*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[Richard]

Anyone know what that Oasis song they just played with a bit of 2005 lookback was?

 

[Redbacks]

I got halfway through typing my reply before remembering who we'd picked.

Was thinking 'Lee and Clark are there' even after reading your post.

England bowlers will be in mint condition

 

[Jono]

Prefer him to some of the others on Nein.

No way. I hate some of the bias and BS nine puts out, but as an anchor, Benaud and Nicholas (God, did I just say that) are better.

They're professionals, and know what to do with the camera and what to do during pauses in conversation.

MacGill looks lost.

Anyway enough talking about that, don't want to take away from the interesting contest we're about to see.

 

[social]

Brave decision for the selectors to back the team that won in SA (minus McDonald). I'm betting Clark didn't pull up that well from the warm-ups leaving Hilf the only choice.

Not disastrous, for mine. If he gets his length right, reckon Hilf will bowl well on the deck as it stands.

EDIT: James, stop spamming the forum.

Problem is that Hilf hasnt got hil length right consistently since about 2007

 

[stephen]

Brave decision for the selectors to back the team that won in SA (minus McDonald). I'm betting Clark didn't pull up that well from the warm-ups leaving Hilf the only choice.

Not disastrous, for mine. If he gets his length right, reckon Hilf will bowl well on the deck as it stands.

EDIT: James, stop spamming the forum.

That had better be the reason we're not picking Clark.

I can't think of any others that make any kind of sense.

 

[andmark]

England should win this test. Better spinners, pretty good bowling attack, nearly as good as ours.

I've never liked Hilfenhaus, but geez picking him ahead of Clark is terrible.

I predicted England to win this test a few weeks ago TBH, isn't looking bad now we have selected a relatively bad team and England have won the toss and are batting on a pitch that will take more and more turn as the game goes on. With 2 spinners in the England team, for Australia this looks gloomy.

Still, PUMPED!

Quite a statement

 

[Adamc]

Wtf, Aus selectors are ******** etc. Last thing I expected them to do.

Seem to have adjusted my sleeping pattern perfectly, just woke up. Not very optimistic of an Australian win here, but I think if they do win they'll run away with an easy series victory.

 

[Jono]

Australia are officially underdogs at the bookiest

 

[Craig]

Brave decision for the selectors to back the team that won in SA (minus McDonald). I'm betting Clark didn't pull up that well from the warm-ups leaving Hilf the only choice.

Not disastrous, for mine. If he gets his length right, reckon Hilf will bowl well on the deck as it stands.

EDIT: James, stop spamming the forum.

What happens when your the owner.

 

[Richard]

Haha, David Lloyd joining the Twitter lot.

 

[James]

I reckon Hilfenhaus could end up being a good pick, especially if there's some swing early on. More likely to nip a few out caught-behind first up than Clark would I reckon.

EDIT: James, stop spamming the forum.

 

[Craig]

Hussain, Atherton, and Holding first up.

 

[Woodster]

Surprised Clark has been left out, must have been a major fitness concern.

England batting first is good news in order to set the Test up having picked two spinners in the side (still not sure how good an option an out of form Panesar is though).

Cannot wait for this to get underway!!!

 

[Top_Cat]

Problem is that Hilf hasnt got hil length right consistently since about 2007

Haha, yeah. As I said 'if'. Who knows, maybe one LBW to an English opener with a full swinger might change his luck.

EDIT: Fuggit, I'm putting it out there; Hilf with 4+ wickets this innings. Gut feeling, nothing more.

 

[andmark]

Is Warne going to be commentating?

 

[King Pietersen]

He's playing poker atm apparently. Nice to see an un-biased Sky commentary team for this test. Not 1 Australian on show.

 

[biased indian]

this is the first time i have ventured inot Ashes sub thread so dont know this has been already discussed

i will be able to watch game live on Thu,Sat and sun..how is it on the weather side are we going to get bright sun for all the five days

 

[Scaly piscine]

In summary:

Flintoff/Broad/Anderson/Swann + Rashid would be the aggressive risk-taking option
Flintoff/Broad/Anderson/Swann + Onions would be the high percentage conservative option
Flintoff/Broad/Anderson/Swann + Panesar is the completely moronic negative option

 

[superkingdave]

Is Warne going to be commentating?

Only when he gets knocked out of his poker tournie iirc

 

[Craig]

Australia are officially underdogs at the bookiest

Quite interesting in that none of Australia's bowling line-up has never bowled a ball in Test cricket in England. I guess that must have some factor.