Road to the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia

[TheJediBrah]

eh, maybe. I never saw Bond in Tests but some of the spells I saw of him in ODIs were insane. Virtually unplayable at times with the new ball. I'm assuming he was just as food in Tests as well.

Pattinson's already less injury-prone though. A lot of the games Pattinson's missed has been because, even when fit, he hasn't been able to break past the incumbents in the side.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Pattinson, 32 wickets at 12.06 this season. More than handy with the bat also (49.25), albeit against division two attacks.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Pattinson, 32 wickets at 12.06 this season. More than handy with the bat also (49.25), albeit against division two attacks.

Just had a thought. "Against division 2 attacks" is a fair condition to put against any performance, but I wonder how many of the batsman having to face him were comforted that they were facing a "division 2 attack"

 

[vcs]

I remember Pattinson being wayward in Ashes 2013 (only a couple of Tests, but still). Seems he's figured out the correct line/length to bowl in English conditions.

He was always impressive whenever he played India in Tests, both home and away.

 

[honestbharani]

Honestly though, I thought Cummins was more impressive than Pattinson in India. But then again, Pattinson was bowling to a better batting group in flatter conditions and at a time when his own batting unit was letting him and the rest of the bowling attack down.

 

[stephen]

Pattinson tried to remodel his action after he broke down the first time. After he did that he wasn't as good. But he managed to get things right last summer. He's twice the bowler now than he was 4 years ago. If he gets on the field for all 5 Ashes tests it could be a repeat of Johnson '13.

 

[Teuton]

So does anyone know the fitness status of Pattinson, Starch and Hazelwood?

Any danger they will be fit for the first test (barring any unforeseen events)?

 

[S.Kennedy]

Just had a thought. "Against division 2 attacks" is a fair condition to put against any performance, but I wonder how many of the batsman having to face him were comforted that they were facing a "division 2 attack"

Not perhaps what you wanted to hear but 37/0 at 7.40 eco in an one-dayer against a full strength Tykes (Root, Bairstow, Handscomb, Ballance, Lyth, Willey, Bresnan, Plunkett, Rashid). If it is any consolation Broad only took one wicket.

 

[Starfighter]

That Notts attack was ridiculous for a while. Now with Fletcher injured and Broad doing international duty it's gone the other way.

 

[stephen]

Pattinson + Broad is an international quality new ball pair. The fact that they were playing second div is ridiculous.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Not perhaps what you wanted to hear but 37/0 at 7.40 eco in an one-dayer against a full strength Tykes (Root, Bairstow, Handscomb, Ballance, Lyth, Willey, Bresnan, Plunkett, Rashid). If it is any consolation Broad only took one wicket.

Not really sure what you're getting at. But I guess it kind of supports what I was speculating. Funny that it can be "only a Division 2 attack"

 

[Gob]

Think that a guy who possesses Mitch Starcs ability is probably the worst of the lot tells you all you need to know. This could be the golden period of fast bowling for Aust if they can get the fitness level of a decent quick.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Pattinson + Broad is an international quality new ball pair. The fact that they were playing second div is ridiculous.

And Gurney and Fletcher. Yes but they were dropped and might bounce back up during this current round of games. The division 2 drop in quality is a bit more nuanced in that you have a bunch of yo-yo clubs like Worcestershire (M. Ali, John Hastings) and Sussex (Philander as overseas), and clubs which you'd normally consider 'division one' but just have for some unfathomable reason a **** season (like Warwickshire this year with Trott, Bell and Ambrose!) or are shafted by the ECB (Durham). Then you have proper 'division 2' teams, your Leicestershires, Gloucestshires, Glamorgans and Derbyshires.

Even then it is probably not as stuck as glue as some in the ECB believe when you look at Essex, Cook's county, who have been stuck in division two for years yet ascend to the very top. Northants have a possibility of promotion right now and they're the very definition of a division two side.

 

[theegyptian]

Sounds like Hales and Stokes have done something really stupid.

 

[morgieb]

Sounds like Hales and Stokes have done something really stupid.

Ban them from the Ashes IMO

 

[theegyptian]

Daily Mirror (lol ) seems to think there is no chance Stokes goes to Aus now. Either going to be injured or dealing with police charges/ ban from the ecb.

Ben Stokes facing potential Ashes axe after Bristol brawl leaves his Australia tour in doubt - Mirror Online

I'm sure it's just speculation but it's hard to think what England do if Stokes doesn't go. Increases the chances of Bairstow playing as a bat maybe (or possibly not), or maybe he bats higher whilst keeping.

Suppose you just play 4 fast bowlers and Moeen. Cook, Stoneman, Root, Vince, Ballance/Malan, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Anderson, Wood/Ball/Gleeson/Trueman

 

[morgieb]

I struggle to see how England will even win a Test with no Stokes. He adds so much to your team.

 

[MW1304]

I struggle to see how England will even win a Test with no Stokes. He adds so much to your team.

Honestly that's a bit of an overstatement. We won't be able to win a Test anyway because we have three giant holes in our batting line up.

Hopefully it doesn't come to this.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Is that not the ideal place for Stokes, Australia? (Sings Yellow Submarine, revised lyrics Barmy Army version).

 

[Furball]

Sounds like Hales and Stokes have done something really stupid.

My interpretation of what I've read is that Hales witnessed whatever has happened.