Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches [surely thats what oz
want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
and pick wood instead. With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
unless hazel muscles in on the show.

England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

mike

On Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at 16:00:09 UTC+1, mike wrote:

> England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

Let's crush them with the 82 mph wobble-seam and a spinner who last played red ball in about 2021. I look forward with glee to being proven wrong.

Richard

On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 3:00:22 AM UTC+10, Richard Dixon wrote:
> On Wednesday, 14 June 2023 at 16:00:09 UTC+1, mike wrote:
>
> > England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
> Let's crush them with the 82 mph wobble-seam and a spinner who last played red ball in about 2021. I look forward with glee to being proven wrong.

That side too heavily favours batsmen.
Especially with Stokes' knee and Ali's form uncertainty.

Still... big Kev excited for Friday (night here in Brisbane).

So any idea on the pitch?

On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 2:41:52 PM UTC+10, wlsut...@gmail.com wrote:
> So any idea on the pitch?

with that attack they would want a green wicket to bowl on otherwise a couple of old fellows may run out of gas bowling on a flat top

In message <e15e7a95-da26-45f3-8509-ad76bfd50d4en@googlegroups.com>,
mike <dmike204@yahoo.co.uk> writes
>Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
>But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches

It looks like what Edgbaston will provide is a flat, slow pitch, though.

> [surely thats what oz
>want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
>and pick wood instead.

He can't safely bowl too many overs at his pace and, with Stokes' number
of overs also likely to be limited, England must have worried that
they'd be left exposed.

> With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
>pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
>unless hazel muscles in on the show.
<snip>

If he's fit, I expect he will, though I'm not sure if nowadays he's as
good as Boland.
--
John Hall "[It was] so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps,
like a person breaking into giggles or hiccups, and then resumed
its sober climb, until it had another fit of steps."
Ursula K Le Guin "The Beginning Place"

In message <442134a9-15e6-4851-ab86-94175cb6706an@googlegroups.com>,
"wlsut...@gmail.com" <wlsutton54@gmail.com> writes
>On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 2:41:520 >> So any idea on the pitch?
>
>with that attack they would want a green wicket to bowl on otherwise a
>couple of old fellows may run out of gas bowling on a flat top

With what the weather's been like lately, it seems unlikely that they'll
get one. And England have said they don't want green pitches, though I
agree one would be in their best interests.
--
John Hall "[It was] so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps,
like a person breaking into giggles or hiccups, and then resumed
its sober climb, until it had another fit of steps."
Ursula K Le Guin "The Beginning Place"

On Thursday, 15 June 2023 at 05:41:52 UTC+1, wlsut...@gmail.com wrote:
> So any idea on the pitch?

https://thecricketlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-15-at-3.07.33-PM.jpeg

Runfest becoming a bit turny later?

Richard

On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 7:16:38 PM UTC+1, John Hall wrote:
> In message <e15e7a95-da26-45f3...@googlegroups.com>,
> mike <dmik...@yahoo.co.uk> writes
> >Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
> >But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches
> It looks like what Edgbaston will provide is a flat, slow pitch, though.
> > [surely thats what oz
> >want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
> >and pick wood instead.
> He can't safely bowl too many overs at his pace and, with Stokes' number
> of overs also likely to be limited, England must have worried that
> they'd be left exposed.

i hope we dont end up at the end of match with broad and ali the only
fit bowlers! we do seem to be playing to oz strengths which is why i
predict oz to win 4-1.

mike

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 8:08:37 AM UTC+10, mike wrote:
> On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 7:16:38 PM UTC+1, John Hall wrote:
> > In message <e15e7a95-da26-45f3...@googlegroups.com>,
> > mike <dmik...@yahoo.co.uk> writes
> > >Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match..
> > >But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches
> > It looks like what Edgbaston will provide is a flat, slow pitch, though..
> > > [surely thats what oz
> > >want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
> > >and pick wood instead.
> > He can't safely bowl too many overs at his pace and, with Stokes' number
> > of overs also likely to be limited, England must have worried that
> > they'd be left exposed.
> i hope we dont end up at the end of match with broad and ali the only
> fit bowlers! we do seem to be playing to oz strengths which is why i
> predict oz to win 4-1.
>
> mike

prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2

may even end up 1 nil to the poms

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:26:15 AM UTC+10, wlsut...@gmail.com wrote:
> prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2

I think this is more likely than 1-4.

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:38:50 AM UTC+10, jack fredricks wrote:
> On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:26:15 AM UTC+10, wlsut...@gmail.com wrote:
> > prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2
> I think this is more likely than 1-4.

