Think they're playing him at number 6. The other candidates were hilton cartwright and glenn maxwell who are both rubbish
The Ashes 2017/18
- Thread starter summerisle
- Start date
- Status
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
3rd day, England batting on. Currently 380-3, Root 83, Malan 77.
Now 381-4, Root out for 83.
Now 381-4, Root out for 83.
Last edited:
That Aussie batting is as fragile as England's. Massive onus on Cook Root & Bairstow to score big big runs. The only difference between the sides is Mitchell Starc but unfortunately he'll probably blow the likes of Malan and Vincent away.
Also, get Stokes out there right now and stop pandering to the media. The Oz opening bat actually smacked the England captain on a night out so they need to catch a grip and stop the hypocrisy.
Also, get Stokes out there right now and stop pandering to the media. The Oz opening bat actually smacked the England captain on a night out so they need to catch a grip and stop the hypocrisy.
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
Report on the third day, including the usual collapse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42023095
Ashes: Dawid Malan hits century before England stutter in warm-up game
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Townsville
Dawid Malan (right) celebrates his century with Moeen Ali.
Tour match, Townsville (day three of four)
Cricket Australia XI 250 & 121-3: Gibson 49, Moeen 2-34, Crane 1-24
England 515: Stoneman 111, Malan 109, Root 83
England lead by 144 runs.
England improved late on a mixed third day of their final Ashes warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.
Although Dawid Malan converted his overnight 57 into a century, England at one stage lost five wickets for 38.
A last-wicket stand of 58 between Chris Woakes and Mason Crane took the tourists to 515 all out.
CA XI openers Daniel Carder and Ryan Gibson shared 80 but spinners Moeen Ali and Crane reduced them hosts to 121-3.
Joe Root's side are in firm control - they lead by 144 runs - and will probably complete a big win on Saturday's final day, but for long periods this was an unsatisfactory day with the first Test against Australia less than a week away.
As Australia named a surprising squad for the match at the Gabba, England's lower order wasted the opportunity of time at the crease and the pace bowlers then lacked penetration on an unresponsive pitch.
"It was a mixed day," assistant coach Paul Farbrace told BBC Sport. "We took our eye off the ball with the bat.
"We are in a good position but, in terms of preparation for next week, we have dipped below where we have been during the first two days, which is a shame."
Malan follows Stoneman's lead
Like Mark Stoneman on Thursday, Malan responded to calls from captain Root and coach Trevor Bayliss for England's batsmen to convert starts into big scores.
Resuming in partnership with Root with England 337-3, the left-hander played eye-catching cover drives and clips off the pads on the way to his 19th first-class century.
Root, who began the day on 62, looked set for a hundred of his own until he was brilliantly caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Harry Neilsen off pace bowler Simon Milenko for 83.
Root looked in good form at the crease for England, making 83 in 123 balls
Malan angled the off-spin of Matthew Short to third man to reach three figures, but his slow response to Moeen's call meant he failed to beat Daniel Carder's throw from short fine leg in the middle of the late-order collapse.
"For someone who is playing in this country for the first time, he has shown that the extra pace and bounce in the wickets suit his game," said Farbrace.
"He found it difficult in England this summer when the ball nipped around, but he looks very much at home here."
Late-order slump
Jonny Bairstow slapped a full toss from leg-spinner Daniel Fallins to mid-on to depart for 19, but he at least made an unbeaten 61 against the same opposition last week.
For Moeen and Craig Overton, who may be required to contribute runs from number nine if he makes his Test debut at the Gabba, chances of batting in the middle may now have run out.
Both fell to consecutive deliveries from off-spinner Matthew Short either side of lunch.
Moeen, in his first match of the tour, was bowled for five and Overton was caught at short leg from his first ball to register a third successive duck.
"In an ideal world, you would like every player to spend the right amount of time at the crease, but it doesn't always work out that way," said Farbrace. "Moeen has a few more days to practise and work at his game.
"You can't see Craig is out of form - he's only faced 13 balls in three innings! He's here for his bowling and any runs that he can contribute will be a bonus."
When Stuart Broad was caught sweeping, England had slipped from 419-5 to 457-9.
