Cricket English Summer 2021 + Ashes

[LincolnshireHammer]

I am ****ing dreading the likes of Hazlewood and Cummins going through our top order in their own conditions.

With just over a week to go til the ashes, i predict we will be put into bat first innings and will be 4 or 5 down before lunch.

[smuts]

To be honest with the 5th test in Perth now in doubt due to quarantine rules, I'll be surprised if they aren't all home by the end of the week.

[Bend it like Repka]

Hard enough as it is but practice games keep getting washed out....

[wolf359]

Looks like their might be a second pink ball test on the cards. Apparently that favours us, but I don't think anything can help us out there. Covid might be the best result for us.

[smuts]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59485301

[wolf359]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59485301

Indeed top stuff, you'd assume just luck would stop this happening, someone has got to smash a long hop to cover or something off the other bowler (shows why it is so rare) shame they got bowled out for 62 in reply! Nice Indian turner by the looks of it.

Watched the start India were 80-0 and 160-4, pitch must have detreated massively. Going to turn back in before the football and F1/F2.

I'm sure no one will be asking why on a day two pitch the world Test champions have been bowled out for 62..can't be pointing fingers at India.*

*I have not seen NZs innings, they could have batted like Muppets (well England) but I doubt it.

[Bend it like Repka]

Yup, poor Patel's happiness didn't last long.

Hmmm, India, spinners ripping through a visiting side for a tiny score, that's never happened before...

Is world cricket ever going to do anything?

[dave_l]

Yup, poor Patel's happiness didn't last long.

Hmmm, India, spinners ripping through a visiting side for a tiny score, that's never happened before...

Is world cricket ever going to do anything?

Nope. That'd mean upsetting India and that can't happen.

I have no interest in watching much cricket in India. Absolutely no contest pitches that you don't get anywhere else.

[LincolnshireHammer]

Only another 28 hours to go until the first ball!

How are people getting around the 9-5 to watch this?

[smuts]

To be honest I've not really made plans mainly because I don't really hold out much hope for anything but a convincing Australian win.

If we had a bit more pace in our bowling attack I'd be a bit more up for it but Broad, Anderson and Woakes are unlikely to start swinging Kookaburra's about all of a sudden, Wood is quick but just seems to be gun barrel straight a lot of the time...Robinson might relish the challenge and give them something to think about.

Our batting as usual still has too many question marks about it.

[wolf359]

Only another 28 hours to go until the first ball!

How are people getting around the 9-5 to watch this?

I’m annoyed it is on BT. I've got SkyQ and was going to record it. I’m not paying £27 for BT it is a ridiculous price. I can get it from elsewhere but it looks like good old TMS (so glad it’s on the beeb and not talkshite) there is not even terrestrial TV highlights which is

[SoulCircus]

No Anderson for the 1st test. Between Pope and Bairstow for the final batting spot - I'd go for the former personally. Then Leach or Broad in the bowling attack...

[Macca1973]

Despite fearing the worst, still really looking forward to it. The Ashes is my favourite sporting event bar none.

Regarding the series, I just don’t see enough batting to get 400 plus scores on those flat Australian pitches, coupled with lack of swing with the Kookaburra ball, it’s gonna be tough. I’d be telling Buttler to play like it’s a T20 if we’re 3 or 4 down early every test :lol:

[wolf359]

Despite fearing the worst, still really looking forward to it. The Ashes is my favourite sporting event bar none.

Regarding the series, I just don’t see enough batting to get 400 plus scores on those flat Australian pitches, coupled with lack of swing with the Kookaburra ball, it’s gonna be tough. I’d be telling Buttler to play like it’s a T20 if we’re 3 or 4 down early every test :lol:

Pinning my hopes on the pink ball Test and hoping there will be a second one (as being discussed for the 5th). It does move under lights and we have Jimmy. Won't help if we lose by an innings and 500 in the other three though. As you said our batting is a worry, though our bowling looks weak as well... at least we can catch (well sometimes) .

[Macca1973]

Yeah it’s hard to be optimistic isn’t it :lol:

Although the weather out there is very British at the moment so that might help too. If we can get out of the Gabba with a draw then you never know. As you say, the Pink Ball test, a day-nighter will help us.

[Bend it like Repka]

In the 1st and 3rd tests Wood needs to have a really good game. Broad and Woakes just will not threaten unless Aus bat terribly.

For me Leach has to play. We can't go in without a spinner and just offer a line on right arm 80 mph bowlers

Either Burns or Hameed need to surpass our expectations or we are going to be under the cosh on a regular basis

[LincolnshireHammer]

I’m annoyed it is on BT. I've got SkyQ and was going to record it. I’m not paying £27 for BT it is a ridiculous price. I can get it from elsewhere but it looks like good old TMS (so glad it’s on the beeb and not talkshite) there is not even terrestrial TV highlights which is

Highlights every day at 5pm on the iPlayer mate.

[wolf359]

Highlights every day at 5pm on the iPlayer mate.

Thanks. Just seen the announcement of it.

[wolf359]

Leach preferred over Broad. Ballsy going in without Anderson or Broad. Seems an odd choice to me especially with all those Aussie lefties. Leech never fills me with confidence, glad Wood is playing.

[Bend it like Repka]

Leach preferred over Broad. Ballsy going in without Anderson or Broad. Seems an odd choice to me especially with all those Aussie lefties. Leech never fills me with confidence, glad Wood is playing.

Already it's started. No Anderson, no Broad. TMS is off.

Have they seen our record on the last few tours? I'm happy with the line up. Keep those two fit for the pink ball game 4 days later.