Maybe if weather gets involved, neither side is particularly good at going for draws if they get a full test

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 12:22:13 PM UTC+10, Hamish Laws wrote:
> On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:38:50 AM UTC+10, jack fredricks wrote:
> > On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:26:15 AM UTC+10, wlsut...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2
> > I think this is more likely than 1-4.
> Maybe if weather gets involved

That's what I was thinking

> neither side is particularly good at going for draws if they get a full test

Not doubting that, but later tonight in the wee hours when Aus is 45/4, I'll grab some stats on that topic.

England 2.55 Australia 2.30 Draw $4

With all the talk I thought England would be over $3 and that would have been a nice bet

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 4:00:09 PM UTC+1, mike wrote:
> Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
> But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches [surely thats what oz
> want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
> and pick wood instead. With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
> pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
> unless hazel muscles in on the show.
>
> England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
>
> mike

Should have played

Wood for Anderson
Liam Livingston for Ali

RH

On Friday, 16 June 2023 at 08:28:52 UTC+1, Robert Henderson wrote:
> On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 4:00:09 PM UTC+1, mike wrote:
> > Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
> > But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches [surely thats what oz
> > want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
> > and pick wood instead. With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
> > pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
> > unless hazel muscles in on the show.
> >
> > England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
> >
> > mike
> Should have played
>
> Wood for Anderson
> Liam Livingston for Ali
>
> RH
>
>
Everyone knows why Wood and Livingstone are not playing. Why do you think they should play?

In message <b467f4a8-9a38-4d85-b9a1-d3de8f8c675cn@googlegroups.com>,
"wlsut...@gmail.com" <wlsutton54@gmail.com> writes
>prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2
>
>may even end up 1 nil to the poms

Unless there's quite a lot of rain, I can't see there being two draws
let alone four.
--
John Hall "[It was] so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps,
like a person breaking into giggles or hiccups, and then resumed
its sober climb, until it had another fit of steps."
Ursula K Le Guin "The Beginning Place"

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 9:16:04 AM UTC+1, Najeeb ybo wrote:
> On Friday, 16 June 2023 at 08:28:52 UTC+1, Robert Henderson wrote:
> > On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 4:00:09 PM UTC+1, mike wrote:
> > > Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
> > > But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches [surely thats what oz
> > > want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
> > > and pick wood instead. With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
> > > pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
> > > unless hazel muscles in on the show.
> > >
> > > England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
> > >
> > > mike
> > Should have played
> >
> > Wood for Anderson
> > Liam Livingston for Ali
> >
> > RH
> >
> >
> Everyone knows why Wood and Livingstone are not playing. Why do you think they should play?

1. Because Wood, if fit, represents the best chance England have of getting on Oz's back early on.

2. Because Livingston wants to play for England full stop and Ali does not.

RH

On Fri, 16 Jun 2023 01:16:03 -0700 (PDT), Najeeb ybo
<najeebybo@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Friday, 16 June 2023 at 08:28:52 UTC+1, Robert Henderson wrote:
>> On Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 4:00:09?PM UTC+1, mike wrote:
>> > Well all the injured ones make it back for the dads army reunion match.
>> > But with stokes saying he wanted fast flat pitches [surely thats what oz
>> > want?], i'm surprised they didnt give jimmy or yobbo another week off
>> > and pick wood instead. With this bunch of FM seamers i'd want the
>> > pitches from last year. I'd expect oz to be unchanged from the WTC,
>> > unless hazel muscles in on the show.
>> >
>> > England XI for first Ashes Test v Australia: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
>> >
>> > mike
>> Should have played
>>
>> Wood for Anderson
>> Liam Livingston for Ali
>>
>> RH
>>
>>
>Everyone knows why Wood and Livingstone are not playing. Why do you think they should play?

I suspect it has a lot to do with being the stupidest person to post
to this group in decades.

Cheers,

Mike

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:22:17 AM UTC+1, John Hall wrote:
> In message <b467f4a8-9a38-4d85...@googlegroups.com>,
> "wlsut...@gmail.com" <wlsut...@gmail.com> writes
> >prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2
> >
> >may even end up 1 nil to the poms
> Unless there's quite a lot of rain, I can't see there being two draws
> let alone four.

no, but the way england play, oz could bat for 3 days and still give
england time to lose ;)

brooks dismissal was truly bizarre, stokes was predictable, those 2
wkts given oz the edge. pity cos the pitch looks perfect. so the way to
combat bazball: put most of the side on the boundary.

mike

On Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:13:13 AM UTC+10, mike wrote:
> On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:22:17 AM UTC+1, John Hall wrote:
> > In message <b467f4a8-9a38-4d85...@googlegroups.com>,
> > "wlsut...@gmail.com" <wlsut...@gmail.com> writes
> > >prediction POMS 2 OZ 1 DRAWS 2
> > >
> > >may even end up 1 nil to the poms
> > Unless there's quite a lot of rain, I can't see there being two draws
> > let alone four.
> no, but the way england play, oz could bat for 3 days and still give
> england time to lose ;)
>
> brooks dismissal was truly bizarre, stokes was predictable, those 2
> wkts given oz the edge. pity cos the pitch looks perfect. so the way to
> combat bazball: put most of the side on the boundary.
>
Great knock by Root, really thrilled by how he batted.