The dependable Woakes and solid Crane took England past 500, their stand ended when Woakes was caught behind off Milenko.
England spinners break through
Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane has six wickets in three tour games
Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane has six wickets in three tour games
As on day one, England were frustrated by the CA XI openers. This time, Carder was joined by Gibson, with Nick Larkin absent because of a hand injury.
Broad was accurate with the new ball but Woakes, who took six wickets in the first innings, was expensive and Overton's eagerness to be hostile sometimes resulted in over-doing the bouncers.
In truth, the pitch is looking increasingly more suited to slow bowling, with Moeen and Crane successful late on.
Off-spinner Moeen, having recovered from a side strain, was rusty to begin with but, after switching ends, had Carder caught at slip and bowled the sweeping Gibson.
When leg-spinner Crane enticed Will Pucovski to edge to slip, England's efforts looked more respectable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42023095
Ashes: Dawid Malan hits century before England stutter in warm-up game
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Townsville
Dawid Malan (right) celebrates his century with Moeen Ali.
Tour match, Townsville (day three of four)
Cricket Australia XI 250 & 121-3: Gibson 49, Moeen 2-34, Crane 1-24
England 515: Stoneman 111, Malan 109, Root 83
England lead by 144 runs.
England improved late on a mixed third day of their final Ashes warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.
Although Dawid Malan converted his overnight 57 into a century, England at one stage lost five wickets for 38.
A last-wicket stand of 58 between Chris Woakes and Mason Crane took the tourists to 515 all out.
CA XI openers Daniel Carder and Ryan Gibson shared 80 but spinners Moeen Ali and Crane reduced them hosts to 121-3.
Joe Root's side are in firm control - they lead by 144 runs - and will probably complete a big win on Saturday's final day, but for long periods this was an unsatisfactory day with the first Test against Australia less than a week away.
As Australia named a surprising squad for the match at the Gabba, England's lower order wasted the opportunity of time at the crease and the pace bowlers then lacked penetration on an unresponsive pitch.
"It was a mixed day," assistant coach Paul Farbrace told BBC Sport. "We took our eye off the ball with the bat.
"We are in a good position but, in terms of preparation for next week, we have dipped below where we have been during the first two days, which is a shame."
Malan follows Stoneman's lead
Like Mark Stoneman on Thursday, Malan responded to calls from captain Root and coach Trevor Bayliss for England's batsmen to convert starts into big scores.
Resuming in partnership with Root with England 337-3, the left-hander played eye-catching cover drives and clips off the pads on the way to his 19th first-class century.
Root, who began the day on 62, looked set for a hundred of his own until he was brilliantly caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Harry Neilsen off pace bowler Simon Milenko for 83.
Root looked in good form at the crease for England, making 83 in 123 balls
Malan angled the off-spin of Matthew Short to third man to reach three figures, but his slow response to Moeen's call meant he failed to beat Daniel Carder's throw from short fine leg in the middle of the late-order collapse.
"For someone who is playing in this country for the first time, he has shown that the extra pace and bounce in the wickets suit his game," said Farbrace.
"He found it difficult in England this summer when the ball nipped around, but he looks very much at home here."
Late-order slump
Jonny Bairstow slapped a full toss from leg-spinner Daniel Fallins to mid-on to depart for 19, but he at least made an unbeaten 61 against the same opposition last week.
For Moeen and Craig Overton, who may be required to contribute runs from number nine if he makes his Test debut at the Gabba, chances of batting in the middle may now have run out.
Both fell to consecutive deliveries from off-spinner Matthew Short either side of lunch.
Moeen, in his first match of the tour, was bowled for five and Overton was caught at short leg from his first ball to register a third successive duck.
"In an ideal world, you would like every player to spend the right amount of time at the crease, but it doesn't always work out that way," said Farbrace. "Moeen has a few more days to practise and work at his game.
"You can't see Craig is out of form - he's only faced 13 balls in three innings! He's here for his bowling and any runs that he can contribute will be a bonus."
When Stuart Broad was caught sweeping, England had slipped from 419-5 to 457-9.
The dependable Woakes and solid Crane took England past 500, their stand ended when Woakes was caught behind off Milenko.
