Off Topic The official 2017-18 Ashes Thread

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Fortunate enough (if that's the word) to have BT Sport as part of my broadband package with Eir the Irish phone company that used to be called Telecom Eirann, and allegedly I get it for free as part of my phone/broadband package as BT Sport took over Setanta Sport which had changed it's name to Eir Sport, do keep up at the back!!!!!. Off course it's not really free because when it was introduced the line rental went up by €7 per month.

Anyway I'll be able to watch it or at least the highlights at a reasonable time and not have to find a dodgy stream.........

Think it'll be close, depends on how we cope with the Gabbitor. Does the old saying "win the toss and bat first" still apply there? Don't do a Nasser Hussain and bowl chose to bowl first........
If we can kick off with that most unlikely of modern Test match results, a draw, I’ll be happy.
 
Anyone going in Boxing Day? If so, let me know. I’m going in the Members this year. Best day of cricket ever. I’ve not missed Boxing Day Ashes for 20 years. Even spent a whole day in the MCG Tavern in 99 when there was no play due to rain. Had a great chat with a bloke in a 70s Ranger’s shirt. Wife didn’t understand why I got home at 7pm, mostly drunk and had seen no cricket.
 
Anyone going in Boxing Day? If so, let me know. I’m going in the Members this year. Best day of cricket ever. I’ve not missed Boxing Day Ashes for 20 years. Even spent a whole day in the MCG Tavern in 99 when there was no play due to rain. Had a great chat with a bloke in a 70s Ranger’s shirt. Wife didn’t understand why I got home at 7pm, mostly drunk and had seen no cricket.
I went on Boxing Day 1986, was drunk by lunchtime on a good day for England, as far as I can remember.

One of the great days in sport, like the Derby and the FA Cup final in the olden days.
 
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Not quite the same as Botham, Holding and Lloyd is it?

BT Sport's live and exclusive Ashes coverage sees two of the former cricketing greats reunite in the commentary box as Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting join Geoffrey Boycott, Adam Gilchrist, Graeme Swann and Damien Fleming as part of the punditry team heading Down Under for the 2017-18 Ashes.
 
I had no idea that BT had it. Thankfully, I get BT as part of my outrageously expensive Virgin package, but I can't see them doing as good a job as Sky.
Sky's cricket coverage is excellent in my opinion, it will be interesting to see how they do. If it's anything like their football coverage it will be complete bollocks.
 
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Not quite the same as Botham, Holding and Lloyd is it?

BT Sport's live and exclusive Ashes coverage sees two of the former cricketing greats reunite in the commentary box as Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting join Geoffrey Boycott, Adam Gilchrist, Graeme Swann and Damien Fleming as part of the punditry team heading Down Under for the 2017-18 Ashes.
Or the batsman holding the bowlers willy
 
Very interesting squad selection by the Aussies, six dropped lots of unknowns and people who haven’t played at test level for years in. Selectors described as ‘morons’ by Stuart MacGill.

Both teams have a few top class players and a bunch of unknowns. Could be more interesting than I initially thought.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine last played test cricket in 2010 and has never scored a first class century. He has not even been keeping wicket for his state side Tasmania this year.
 
Very interesting squad selection by the Aussies, six dropped lots of unknowns and people who haven’t played at test level for years in. Selectors described as ‘morons’ by Stuart MacGill.

Both teams have a few top class players and a bunch of unknowns. Could be more interesting than I initially thought.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine last played test cricket in 2010 and has never scored a first class century. He has not even been keeping wicket for his state side Tasmania this year.

I must be honest, normally in the past, l could feel comfortable about our squad, knowing that the Gilchrists’, etc were up for it but with our current squad, l know nothing.

A complete lottery if you will.
I can predict squat.
 
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Hmm, England take a solitary wicket on the final day of their warm up match, allowing two players with 7 first class matches between them to get centuries. Not ideal. Match drawn.
 
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Hmm, England take a solitary wicket on the final day of their warm up match, allowing two players with 7 first class matches between them to get centuries. Not ideal. Match drawn.

They should really play useful warm ups in New Zealand instead of these pitches.

I don't blame the Australians for supplying wickets more like Mumbai than Brisbane but England should sort their own preparations.
 
Hmm, England take a solitary wicket on the final day of their warm up match, allowing two players with 7 first class matches between them to get centuries. Not ideal. Match drawn.

This will likely be the problem all tour. Bowling with the kookaburra ball on dry wickets will seriously hamper the England bowlers.
The extra pace in the Aussie attack will be decisive imo.
 
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This will likely be the problem all tour. Bowling with the kookaburra ball on dry wickets will seriously hamper the England bowlers.
The extra pace in the Aussie attack will be decisive imo.
At least Mitchell Johnson has retired. What he did to us last time was traumatic.
 
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At least Mitchell Johnson has retired. What he did to us last time was traumatic.

Yes but what he did in 2011 series was hilarious.......

:emoticon-0159-music He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, that Mitchell Johnson his bowling is ****e:emoticon-0159-music

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