***Official*** 1st Test at Brisbane

[S.Kennedy]

I'll call that evens.

It is a funny old game though cricket - proof that everything that is said in the build-up is a complete load of bollocks,

Root, ''England's finest'', looked like Glenn McGrath there while Vince and Stoneman were the pick of the batsmen. The hyped Aussie pacemen were like (medium-paced) scatter guns, it being the spinner who was clearly the best Australian bowler. It pissed it down during Lunch and the ''GABBAtoir' wicket was lifeless. Even the crowd, Barmy Army and Pom-hating Aussie alike, seemed rather subdued (and half weren't even arsed enough to show up in their seats).

Everything that was predicted about this test was completely wrong haha.

 

[Daemon]

I think it’s oretty important from an Australian POV that Ali and Bairstow don’t bat together very long.

Fascinating insight

 

[Burgey]

Fascinating insight

Thanks.

 

[Gnske]

Fascinating insight

Is this the tension this thread so desperately needed?

 

[Burgey]

It’s impossible to get tense with someone as inconsequential as Daemon tbf.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Is this the tension this thread so desperately needed?

Tension is released, last nights curry has left the building.

 

[Gnske]

What did he say mate? RU OK?

To put it bluntly, he said Brisbane was Chennai, but in more unseemly language.

He said it with such glee on the news I almost became violently sick.

 

[GotSpin]

Such a disappointing pitch. kevin Mitchell Jr can **** off.

Id put straya in front here. This pitch is flat.

That was a serious clanger from Erasmus as well

 

[flibbertyjibber]

That was a serious clanger from Erasmus as well

He seems to have got away with it as far as the ex players are concerned, he should be being slaughtered for that as it was obvious. I presumed he never gave it as I had missed a blatant inside edge but when you saw the replay it was about as bad a decision as you will ever see.

 

[StephenZA]

Erasmus was very good at one time... but seems to have dropped off considerably in the last few years. Probably time to retire.

 

[Burgey]

To put it bluntly, he said Brisbane was Chennai, but in more unseemly language.

He said it with such glee on the news I almost became violently sick.

I’m not a fan of Brisbane as you know, but that’s because the rest of Australia (and especially Balmain) is nirvana. To compare it with Chennai is appalling, especially coming from a bloke who actually chose to move to England. I mean, come on.

 

[Spikey]

I wonder who KP would be voting for on Saturday if he could

 

[Spark]

About as good a day of cricket as could have been expected under the circumstances, from both teams.

 

[social]

Such a disappointing pitch. kevin Mitchell Jr can **** off.

Id put straya in front here. This pitch is flat.

That was a serious clanger from Erasmus as well

Yep

His pitches are becoming progressively worse and there's literally no excuse for it this time as a couple of weeks of colder weather/ bit or rain shouldnt affect things when we've had 30+ temperatures since August

Just a complete **** up by the ground staff

 

[StephenZA]

Isn't the groundsman retiring after this Test anyway? The anger seems a bit harsh because the pitch is slow.

 

[Furball]

Why the hell wasn't that given? Plumb as plumb can be.

Massive wicket.

Erasmus.

 

[Stapel]

Erasmus.

I didn't watch it. And cricinfo's commentary has nothing on it.
Was there any reason to not raise the finger? Perhaps a noise that suggested an inside edge?

In general, I think it is too easily said a wrong decision is a shocker. Especially considering inside edges with LBW-decisions (no idea this was the case here). Traditionally (right or wrong), the suspicion of an inside edge is enough to save a batsman!

 

[Cow]

It was plumb on first viewing. Strange decision from Erasmus. That being said, Smith should be banned.

 

[the big bambino]

Hard to know what to think. If that's as well as England can bat then they look to be in trouble for the rest of the series. Its a lot of grind and scrap to lose only 4 wickets and still only share the honours. Then again their plan has a chance as England's lower order seems to have more flair and could run away with the game after the top order wears out our fast bowlers. Pretty tight margin on that plan working though.

I don't think a call can be made on our controversial selections so far. I'm not sure we missed a 5th bowler today and even if one of Henriques, Christian, Maxwell or Cartwright were in the XI, Smith would not have risked their filth when keeping the run rate tight became our mission on this flat wicket. Besides Lyon did his job as well as that of the 5th bowler today. When Paine dropped that catch I thought his whole day and career depended on how many more Vince got. Turned out not many. So he was lucky and can live to be judged another day thanks to the fielding of the man he let down. In fact Lyon has wiped a lot of egg from the selector's faces today with his efforts at the bowling crease and in the field.

 

[Adders]

Hard to know what to think. If that's as well as England can bat then they look to be in trouble for the rest of the series. Its a lot of grind and scrap to lose only 4 wickets and still only share the honours. Then again their plan has a chance as England's lower order seems to have more flair and could run away with the game after the top order wears out our fast bowlers. Pretty tight margin on that plan working though.

Nah disagree with this. From an England pov I'm encouraged by today's efforts. We've made it a habit of being 30 odd for 3 the last few years with our middle lower order getting us to passable totals, to be 194/4 with all the bats we were most worried about getting some runs is a good sign I think.

Yeah it was a grind, but it's clear the plan is to make sure the Aussies stay in the field as long as possible and I'm not going to complain about these blokes putting such a high price on their wickets.

Very even days play I think and if England can get through the new ball with minimal damage tomorrow morning a big score is very much on the cards.