England spinners break through
Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane has six wickets in three tour games
Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane has six wickets in three tour games
As on day one, England were frustrated by the CA XI openers. This time, Carder was joined by Gibson, with Nick Larkin absent because of a hand injury.
Broad was accurate with the new ball but Woakes, who took six wickets in the first innings, was expensive and Overton's eagerness to be hostile sometimes resulted in over-doing the bouncers.
In truth, the pitch is looking increasingly more suited to slow bowling, with Moeen and Crane successful late on.
Off-spinner Moeen, having recovered from a side strain, was rusty to begin with but, after switching ends, had Carder caught at slip and bowled the sweeping Gibson.
When leg-spinner Crane enticed Will Pucovski to edge to slip, England's efforts looked more respectable.
Frang
Player Valuation: £70m
The Aussie team really isn't all that.
the home advantage will obv be the main stumbling block for this England team, that extra bit of pace and bounce, and we normally shrink down in size and bottle it.
This new breed of England cricketer is made of harder stuff tho, well, up until now.
we are going to really miss Stokes, not just for his crickering ability, but for his mental strength too. He would not bow down to anything the Aussies threw at him.
I'm still fairly confident we can do well.
We HAVE to get off to a strong start. Being 90-6 on the first morning and I'm afraid all our confidence will be sucked out of us in one session and mean an absolute drubbing.
On the other hand be 150-1 on the first morning and I think we will go on to have a good series, the start really is THAT important.
Anyone remember the Harmison first ball a few ash's back! Went to 2nd slip and it set the tone for the whole tour!
the home advantage will obv be the main stumbling block for this England team, that extra bit of pace and bounce, and we normally shrink down in size and bottle it.
This new breed of England cricketer is made of harder stuff tho, well, up until now.
we are going to really miss Stokes, not just for his crickering ability, but for his mental strength too. He would not bow down to anything the Aussies threw at him.
I'm still fairly confident we can do well.
We HAVE to get off to a strong start. Being 90-6 on the first morning and I'm afraid all our confidence will be sucked out of us in one session and mean an absolute drubbing.
On the other hand be 150-1 on the first morning and I think we will go on to have a good series, the start really is THAT important.
Anyone remember the Harmison first ball a few ash's back! Went to 2nd slip and it set the tone for the whole tour!
I'd love to see Davy Warner the jarg hardman nick off first ball of the series and root celebrate by pretending to be knocked out by him.
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
The Aussies having a right moan.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42028520
Ashes: Are Australia in worse shape than England after squad announcement?
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Townsville
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine watches Jonny Bairstow bat in England's second warm-up game in Adelaide.
Tim Paine kept wicket for a Cricket Australia XI in England's second warm-up game in Adelaide
From the other side of the world, and with all the problems England have had to deal with, Australia seemed unbeatable, especially with Mitchell Starc limbering up to devour touring batsmen by taking two hat-tricks in the same match.
But the local wisdom was that Steve Smith's side had just as many problems as the tourists. When the squad was confirmed on Friday, it was fair to assume that they have even more.
If the low profile of some of England's touring party led to them being dubbed the 'Unnameables', Australia's selectors have gone and chosen the 'Unfathomables'.
Chief among them is Tim Paine, a wicketkeeper who played his most recent Test seven years ago and has not even been taking the gloves for his state side, Tasmania.
Since Brad Haddin retired at the end of the 2015 Ashes, Australia have tried Peter Nevill and Matthew Wade behind the stumps. Nevill has averaged 21.66 in 13 Tests, Wade 20.23 in 10.
If they were not fancied to play in Brisbane - neither has made a first-class half-century this season - then options started to become slim.
Australia's first-class system consists of six teams, so only half a dozen wicketkeepers at any one time.
Of the other four to have played in the Sheffield Shield this week, opening batsman Cameron Bancroft will earn a Test debut at the Gabba and will not be burdened with the gloves, youngsters Seb Gotch and Jimmy Peirson have only 13 first-class matches between them and Test outsider Alex Carey has not reached 50 this season.
So Australia turned to Paine, whose exile from the Tasmania side inadvertently led to a Test call-up.
