2015 Ashes - Australia In England

[nairbe]

Well this is a poor effort by the Aussies at this stage. It looks like they really don't have their heart into it and expected the POMS to fall at their feet. There will need to be a major refocus overnight of the whole teams application or my prediction of a 3-0 series win will fast become a 2-1 series loss. As has happened all to often of late we have shown up in another country underprepared for conditions and without a tactical position appropriate to the team we are playing. We may have pulled it off in the WI, but does that really count.

 

[Mark Waugh]

Agree. And Haddin has to stop dropping catches!

 

[Brian Lara]

Having gone to bed not long after Warner was gone, I didn't Australia was in to bad position. They bat deep.

 

[futureblackcap]

Facepalmed yet?

He hasn't bowled yet. Rashid batted brilliantly against NZ.

 

[Kram81]

Fairly even at this stage but England definitely in front.

Robot shouldn't have been selected but hopefully he can do something with the bat.

 

[Mark Waugh]

Lots of work to do. As Brian says we do bat deep but need Watson to make a decent score.

 

[Kram81]

Watson out LBW, now that's a switch..

 

[someblokecalleddave]

Bye bye Aussies, a couple more quickly back in the sheds. I'm guessing you're all tucked up in bed at the moment as your blokes are being dismissed one by one cheaply with 125 still to get with Starc and Hazelwood at the crease. Looking good for us Poms at the minute.

 

[nairbe]

Having gone to bed not long after Warner was gone, I didn't Australia was in to bad position. They bat deep.

Have you had a look at the list. There has been a couple of changes and it just don't quite bat that well.

 

[Mark Waugh]

England's test

 

[someblokecalleddave]

Yeah we're going well at the minute, looks like we've got it in the bag. Ian Bell had a decent knock, bought himself a bit of a reprieve. Needs to carry this through to the end.

 

[futureblackcap]

Aus in a lot of trouble. Come on Poms!

 

[nairbe]

Watson has shown just how weak he is. Batting average and bowling not scaring anyone no matter what is on the highlights reel. He is a very big weak link in this team but they love him so he will stay. Over all much better bowling effort. That performance in the first innings would have the game in the balance, but alas that is cricket. Not out of the question with two days to go there is no time pressure. The question is do they have the discipline as batsmen, no question they have the tallent.

 

[nairbe]

Well the inevitable happened and Australia capitulated to the POMS chasing what was really a score the was psychologically to big. It was good to see Johnson grab a few runs, this may give him the confidence and a bit of form coming into the second test. Also Warner had a 50 that may help him find some touch. Well done England they did not allow Australia to get into the game with a good first innings. Australia will need to get serious with themselves or go down looking the village idiot for loosing to what is really a very ordinary England side.

 

[Mark Waugh]

Ordinary side but with a new coach, new attitude and pitches doctored to suit the home side, Australia are in trouble

 

[Brian Lara]

Ordinary side but with a new coach, new attitude and pitches doctored to suit the home side, Australia are in trouble

I thought you were talking about Australia in the 2013/14 Ashes?

 

[5 European Cups]

1-0 to England with 4 still to play, the series is still very much open, although England have all the momentum right now!

Cook seems to have taken some feedback on board and is a bit more proactive / imaginative with his captaincy in the field.

Hard to see England making any chances to a winning line up for Lords (not sure if they have any injury concerns), will be interesting to see how Australia react - stick with the same line up, or make a scapegoat or 2?

 

[nairbe]

Ordinary side but with a new coach, new attitude and pitches doctored to suit the home side, Australia are in trouble

Doctored Pitches, please. This has been a massive issue in world cricket for about a decade now. Countries such as and very specifically India set teams up with rubbish pitches. The only thing worse than the pitches supplied is how thick the Aussie are walking into them unprepared when they know that everyone is fully tuned in to our inability to play slow turning pitches and a swinging ball.
I have said before that all test pitches should be prepared under the oversight of an ICC inspector.

 

[Ljp86]

Aus in a lot of trouble. Come on Poms!

How can you go for England? It's like supporting Satan!

 

[Ljp86]

Watson has shown just how weak he is. Batting average and bowling not scaring anyone no matter what is on the highlights reel. He is a very big weak link in this team but they love him so he will stay. Over all much better bowling effort. That performance in the first innings would have the game in the balance, but alas that is cricket. Not out of the question with two days to go there is no time pressure. The question is do they have the discipline as batsmen, no question they have the tallent.

He needs to go no question. Offers nothing with the ball in test match cricket anymore and consistently gets out in the 30's. Mitch Marsh really needs to be brought in.