*Official* Third Test at Old Trafford

[KungFu_Kallis]

If they actually pick Starc over Bird this time, again, then Lehmann and whichever clown from the panel on duty are no better than Arthur/Inverarity/Hilditch. Good times are here to stay

 

[hendrix]

I wrote it in the stats thread, but in the last 6 Tests between Australia and England, we've scored more at our second attempt each game, including uncompleted innings. Go through our scorecards and our first innings scores have been pathetic. We've actually been passable in our second innings in those games.

If you only include completed innings its been 21 matches (Edgbaston 2005) since we scored more runs in our first innings than our second.

This is a very familiar phenomenon.

"showing some fight" in the second innings isn't actually showing some fight. It's just taking advantage of a no pressure situation because the game has already been lost.

 

[Spark]

I couldn't care less what kind of pitch you produce for HGA, that's what makes it HGA. But it should be one pitch, not different pitches stuck together - if a pitch advantages or disadvantages a particular kind of bowling ie. spin, then all well and good but not particular bowlers based on which arm they bowl with or some ****. That's just ridiculous.

 

[Nate]

Always been a fan of preparing the pitch however you want, but then the opposition get to choose if they bat or bowl first.

 

[Burgey]

If they actually pick Starc over Bird this time, again, then Lehmann and whichever clown from the panel on duty are no better than Arthur/Inverarity/Hilditch. Good times are here to stay

They may be thinking he will create footmarks for Lyon, although as has been pointed out previously, he bowls so much around the wicket it may not matter.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Tbh if they keep playing how they're playing they could play on the moon with 8 armed bowlers and it would make sweet all difference Worrying about the pitch is a bit rich

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

They may be thinking he will create footmarks for Lyon, although as has been pointed out previously, he bowls so much around the wicket it may not matter.

Ah yeah coz Lyon is bound to be more of a factor than Swann. That fully justifies including Mitchell Mk 2. Somehow wouldn't be surprised if this was these guys logic though tbf

 

[Son Of Coco]

Tbh if they keep playing how they're playing they could play on the moon with 8 armed bowlers and it would make sweet all difference Worrying about the pitch is a bit rich

Which is pretty much exactly what was said. If they have altered the pitch and are responsible for whatever those burn marks are though it makes them look a bit silly, given they should beat us without having to prepare anything out of the ordinary. I hope it turns square from day 1, will create some interesting conversation in here haha.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Yeah it could be good old pommy over-cautious-stick-to-the-plan-chaps. Or it could just be a crappy piece of turf, I see these kinda patchy strips all the time here in club games. Though you'd think OT turf would be somewhat of a higher quality.

 

[andyc]

Tbh if they keep playing how they're playing they could play on the moon with 8 armed bowlers and it would make sweet all difference Worrying about the pitch is a bit rich

Think that may be the first time I've seen that smilie used in an actual conversation. Played.

 

[Hurricane]

That's all right mate......I'm here for my good looks and cricket nuance, not my spelling and grammar skills. Now if only I had any of those attributes

You're a good sort. Cheers.

 

[Spikey]

Peter Lalor ‏@plalor 9s

I AM HEARING there will be more shuffling of Australian batting order with Michael Clarke moving up to four. Again. Hughes in twouble

 

[the big bambino]

I'm hearing Clarke will retire at the end of his 1st innings.

 

[Philhughesisbes]

Maddinson sure is making a case for selection.He has all the shots in the book might just be a case of temperament.Another player with massive potential is Jordan silk.I"d be looking at Maddinson as a possible replacement for Rogers maybe after the ashes.Selectors should have stuck with Hughes and bat him permanently at 4.If we are going to climb it will be players like Khawaja, Hughes ,Maddinson,Silk ,Warner and Clarke that will do it.

 

[Howe_zat]

If Starc bowls around the wicket before lunch on the first day I am going to rage.

Would probably be more likely to get Cook if he angles it across him tbf.

 

[Howe_zat]

Which is pretty much exactly what was said. If they have altered the pitch and are responsible for whatever those burn marks are though it makes them look a bit silly, given they should beat us without having to prepare anything out of the ordinary. I hope it turns square from day 1, will create some interesting conversation in here haha.

Old Trafford has been a spinner's deck for yonks. 19-90 and all that. And in modern times every test here since 2006 has had a big haul for either Panesar or Swann. On top of that we've been having the hottest, driest summer I can remember over July. If it does turn square it's just a case of letting the wicket play as it would. If it doesn't turn I'd be more likely to call it doctored.

 

[Burgey]

Ah yeah coz Lyon is bound to be more of a factor than Swann. That fully justifies including Mitchell Mk 2. Somehow wouldn't be surprised if this was these guys logic though tbf

I think the rationale is England has one left hander in the top order, whereas we have loads of them.

 

[the big bambino]

Yes and I was thinking it was obvious.

 

[Burgey]

Ind33d.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Old Trafford has been a spinner's deck for yonks. 19-90 and all that. And in modern times every test here since 2006 has had a big haul for either Panesar or Swann. On top of that we've been having the hottest, driest summer I can remember over July. If it does turn square it's just a case of letting the wicket play as it would. If it doesn't turn I'd be more likely to call it doctored.

As I said before, if it's just playing as it normally does or is expected to given the weather then fair enough. Has there been any explanation for what the marks are yet? Mower burn perhaps? Or maybe someone went to sleep under the covers with a lit cigarette