4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Uppercut]

So, we just need rain for the final two tests. That'll suit me fine thanks.

"Retaining" the Ashes is a load of bollocks imo. It's about 5% as good as winning them. It's like "series over, it was a draw" "do we get to hold on to the trophy until next time?" "yeah sure whatever".

EDIT: though tbf an away Ashes draw is a fair achievement.

 

[Cabinet96]

Anderson is out of the series.

 

[Cow Corner]

Big blow with Anderson ruled out of the Ashes. With all the Archer hype, we shouldn't forget that Anderson has been England's greatest threat at home for the past decade and has been in great form in the past 2-3 home seasons. Especially with the weather around + the weak batting techniques off late it's a huge blow. Anderson as a bowler at home = Steve Smith for Australia.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Anderson is out of the series.

No surprise. I said before the series started that we wouldn’t see much of him. Good time to retire.

 

[MW1304]

No surprise. I said before the series started that we wouldn’t see much of him. Good time to retire.

Nah he deserves one last full home summer to make hay.

 

[Starfighter]

C. Overton called up as cover. With Curran in the squad he won't play, but surely there are better back up bowlers around?

 

[Burgey]

Bad news with Anderson out. Always want the best players available. Hope he’s back sooner rather than later

 

[aussie tragic]

Ashes Anderson in England is over rated so no big loss.

14 Tests, 44 wkts @ 33.48, SR 62.0

 

[BoyBrumby]

No Pope either, which means it's either a rearranging of the Titanic's deckchairs or a promotion for Scurran.

Or a typically English refusal to look facts in the face and to plough on regardless. Sure, marching slowly towards a German machine gun over several hundred yards of open ground didn't work the last three times but doing exactly the same thing again is exactly what Jerry will least expect.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Nah he deserves one last full home summer to make hay.

It doesn’t matter what he deserves. He’s 37 and has a persistent calf injury. If he can get himself fit and in form enough to play a full summer of Test Cricket then good luck to him.

The England squad is more interesting for Roy still being in it.

Marsh batted at 3 in the tour match for Australia. Not sure if that means he’s in contention for the Test.

 

[BoyBrumby]

The England squad is more interesting for Roy still being in it.

I'd prefer the ditchwater version without him then, frankly.

 

[wrongun]

So this is it for Ashes Anderson in England? Wow...Hope he has a better end to his career. Will miss watching him and Steyn when its all over.

 

[MW1304]

It doesn’t matter what he deserves. He’s 37 and has a persistent calf injury. If he can get himself fit and in form enough to play a full summer of Test Cricket then good luck to him.

The England squad is more interesting for Roy still being in it.

Marsh batted at 3 in the tour match for Australia. Not sure if that means he’s in contention for the Test.

It does when we start calling him to retire despite him not showing any signs that he wants to.

If we can wheel him out at 40 and he's still taking wickets at home for fun and still wants to do it then we shouldn't stop him.

 

[greg]

"Retaining" the Ashes is a load of bollocks imo. It's about 5% as good as winning them. It's like "series over, it was a draw" "do we get to hold on to the trophy until next time?" "yeah sure whatever".

EDIT: though tbf an away Ashes draw is a fair achievement.

Although of course last time Ashes were retainedin this way was 1972

 

[zaremba]

No Pope either, which means it's either a rearranging of the Titanic's deckchairs or a promotion for Scurran.

Or a typically English refusal to look facts in the face and to plough on regardless. Sure, marching slowly towards a German machine gun over several hundred yards of open ground didn't work the last three times but doing exactly the same thing again is exactly what Jerry will least expect.

Strong work.

 

[aussie tragic]

Heading into the 4th Test, how's this for a combined series batting line up:

Warner (13.16)
Roy (9.50)
Harris (13.50)
Khawaja (20.33)
Denley (24.50)
Butler (9.16)
Paine (12.83)

Versus the best

Burns (40.33)
Labuschagne (71.00)
Root (29.33)
Smith (126.00)
Stokes (81.95)
Head (32.00)
Bairstow (27.20)

 

[stephen]

Personally, this is what I think the Australian team should be for this test:

Warner
Khawaja
Labaschagne
Smith
Head
Wade
Paine*+
Pattinson
Cummins
Lyon
Hazlewood

 

[aussie tragic]

^ Starc for Pattinson as 5 wkts @ 33 is nothing special

Also Harris to open with Wade dropped

 

[stephen]

^ Starc for Pattinson as 5 wkts @ 33 is nothing special

Also Harris to open with Wade dropped

Pattinson is a game away from taking a 10fer. He's been bowling beautifully without return.

 

[stephen]

And also I have no faith in Harris scoring any runs. Wade could at least be up for some downhill skiing if things go well. If much rather have Patterson in the middle order but that boat has well and truly sailed.