The International Cricket Thread

[paul_e]

No it’s strange, plus I can’t work out where the runs he supposedly got came from. Carse replaced him and he got 1.

Yep, I hadn't checked the numbers until I saw the 'new' scorecard and now I'm just confused how everything else was correct but they added 31 extra runs without adding them to the total.

[Beard82]

Pope always scores runs at the start of a series and tails off - I reckon thats the plan - they will play him initally but be likely to bring in Bethell as it progresses. 

[simboy]

To win the Ashes, assuming no draws, England's attack have to get 60 wickets in 3 tests.

Our spin attack does not inspire confidence. Swann took 14 wickets at 35.5 in 2010/11, the last time the Aussies lost on their home turf to an England side. I cannot see Bashir, Bethell and Root cobbling together 14 wickets between them. I can see Nathan Lyon taking that many and a few more for the soap dodgers. 

All pace? It may be ok at Perth although it isn't the same nowadays and may be the Gabba, but at the MCG,SCG and Adelaide you need spinners.

So even if the England top and middle order do fire, and i think its pretty even between the two teams batting-wise I fear the worst, their pace attack is better if two of the three of Hazelwood, Cummings and Starc are playing and the goat will be the pivotal difference.

Aussies 3 -1   

[tomd2103]

Pope always scores runs at the start of a series and tails off - I reckon thats the plan - they will play him initally but be likely to bring in Bethell as it progresses.

I just think leaving Pope out at the start leaves them nowhere to go really.  Leaving Pope out is likely to impact on him, so if Bethell doesn't work out, Pope isn't likely to be in a great place coming back in.

[PaulWinch again]

It’s great for Pope and it’s a very good time for Stokes to get some rhythm.

Potts bowling well is helpful as well, there needs to be pressure on the bowlers.

[Lsvilla]

Agree about Potts I think he's definitely got something. Hoping to get out for tests 4 and 5 - tickets the current problem. Anyone got any going spare ? Or have any experience of using Ticombo as they seem to have some knocking around at reasonable prices.
Also just discovered that England u-19's are starting a series against WI on Sunday in Grenada where I happen to be on holiday. Not sure my missus is entirely convinced this a complete surprise to me and we just chose this island because we both love it.

[PaulWinch again]

Hazelwood out, Wood ok. It’s all lining up for us to get rolled in the first Test!

In all seriousness Doggett, who will likely play, appears to have been bowling very well.

[olaftab]

Agree about Potts I think he's definitely got something. Hoping to get out for tests 4 and 5 - tickets the current problem. Anyone got any going spare ? Or have any experience of using Ticombo as they seem to have some knocking around at reasonable prices.
Also just discovered that England u-19's are starting a series against WI on Sunday in Grenada where I happen to be on holiday. Not sure my missus is entirely convinced this a complete surprise to me and we just chose this island because we both love it.

Great island, Grenada. Give my regards to the Umbrellas and the Aquarium. Off tomorrow to Perth for the first test Bali in between and then Brisbane.   

[olaftab]

To win the Ashes, assuming no draws, England's attack have to get 60 wickets in 3 tests.

Our spin attack does not inspire confidence. Swann took 14 wickets at 35.5 in 2010/11, the last time the Aussies lost on their home turf to an England side. I cannot see Bashir, Bethell and Root cobbling together 14 wickets between them. I can see Nathan Lyon taking that many and a few more for the soap dodgers. 

All pace? It may be ok at Perth although it isn't the same nowadays and may be the Gabba, but at the MCG,SCG and Adelaide you need spinners.

So even if the England top and middle order do fire, and i think its pretty even between the two teams batting-wise I fear the worst, their pace attack is better if two of the three of Hazelwood, Cummings and Starc are playing and the goat will be the pivotal difference.

Aussies 3 -1   

A very reasonable summary. I don't see Wood and Archer being available for the entire series.

[Meanwood Villa]

Wood will break down in the first test is my prediction

[Proposition Joe]

Hazelwood out, Wood ok. It’s all lining up for us to get rolled in the first Test!

In all seriousness Doggett, who will likely play, appears to have been bowling very well.

It's our batting I worry about. They'll dig up some bowler no one's ever heard of, show lots of footage on TV about how ocker he his, how he drinks stubbies and says "aw rippa" a lot, and he'll make mincemeat of our top order and/or absolutely skittle the tail.

[Beard82]

To win the Ashes, assuming no draws, England's attack have to get 60 wickets in 3 tests.

Our spin attack does not inspire confidence. Swann took 14 wickets at 35.5 in 2010/11, the last time the Aussies lost on their home turf to an England side. I cannot see Bashir, Bethell and Root cobbling together 14 wickets between them. I can see Nathan Lyon taking that many and a few more for the soap dodgers. 

All pace? It may be ok at Perth although it isn't the same nowadays and may be the Gabba, but at the MCG,SCG and Adelaide you need spinners.

So even if the England top and middle order do fire, and i think its pretty even between the two teams batting-wise I fear the worst, their pace attack is better if two of the three of Hazelwood, Cummings and Starc are playing and the goat will be the pivotal difference.

Aussies 3 -1   

A very reasonable summary. I don't see Wood and Archer being available for the entire series.

I agree with all the above.  I worry also that we have too many batsman who don’t play the situation and will gift there wickets. 

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

Mmm…I like our chances a little more than you Gents. A lot will depend on Stokes, Wood and Archer staying fit and maybe playing 4 Tests each. Cummins and Hazelwood missing the first Test is a massive boost for us.

I think the teams are pretty evenly matched which should make for a fantastic series. With home advantage you have favour the Aussies. I don’t think they’ll be any draws so my prediction is 3-2 them but very much hoping for 2-3 to us.

[PaulWinch again]

Hazelwood out, Wood ok. It’s all lining up for us to get rolled in the first Test!

In all seriousness Doggett, who will likely play, appears to have been bowling very well.

It's our batting I worry about. They'll dig up some bowler no one's ever heard of, show lots of footage on TV about how ocker he his, how he drinks stubbies and says "aw rippa" a lot, and he'll make mincemeat of our top order and/or absolutely skittle the tail.

It’ll be Doggett, who looks bloody good. Let’s face it whoever they pick will be a bloody good bowler - but there’s no way of looking at it that Cummins and Hazelwood being out isn’t good for us. The are world class, all timers, so no matter how good the back up is it’s not that.

Doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s good for us.