*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[Adorable Asshole]

I just the England to win this match so that when they lose the final the breakdown of their fans and media would be a sight to watch.

 

[danzydab]

its a big risk picking an out of form jimmy who has a pretty bad record vs australia

 

[quincywagstaff]

Amusing seeing the justifications in the Oz media for Warner to be kept in the side. Mark Taylor says it's too late in the series to drop Warner; weren't they arguing at the start of the series that he had to be given a few Tests before dropping him? Talk about Catch-22.

I think it was Geoff Lemon arguing that Warner has actually done well considering how tough it is for openers in England. If that's the case how has someone in Khawaja who had never opened in England prior to this tour (and had a poor record in England) has done considerably better?

 

[Molehill]

I think it was Geoff Lemon arguing that Warner has actually done well considering how tough it is for openers in England. If that's the case how has someone in Khawaja who had never opened in England prior to this tour (and had a poor record in England) has done considerably better?

Not to mention the fact that even Crawley has more runs than Smith and Labuschagne at the moment too. If anything, the new ball has been quite a good time to bat in this series.

 

[social]

Hahaha I did see that and sent it to quite a few mates. Full blooded shank off a short pitch. Glorious. Would love to have seen and heard the aftermath.

Annika Sorenstam likes him & has played with him many times

Even she says that he’s the most shameless cheat that she’s ever seen - literally has his man walk in front of the group and throw the ball back into the fairway

He’s on the honour board for being club champion at one of his clubs

Only problem is that he withdrew from the competition

 

[social]

I agree but as with other strange decisions, the ordinary punters will have to get used to it

I mean Crawley would have disappeared a long time ago back in the 90s and early to mid 2000s

he appears to be batting until illness, loss of limb or death in this current set up

One of the strangest stats of all time is that Mike Brearley has a much better fc record than Crawley and was picked as a specialist captain

Crawley is talented but he’s a terrible test batsman to date

 

[social]

The thing is…I’m not sure his average is moving much.

Question is who’s more valuable - someone like Crawley who averages around 30 by hitting fairly consistent scores that are starts and nothing more. Or someone like Burns who averages not much more but does so with much more inconsistent scores eg more likely to get a ton but also more likely to get out for single figures?

Haven’t done the stats work to see if the above is a fair summary but it’s my perception. If said perception is correct I think Crawley is the better option, given the way we play.

Burns isn’t a test cricketer and probably never will be

At least Crawley has potential

 

[social]

Doubt Crawley has worst record than Brearley as opener. Was a great captain though, '81 headingly proved that

Look it up

Crawley averages 30 in fc cricket while Brearley averaged 37

 

[Starfighter]

Pitch has been unveiled and it looks like another turgid surface that will produce another match with excessive amounts of short-pitched bowling.

BazBall has ruined one of the things I look forward to most when watching cricket in England (despite Australia never having batsmen capable of facing up to it), the ball zinging about off a green pitch.

 

[Gob]

Also seem like Green is getting the nod over Marsh

Bit harsh you have to say

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Also seem like Green is getting the nod over Marsh

Bit harsh you have to say

Well one is future while other is past.

 

[social]

Also seem like Green is getting the nod over Marsh

Bit harsh you have to say

It’s nonsense

Both Green & Marsh should play

 

[Nas207]

Weekend looks to be a total washout. Might get around 2.5 days play if we are lucky. Will Oz play for the draw?

 

[Spark]

Also seem like Green is getting the nod over Marsh

Bit harsh you have to say

I did say a few weeks ago that this current lot of selectors are incredibly stubborn about sticking to their preferred pecking order but no one seemed to believe me

 

[Molehill]

England team confirmed, Anderson for Robinson, Moeen to bat at 3.

 

[wpdavid]

This weather forecast means that the tactics England have used this series (like declaring on the 1st day) would make a lot more sense now.

I reckon they would take scoring 350 in 75 overs over 550 in 140 overs in this context.

I think that's true, but obviously they'd much rather bowl first too.

 

[Zinzan]

Weekend looks to be a total washout. Might get around 2.5 days play if we are lucky. Will Oz play for the draw?

There's some pessimism for you. Yes there'll likely be some weather delays but apart from Sunday it doesn't look as bad this far out as you suggest especially considering these two sides don't exactly need 5 completed days for a result...


Wednesday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 19 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 42 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 33 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 27 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 14 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 12 percent chance of rain

7pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 10 percent chance of rain

Thursday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 29 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 29 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 28 percent chance of rain

2pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

3pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

4pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

5pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain

6pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 16 percent chance of rain

7pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 16 percent chance of rain

Friday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 45 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 43 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 35 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 33 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 31 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 24 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 23 percent chance of rain

7pm: Sunny intervals and light winds, 17 degrees, 22 percent chance of rain

Saturday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 39 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain

1pm:Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 44 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 48 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 48 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

7pm: Drizzle and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

Sunday

11am: Light rain and light winds, 17 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain and light winds, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 70 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 66 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 59 percent chance of rain


5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 59 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain and light winds, 18 degrees, 66 percent chance of rain

7pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 61 percent chance of rain

 

[wpdavid]

Look it up

Crawley averages 30 in fc cricket while Brearley averaged 37

Qlder may have been talking about test cricket tbf. That being said, Headingley 1981 was a gigantic fluke rather than great captaincy. I think that Brearley himself has said that he deserves criticism for Aus making 400 on that wicket.

 

[Ashes81]

For the life if me I don't understand why we announce our team in advance.

The team is as you'd expect with Jimmy coming back in.

Our top 3 of Crawley, Duckett and Mo must be the most attacking top 3 in our history and also the most suspect defensively.

 

[Nas207]

Moeen actually legit batting 3 is so weird. While I'd love him to surprise me, I doubt he lasts for more than 5 overs total across both innings. Its like starting a test match with a permanent night watchman