*Official* 3rd Test at Edgbaston

[adub]

Haven't been here since day one. Is the consensus that Voges is the next to stick a fork in?

 

[Furball]

I agree with you. England are ****ing lucky that Haze and Starc have been so woeful otherwise we'd have a game on our hands here even after bowling your mob out for 130 1st dig.

Starc bowling poorly isn't really luck is it?

 

[King Pietersen]

Jimmeh's out at Trent Bridge

 

[burr]

It’s both compelling and genuinely sad watching a player of Clarke’s class struggle in this way. I do hope he can come through it because I firmly believe Australia desperately need him – as a batsman and captain. I’m not keen on placing the captaincy burden on Smith at such a young age; that feels like a very un-Australian way to do it. Usually Aus captains (I believe, don’t have the stats) are far more entrenched in the side as players before they get given the reigns permanently. Smith is sure to go through some major troughs in his still young career, as all players do, and to do that as captain, well, I worry for him.

 

[Niall]

Starc bowling poorly isn't really luck is it?

Root, Bell and Lyth out to horror shots.

Cook out to to a freak catch.

Buttler refusing to review a stinker.

Australia had some luck as well.

England really should have gone past 300 here.

 

[King Pietersen]

It’s both compelling and genuinely sad watching a player of Clarke’s class struggle in this way. I do hope he can come through it because I firmly believe Australia desperately need him – as a batsman and captain. I’m not keen on placing the captaincy burden on Smith at such a young age; that feels like a very un-Australian way to do it. Usually Aus captains (I believe, don’t have the stats) are far more entrenched in the side as players before they get given the reigns permanently. Smith is sure to go through some major troughs in his still young career, as all players do, and to do that as captain, well, I worry for him.

Twatto as captain seems the obvious choice.

 

[Hurricane]

It’s both compelling and genuinely sad watching a player of Clarke’s class struggle in this way. I do hope he can come through it because I firmly believe Australia desperately need him – as a batsman and captain. I’m not keen on placing the captaincy burden on Smith at such a young age; that feels like a very un-Australian way to do it. Usually Aus captains (I believe, don’t have the stats) are far more entrenched in the side as players before they get given the reigns permanently. Smith is sure to go through some major troughs in his still young career, as all players do, and to do that as captain, well, I worry for him.

Great post.

 

[weldone]

Anderson won't play any more part in this test, or the fourth one.

 

[Flem274*]

all this talk of dropping players, but who do you pick?

clarke's back could snap at any time now which means if you drop vogels bread your middle order is smithers and the spud with the spuds brother at #6 and nevill at #7.

it's like the opposite problem to a few years ago where clarke had to score triples from 3/30.

 

[Son Of Coco]

So we resume 23 runs ahead. I assume the plan will be to bat until around tea and then stick them in for a tricky last session to see if we can nip a couple out.

 

[Adders]

 

[King Pietersen]

Hate listening to Warne talk, but ****ing love watching him bowl.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Haze seemed to be trying too hard to get a wicket rather than just settling into spells of channel bowling. Seems to have less control vs lefties which is an issue against this current lineup.

yup this is when we miss Ryno big time

 

[weldone]

Hate listening to Warne talk, but ****ing love watching him bowl.

The problem is he doesn't bowl any more, only talks.

 

[Swingpanzee]

I assume the plan will be to bat until around tea

lol.

Would be happy if they made it to the first drink's break.

 

[adub]

Starc is just showing why most Australian supporters here had him very definitely 4th after MJ, Harris and Haze.

Repeat after me. White ball form is not very relevant to Test selections.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Starc is just showing why most Australian supporters here had him very definitely 4th after MJ, Harris and Haze.

Repeat after me. White ball form is not very relevant to Test selections.

oh as long as MJ is bowling well, the moment Patto is fit for Tests I pick him in the attack.


Starc has bowled so much piss that it's infuriating

 

[adub]

all this talk of dropping players, but who do you pick?

clarke's back could snap at any time now which means if you drop vogels bread your middle order is smithers and the spud with the spuds brother at #6 and nevill at #7.

it's like the opposite problem to a few years ago where clarke had to score triples from 3/30.

If Voges is dropped (and I think he should) it does become a real question. With only Watto and Voges left as batting back up options would you call up a Bancroft, Burns or Ferg etc from the A squad to cover in case an injury required a new bat in the 5th test?

 

[adub]

oh as long as MJ is bowling well, the moment Patto is fit for Tests I pick him in the attack.


Starc has bowled so much piss that it's infuriating

Absolutely agree. But Starc is just as likely to infuriate by taking a 7-fer next test.

 

[WalkingWicket]

Need a 3rd Man for this session - a lot of runs are going to come from thick edges down to that area. We also want to stop runs being scored, as well as wickets.