Sent to play for a Cricket Australia XI against England in Adelaide last week, he made 52. Due to feature in a similar fixture in Townsville, Paine was summoned back to play for Tasmania and made an unbeaten 71 against Victoria. He had done enough for a Test recall.
On one hand, this is a lovely tale of sporting redemption for Paine, who earlier this year admitted to having thoughts of retirement.
When he made his Test debut in 2010, deputising for the injured Haddin, he did enough with bat and gloves to suggest that he would be Haddin's long-term successor.
England are in a better situation going into the first Test than Australia.
Later that year Paine was playing in a charity match when he was struck on the right index finger by Dirk Nannes. The break he suffered would eventually require five operations, some of them involving bone taken from his wrist and hip.
A downward spiral away from both the international team and the Tasmania side, his career was kept afloat by his performances for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash - impressive enough to earn a recall to the Australia Twenty20 team last February.
"Before that I was probably looking to retire and take a job with Kookaburra (the bat manufacturer)," said Paine in October. "It turned around pretty quickly and I'm pretty glad that it has."
In that sense, his selection has merit. Paine has played Australia's past five T20s, he is in better form with the bat than any of his rivals and is regarded as one of the best glovemen in Australia.
From another perspective, it is an incredible punt. He has kept only four times in the Sheffield Shield in two years and his only first-class century came in 2006. Darren Lehmann, the 47-year-old Australia coach who stopped playing in 2007, scored a ton more recently than that.
Former leg-spinner Stuart MacGill said the selectors are "morons masquerading as mentors". Australian Test Match Special commentator Jim Maxwell described them as "unhinged" and said the Sheffield Shield is "no longer respected, as far as wicketkeepers are concerned".
Shaun Marsh drives
Shaun Marsh averages 36 in 23 Tests dating back to 2011
If the choice of Paine is a headline-grabbing bolt from the blue, then the uninspiring recall of batsman Shaun Marsh has been greeted with a collective shrug of the shoulders.
Marsh made his Test debut in 2011, but has been in and out of the Australia side so often that he has managed to win 23 caps in six years.
In choosing Marsh to fill the spot at number six, in front of a number of all-round options, the selectors have not only revealed their concerns over their top five, but also provided no cover to a bowling attack that includes Starc and Pat Cummins, both of whom have a history of injuries.
There is an added layer of context, too. At 34, Marsh is only a year younger than Ed Cowan, the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season who has been deemed too old to play for New South Wales this term.
The headline of former Australia fast bowler Brett Geeves' column for Fox Sports said the selection of Marsh, the son of former Australia batsman, coach and selector Geoff, "stinks to high heaven".
"Sorry Australian cricket, but it seems you own the maturity levels of a prepubescent teenager," wrote Geeves.
Australia's Matt Renshaw
Matt Renshaw averages 36.64 in 10 Tests since making his debut last year
In all, Australia have axed six players from their most recent Test, a win in Bangladesh in September.
Among those dropped is Middlesbrough-born opener Matt Renshaw, ending the delicious prospect of the 21-year-old coming up against childhood friend Joe Root.
Renshaw left England at the age of seven, yet still picked up the recent English trait of starting a Test career well, only to stutter thereafter.
He made a century in his fourth match, but has not passed 50 in any of his previous eight innings.
Even then, questions over Renshaw's place only arose through a poor start to the Shield season - 19 is his highest score in six innings - and some unhelpful comments from influential figures in the Australian game.
Before the squad was chosen, selector Mark Waugh said he would like to see more from the left-hander, while former Australia opener Justin Langer told Stumped on BBC World Service that Renshaw was "under pressure". Langer is the coach of Renshaw's replacement, Bancroft, at Western Australia.
That is not to say that Bancroft's inclusion is not merited - he is the leading run-scorer in the Shield this season. He has, however, only managed one century in 16 matches across two seasons for Gloucestershire.
"The treatment of Matt Renshaw has been deplorable," said Dean Bilton, writing for ABC.
"The pressure came from nowhere, completely manufactured by a just few influential people. But it manifested in Renshaw's head and beyond, and for the first time in his professional career, he looked like an overwhelmed batsman."
