Now I have to admit that I saw very little play (damn work) so some of it's guesswork or based on the cricinfo commentary

Pretty much everybody in both sides has gone in underdone for cricket so there's a lot of questions still unanswered

For Australia
some of the usual performers had big impacts
Cummins, Labuschagne, Lyon

Lyon was good and probably a bit unlucky not to have more wickets - or at least not to have got the wickets he did earlier
Green looked a more consistent threat this match than he did last year with the ball
This might be because he's had extra time to work out what he can do with the reworked action to avoid more back problems.
Looked good enough to me that I can see 2 front line quicks and 2 spinners as an option in Sydney or other places that favour spin

Head played a really good innings but was still fiddling and flashing outside off-stump enough that he hasn't shown he's addressed the problems with his play. While he keeps making runs it won't matter but the next time he has a slump - and everybody does have slumps - it'll be dragged back out
We might find out a fair bit more over the rest of the series.

Warner wasn't overly convincing and had a lot of luck but made runs, again we'll know more over the next few tests.

Harris did nothing to convince that he's a test level player. 11 tests 2 50s average 23 doesn't make for good reading for a specialist opener after about 1890
Both his 50s came in his first series, since that series he's played 7 tests, 13 innings for 182 runs @ 15
You probably give him the second test, maybe the 3rd but he needs to do something significant soon it's hard to see why he should get more chances.
Gooch & Hayden are examples of people who had similar starts and did go on to be pretty useful performers but that doesn't mean it's the way to bet.

Smith 1 innings doesn't mean much, not the first time that he's gotten out to the short ball but every batsman does occasionally. He'll be eager to do some damage in test 2

Carey seemed reasonable behind the stumps, didn't look bad with the bat today (a bit nervy between the wickets but it's his debut). Having picked him should give him a series or two to cement the spot barring complete disaster.

Hazlewood was another solid contributor.

Starc was not inspiring overall, 3-112 for the match when the opposition makes 147 & 297 isn't a great return for an opening bowler. Will probably get a bag with the pink ball next test. At least he's making rough for Lyon.

Cummins always seemed dangerous with the ball and can't have asked for a better start to his captaincy stint. Seemed to make a lot of bowling changes that paid off and asked questions so that's encouraging. We'll have to see how he continues over time.

For England
A pretty poor test, underdone and it came through.
The pace bowlers were generally pretty decent is the main plus.

Hameed applied himself in both innings, a bit unlucky to be strangled in the 2nd dig, does need to go on and make bigger scores but he looks a good chance to so so.

Burns
bowled around his legs by an outswinger first ball in the test. He was looking to get right across to cover off stump and then was surprised by the swing. Looked bad but it's an unlucky way to get out. Surprised by the bounce in the 2nd innings. Definitely doesn't justify the crap RH spits out but he does need to increase his returns.

Malan combined with Root for the only session of the match where England was looking in control of things. Seemed relatively comfortable in the conditions, nicked out early in the first innings but that happens. Probably needs to play Lyon a bit differently as he was beaten a lot before he finally got an edge on one.
You've got to wonder if England missed a good one by not playing him earlier and giving him more chances last time they played him.

Root
I think the criticism of his decision to bat is going too far, it didn't work but I don't know that bowling first would have helped a lot either.
Nicked out early in the first dig, played the best English innings of the match in the 2nd. His captaincy seemed uninspiring but then again it's tough to pull things around when the batting failed like it did.

Stokes
Came into the series really underdone and looked it.
Out twice looking out of position.
Was expensive with the ball and the amount of times he overstepped suggests that the rhythm wasn't right (or he's done a Thommo and forgotten how long his runup is)
The injury in the field does raise more questions about whether you can rely on him being able to bowl many overs, and whether it''s worth risking his batting for those overs.

Pope
seemed like he was decent in the first innings, out both innings being surprised by the bounce. Somebody else who's had a not terrible start to their test career but needs to lift his returns.
I didn't see enough of him to have any real insight on how he plays.

Butler
Top scorer in the first innings but not confident that he's going to make reliable runs. Didn't see enough of his glove work to assess it.

Robinson and Woods both seemed to be bowling well, I don't know how they handled Head's assault. I didn't see it and I can't find a Head to Head analysis on the current cricinfo website.
Woakes didn't seem to be bad either but also didn't really do anything to dispel the idea that he needs the helpful English wickets to dismiss test batsmen.

It's going to be interesting to see what the selectors do for the next test.. I don't know that any of the seamers deserve to miss out but Anderson & Broad are going to want to play.

