I think they will go four seamers, plus Stokes, plus Root. I think they'll give Jimmy another go as he's had a spell off and now a rest before Lords. He's bowled well there before, but if he still looks lacking in zip, that might be it for him. My worry about him as that he very seldom bowls the out swinger to the right hander now. This is making his inswinger, which he still gets away, much more defendable, when once it was devastating. I think Woakes has lost too much pace now, though he's in the squad for a reason ( I thought it was Edgbaston!). So I think it will be the same line up, with Wood replacing Ali. The only spinner I see them including would be Dawson, in which case, one of the seamers would make way for Wood. We were beaten by dropped catches and missed chances, and then on Tuesday, the ball getting skied and just missing the fielders. We weren't outplayed, though Australia will improve, so we'll need to do the same.
I agree with the last bit 100% But compared to the last 12 months we were disappointing with the bat imo
The thing is if the Aussies bat first in the next Test they won’t declare at 393. They will try and bat for 2 days and kill off any chance we have if getting a result. You’ve got to hand it to them they are serial winners and will be happy with a 1-0 win in this series. They certainly won’t entertain Bazball. We need to get into them quickly at the start of the next Test to get back the momentum.
That’s exactly it. It’ll be a big toss, as usual. That first test defeat will be really tough to take, we’re desperate for a positive start at Lords.
Watched a documentary called "The Edge" on BBC iPlayer last night about England's rise to be the number 1 team in the world. Id recommend it, for any that haven't seen it
Yep. But the bowling is the best they've faced. Other teams have one or two good bowlers. But all the Aussies are very good. And Mitch Starc isn't even playing!
I don't see 1-0 mind! For all our improvement over the last year which has been staggering, I expect their better bowling line up to make the difference overall. Probably 3-1 to them, maybe with a rain draw.
If anyone is interested, its the start of the Womens ashes today and there is also the ICC 1 Day world cup Qualifiers on Sky. West Indies playing Nepal currently
Its up there with women's football and rugby....only women's sport I can stomach is golf and beach volley ball ( maybe not in that order)
I might watch the highlights, but currently watching the West Indies against Nepal in the qualifiers for the World Cup. The joys of working from home
I think we can still win the series but the Aussies were quite dismissive of the Bazball approach and now they’ve got their noses in front I think they will try and prove a point by being ultra cautious to the point of being boring. That’s why it’s essential we get straight on the front foot and take the initiative back. We can’t let them dictate the pattern of the games
I doubt Ali will be fit having seen the state of his spinning finger. Think they might well stay the same and add Wood into the fray and have Root as the main spinner. I'd like to see Bairstow and Foakes in the side but not sure who we could drop really.
Really dont know what to make of this article, ive checked the history books and Australia won the last test match, I cant seem to find the column that says "but England really entertained and played all the cricket so they won really" https://wisden.com/series-stories/ashes-2023/ollie-robinson-we-were-surprised-by-australia
Surrey have a hell of a time in tonight's T20. Hit 5 sixes off one over and currently smashing 6's and 4's for fun
I was watching it then put the baseball on (Braves) and forgot all about it lol. I don't like Surrey cos I hate brown lol