While all of this has been going on, England have been playing their final Ashes warm-up match, against a Cricket Australia XI.
Their preparations, already disrupted by the absence of Ben Stokes, have not been ideal.
The pitch in Townsville is much slower than the one they will encounter in Brisbane and the bowling they have faced is similar to a weak Division One attack, according to opener Mark Stoneman.
But Stoneman and Dawid Malan have compiled centuries, Alastair Cook has ground out some much-needed runs and Chris Woakes looks capable of providing the extra yard of pace lacked by his team-mates.
England's Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook run between the wickets
Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook have spent significant time at the crease in England's three warm-up games
In the nets, Jake Ball has returned to fitness and the batsmen have faced bouncer after bouncer in order to be ready for the heat the Australians will bring.
Is it enough to earn only a second series win here in 31 years, or to improve on a record that has seen England lose 24 of their past 35 Tests down under?
Taken in isolation, maybe not, but when added to Australia's problems, England's prospects seem brighter.
Australia legend Shane Warne, who won the Ashes seven times, said: "England are in a better situation going into the first Test than Australia. England no longer fear Australia and that is why they can beat Australia."
The tourists would probably gobble up the offer of a draw at the Gabba, a ground where Australia have not lost since 1988 and where England have not won since 1986.
All of sudden, it seems a more realistic possibility.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42028520
Ashes: Are Australia in worse shape than England after squad announcement?
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Townsville
Wicketkeeper Tim Paine watches Jonny Bairstow bat in England's second warm-up game in Adelaide.
Tim Paine kept wicket for a Cricket Australia XI in England's second warm-up game in Adelaide
From the other side of the world, and with all the problems England have had to deal with, Australia seemed unbeatable, especially with Mitchell Starc limbering up to devour touring batsmen by taking two hat-tricks in the same match.
But the local wisdom was that Steve Smith's side had just as many problems as the tourists. When the squad was confirmed on Friday, it was fair to assume that they have even more.
If the low profile of some of England's touring party led to them being dubbed the 'Unnameables', Australia's selectors have gone and chosen the 'Unfathomables'.
Chief among them is Tim Paine, a wicketkeeper who played his most recent Test seven years ago and has not even been taking the gloves for his state side, Tasmania.
Since Brad Haddin retired at the end of the 2015 Ashes, Australia have tried Peter Nevill and Matthew Wade behind the stumps. Nevill has averaged 21.66 in 13 Tests, Wade 20.23 in 10.
If they were not fancied to play in Brisbane - neither has made a first-class half-century this season - then options started to become slim.
Australia's first-class system consists of six teams, so only half a dozen wicketkeepers at any one time.
Of the other four to have played in the Sheffield Shield this week, opening batsman Cameron Bancroft will earn a Test debut at the Gabba and will not be burdened with the gloves, youngsters Seb Gotch and Jimmy Peirson have only 13 first-class matches between them and Test outsider Alex Carey has not reached 50 this season.
So Australia turned to Paine, whose exile from the Tasmania side inadvertently led to a Test call-up.
Sent to play for a Cricket Australia XI against England in Adelaide last week, he made 52. Due to feature in a similar fixture in Townsville, Paine was summoned back to play for Tasmania and made an unbeaten 71 against Victoria. He had done enough for a Test recall.
On one hand, this is a lovely tale of sporting redemption for Paine, who earlier this year admitted to having thoughts of retirement.
When he made his Test debut in 2010, deputising for the injured Haddin, he did enough with bat and gloves to suggest that he would be Haddin's long-term successor.
England are in a better situation going into the first Test than Australia.
Later that year Paine was playing in a charity match when he was struck on the right index finger by Dirk Nannes. The break he suffered would eventually require five operations, some of them involving bone taken from his wrist and hip.
A downward spiral away from both the international team and the Tasmania side, his career was kept afloat by his performances for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash - impressive enough to earn a recall to the Australia Twenty20 team last February.
"Before that I was probably looking to retire and take a job with Kookaburra (the bat manufacturer)," said Paine in October. "It turned around pretty quickly and I'm pretty glad that it has."