Stokes' declaration certainly shows that he's backing his team to the hilt

On Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:26:19 -0700 (PDT), Hamish Laws
<hamish.laws@gmail.com> wrote:

>Great knock by Root, really thrilled by how he batted.

Some extremely unconventional shots mixed with classical drives,
sweeps and the rest. That was great Test cricket of a type we've
hardly ever seen before.
>
>Stokes' declaration certainly shows that he's backing his team to the hilt

That's responsible for about half the wins they've notched up. Nobody
other than Stokes thinks that Jack Leach is a world-class spinner, but
Leach says that the way Stokes handles him means he almost believes it
too.

And, what will please Stokes the most, it was a highly entertaining
day of Test cricket. I think one of the last 15 or so games was a bit
dull, but the others have all been fascinating cricket. You don't want
to miss an England game at the moment, even if you're a neutral. I'm
loving it.

Cheers,

Mike

On Friday, 16 June 2023 at 20:11:24 UTC+1, Mike Holmans wrote:

> Some extremely unconventional shots mixed with classical drives,
> sweeps and the rest. That was great Test cricket of a type we've
> hardly ever seen before.

Another ridiculous day but were we entertained? Of course we were. Although for all the goggle-eyed Bazbollocks excitement - for 393/8d at a RR of 5.03, I'll raise you 407 a/o at a RR of 5.13 that England did 18 years ago at the same venue against the same country.

> >Stokes' declaration certainly shows that he's backing his team to the hilt
> That's responsible for about half the wins they've notched up. Nobody
> other than Stokes thinks that Jack Leach is a world-class spinner, but
> Leach says that the way Stokes handles him means he almost believes it
> too.

I do wonder what gives if Ali goes for 15-0-110-0 or some such and again next Test - and if we've got the right bowlers for a dead pitch [although Robinson/Anderson did take 10 of the 20 at Rawalpindi over the winter]. But today's movement off the pitch is the **smallest** on a first day in England in the CricViz database since they started measuring ball deviation in 2006.. Genuinely won't be surprised to see Aus flog 350+ for not many tomorrow, although I will happily be proved wrong by a knee-busting spell from Stokes..

> You don't want
> to miss an England game at the moment, even if you're a neutral. I'm
> loving it.

Not sure I've seen it written anywhere as such but I wouldn't be surprised if behind closed doors the mantra is being remembered for entertaining over winning.

Richard

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:38:08 PM UTC+1, Richard Dixon wrote:
> On Friday, 16 June 2023 at 20:11:24 UTC+1, Mike Holmans wrote:
>
> > Some extremely unconventional shots mixed with classical drives,
> > sweeps and the rest. That was great Test cricket of a type we've
> > hardly ever seen before.
> Not sure I've seen it written anywhere as such but I wouldn't be surprised if behind closed doors the mantra is being remembered for entertaining over winning.
>
> Richard

it was certainly more entertaining than watching england take on the might of malta,
but on a road like this i'd want 500 and make oz toil in the field until tea on the 2nd
day. so i'd preferred 310-5 over 393-8 on the first day and bat on tomorrow..

lets hope the likes of sandman marnus and SS and chums are as generous with their
wickets tomorrow, otherwise it be our lot toiling for 2 days. hopefully i'm proved wrong
but i thought it was bizarre to declare on a pitch like this when root is 118no and batting
beautifully. i'm sure oz were pleased to come off the field.

I think it was mr baz himself who said b4 the match 'we have to entertain and inspire
the kids' or something like that, and an oz media numpty, perhaps JL, said no we dont,
its the ashes, we just have to win! for once the oz was right.

mike

On Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:11:39 -0700 (PDT), mike <dmike204@yahoo.co.uk>
wrote:

>lets hope the likes of sandman marnus and SS and chums are as generous with their
>wickets tomorrow, otherwise it be our lot toiling for 2 days.

If England take upwards of 85% of their chances, they'll be achieving
more than Australia dropping a good half dozen. They were very poor in
the field.

Cheers,

Mike