2015 Ashes Thread

[Jukes]

Johnson only has one 100, and that was in an innings defeat against South Africa. he was the only Aussie to score a century in that match. fair to say there was a bit of pressure on that

I think you've mistaken Johnno for Broad PB :P

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/426416.html

Not rly

[The_Captain]

How did lyth not get dropped. May as well start 1-0. Cheers for the head start!

[PowerBug]

Lyth didn't get dropped because there are no other openers in form good enough, the bloke has earned an extended run at test cricket (He should've played over Trott when they played in WI, those two extra tests experience might've been useful ::)) and Root is not going to open again.

Bairstow well he got dropped and I guess has worked on a few things like Ballance will be told to do now. Bloke is averaging over 100 this County season so hopefully it translates over (highly doubt it but I can hope :P)

[Jay]

Lyth didn't get dropped because there are no other openers in form good enough, the bloke has earned an extended run at test cricket (He should've played over Trott when they played in WI, those two extra tests experience might've been useful ::)) and Root is not going to open again.

What they should do is open Ballance. Can't be worse than Lyth and could actually bat some time.

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Can't they just call Pietersen out of retirement, or maybe even Smith, Kallis or Gibbs? 8)

[PowerBug]

Lyth didn't get dropped because there are no other openers in form good enough, the bloke has earned an extended run at test cricket (He should've played over Trott when they played in WI, those two extra tests experience might've been useful ::)) and Root is not going to open again.

What they should do is open Ballance. Can't be worse than Lyth and could actually bat some time.

Not sure how playing an out of form player somewhere they don't bat is going to help? It would be a worse decision than asking Shane Watson to open the batting again ::)

Lyth could bat some time too maybe you didn't read my post you quoted or the numerous times I told you that Lyth's 2014 was a lot better than Ballance's 2013. The bloke deserves to play there, yeah it's an Ashes yeah there's nothing bigger but dropping him won't achieve anything.


If you wanted to change that spot though Ali would open the batting.

[Jay]

Lyth didn't get dropped because there are no other openers in form good enough, the bloke has earned an extended run at test cricket (He should've played over Trott when they played in WI, those two extra tests experience might've been useful ::)) and Root is not going to open again.

What they should do is open Ballance. Can't be worse than Lyth and could actually bat some time.

Not sure how playing an out of form player somewhere they don't bat is going to help? It would be a worse decision than asking Shane Watson to open the batting again ::)

Lyth could bat some time too maybe you didn't read my post you quoted or the numerous times I told you that Lyth's 2014 was a lot better than Ballance's 2013. The bloke deserves to play there, yeah it's an Ashes yeah there's nothing bigger but dropping him won't achieve anything.


If you wanted to change that spot though Ali would open the batting.

I'm just going by what I've seen. Ballance looks like he could scrap around for a little while, like he did in the first test, whereas Lyth only knows one way. Similar to Ali, but lucky for him he's protected down the order - he's well suited there, wouldn't change that.

I don't care if he doesn't/want to open the batting.. It's the ashes, you ask someone to do something and they do it.

Point is - they can either think outside the box and try something different, or hope a guy who has been completely exposed so far, with limited test experience can turn it around. I know what I'd do.

[The_Captain]

Ali should open and that patel bloke bring him in to be a full time spinner. An extra bowler is better than a batter whos not gonna do anything.

[PowerBug]

Point is - they can either think outside the box and try something different, or hope a guy who has been completely exposed so far, with limited test experience can turn it around. I know what I'd do.

Pick the bloke that earned his place in the side as an opener? He's played two tests, he scored 107 against New Zealand so it's not like he's failed in every test he's played. Gotta give him another chance i think

Ali should open and that patel bloke bring him in to be a full time spinner. An extra bowler is better than a batter whos not gonna do anything.

The same Moeen Ali that has the same amount of wickets as Wood and Anderson combined? :-X Says more about the seamers that really. There's a few things not working with England, this is one section that is, I wouldn't go changing it.



I think England were banking on Australia picking Shane Watson for the whole series to be honest, would still be 1-0 England if they did. Mitch Marsh took two very important wickets in that first innings which Watson would not have done.

[henry]

Bairstow comes into the squad for Ballance :( England have to keep their 3 Yorkshire policy otherwise that booming voice of Geoffrey Boycott's will be going off! Word is Rashid might play as well as Ali (Wood to go?) Which would mean England are now playing 2 batting ARs as frontline spinners, and will have an AR down at 9 (Like, a proper AR, not a Johnson "I'll score 100s when there's no pressure AR") which will be interesting. Basically it puts even more pressure on Broad and Anderson to take wickets.

Johnson has scored more runs (in fewer innings) than Bell, Balance, Lyth and Butler. He averages more than all of them, as well as Cook and Ali.  :P

[Nige]

Been confirmed that Nev will retain his place in the XI for tomorrow's test.

[Jay]

Been confirmed that Nev will retain his place in the XI for tomorrow's test.

As he should :)

Good to hear that Bucky is set to play too.

[Bill Manspeaker]

Been confirmed that Nev will retain his place in the XI for tomorrow's test.

As he should :)

Good to hear that Bucky is set to play too.

[My Chumps]

This 8 day break has been torturous!

[Bill Manspeaker]

This 8 day break has been torturous!

flowerin oath man. seriously feels like it's been 2-3 weeks. only a few more hours to wait  ;D