Finn is too costly, he leaks runs.

maybe, but that's not quite the problem in Test cricket that it is in short forms. It's about the ability to take wickets first and foremost.

On what by all reports promise to be pretty lifeless tracks, England's first task has to be to make sure they can bowl the other side out, then worry about how many runs to make. Even, in a roundabout sort of way, if they bat first...

My thinking entirely - bowlers are there to take wickets. If they can do so economically, all the better, but a fast bowler should be knocking them over. Let Swann do the keep an end tight thing.

Well played little master, shame you didn't end on a century, but thanks for the memories

I just checked Finns Economy rate on cricinfo.
Its shockingly high, among the worst in 20 years. That being said he
does take wickets.

Yes, but you take wickets when the batsman feel under pressure. If they're are being banged all over the place it makes it hard for all of the bowlers. That said, I'd pick Finn also, but I'd prefer Tremlett if he was in tip top form and really fit. I think our top order batsmen hold the key, If they can wear the Aussies down, their lack of experience and test match discipline will let them down.

They might be undisciplined but they do have some experience.
Clarke 97
Haddin 49
Bailey 0
Faulkner 1
Harris 16
Johnson 51
Lyon 25
Rogers 6
Siddle 46
Smith 12
Warner 22
Watson 46



Thats a good team in my eyes. This series should be closer than the previous two. Australia, I think, have only won 2 of the last 15 Ashes tests, and havent won a test in 9 matches. Thats some poor 'form', but I think they'll do much better this time.

It looks like it'll be Tremlett to start and Prior should be fit also. I can foresee I'll be working pretty late this week. One just has to remember not to leave beer cans and Indian takeaway cartons in the conference room.

Only about six hours before kickoff. I hope there's some decent streams because getting coverage on the cricket channel means you get the Aussie commentators who are impossible to listen to. I need to hear Bumble, Nasser, Atherton and co.

Why are the Aussie commentators SO bad ? (I agree with you - they are). As always, TMS is the way to go

Because they're devoid of reality. I remember the last time we were down there, I misfortune to have to listen to them for a couple of matches and when the Aussies had something like 450 runs to get to with three wickets remaining, Ian "I've Never Turned Down a Burger" Healy kept saying with approving grunts from his fellow inbreds and without a hint of irony, "I think we've got this, we're going to easily win this one, the Poms are on the run." etc etc. If there's going to be bias, I want to be on our side. Then there's their horrible accents. Apart from Nelson Mandela, the Aussie one is probably the most grating and nauseating there is in the world.

For some reason I find Mark Taylor annoying as a commentator (although I have respect for him as Aussie skipper). Warne is just...a prat, end of. I agree about the smug bias. I always thought that British commentary was more even handed, but I accept that might be because I myself am biased.

Call right Cookie and we could yet storm 'Fortress Gabba'. That would show 'em who's boss.

With an obvious Johnson melt down and Clarke getting out for a duck. That would make my week. I'm going to pop out this lunchtime to get the necessary refreshments in as I'm planning to watch most the day's play in the conference room this week on the large screen telly and big comfy chairs all the while HID will think I'm being very diligent staying late.

Do you need a QA analyst to correctly, ahem, assure you of the quality ?

A Johnson meltdown would kind of put a big hole in the entire Aus strategy.

Enjoy !

I'm afraid the nice man downstairs wouldn't let you up.

Still, its going to be some nice tall cans of Stella and an Indian later on. Its probably a bit too immature to engage in drinking shots for every LBW appeal, on your own, especially on a Wednesday?

Edited to note, that rather sounded like Rob Ford. I better pop down to the gym this afternoon.

Got the supplies in. Game on.