3rd Test at Melbourne - December 26 - 30

[Pothas]

Meanwhile it continues to perplex me that England are so convinced that, somehow, Anderson is a better fit than Broad for Australian conditions.

Well he has a better record. I can see why you would think Broad would go better than Anderson in Australia but it has never actually happened.

 

[theegyptian]

Dropping Burns or Hameed is a fairly tough one. Hameed the younger player who has had less chances - to drop him after only returning 5 tests ago would look foolhardy. Personally I think Hameed was very luck to be recalled at that point. He'd basically been **** for 3 or 4 years, had one reasonable season and he was recalled. Burns for all his faults does score important runs for England, amongst the failures. I'd have dropped Hameed, but then again I would never have recalled him.

Pope really is becoming Ramprakash/Hick. He'll be recalled probably by March when we tour the West Indies, if not earlier.

Broad is a bellend so no complaints if he is dropped.

The only reason I can see to play Leach is they think he is needed for Smith/Labuschange. His record against left handers is crap (even in county cricket), and he often requires a lot of bowling to find his best form. I'd have gone Bess or just picked 5 seamers again.

 

[Hurricane2]

I would have kept butler as a batsman and given the gloves elsewhere
Been a long time since I have seen a performance with the gloves as poor as what he served up last match.
Only worse keeper I can think of was Reece Young. When he kept numerous chances would fly between keeper and first slip and go for four runs.
England’s pick and stick policies are detrimental to team success. Bring back the 1990s selectors ( humour or attempt at humour )

 

[halba]

Embarrassing selection. Barely an upgrade on Anderson.

aussies have cummins back though. world no.1 test bowler. they missed cummins for test no.2 and still won easily.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Can Boland even hit 130

Probably looking at our attack. Time an issue though.

 

[Gob]

Boland's action reminds me if Walsh's

 

[Burgey]

Boland's action reminds me if Walsh's

He’s about as fast as Courtney is now

 

[TheJediBrah]

Boland is better now than Hastings ever was, and he doesn't chuck it

 

[Prince EWS]

Can Boland even hit 130

I've actually seen him bowl mid 140s. To be fair it was:
1. In one day cricket
2. Years ago

But still, he's not a rank trundler. Still definitely quicker than Neser, although moves it much less.

 

[andruid]

Dropping Burns or Hameed is a fairly tough one. Hameed the younger player who has had less chances - to drop him after only returning 5 tests ago would look foolhardy. Personally I think Hameed was very luck to be recalled at that point. He'd basically been **** for 3 or 4 years, had one reasonable season and he was recalled. Burns for all his faults does score important runs for England, amongst the failures. I'd have dropped Hameed, but then again I would never have recalled him.

Pope really is becoming Ramprakash/Hick. He'll be recalled probably by March when we tour the West Indies, if not earlier.

Broad is a bellend so no complaints if he is dropped.

The only reason I can see to play Leach is they think he is needed for Smith/Labuschange. His record against left handers is crap (even in county cricket), and he often requires a lot of bowling to find his best form. I'd have gone Bess or just picked 5 seamers again.

England overthink it and pick 2 spinners

 

[Shri]

is matt kuhnemann international standard?

 

[Burgey]

Two Victorians in the team is a recipe for a disaster. The last time a team with two Victorians in it excelled was when Ponsford and Woodfull played.

 

[Prince EWS]

is matt kuhnemann international standard?

Not even close IMO.

 

[Shady Slim]

He is from Yorkshire.

picking racists to play in australia is really horses for courses and i respect that

 

[Gob]

Scott Boland walks in to a bar

Barman - why the long face?

 

[jcas0167]

haha bairstow.

would you rather be recalling bairstow for this test or graeme hick in his day?

Graeme Hick would stroll into this side. Still gutted Atherton declared on him when he was on 98 at the SCG.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Not even close IMO.

Just out of curiosity, who amongst the domestic spinners around do you rate?

 

[Burgey]

Scott Boland walks in to a bar

Barman - who the **** are you and where did you get that green cap?

.

 

[ashley bach]

Two Victorians in the team is a recipe for a disaster. The last time a team with two Victorians in it excelled was when Ponsford and Woodfull played.

Seriously? That's an uncanny wee fact if true.
Was there no good Victorian player in the team the whole time Warne played?

 

[Alex0paul]

**** off rain.

Good to see Gower part of the BT coverage