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

[Burgey]

It

there was clearly some good thought going into the bowling plan but you're right the fielding has made it look silly. But still with this docile pitch and the bowlers sending down 81mph bowling machiners it doesn't look very good does it

the bowling plan didn’t change because he declared instead of batting for another, say 10 overs. Come on

 

[CartyDurham]

It

the bowling plan didn’t change because he declared instead of batting for another, say 10 overs. Come on

You think Anderson could have batted ten overs ?

you ain’t taking notice of England in the last 12 months and it’s clearly getting in your head

 

[Qlder]

14/4 ..Some collapse by the Aussie lower order

Come on, Aus lost 6th wkt at 338 so was 4-48, twice as much as I expected though

 

[Burgey]

Those bowlers created chances to be dropped and the Aussies didn’t create anywhere near the same opportunities as England did them a favour by declaring


Aussies could be a hundred behind getting bowled by trundlers

What are you on about? Australia dropped at least four catches of their own.

 

[Spark]

You think Anderson could have batted ten overs ?

you ain’t taking notice of England in the last 12 months and it’s clearly getting in your head

There was the small matter of Joe Root on 120-odd at the other end...

 

[Burgey]

You think Anderson could have batted ten overs ?

you ain’t taking notice of England in the last 12 months and it’s clearly getting in your head

Anderson wasn’t in yet you imbo

 

[social]

How many fkn singles does Cummins have to allow in that area before they put someone there

Obviously not content with the record set in the first innings

 

[CartyDurham]

What are you on about? Australia dropped at least four catches of their own.

I’m talking about the ridicule of englands bowlers, who bowled out Australia remember , despite being labelled in this thread as poor

Australia couldn’t do that

catch up at the back there


now an afternoon of 6 and over , we might declare tonight thank you

 

[Spark]

Hope we pull our lengths back here. Beyond the field placings we were much too full in the first session on Friday.

How many fkn singles does Cummins have to allow in that area before they put someone there

Obviously not content with the record set in the first innings

Probably infinitely many, because he's entirely content with singles in that area? I don't like it either but it's clearly the settled plan.

 

[CartyDurham]

Anderson wasn’t in yet you imbo

Lol. Bloody hell . At the end of the innings Root and Robinson were swinging for fun. Are you seriously thinking Anderson could have come in and dive the same

You simply have no idea of Englands methods . That’s fine though

 

[Burgey]

despite being labelled in this thread as poor

Broad was good but Anderson and Robinson were pedestrian. Both sides only really had one quick in each first innings who bowled at something like their accepted level

 

[fredfertang]

This pair really don't inspire confidence, but then I've been wrong in almost all my other predictions so am hoping I am again

 

[The Sean]

Come on, Aus lost 6th wkt at 338 so was 4-48, twice as much as I expected though

Yes, but we got to 372 still only six down.

 

[quincywagstaff]

The 1st innings declaration felt like something you'd do when in the 5th Test of the series and are already 3-0 up and think you can win in 3 days instead of 4.

But to do this in the opening Test was baffling; felt like hubris

 

[CartyDurham]

There was the small matter of Joe Root on 120-odd at the other end...

Yes and he was swinging like it was a t20 and everything was to go

This is how England play and have done for a year. Anderson was never coming out to bat.

It’s really that simple

 

[slowfinger]

how often did McGrath bowl floaty half volleys? ...

 

[quincywagstaff]

how often did McGrath bowl floaty half volleys? ...

A few in the Gabba 1994/95 Test, and then that was it.

 

[Burgey]

Duckett’s low grip and running style remind me a bit of Chris Rogers

 

[CartyDurham]

The 1st innings declaration felt like something you'd do when in the 5th Test of the series and are already 3-0 up and think you can win in 3 days instead of 4.

But to do this in the opening Test was baffling; felt like hubris

It’s how England choose to play. Let’s say Anderson did bat and got his finger broke for the sake of a few runs

The same people criticising the declaration would be saying they should have declared to stop Anderson being injured

Get with the programme. This is how Stokes and England play

 

[slowfinger]

England wish they were the CHAD-winning Australia team of 2007, they will never be, and Ricky Ponting would have never done that either