Leach had a terrible test, Australia is a damned tough place for spinners to play (Laker's effort in Australia IMO shows that he's well in contention for best spin bowler ever) and Leach showed nothing to suggest that he's going to take wickets or contain scoring.
Hard to see him getting picked again for the series but is Bess really a good option either?
I'm not convinced by the 4 pacers and Stokes with Root providing a spin option argument - maybe in the day/night tests but if 3 quicks and Stokes can't do the job it's hard to see that a 4th quick who's less suited than the ones you pick will do that much to help generally.
As captain and, by far, England's best batsman Root has a lot on his plate already
That's a tough problem for the selectors

On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4:08:19 PM UTC+10, Hamish Laws wrote:
> That's a tough problem for the selectors

It's only a tough problem for selectors if there are other options. There doesn't seem to be. County Cricket, the failure that it is, has left England's cupboards bare.

Burns looked 1/10. Whilst any batsman can get out first ball, not many can look THAT bad doing so. Give him 1 more Test then drop him when he fails.
The rest are... ok enough to keep their spots.

Thanks for the write-up.

On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 5:54:48 PM UTC+11, jzfre...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4:08:19 PM UTC+10, Hamish Laws wrote:
> > That's a tough problem for the selectors
> It's only a tough problem for selectors if there are other options. There doesn't seem to be. County Cricket, the failure that it is, has left England's cupboards bare.
>
> Burns looked 1/10. Whilst any batsman can get out first ball, not many can look THAT bad doing so. Give him 1 more Test then drop him when he fails.
> The rest are... ok enough to keep their spots.
>
> Thanks for the write-up.

I wouldn't say Smith got out to a short ball .... he just hung his bat out to a good ball

Head will fail in Adelaide

Mars was the best looking Oz batsmen

Starcs figures were not good but he started the rot in the first innings

for nEngland ...

Wood looked dangerous and expect him , Broad and Anderson with maybe Robinson or Woakes playing instead of the spinner

No idea on the English batting

On Saturday, 11 December 2021 at 06:08:19 UTC, Hamish Laws wrote:

> For Australia
> some of the usual performers had big impacts
> Cummins, Labuschagne, Lyon

Cummins, like Hazlewood, is a fabulous bowler. The main thing England fans should accept is that Aus are simply much better in the bowling department. We also don't have anyone in our side who holds a candle to Lyon, either.

> Warner wasn't overly convincing and had a lot of luck but made runs, again we'll know more over the next few tests.

It was one of the poorer 90-odds I've seen. I loves a flash outside off doesn't he.

> Starc was not inspiring overall, 3-112 for the match when the opposition makes 147 & 297 isn't a great return for an opening bowler. Will probably get a bag with the pink ball next test. At least he's making rough for Lyon.

He's always been a bit erratic hasn't he?

> For England
> Hameed applied himself in both innings, a bit unlucky to be strangled in the 2nd dig, does need to go on and make bigger scores but he looks a good chance to so so.

Most importantly, he's now England's lowest strike rate for someone batting 1-6 he's got the lowest strike rate of an England opener since 1987. Likes a leave, that lad.

> Stokes
> Was expensive with the ball and the amount of times he overstepped suggests that the rhythm wasn't right (or he's done a Thommo and forgotten how long his runup is)

Stokes' bowling is enigmatic isn't it... occasion bursts of brilliance interspersed with looking like just another 83 mph seamer.

> Pope
> seemed like he was decent in the first innings, out both innings being surprised by the bounce. Somebody else who's had a not terrible start to their test career but needs to lift his returns.
> I didn't see enough of him to have any real insight on how he plays.

He certainly likes to step away and carve the spinner into the off side, which did for him in the 2nd innings. Seems a bit - maybe - frantic?

> Robinson and Woods both seemed to be bowling well, I don't know how they handled Head's assault. I didn't see it and I can't find a Head to Head analysis on the current cricinfo website.

> Leach had a terrible test, Australia is a damned tough place for spinners to play (Laker's effort in Australia IMO shows that he's well in contention for best spin bowler ever) and Leach showed nothing to suggest that he's going to take wickets or contain scoring.

Nope - there's good stats to show when it's not turning, Leach is pretty terrible.

Wouldn't be surprised if for the next Test we'll end up lengthening the tail with Woakes+Leach chopped for both Anderson and Broad...

