The International Cricket Thread

[OzVilla]

Looks like it'll be a green pitch as we've had tons of rain and the Aussies always like to juice it up for their attack.

I've less confidence in this England side than any other that's toured while I've been over here. Make no mistake, Australia are no where near as good as previous Aussie sides but I think they'll be too strong for us.  We really needed Archer here to hit them with real pace.  Plus we wont score enough runs.

I've tickets for day 3 though, the State borders are still closed so it'll be just Queenslanders and local Poms, never fear though, that twat Warner will still be getting it.

[Gareth]

Just can’t see England getting anything over there, if Root doesn’t get a century (which he hasn’t done over there yet) I don’t see England getting 300+ in any innings - seamers Aus have better in home conditions & Lyon vs Leach is no contest.

It’s frustrating because they are no great shakes either

For England to win it needs Hameed / Malan or Pope to really establish themselves as a test player to support Root & Stokes…Burns will get worked over & will be an achievement if he gets to 50 in any knock

[PaulWinch again]

Looks like Woakes will play.

[Gareth]

That’s good news, Woakes & Robinson could go very well over there, Wood too if he can stay fit

[paul_e]

If the pitch is green (as is being suggested) then Woakes could play a massive part.

[tomd2103]

If the pitch is green (as is being suggested) then Woakes could play a massive part.

If he's going to play, then he has to open the bowling for me and try and get the most out of the new ball.  He will also firm up the lower batting order. 

Think he might well play as we need him at number 8, but can see them including Broad and Robinson with Wood missing out, meaning they haven't really learnt any lessons from the last couple of trips down there.

[simboy]

You have to play Wood if he's fit - Australia isn't about swing bowling after the first 10 or 15 overs, it's about pace and guile, support from a good spinner.  Looking at the times we have won in my living memory there was real venom. Wood if fit offers us a little of that.

The main wicket takers over the last three victory down under series were ...

1970/71 - Snow and Underwood
1978/79 - Willis, Lever and Hendrick with Embury chipping in
1985/86 - Small, Dilley and Botham with Edmonds taking wickets [ can't bat, can't bowl, can't field tour]
2010/11 - Finn, Tremlett/Bresnan and Anderson with Swann on backing vocals

bearing in mind the Aussies in 85/86 were a poor side with really only Border and Jones as a threat batting-wise relying on Bruce Reid and Steve Waugh as their big wicket takers we still only won 2-1, although we were perhaps a side in decline.

Our attack as it stands doesn't really match any of the above, although Snow was a relative unknown [as was Willis in 70/71] at the time of selection.


 

[PaulWinch again]

I’d play Wood as a point of difference, but I think swing/seam could play a bigger part than normal in this series. Particularly if there ends up being two pink ball games. Key bit for us is getting big runs, if we don’t do that it won’t matter who we pick.

[LeeB]

I've absolutely no confidence in our batting whatsoever, and think we'll get smashed.

[simboy]

I’d play Wood as a point of difference, but I think swing/seam could play a bigger part than normal in this series. Particularly if there ends up being two pink ball games. Key bit for us is getting big runs, if we don’t do that it won’t matter who we pick.

Let’s hope you’re right and the Kookaburra swings under the lights. Wasn’t the last day nighter in Oz when India got rolled for 36?

[Meanwood Villa]

I've absolutely no confidence in our batting whatsoever, and think we'll get smashed.

This. Can't believe people are convincing themselves we've got a chance.

[LeeB]

I've absolutely no confidence in our batting whatsoever, and think we'll get smashed.

This. Can't believe people are convincing themselves we've got a chance.

The attack looks brittle too. Talented, but brittle.

[Rory]

I've absolutely no confidence in our batting whatsoever, and think we'll get smashed.

This. Can't believe people are convincing themselves we've got a chance.

I think it's more hoping that we can put up a fight, unlike '13-'14 and '17-'18, which were just embarrassing.

A 3-1 loss, maybe, with the outcome still in the balance going to Sydney. Rather than a humiliating procession.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Australia are favourites, obviously. But the things that give me a bit of hope it might be close -

- we’re better than we were in 2017 - Stokes is key there.
- Australia, as strong as their attack is, are weaker than they were in 2017.
- They’ve lost at home twice in the last couple of years.
- The weather is a bit like it was in 2010 and it does work in our favour a bit.
- There might be two pink ball Tests which makes it more balanced.
- Perth is gone and that’s a guaranteed loss.

We might well still lose, but I think there is a small chance.

[UK Redsox]

Broad left out as well