great performance from a rejuvenated team under 'new management' .. Captaincy improved 500% .. players I thought were over the hill, Bell, Broad, have come down the other side .. good all round contributions from (the just terrific) Root, Ali and Stokes .. bring on Lords and let's see if the old men of Australia still have it .. the Aussies must make changes .. Haddin, Watson, new man Voges .. but who do they bring in .. M Marsh is a batsman who can bowl .. will Starc be fit ? .. the plot will unwind next Thursday.
One thing England have that will become stronger and stronger as they get more experienced is the middle order - Root,Stokes,Buttler,Ali at 5,6,7,8 is one heck of a middle order - and all in early to mid twenties too - can only get better. Compare that with Voges,Watson,Haddin and Johnson - all of whom in mid thirties, and wont be here for the next Ashes - and maybe not for the next Ashes in Oz either. Now, if we could find an opener and possibly left arm quick, then who knows where we could go?
I still think Mitchell Johnson will cause some damage during the series as our top order is a bit vulnerable, Root will fail at some point and the 6-8 stroke makers may struggle on faster pitches.
But...so will the Aussie batsmen. Broad will get bounce with his height, Wood is sharp and Stokes can bowl with some pace. Smith's technique will be examined while Clarke's back really seems to be affecting him
All I can say is that KP has to be one hell of a guy. To be able to create factions within dressing rooms be it in his home state of Natal and his native country, South Africa or here with Notts, Hants and Surrey and for his adopted country, England, is an achievement in itself.
It is time to "move on". Yes KP might aid our performances against NZ or Australia but would what he brings on the pitch this season ultimately undermine the long term aim? And even if he does perform to his very best do we seriously think that it will be enough to win us the Ashes?
We should have started the re-building process in the World Cup and then the West Indies. Having missed that opportunity I would hope that we will now start to look forwards.
Yes I got it wrong and I apologise profusely for doing so. I underestimated quite how good we could be as a unit without KP.
It's great that the wickets bwete all shared and no pressure on any one bowler. I think our batsmen need to share the load a bit more, especially the openers, bit our middle order all put in at least one good score over the two innings. I can't wait for the Lords test
Me too. got Friday booked off so will be able to watch days 2,3, and 4 and follow days 1 and 5 via here and Cricinfo.
A sobering stat for the Aussies - since 2010 they have managed just two wins from 19 Tests away from home with no less than 13 defeats in that time.
I never realised how bad the Aussies are away from home .. fast bowlers and stand and deliver batsmen do OK on hard fast pitches and not so well on greener, slower spinners .. Nathan Lyon is now the all time top off spin wicket taker for Australia .. he's not bad, but he's no Graeme Swann .. be interesting to compare his stats at home and away
A sobering stat for the Aussies - since 2010 they have managed just two wins from 19 Tests away from home with no less than 13 defeats in that time.
Hence that utter wanker Lehmann demanding pitches "you can actually bowl a bouncer on."
Typical dumb as dog shit Aussie thinks that the rest of the world should prepare pitches to suit them!
Test Cricket is about adjusting to the different conditions you face and in England you are not going to get bouncy pitches - especially if you have the fastest bowler in the world in your team.
Did the Aussies provide dust bowls for Murali when he bowled in Oz? Er, no.
A sobering stat for the Aussies - since 2010 they have managed just two wins from 19 Tests away from home with no less than 13 defeats in that time.
Hence that utter wanker Lehmann demanding pitches "you can actually bowl a bouncer on."
Typical dumb as dog shit Aussie thinks that the rest of the world should prepare pitches to suit them!
Test Cricket is about adjusting to the different conditions you face and in England you are not going to get bouncy pitches - especially if you have the fastest bowler in the world in your team.
Did the Aussies provide dust bowls for Murali when he bowled in Oz? Er, no.
Good points. I really dont think that Oz batting is all that TBH. Yes, Smith has a great recent record, but looks like a walking wicket every time i see him - and England seem to have a real plan against him - ie bowl at 7th stump just short of length so that he cant whip thru leg without taking a risk. Rogers,Clarke,Voges all look over the hill and past their sell by date, as does Haddin - that just leaves Warner and Watson, well, what do i need to say about Watson - he's getting out the same way as he was in 2009, so he quite clearly isnt going to be able to change by the end of this series. Must admit, their bowling is a different kettle of fish, however, to lose Harris was a big loss, and if Stark isnt able to play in second Test that that may well be end of them, as i cant see Siddle being menacing.
Really? Nothing on the BBC website. Or Sky. Surprises me if true. The Aussies are panicking. Never thought I'd see the day.
It's the inside line from various papers. Obviously may be wrong, as Australia won't announce their team until the toss tomorrow, but it seems to be true judging on a lot of sources reporting the same thing.
Comments
Now, if we could find an opener and possibly left arm quick, then who knows where we could go?
But...so will the Aussie batsmen. Broad will get bounce with his height, Wood is sharp and Stokes can bowl with some pace. Smith's technique will be examined while Clarke's back really seems to be affecting him
All I can say is that KP has to be one hell of a guy. To be able to create factions within dressing rooms be it in his home state of Natal and his native country, South Africa or here with Notts, Hants and Surrey and for his adopted country, England, is an achievement in itself.
It is time to "move on". Yes KP might aid our performances against NZ or Australia but would what he brings on the pitch this season ultimately undermine the long term aim? And even if he does perform to his very best do we seriously think that it will be enough to win us the Ashes?
We should have started the re-building process in the World Cup and then the West Indies. Having missed that opportunity I would hope that we will now start to look forwards.
Yes I got it wrong and I apologise profusely for doing so. I underestimated quite how good we could be as a unit without KP.
I shall be watching on the tele insanely jealous of you.
LBW = Leg Before Watson
DRS = Don't Review, Shane
Typical dumb as dog shit Aussie thinks that the rest of the world should prepare pitches to suit them!
Test Cricket is about adjusting to the different conditions you face and in England you are not going to get bouncy pitches - especially if you have the fastest bowler in the world in your team.
Did the Aussies provide dust bowls for Murali when he bowled in Oz? Er, no.
I really dont think that Oz batting is all that TBH. Yes, Smith has a great recent record, but looks like a walking wicket every time i see him - and England seem to have a real plan against him - ie bowl at 7th stump just short of length so that he cant whip thru leg without taking a risk.
Rogers,Clarke,Voges all look over the hill and past their sell by date, as does Haddin - that just leaves Warner and Watson, well, what do i need to say about Watson - he's getting out the same way as he was in 2009, so he quite clearly isnt going to be able to change by the end of this series.
Must admit, their bowling is a different kettle of fish, however, to lose Harris was a big loss, and if Stark isnt able to play in second Test that that may well be end of them, as i cant see Siddle being menacing.
Edit: just read that his daughter has had previous fights with cancer. Hope to hell it isn't anything to do with that.