Ashes 2013/14

[bertlambshank]

Eastie is Micheal Fish.

[eastie]

Some heavy rain and torrential storms forecast for the middle 3 days - I fancied the draw before seeing the forecast - even more so now.
I think if the Aussies want to win the series a win in Adelaide is a must for them - think it will be a draw and England will win the series 2-1.
Bring it on!

Must be looking at a different forecast. No rain first 3 days, slight chance of rain on the 4th, no rain on the 5th

Watched the Aussie commentator on sky earlier and he says days 2,3 and 4 are forecast the sort of rain that we would never see in England - torrential - draw is very much the favourite in this match .

http://www.cricket365.com/basket/7187/story/9030309/Pitch-report-The-Gabba-Brisbane

[taylorsworkrate]

Some heavy rain and torrential storms forecast for the middle 3 days - I fancied the draw before seeing the forecast - even more so now.
I think if the Aussies want to win the series a win in Adelaide is a must for them - think it will be a draw and England will win the series 2-1.
Bring it on!

Must be looking at a different forecast. No rain first 3 days, slight chance of rain on the 4th, no rain on the 5th

Watched the Aussie commentator on sky earlier and he says days 2,3 and 4 are forecast the sort of rain that we would never see in England - torrential - draw is very much the favourite in this match .

http://www.cricket365.com/basket/7187/story/9030309/Pitch-report-The-Gabba-Brisbane

Odds on the draw are drifting with virtually every bookmaker. There's nothing really between any of the 3 outcomes at the moment.

[eastie]

I will be quite happy with a draw- this is the Aussies best chance of a win for me - if we avoid defeat here we will go on to win the series - surprised bumble feels we will bowl if we win the toss .

[Villan For Life]

I'd settle for a rain-soaked draw and take the sting out of the Aussie hype.

We need to put the pressure on to make them go for a result and as we saw in the summer they will make mistakes. This generation of Aussie players doesn't handle the pressure/expectation well and the level of expectation from the Aussie public/media in a home Ashes series is huge.

They think of the Gabba as a fortress and haven't lost there since the all-powerful Windies side beat them in the late 1980's. They used to feel the same about Lords and we've shoved that one down their throats in the last two home series.

We should have enough to win the series but need Cooke and Trott to rediscover their best form.

COME ON ENGLAND

[taylorsworkrate]

I do really worry about the decision to go in with Tremlett. The Aussies hold all the aces in terms of sheer pace, on what are expected to be quick pitches.

[eastie]

I do really worry about the decision to go in with Tremlett. The Aussies hold all the aces in terms of sheer pace, on what are expected to be quick pitches.

I'm not worried about tremlett, he will have to perform to keep his place - I think our bowling attack is better than theirs and the fast pitches will aid our bowlers too.

[taylorsworkrate]

I do really worry about the decision to go in with Tremlett. The Aussies hold all the aces in terms of sheer pace, on what are expected to be quick pitches.

I'm not worried about tremlett, he will have to perform to keep his place - I think our bowling attack is better than theirs and the fast pitches will aid our bowlers too.

I just can't see Tremlett having much of an impact at his current pace. He'd be 3rd choice for the 3rd seamer spot for me.

[paul_e]

I do really worry about the decision to go in with Tremlett. The Aussies hold all the aces in terms of sheer pace, on what are expected to be quick pitches.

I'm not worried about tremlett, he will have to perform to keep his place - I think our bowling attack is better than theirs and the fast pitches will aid our bowlers too.

I just can't see Tremlett having much of an impact at his current pace. He'd be 3rd choice for the 3rd seamer spot for me.

4th behind a Onions for me (5th is Bresnan is fit), I've never been a big fan anyway as he's only ever seemed really dangerous on a quick wicket with a bit of devil in it, but with 4-5mph off the pace he's not going to be as effective as Broad or Rankin in those conditions so you can't even justify picking him when the conditions are made for him.  I can see why he's been taken but I firmly believe that he'd not be there if Rankin had played a few more matches and Bresnan was fit.

[eastie]

If Bresnan was fit he would be 1st choice - he may be fit for the  next test - down to tremlett to deliver., in truth I wouldn't have a problem with any of those 5 - all potent on their day.

[taylorsworkrate]

Obviously best case scenario is i'm eating my words at lunch when Tremlett has taken 7 for 20.

[PaulWinch again]

Indeed, I see the Aussie tabloids are going after Broad on their front pages, subtlety isn't their thing.

[eastie]

Indeed, I see the Aussie tabloids are going after Broad on their front pages, subtlety isn't their thing.

Sticks and stones pwa - broady will thrive on it !
Are you staying up all night?

[PaulWinch again]

Not tonight sadly, I'll save that for the third day when we'll hopefully finish them off! Come on England get into these bloody Aussies.

[eastie]

Not tonight sadly, I'll save that for the third day when we'll hopefully finish them off! Come on England get into these bloody Aussies.

I'm off till next weds but haven't slept today so will have it on tms low in bed and once wife goes to work watch it all on skyplus - thats the plan but it feels like Xmas eve now so may not sleep at all .