*Official* 1st Test at the SWALEC Stadium

[flibbertyjibber]

Cricinfo headlines 'England hold the edge', but I make it smack on even.

They bat last so need a lead.

 

[harsh.ag]

I think I Australia will get to around 375.

Sweepstakes?

GIMH 340
smali 375

408

 

[Gob]

Cricinfo headlines 'England hold the edge', but I make it smack on even.

Voges dismissal tipped it towards England. Tail has been good for Aust but you cant count on them to deliver. Australia at least has to match England

 

[BeeGee]

Cricinfo headlines 'England hold the edge', but I make it smack on even.

Looking at this as a neutral, I'd rather be in England's shoes than Australia's. England ahead, not massively, but definitely ahead.

What happens with the new ball tomorrow may well decide the game.

 

[Howe_zat]

What happens with the new ball tomorrow may well decide the game.

It's usually the sign of a good game that you can keep saying this about the next session.

The quality of the cricket hasn't been the best but it's made for a compelling match.

 

[smash84]

Sweepstakes for Aus 1st innings total

GIMH 340
smali 375
harsh 408

 

[kingkallis]

I think I Australia will get to around 375.

Sweepstakes?

GIMH 340
smali 375

392 with Johnson smashing a quick 50.

 

[GIMH]

Personally think we're way ahead. Oz five down, plenty behind and a taillender at the crease. Not to mention it should be easy to get rid of Lyon too

BOOM I'M HERE ALL WEEK

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Personally think we're way ahead. Oz five down, plenty behind and a taillender at the crease. Not to mention it should be easy to get rid of Lyon too

BOOM I'M HERE ALL WEEK

Steady now, them crims get upset when we take the piss.

 

[Spark]

I guess a positive way to spin this is that this is going to be the pitch least suited to us, and we've been mediocre as opposed to flat-out terrible (which was a real possibility).

Need to sharpen up rapidly though.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

I guess a positive way to spin this is that this is going to be the pitch least suited to us, and we've been mediocre as opposed to flat-out terrible (which was a real possibility).

Need to sharpen up rapidly though.

The rest of the pitches won't exactly be full of pace and bounce. This has been a pudding though.

 

[Spark]

The rest of the pitches won't exactly be full of pace and bounce. This has been a pudding though.

Yeah that's not to say that the other pitches will be suited to us, but this is exactly the sort of deck where we've been repeatedly dicked over the past few years.

I have a largely similar feeling to yesterday though - England's advantage is probably fairly marginal insofar as one good session would wipe it out entirely, but nonetheless the number of "unforced errors" we're making is extremely frustrating. England have taken advantage really well, mind you.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yeah that's not to say that the other pitches will be suited to us, but this is exactly the sort of deck where we've been repeatedly dicked over the past few years.

Well next week will be slow and flat and the overhead conditions may decide the game. Whoever gets the cloud to bowl in will probably win.

Edgbaston is your best bet.

Trent Bridge is Jimmy's favourite ground and will be won by us with swing.

Oval is usually flat, they will have 2 pitches prepared, flat pancake if we are in front and a crumbly dustbowl if we need a win.

 

[Spark]

Lord's has had reasonable pace and bounce (particularly bounce) the last few years (which, of course, makes it a better batting strip against the old ball). Not fast by any means, but not this either.

If Trent Bridge is like last year then it's a serious favourite for draw. Any halfway competent FC batsman could have survived ages on that thing.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Bet it doesn't next week.

 

[Spark]

Bet it doesn't next week.

They dug up the whole square or something? Pitches vary but their basic characteristics tend to remain pretty static.

 

[Howe_zat]

They dug up the whole square or something? Pitches vary but their basic characteristics tend to remain pretty static.

Last year was the odd one out for TB though.

 

[weldone]

I'd say we're ahead. Tipping Oz to get about 340ao.

You are probably lightly ahead. But Oz should at least come close to your total imo. Even if they get 430 I'd say you're ahead because they have to bat last in what looks like a subcontinent-like pitch so far. Australia needs to get a 75+ lead to get ahead in this game, and that looks very far now.

 

[Spark]

Last year was the odd one out for TB though.

Not that much of an odd one out. The Ashes 2013 one was very slow as well (last year's was truly disgusting though, that's exactly the sort of pitch that should be fined by the ICC for bringing the game into disrepute)

 

[BeeGee]

I think too much is being made about the quality of the pitch, tbh. Sure, it's a little slow and the bounce is a little uneven, but batsmen who have applied themselves have scored runs and bowlers who have bowled well have taken wickets. On both sides.

I'd much rather have this pitch than a 600 v 600 road, or a 120 v 120 minefield.