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

[Burner]

I think of the fab 4 Smith is the only one who's not prone to doing stupid **** even if you tie him down. That goes a long way in making him the BIG 1 imo

 

[Kirkut]

Smith is a champ, he led from the front on that tough Pune wicket early this year, he's doing it again now. He is the best batsman in the world right now.

It seems to me that Root does not enjoy batting in Australia.

 

[Grumpy]

How would you go about trying to dismiss him? Remember one of the commentators mentioning in a series last year that perhaps employ a leg slip? Since he shuffles across so much, bowl at his ribs and if the ball gets too quick him, the only shot he can play is the glance.

How did he do in the home series against SA last year?

 

[Gnske]

I can recall him maybe getting out at leg slip once, may well have been a downhill ski against the Windies too.

Tbh with Smith you fish him just outside off, the tried and true. With spin and pace, the former he seems far more inclined to play a brain-dead shot early, the latter he can square himself up juicily. Neither happens that consistently, at least early on in his innings.

Think for the time being, the short-ball and 'restricting runs so he does something stupid' tactics, can be canned if you legitimately want to get him out. Restricting his runs might work eventually I guess. But as someone said, at least England now only have to get him out 9 times in the series.

 

[Grumpy]

Broad thinks they got the job done as they succeeded in making him score slow

 

[YorksLanka]

Nice to see genuine concern from Starc for Root after sconning him..didn't stop him trying again next ball though but this is test cricket

 

[Woodster]

I think this could be a tough day for England, seriously hope I’m wrong. A chance for someone to play a huge innings for England, just desperately hope someone stands up, it doesn’t have to be Root but he’s clearly the most likely one to do it.

 

[Cow]

Genuine concern. Lol

 

[Woodster]

Not seen any of the England second innings yet, are the Aussie quicks waiting for the tailenders to come out again before they dare say anything?

 

[Cow]

I think Eng are in trouble here. Can see them being 100-6 at lunch.

 

[adub]

Haze will start up this morning and if he's anything like he was last night wickets will fall. Probably have Cummins at the other end for a short burst too. First hour will test some techniques.

 

[TNT]

Not seen any of the England second innings yet, are the Aussie quicks waiting for the tailenders to come out again before they dare say anything?

Nah, they have been saying quite a bit, especially Starc. England have been very very quiet though.

 

[Woodster]

Nah, they have been saying quite a bit, especially Starc. England have been very very quiet though.

That’s a change then as they said nothing at all in the first innings until Broad (No.9) and Anderson (No.11) came out, guess it’s whoever ability-wise you feel comfortable sledging.

England are generally quiet on the sledging front, tend not to force that kind of front.

 

[TNT]

That’s a change then as they said nothing at all in the first innings until Broad (No.9) and Anderson (No.11) came out, guess it’s whoever ability-wise you feel comfortable sledging.England are generally quiet on the sledging front, tend not to force that kind of front.

Broad and Anderson, yeah like those two never say anything.

 

[Woodster]

Broad and Anderson, yeah like those two never say anything.

Yes they’ll have a word with the odd batsman!

 

[TNT]

Yes they’ll have a word with the odd batsman!

But not bowlers.

 

[Adders]

I think this could be a tough day for England, seriously hope I’m wrong. A chance for someone to play a huge innings for England, just desperately hope someone stands up, it doesn’t have to be Root but he’s clearly the most likely one to do it.

I actually think it is imperative that Root stands up this innings and lays a marker down for the series. Smith has pretty much dragged his side up in this test single handedly......a true captain leading from the front. We need the same from our skip here.

 

[Woodster]

I actually think it is imperative that Root stands up this innings and lays a marker down for the series. Smith has pretty much dragged his side up in this test single handedly......a true captain leading from the front. We need the same from our skip here.

I agree it would be nice for Root to do that and he is the most likely to do it. You can’t legislate for getting a beauty, will take runs from any of them and still back Root to have a very good series.

 

[Woodster]

But not bowlers.

Yes those two don’t discriminate, don’t just wait for bowlers before they’re confident enough to say a word or two! Not cowards them two mate.

 

[mr_mister]

Sledging Broad and Anderson when they were batting was a little silly as both neither seemed to take their batting that seriously, hence they were hardly fazed. Lots of smiles and laughter at 5 foot Warner trying to act tough


At least sledge the top order bats who might be put off their game. Stoneman this morning will cop it I'm sure