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

[big nuts]

Just looked it up and yes Hamilton did bowl right arm seam/medium pace.

Must be my memory or he was so slow he gave the appearance of a spinner who couldn't spin it.

He made two ducks and bowled 15 wicketless overs according to Cric Info that's a pretty disastrous debut.

 

[Gwylan]

I can't really remember, but was the reason for his lack of tests due to John Embury's extended career, or just a late bloomer?

It was a bit of both: he played for a couple of counties but was never a regular and then moved to Essex and it suddenly clicked for him. But it was true that Emburey kept many spinners out of the team: David Acfield, for example, took just short of a 1,000 first-class wickets at an average of 28 and didn't get a sniff, nor did his team-mate Ray East (and he once took a hat-trick in a test trial)

 

[knocky1]

Just looked it up and yes Hamilton did bowl right arm seam/medium pace.

He made two ducks and bowled 15 wicketless overs according to Cric Info that's a pretty disastrous debut.

Especially as they picked him to fortify the batting at 8 against Donald and co and use as a 5th seamer.

 

[Bold Seagull]

3 wickets for 48 runs, 3 maidens in 13 overs. Johnson will be starting the first test!

Not that it was ever in doubt. However, it is probably important for Lehman to demonstrate no one is undroppable. Well, maybe Smith....

 

[knocky1]

Harris is not far behind with 2 wickets still up for grabs.

 

[Billy the Fish]

So it all starts tomorrow, how are people feeling? I've got the rest of the week off work and tickets for Friday and Saturday so currently buzzing about it!

On the cricket side of things I don't know why but I'm feeling unusually optimistic, perhaps I'm just excited or deluded, or a bit of both!

The Aussies are clear favourites still but I think people in the media forget about how much conditions play a part in cricket, and Australia didn't have it all their own way against Kent and Essex and they didn't have to face anyone like Anderson with the new ball. If the Mitchell brothers can't get their line and length right or control the swing then their pace is redundant. Personally I think Siddle is as much of a threat in these conditions.

Batting wise I'm a bit worried about Ballance and Bell, if they're still out of touch then two early wickets on the first day (if we bat) could easily be 4. That first session is massively important. As the underdog it's hugely important that England don't have a bad 1st day. Smith and Warner are big wickets for them and Mitchell Marsh looks in good form if he plays.

Weather looks a bit iffy tomorrow morning but should be good after that.

Come on England!!!

 

[Papa Lazarou]

So it all starts tomorrow, how are people feeling? I've got the rest of the week off work and tickets for Friday and Saturday so currently buzzing about it!

On the cricket side of things I don't know why but I'm feeling unusually optimistic, perhaps I'm just excited or deluded, or a bit of both!

The Aussies are clear favourites still but I think people in the media forget about how much conditions play a part in cricket, and Australia didn't have it all their own way against Kent and Essex and they didn't have to face anyone like Anderson with the new ball. If the Mitchell brothers can't get their line and length right or control the swing then their pace is redundant. Personally I think Siddle is as much of a threat in these conditions.

Batting wise I'm a bit worried about Ballance and Bell, if they're still out of touch then two early wickets on the first day (if we bat) could easily be 4. That first session is massively important. As the underdog it's hugely important that England don't have a bad 1st day. Smith and Warner are big wickets for them and Mitchell Marsh looks in good form if he plays.

Weather looks a bit iffy tomorrow morning but should be good after that.

Come on England!!!

Win the toss and bowl?

 

[Billy the Fish]

Win the toss and bowl?

Whoever wins the toss will bat. I think it'll be too cold to get the ball swinging much on the first couple of days.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Whoever wins the toss will bat. I think it'll be too cold to get the ball swinging much on the first couple of days.

too cold? It's not April. It'll be 17-18C on Wednesday with showers and cloud. You won't get better bowling conditions over the 5 days. It will depend on how the wicket has been prepared, but it's a brave captain that bats under cloudy skies with rain possible.

 

[spring hall convert]

Win the toss and bowl?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Y6T44tzIc

 

[spring hall convert]

We're going to get absolutely murdered.

Our batting is ok but lacks guts against really quick stuff. Our bowling is heavily reliant on Anderson and Broad to make things happen. We need the Aussies to underperform massively to stand a chance - they're a better side than the one that wiped the floor with us last time.

Is the Cardiff track going to be as benign as the one in 2009?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Betting-wise, get the feeling that the Aussies will take the series with the minimum of fuss. Have gone for the Aussies to win the series 4-1 @ 12/1. I realise of course that the weather will scupper my series bets earlydoors but have also gone Smith top batsman @ 7/2 and Johnson top bowler @ 4/1 so should have some continuing interest through the series, not to mention a hopefully handsome return or two. We shall see.

 

[knocky1]

Is the Cardiff track going to be as benign as the one in 2009?

Not as benign. Glamorgan's recent Championship games have all had a winner. Looks like win the toss, bat first, score over 300 as minimum, don't play Rashid yet (unfavourable wicket and short boundaries) and bet on England winning Series 3-1.
If Australia win the toss, they might put us in.

 

[spring hall convert]

Aggers has just tweeted that the Cardiff pitch has no pace.

 

[knocky1]

Aggers has just tweeted that the Cardiff pitch has no pace.

Yes. I just listened to Keith Exton who is the groundsman. More pace than 2009 but not enough to help the Australians. Says batting first we could put 500 up and pressure the Aussies. He didn't seem to realise they may bat first.

 

[spring hall convert]

Yes. I just listened to Keith Exton who is the groundsman. More pace than 2009 but not enough to help the Australians. Says batting first we could put 500 up and pressure the Aussies. He didn't seem to realise they may bat first.

Is there a case for playing two spinners (Rashid/ Ali?) We played Panesar and Swann there in '09 (not that it did us any favours.) We can even play two spinners and still have 4 seamers, though I'm not sure I totally like the look of Moeen, Stokes or Buttler at 5.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Is there a case for playing two spinners (Rashid/ Ali?) We played Panesar and Swann there in '09 (not that it did us any favours.) We can even play two spinners and still have 4 seamers, though I'm not sure I totally like the look of Moeen, Stokes or Buttler at 5.

That might work, as long as we bat first, and let the pitch rough up.

 

[Glawstergull]

Tomorrow will the best day to bowl and i expect the toss to really shape the game. we must win it and bowl as i think our confidence is a bit thinner than theirs and shit start might undo the last month or so.
Ive got my ticket for tomorrow and am very excited! Beer, wickets and some good banter with some old mates.Triffic!

 

[knocky1]

Is there a case for playing two spinners (Rashid/ Ali?) We played Panesar and Swann there in '09 (not that it did us any favours.) We can even play two spinners and still have 4 seamers, though I'm not sure I totally like the look of Moeen, Stokes or Buttler at 5.

Pitch too slow for Rashid's leg spin,perhaps? We will find out soon and I can't wait to get off that train in Cardiff tomorrow!

 

[dazzer6666]

Really looking forward to this. Trying to be optimistic, but fearing the worst.......