In message <ca411901-d572-446a-ab78-3c5ddbc8df41n@googlegroups.com>,
Will Sutton <wlsutton@gmail.com> writes
>Mars was the best looking Oz batsmen

Who? I'm guessing it's Marnus Labuschagne, but I can't be sure. Please
have some consideration for your English readers who aren't familiar
with all these Aussie player nicknames. Nicknames for the English
players mostly tend to be much less creative - Rooty, Stokesy etc - but
at least have the merit of it being obvious which player they refer too.
(They also generally are only used within the team, rather than by
broadcasters and cricket followers.)
--
John Hall
"Home is heaven and orgies are vile,
But you *need* an orgy, once in a while."
Ogden Nash (1902-1971)

On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 11:03:04 PM UTC+11, wlsu...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 5:54:48 PM UTC+11, jzfre...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4:08:19 PM UTC+10, Hamish Laws wrote:
> > > That's a tough problem for the selectors
> > It's only a tough problem for selectors if there are other options. There doesn't seem to be. County Cricket, the failure that it is, has left England's cupboards bare.
> >
> > Burns looked 1/10. Whilst any batsman can get out first ball, not many can look THAT bad doing so. Give him 1 more Test then drop him when he fails.
> > The rest are... ok enough to keep their spots.
> >
> > Thanks for the write-up.
> I wouldn't say Smith got out to a short ball .... he just hung his bat out to a good ball

Yeah, having tracked down highlights it wasn't a bouncer or anything.
The impression I'd had was that it was a bit higher than it was.

On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 5:37:38 AM UTC+11, John Hall wrote:
> In message <ca411901-d572-446a...@googlegroups.com>,
> Will Sutton <wlsu...@gmail.com> writes
> >Mars was the best looking Oz batsmen
> Who? I'm guessing it's Marnus Labuschagne, but I can't be sure. Please
> have some consideration for your English readers who aren't familiar
> with all these Aussie player nicknames.

I think it's got to be Marnus (the options really are Warner, Marnus or Head just on runs scored and Marnus is the only one that fits mars at all).
I haven't seen it used for anybody in the team before so I think it's Will's creation rather than a 'standard' nickname for him.

On Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 1:31:59 PM UTC, richsdi...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, 11 December 2021 at 06:08:19 UTC, Hamish Laws wrote:
>
> > For England
> > Hameed applied himself in both innings, a bit unlucky to be strangled in the 2nd dig, does need to go on and make bigger scores but he looks a good chance to so so.
> Most importantly, he's now England's lowest strike rate for someone batting 1-6 he's got the lowest strike rate of an England opener since 1987. Likes a leave, that lad.

he did the hard work in both innings then succumbed rather tamely. he'll never have a better
chance to prove himself than this series, plus all the time in the world to bat probably.

>
> > Stokes
> > Was expensive with the ball and the amount of times he overstepped suggests that the rhythm wasn't right (or he's done a Thommo and forgotten how long his runup is)
> Stokes' bowling is enigmatic isn't it... occasion bursts of brilliance interspersed with looking like just another 83 mph seamer.

hes been out of cricket for so long and his 1st proper match back is an ashes test. its
not surprising he was unimpressive. The same goes for broad so i wonder can he just
come back from a long time out through injury, and be at his best in a test match.
hes very experienced but most players would at least like a few 3 day games first.

> > Pope
> > seemed like he was decent in the first innings, out both innings being surprised by the bounce. Somebody else who's had a not terrible start to their test career but needs to lift his returns.
> > I didn't see enough of him to have any real insight on how he plays.
> He certainly likes to step away and carve the spinner into the off side, which did for him in the 2nd innings. Seems a bit - maybe - frantic?

yes he often gets himself out when well set. after that 100 in RSA, i thought he
would go on and cement his place in the side. but injurys and a lot of 20-30s
instead.

> > Robinson and Woods both seemed to be bowling well, I don't know how they handled Head's assault. I didn't see it and I can't find a Head to Head analysis on the current cricinfo website.
> > Leach had a terrible test, Australia is a damned tough place for spinners to play (Laker's effort in Australia IMO shows that he's well in contention for best spin bowler ever) and Leach showed nothing to suggest that he's going to take wickets or contain scoring.
> Nope - there's good stats to show when it's not turning, Leach is pretty terrible.
>
> Wouldn't be surprised if for the next Test we'll end up lengthening the tail with Woakes+Leach chopped for both Anderson and Broad...

yes although some suggest wood should be rested to avoid injury. Although the batting
was crap, i dont expect any changes barring injury.

mike

On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 6:07:00 PM UTC+11, Hamish Laws wrote:
> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 5:37:38 AM UTC+11, John Hall wrote:
> > In message <ca411901-d572-446a...@googlegroups.com>,
> > Will Sutton <wlsu...@gmail.com> writes
> > >Mars was the best looking Oz batsmen
> > Who? I'm guessing it's Marnus Labuschagne, but I can't be sure. Please
> > have some consideration for your English readers who aren't familiar
> > with all these Aussie player nicknames.
> I think it's got to be Marnus (the options really are Warner, Marnus or Head just on runs scored and Marnus is the only one that fits mars at all).
> I haven't seen it used for anybody in the team before so I think it's Will's creation rather than a 'standard' nickname for him.

wrong again mate.....it was the Fox Commentary about sending "Mars" down to fine leg for the review ie. last person to listen to is Marnus who rivals Smith in the whacydoo stakes