The ashes 2023

[RowlattsFox]

Stokes and McCullum method is to only really change during a series if its an injury or resting bowlers. So I'm not surprised they are sticking with Bairstow. They decide what they think best and stick with it, in a way that's good because a player knows he's not looking over his shoulder but at the same time it's costing us in such a big position. You can forgive him being out of form with the bat but he has to be solid behind the stumps. 

[Lako42]

****ing train strikes. Tickets to Old Trafford cancelled. 

[AllGoneTitsSchlupp]

picked up some tickets for day 5 next sunday, hopefully still worth watching by then 🤞🏻

[StanSP]

Anderson in for Robinson for 4th test 

[ealingfox]

Moeen staying at 3 and Teflon Jonny safe as houses

[Lionator]

3 minutes ago, ealingfox said:

Moeen staying at 3 and Teflon Jonny safe as houses

Better hope it’s a flat deck with that batting line up. 

[fuchsntf]

No matter what the grumpiest say, the team is as it is…We are still a fragile unit,no matter who we pick,from our first 20 players in the fans & pundits reckoning, but yet everyone chosen can still deliver on their  day..

Andersons great  fairwell..??   Bairstows redemption..??  No3 spot ??

 

Nothing but to say, looking forward to the Test…

“ And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains  & wickets so green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen? 

 

 

[leicsmac]

Weather Forecast for OT on Saturday and Sunday looks very grim, so it looks like Stokes and company may have to look to get the job done in three days. Thursday looks the sunniest day.

 

So with that in mind, bat or bowl first? I'm not sure, but going with my gut I'd say bowl - doing that and bowling them out cheaply is the only way to have all of the best of the batting conditions.

[Sparrowhawk]

Never mind who's the best wicketkeeper, they have the chance to pick a team containing Stokes, Woakes and Foakes, and they don't take it.

 

Rhyme-hating bastards.

[Lako42]

Train cancelled but the weather looks good on Thursday 

 

I'll take it*

 

 

 

 

* I ****ing hate this country

[StanSP]

No regular spinner for Aus

 

 

[leicsmac]

10 minutes ago, StanSP said:

No regular spinner for Aus

 

 

Packing the batting lineup and playing for the draw. Makes sense considering it's all they need.

[Lionator]

32 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Packing the batting lineup and playing for the draw. Makes sense considering it's all they need.

If it’s not a flat deck, Cummins and Hazelwood will run amok, hence why England need it to be flat because we will outgun them. 

[StanSP]

59 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Packing the batting lineup and playing for the draw. Makes sense considering it's all they need.

Yeah good point. Toss could be crucial... 

[leicsmac]

7 hours ago, Lionator said:

If it’s not a flat deck, Cummins and Hazelwood will run amok, hence why England need it to be flat because we will outgun them. 

I can see the logic, but given the weather forecast we don't really have the time to outgun them in that way - have to bowl them out twice and bat at least once in (likely) three days or it's all over.

 

7 hours ago, StanSP said:

Yeah good point. Toss could be crucial... 

Win it and bowl first, I think.

[Lako42]

Draw on the cards

[Manini]

There was a photo doing the rounds of the pitch 24 hours out. Looks the least green out of what we’ve seen so far, but weather will play a part I think. 

[foxfanazer]

Have we lost a toss yet?

[Super_horns]

Won the toss and will bowl .

 

Hopefully take advantage unlike at Lords .

[Lionator]

Just now, foxfanazer said:

Have we lost a toss yet?

Nope 4 out of 4, 16/1 chance of that happening. 

[foxfanazer]

There's the first drop by Bairstow already

[AjcW]

I wonder if he's like this around the house, just broken glass and spilt drinks all over the shop.

[trabuch]

1 minute ago, foxfanazer said:

There's the first drop by Bairstow already

Let's hope he's got it out of his system. But that would have been very straightforward.

[foxfanazer]

Beauty 

[trabuch]

Oh I do hope he gets Warner for his 600th. Would be perfect!