*Official* First Test (Edgbaston, Birmingham) 16–20 June

[TheJediBrah]

i'd whinge all day all night if our groundsmen prepared highways of this nature

They did for about 8 years lol

 

[Starfighter]

The thing which stops Haze being McGrath level is those leg stump half-volleys.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Who are neutrals supporting in this series?

I'd love a rain affected 0-0. Australia still wouldn't get a series win England, England wouldn't reclaim the Ashes, and it would damage both teams' chances in the new WTC cycle.

There’s a guy in the crowd who’s outpacing everyone else with their drinks…I hope he makes it to lunch in a conscious state

 

[ataraxia]

Haze is right on the money here to Pope.

But popes would never take bribes!

 

[Jfry]

Cummins bowls 2 balls on off stump and Crawley has no idea

 

[Shady Slim]

They did for about 8 years lol

yeah and i whinged heaps

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Shame it never broke his finger

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Judging from the dismissal of Duckett, the slips and keeper should come up a bit

 

[thierry henry]

Who are neutrals supporting in this series?

I'd love a rain affected 0-0. Australia still wouldn't get a series win in England, England wouldn't reclaim the Ashes, and it would damage both teams' chances in the new WTC cycle.

Are you considered a neutral if you deeply hate one of the teams?

 

[TheJediBrah]

These 2 batsmen are looking very suspect in ideal batting conditions

 

[ataraxia]

The ball is hardly even moving (laterally) and Crawley is having problems

 

[ataraxia]

wtf is the crowd doing on that fielding slip distance animation

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Australia seem to be hoping that England get impatient with getting 4 runs an over with singles and twos instead of going a run-a-ball with a boundary an over.

Can England stay happy at this rare and how long can Australia accept this defensive mindset? A battle of wills at this point.

If the scoreboard is ticking over then England will be happy. Can exploit a softer ball later on.

 

[ataraxia]

Can exploit a softer ball later on.

Using what sort of implement this time?

 

[andruid]

My first reaction when I first saw the scorecard three overs in

 

[thierry henry]

Are you considered a neutral if you deeply hate one of the teams?

If yes, my answer is I’m going for Australia

 

[Burgey]

Yeah, took them a couple of overs but a lot better now, especially from Cummins. Looks like he’s working into some rhythm, didn’t have a lot of it last week

 

[Jfry]

For a batsmen who was always considered 'talented' Pope always looks incredibly rushed

 

[Starfighter]

Whenever someone talks about BMac and 'smart cricket' I will always think of the 2015 World Cup final.

 

[Gnske]

For a batsmen who was always considered 'talented' Pope always looks incredibly rushed

The poor man's Mark Ramprakash and Graeme Hick in that future generations won't even lament him not reaching his peak.