The Cricket Thread 2016

[JD]

Sky News Australia are saying that Starc will be fit for the second rest. I can't see him being at 100% though.

[tomd2103]

Natives not happy here.

Reckon England were more energetic and played the more daring Cricket, they do not like it up em.

Harris is an enormous loss for them, he's been the fulcrum of their attack, now it's just unbalanced and will struggle to create pressure as they'll  be leaking runs. He gave them control.

Knives well and truly out for their number 1 whipping boy, Shane Watson.

Warms the cockles of your heart.

I think they have got problems.  Losing Harris was a massive blow and there are clearly a few of their players who were questionable selections (Watson, Haddin, Voges).  They have got a lot to sort out.

[paul_e]

Natives not happy here.

Reckon England were more energetic and played the more daring Cricket, they do not like it up em.

Harris is an enormous loss for them, he's been the fulcrum of their attack, now it's just unbalanced and will struggle to create pressure as they'll  be leaking runs. He gave them control.

Knives well and truly out for their number 1 whipping boy, Shane Watson.

Warms the cockles of your heart.

I think they have got problems.  Losing Harris was a massive blow and there are clearly a few of their players who were questionable selections (Watson, Haddin, Voges).  They have got a lot to sort out.

It's tough though, Voges I understand because he is used to English conditions and has a decent record, Haddin they don't seem to have much alternative for and Watson has to be replaced by an all rounder and I'm not sure they have anyone who could do that job.

The bigger issue is that they don't have a 'plan' bowler, Harris and Siddle have been the ones who've filled that role for the last few years and none of the current frontline quicks are that sort of bowler.  They have bowling plans but I don't think any of them have the consistency of line and length to make the most of them.  Look at the short stuff they used against Ballance, it bothered him but the accuracy wasn't there to put him under real pressure.

[Dr Butler]

5 battles to win the war....one in the bag, it was a delightful day at Ascot races Saturday listening to the convicts wickets tumble  

well played the whole England set up...

UTV
The Doc

[Villan For Life]

England are considering Jayawardene and Collingwood in consultancy roles:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/897913.html

[cheltenhamlion]

The Aussies have had a good couple of years and it is important we don't get ahead of ourselves. However. ..

An awful lot of wins in that time have been built on the top 4 scoring an awful lot of runs or the quick rolling people over in helpful conditions.

Their attack to me looks unbalanced for our conditions and too many of the star batsman struggle against a swinging ball.

It will be interesting to see how our young side approach things when right up against it though, which they inevitably will be at some point in this series.

[Villan For Life]

The Aussies have had a good couple of years and it is important we don't get ahead of ourselves. However. ..

An awful lot of wins in that time have been built on the top 4 scoring an awful lot of runs or the quick rolling people over in helpful conditions.

Their attack to me looks unbalanced for our conditions and too many of the star batsman struggle against a swinging ball.

It will be interesting to see how our young side approach things when right up against it though, which they inevitably will be at some point in this series.

That's when the senior pros like Bell, Broad and Anderson need to step up to the plate.

[Villan For Life]

Haddin to miss the Lords test for "personal reasons".

[KevinGage]

We don't know the circumstances as to why he pulled out, but could be a blessing for Australia.

His daughter was ill a while back and he withdrew himself from selection, so I hope it's not a recurrence of that. But he wasn't in great nick and this takes the decision out of Australia's hands.  England won't have seen too much of Peter Nevill, and that could work in their favour too.

Though you'd expect Bayliss to know about any player from NSW.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Suggestions that Shane Watson is going to be dropped for the second test.  He's in stinking form but it would still be a surprise at such an early stage.  Also, Haddin is apparently staying in London with the squad, so whatever his family problem is it's not serious enough for him to leave the tour.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't think they should drop Watson. I actually think he's a good player, but he's batting in the wrong position.

[Villan For Life]

I don't think they should drop Watson. I actually think he's a good player, but he's batting in the wrong position.

Yes with his pad in front of the stumps!

[PaulWinch again]

Moeen is a doubt for the second Test, that'd be a big blow.

[taylorsworkrate]

I don't think they should drop Watson. I actually think he's a good player, but he's batting in the wrong position.

He's a talented cricketer and always has been.

However, he only averages 35, and has been given many many chances

[LeeB]

Haddin to miss the Lords test for "personal reasons".

He personally can't catch a cricket ball.