Beoz

Default setting is to bat first. Even there it was the right thing to do. Cook would have batted too.

Beoz

No shit BS. You can include all other Aussie batters in that list too except for Rogers. Just look at the way Rogers waits and plays last minute. Years of batting experience on English decks. The rest just plant the front foot and go.

Beoz

What was Strauss thinking, ordering that Lords deck? What an embarrassment.

Not quite as bad as CA ordering those green decks a few years back.

OzTennis

Well he didn't and you still can't spell it and if you were up with things you would know that the wicket Strauss ordered for Lords got snookered by the English weather and it was too wet for the week leading up to the test for the groundsman to prepare what was ordered.

Well done England, an excellent day for them, especially Anderson. Hussain and Warne in UK commentary both agreed that no bowler in history relies on conditions as much as Anderson.

I expect we'll get the usual rant about foreign conditions and selections and lessons not learned in 2005 etc. The 2 Aussie batsmen with the most county experience are Rogers and Voges and it was not surprising that they batted the longest, albeit Voges, like 5 or 5 others was indecisive outside off. Short of more Aussies playing county cricket (won't happen as it is mostly the fringe players only who have the time to spend in county cricket) or coming to England for longer before tests (which won't happen as the ICC orders series to be played close together like us having to go to WI)) we will just have to cope and learn.

We'll see what happens today.

Beoz

The AFL thread needs a bump.

Oh by the way, what with the English weather doing in the lead up to this test?

Oh and I thought conditions don't matter. You changed your tune fast.

OzTennis

Intelligent response.

Please quote me where I said conditions don't matter (they are one of a number of factors influencing the outcome).

I explained why your comment about Strauss ordering the pitch the groundsman could provide at Lords wasn't what was ordered and your comment was incorrect. That and Anderson being very reliant on conditions and you interpret that as conditions don't matter.

(highlighted sentence doesn't make sense) I guess you want to know it was pissing down for the days leading up to Lords and cool so the groundsman couldn't provide enough grass.

Beoz

Oh is that how it works. Right. I do enjoy winding you up about your lack of cricket knowledge. Its pure comedy.

Beoz

Well it has to be said that the batting on both sides is a bit crap, but again its who has the better bowlers is the winner in this test. Perfect conditions for Hazelwood to stand up and show he could be the next GM - 3 wickets bowling that crap should have been 6 or 7. But he couldn't find the right line or length and Starc was just all over the shop. Again reliance on a Johnson over of power which just doesn't cut it. And Lyons tweaks.

On the flipside what the hell has happen to Steve Finn. Is he on drugs?

OzTennis

Could it also possibly be who has the worst batsmen Einstein? Cricket isn't just about bowlers. You predicted Hazlewood (type it out 100 times until you can spell it) would do wonders but you were wrong; you predicted Johnson wouldn't fire but he and Lyon were the pick of the bowlers clearly. Hazlewood is being asked to be the stock bowler and he's bowled probably twice the number of overs of Starc and Johnson for little more reward.

Ponting and Warne both said Starc is carrying a few niggles and he's not doing as well as they predicted. Warne thought a right armer (Siddle or Cummins) could be played at TB; Ponting thought must go with the 2 left fasties and Hazlewood.

It looks like Anderson is in doubt for TB and probably beyond but he, Finn and Broad have bowled very well this time.

joandpete1

Looking forward to a favourable conclusion hopefully we wont have to stay up too late to celebrate.
pete (pom in oz)

Beoz

This is comedy. You are out of your depth again tennis boy. You love stats - how did you miss this one. Not bad for a boy who can't hit the top of off stump.

Cricket Records | Records | The Ashes, 2015 | Most wickets | ESPN Cricinfo

Now a hundred lines for you.

Beoz is always right, Beoz only wanted Johnson to carry the drinks if Harris was playing in Cardiff, I will accept my loss, in fact my repeated losses, congratulate the victor, and be a better human being for the pleasure.

Its a long one but you deserve it.

Pollyana

Are you guys incapable of discussing anything without making it personal?

Beoz

I'm trying to think up some tennis stories, unfortunately I have none.

Broad Shoulders

Eng didn't do too badly, especially with some of that umpiring! Will be interesting to see if "Nevill The Cheat" is the Courierfail's front page headline tomorrow. We got him out four times in total and even then he reviewed the last one.

Beoz

That's because you uselessly waste your reviews. Your fault. You are to blame.