[Cricket] The Ashes 2015 ***OFFICIAL SERIES THREAD***

[Simster]

Happy to keep Lyth in as he's had so few games would seem just a knee jerk reaction to get rid of him.

Personally, I'd drop Lyth like a stone. I understand that wholesale changes are not a good thing, so I'd much rather retain an out of sorts Ian Bell than Lyth, who simply doesn't look test class in any way. Bell, on the other hand, is a decent enough batsman suffering a bit of a wobble.

But the problem is, who to replace Lyth with. Neither Compton or Carberry represent any noticeable upgrade, and have both been given a chance.

 

[crodonilson]

Thing is with Bell, I don't think he's been getting out one particular way. He's had a few good balls which if your name is on them you're out of luck, and he just seems a bit out of nick. He might only need one innings and a bit of luck and he can score big like he did against this lot in 2013.

Personally, I think 1 change is enough to keep some continuity. Perhaps consider another change if needed for the 4th test rather than a wholesale shuffle. Ballance has been so clearly exposed to one kind of delivery that it doesn't look like an issue you can just get back in form from. Like when Root was dropped, he'll hopefully go away and come back a better player.

Happy to keep Lyth in as he's had so few games would seem just a knee jerk reaction to get rid of him.

I sincerely hope you're right BS, Bells been out of nick for a good while in the test arena now though, it seems more than just a rut and his average for England and he averages under 40 at number 3 which whilst better than his average at 4 is poor for a player playing in such an era where pitches are invarably more favourable to batsmen.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Personally, I'd drop Lyth like a stone. I understand that wholesale changes are not a good thing, so I'd much rather retain an out of sorts Ian Bell than Lyth, who simply doesn't look test class in any way. Bell, on the other hand, is a decent enough batsman suffering a bit of a wobble.

But the problem is, who to replace Lyth with. Neither Compton or Carberry represent any noticeable upgrade, and have both been given a chance.

Well exactly, which is presumably why he was one of a few remaining options. Would brining Hales in be a bit like the eyebrow raiser that Warner was when they got him to open, a seemingly one day specialist? Don't know. Hales has something about him as others have said, but what a debut to make in tests opening in the 3rd test of an Ashes series. Maybe if we lose the next one and Lyth fails in both innings again, it is worth a roll of the dice.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I sincerely hope you're right BS, Bells been out of nick for a good while in the test arena now though, it seems more than just a rut and his average for England and he averages under 40 at number 3 which whilst better than his average at 4 is poor for a player playing in such an era where pitches are invarably more favourable to batsmen.

Bell got 562 runs in the Ashes 2013 at an average of 62.44 with 3 100's and 2 50's. I'm prepared for now to hold onto the hope he remembers that he pretty much single handedly won the Ashes 2 years ago.

At 1-1 I think we can afford to make a tweak rather than a wholesale change. Lose the next with Lyth and Bell failing, and I might change my tune.

 

[Chinman3000]

Bairstow replaces Ballance. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33612502

Good move I reckon....

 

[Bold Seagull]

Bairstow replaces Ballance. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33612502

Good move I reckon....

Let's hope he is quicker than you with the news!

 

[Chinman3000]

Let's hope he is quicker than you with the news!

That will teach me for not checking back a page! Should have known the BBC would be well behind the tide....

 

[spring hall convert]

Interesting piece on cricinfo "Since the beginning of 2012, Ian Bell averages 34.69 when batting in the top six; among regular top-order batsmen, only Shane Watson has a lower average"

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/902675.html

 

[knocky1]

Clarke has also struggled with the bat recently, averaging just 32 since the turn of the year, and having posted a top score of 38 in his last 11 Ashes innings. Voges is also struggling but may be replaced by the other Marsh?

Glad to see that even playing with two wicket keepers the cheats still went for 8lb in the first couple of overs today.

Looking forward to a likely low scoring Test Match at Edgbaston.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Amongst all the talk of Ballance, Lyth and Bell, has BUTTLER had a bit of an easy ride?

Doesn't seem to have contributed consistently in terms of runs on the board. If Bairstow manages to establish himself in the side, then Jos' performance with the bat might come under a little more scrutiny?

 

[Pintos]

I hope Mitchell Johnson steps on a ball and injures his ankle in the warm-up

 

[knocky1]

Looks like Wood's ankle is the one injured. Fitness Test in the morning, if not OK Steve Finn coming in. Providing he rips through the Aussies, I'm happy with him coming in, as much as I love Wood's attitude.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Looks like Wood's ankle is the one injured. Fitness Test in the morning, if not OK Steve Finn coming in. Providing he rips through the Aussies, I'm happy with him coming in, as much as I love Wood's attitude.

According to one of the papers, Finn was also an injury doubt, which is not ideal.

 

[knocky1]

Here's the plan. £100 Australia 10/11 and £100 England 7/2. Outcomes leave one £9 down or £350 up. The draw leaves you £200 down. Little rain forecast, it's Edgbaston and the first 2 Tests were over before 6 on Day 4.
Thinking about it.

 

[Surf's Up]

I predict England are going to get totally stuffed by the Aussies. Mitchell, Starc and Marsh are better and quicker than anything we've got and in Smith and Warner they have at least 2 batsmen who will score big runs. Add their fielding to the pot and you've got potential annihilation.

 

[Surf's Up]

Missed the "J" off - should read Mitchell J

 

[Gwylan]

Missed this a few days ago - may give the authorities a few ideas

http://newsthump.com/2015/07/20/australian-cricket-team-deported-under-anti-terror-legislation/

 

[knocky1]

Oh yea of little faith. Win the toss and we'll be 250 odd for 4 tonight. Lose the toss and Australia will be 60 for 4 at Lunch, assuming Clarke does not do a Ponting and put us in.

 

[Badger]

Quite an interesting stat:

"England will, for the first time since 2004 and 139 matches ago, field a team without a single player in it who was born in southern Africa."

 

[fat old seagull]

I'm okay with Finns inclusion, I am not okay with Lyth and hardly ecstatic about Bell either. I'd have brought in Taylor and KP because I don't care if he's an ars**le, he's got balls and the Aussies wouldn't intimidate him, as they do most of the others.
I can't help thinking at the end of the series and we've (in probability) been stuffed, the Aussies will say how pleased they were that English cricket is overseen by Gentlemen..... I'd so much love to be wrong.