lyon for his arm in the air anticipating high five gesture every other ball or to Smith for his exaggerated leaves/disagreeing with every Umpire decision that doesn't go his way.

Ray

Excellent result.  

Ok here we go again. Time to set the alarm clock and strap in.

Apparently the WACA is not its usual bouncy self and is even taking spin, aye and my cock's a kipper.

Batting first will be important and I really fancy Root to get a big hundred as he is great of the back-foot.

Common Joe you have a chance to break the tradition and best of all it will oft be repeated in the future that Australia lost the last ever test at their favourite old ground.

Ray

Well I had no confidence and so far true to my expectations. I could not believe they would not prepare as fast and bouncy a track as possible. Pleased they have really; this is Test cricket not a one-day runfest. Even an England supporter like me has to enjoy this sort of drama.

Too much burden on Root, and all the off field stuff will be draining his concentration.

Cook totally out of touch

Vince is a '25 and out' man.

The rest will strive but where is a dominant big innings coming from?

As for our bowling, 5-10mph is the difference between threatening and inviting. I think we could get really battered where there is no lateral movement whatsoever.

In these conditions the gap between the sides will be very wide. The rest of the time it is only fairly wide..

Bruce

OK, gutsy partnership, century for Malan at end of play!

Still need 450+ on this track.

Bruce

Building up towards a routine Aussie victory. Good to see Cook and Root both fail (and miserably).

Got up early to see us start nicely and then go from 89-1 to 140-4. Anyway had the radio on at work and will watch the rest when I get home from work with a great big fat smile on my stupid, fat English cricket fan face.

Buffet bowling. Entirely predictable with this attack at this venue.

Smith a man in total control, and captain to boot. Well played. Root seems increasingly overwhelmed and the team lacking direction or fight.

Goodnight Ashes.

The Ashes were gone as soon as this miserable excuse for an England team set foot in Australia.

I knew we'd get a balanced reply from you Nick. Thanks.

I'm pleased for Australia. It is their turn to have them back.

Bruce

No doubt about it, Captain Fantastic Smith is probably the one big thing that separates the two sides,  backed up by a bowling squad that seem to get more out of the pitch(s) than do England.      Best not mention the poor form with the bat of one or two individuals that seems to have spread like man flue through the Eng dressing room.

Cook and Ali will certainly be disappointed with their contributions to the tour so far. More widely, I think a big weakness has been our tail.  It collapsed, again, for 35 runs yesterday. Just no good enough. They make lack technique but I think the difference to the Aussie tail is more about a lack of grit and determination.   

constantly losing half the side   for 50+ is only due to lack of concentration..  cook has lost this too. root wasn't ready to be captain