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***Official*** 1st Test at Brisbane
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
Woodster
International Captain
I think what makes this Ashes intruiging is the fact both sides have weaknesses that are plain to see, this isn't a case of the only chance one side have got of winning is the other side being far from their best, the fact is we don't really know what these teams 'best' is.
I can see weaknesses in both teams being exposed at various times, I don;t think either side are good enough to mask those deficiencies. It isn't going to be the top level in terms of quality of cricket played, that doesn't mean to say it can't be tense, tight, competitive, exciting and frustrating, all in a single session! I also hope the umpires are too strict when it comes down to a few words between the players, we all love a bit of passion and fire, as I'm sure the players do, just let them get on with it umps!
I can see weaknesses in both teams being exposed at various times, I don;t think either side are good enough to mask those deficiencies. It isn't going to be the top level in terms of quality of cricket played, that doesn't mean to say it can't be tense, tight, competitive, exciting and frustrating, all in a single session! I also hope the umpires are too strict when it comes down to a few words between the players, we all love a bit of passion and fire, as I'm sure the players do, just let them get on with it umps!
SeamUp
International Coach
Ponting reckons this may be Cook's last series. He knows how it feels when you coming to an end. 
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/world/cook-unlikely-to-continue-after-the-ashes-ponting-12078961
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/world/cook-unlikely-to-continue-after-the-ashes-ponting-12078961
Bijed
International Regular
Vince has in all the warm-ups. Probably have Ballance in there by the end of the series though.
theegyptian
International Vice-Captain
Telegraph seem to think Ali at 6 with Bairstow at 7, because Bairstow better at shielding the tail. Not sure Ali has the quality for batting 6 in Aus, and it says a little for possibly a lack of belief in Bairstow. I know he's keeping but Bairstow is surely a better bet for batting at 6 and playing a match defining innings.
adub
International Captain
You're only talking about a diiference of an over so between them coming in so it hardly matters...
(exactly the same for Australia's 6/7 tbf)
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Yeah, I don't even really think Bairstow should bat below Stokes when he's playing in all honesty, but I can at least see the logic there. If Stokes is going to be replaced by a bowler than Bairstow should definitely be at six.
I understand not batting him any higher than six for workload reasons, but it's not like Moeen doesn't have a dual well as well so it doesn't apply in this case.
I understand not batting him any higher than six for workload reasons, but it's not like Moeen doesn't have a dual well as well so it doesn't apply in this case.
MW1304
Cricketer Of The Year
Stokes is primarily in the team as a batsman, he should never be lower than 6. He's also been more consistent over the past year or so and is the more likely to score big. Struggled majorly when we've pushed him down the order in the past. Think they're the perfect 6 and 7 tbh.
Spark
Global Moderator
He generally talks a lot of sense tbf. One of the few pundits actually worth listening to.
S.Kennedy
International Vice-Captain
Yes, but he has certainly put his Aussie hat on in the build-up,
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ric...botham-graeme-swann-anderson-broad/2017-11-14
Starfighter
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Brief video on cricinfo of the pitch being rolled. Look like Kevin Mitchell Jr's final test track will be the same boring piece of **** that he's produced for the past five or so years. Flat as a tack and with lots of grass clipping rolled into the surface - a technique which I'm told is a great way of producing a track that has no sideways movement whatsoever and moderately good pace and bounce - just like normal then.
Should be another scoreboard pressure driven match with a par first innings of 400 and maybe more for the second match innings. But considering both sides' lineups anything could happen.
Would still expect England to struggle with the pace and bounce a bit.
Should be another scoreboard pressure driven match with a par first innings of 400 and maybe more for the second match innings. But considering both sides' lineups anything could happen.
Would still expect England to struggle with the pace and bounce a bit.
Gnske
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Knowing Ponting, this means Cook will go on another two years.Ponting reckons this may be Cook's last series. He knows how it feels when you coming to an end.
https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/world/cook-unlikely-to-continue-after-the-ashes-ponting-12078961