The Cricket Thread 2013

[eastie]

Think lehmanns comments were more made jokingly than in a nasty way .
Huge toss to win this one.
Looks like Kerrigan is playing too and going with 2 spinners, nice to see  woakes  starts as well.

[PaulWinch again]

Caps given to Woakes and Kerrigan, very interesting.

[eastie]

Woakes replaces Bairstow, Kerrigan replaces Bresnan - no Finn or tremlett from aggers tweet.

[Villan For Life]

I do worry about Woakes in our attack. He is a yard short of pace and consequently is not test class.

However as a Bear and a Villan I hope he proves me wrong and has a sparkling debut.

I wonder if three Bears have played in the same test for England before?

[PaulWinch again]

No Tremlett very odd decision. Woakes needs to turn up with the ball here. Good luck Woakes and Kerrigan.

[PaulWinch again]

Bowling first will be tough. Woakes as number 6 is big big pressure on him, he needs to turn up with the bat and support well with the ball.

[eastie]

Bairstow has failed too many times , I'm happy with that change but surprised tremlett misses out.
What time is your flight pwa ? Have a nice holiday !

[PaulWinch again]

It's 5.50 mate cheers. Hopefully Villa and England will perform in my absence!

[PGW]

People talk about Woakes not good enough as a bowler, this belief is in part due to his performances in the one dayers, well i watch a lot of him in Championship cricket where he bowls to his strengths good length and movement. He will surprise a few during this test match, i'm not saying he is gonna rip through the aussies and score a double ton but i'm sure that as long as he is not overawed by the occasion he will take a few wickets and score some runs - hopefully at least a 50 in the first innings.

He is good enough - he has been around the England camp for a while now being groomed for this day........some will be disappointed that Tremlett not playing but he is already on the plane to Australia, a chance here to see if Kerrigan and Woakes cut the mustard!!!

[eastie]

It's 5.50 mate cheers. Hopefully Villa and England will perform in my absence!

I would be prepared to accept an Aussie win here if villa pick up a win tonight
Lets hope jimmy is on the ball with his bowling - he had a poor test at Durham.

[taylorsworkrate]

Well I'm shocked by that team selection. It seems very experimental and the set up can't believe its their best team. I'd have preferred us to be ruthless.

[taylorsworkrate]

I haven't seen the build up. Have they stated that Woakes will bat at 6?

He's a decent batsman, but theres no way he's an international no 6 at this stage. I'd have him as a good no 8.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm coming round to the Woakes idea on the basis I think he's been selected as a batsmen who can bowl. If he can perform with the bat it gives us options as none of our number sixes have grabbed their opportunity.

[PaulWinch again]

Not much bounce, Monty must feel really stupid now he would have been playing without his stupid behaviour.

[cdbearsfan]

Bresnan's out for the rest of the Summer. Onions, Finn or someone else to replace him? Maybe Tremlett if they go with an extra spinner... expect Panesar has blotted his copybook for a while.

Indeed he has, Sussex are releasing him too.

Tremlett is a pace bowler not a spinner .
Tremlett Anderson and broad will destroy the Aussies with swann cleaning up in the 2nd innings.

Right you are, I'm mixing up Tremlett with Tredwell.

Welcome back, by the way!