In that sense, his selection has merit. Paine has played Australia's past five T20s, he is in better form with the bat than any of his rivals and is regarded as one of the best glovemen in Australia.
From another perspective, it is an incredible punt. He has kept only four times in the Sheffield Shield in two years and his only first-class century came in 2006. Darren Lehmann, the 47-year-old Australia coach who stopped playing in 2007, scored a ton more recently than that.
Former leg-spinner Stuart MacGill said the selectors are "morons masquerading as mentors". Australian Test Match Special commentator Jim Maxwell described them as "unhinged" and said the Sheffield Shield is "no longer respected, as far as wicketkeepers are concerned".
Shaun Marsh drives
Shaun Marsh averages 36 in 23 Tests dating back to 2011
If the choice of Paine is a headline-grabbing bolt from the blue, then the uninspiring recall of batsman Shaun Marsh has been greeted with a collective shrug of the shoulders.
Marsh made his Test debut in 2011, but has been in and out of the Australia side so often that he has managed to win 23 caps in six years.
In choosing Marsh to fill the spot at number six, in front of a number of all-round options, the selectors have not only revealed their concerns over their top five, but also provided no cover to a bowling attack that includes Starc and Pat Cummins, both of whom have a history of injuries.
There is an added layer of context, too. At 34, Marsh is only a year younger than Ed Cowan, the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season who has been deemed too old to play for New South Wales this term.
The headline of former Australia fast bowler Brett Geeves' column for Fox Sports said the selection of Marsh, the son of former Australia batsman, coach and selector Geoff, "stinks to high heaven".
"Sorry Australian cricket, but it seems you own the maturity levels of a prepubescent teenager," wrote Geeves.
Australia's Matt Renshaw
Matt Renshaw averages 36.64 in 10 Tests since making his debut last year
In all, Australia have axed six players from their most recent Test, a win in Bangladesh in September.
Among those dropped is Middlesbrough-born opener Matt Renshaw, ending the delicious prospect of the 21-year-old coming up against childhood friend Joe Root.
Renshaw left England at the age of seven, yet still picked up the recent English trait of starting a Test career well, only to stutter thereafter.
He made a century in his fourth match, but has not passed 50 in any of his previous eight innings.
Even then, questions over Renshaw's place only arose through a poor start to the Shield season - 19 is his highest score in six innings - and some unhelpful comments from influential figures in the Australian game.
Before the squad was chosen, selector Mark Waugh said he would like to see more from the left-hander, while former Australia opener Justin Langer told Stumped on BBC World Service that Renshaw was "under pressure". Langer is the coach of Renshaw's replacement, Bancroft, at Western Australia.
That is not to say that Bancroft's inclusion is not merited - he is the leading run-scorer in the Shield this season. He has, however, only managed one century in 16 matches across two seasons for Gloucestershire.
"The treatment of Matt Renshaw has been deplorable," said Dean Bilton, writing for ABC.
"The pressure came from nowhere, completely manufactured by a just few influential people. But it manifested in Renshaw's head and beyond, and for the first time in his professional career, he looked like an overwhelmed batsman."
While all of this has been going on, England have been playing their final Ashes warm-up match, against a Cricket Australia XI.
Their preparations, already disrupted by the absence of Ben Stokes, have not been ideal.
The pitch in Townsville is much slower than the one they will encounter in Brisbane and the bowling they have faced is similar to a weak Division One attack, according to opener Mark Stoneman.
But Stoneman and Dawid Malan have compiled centuries, Alastair Cook has ground out some much-needed runs and Chris Woakes looks capable of providing the extra yard of pace lacked by his team-mates.
England's Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook run between the wickets
Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook have spent significant time at the crease in England's three warm-up games
In the nets, Jake Ball has returned to fitness and the batsmen have faced bouncer after bouncer in order to be ready for the heat the Australians will bring.
Is it enough to earn only a second series win here in 31 years, or to improve on a record that has seen England lose 24 of their past 35 Tests down under?
Taken in isolation, maybe not, but when added to Australia's problems, England's prospects seem brighter.
Australia legend Shane Warne, who won the Ashes seven times, said: "England are in a better situation going into the first Test than Australia. England no longer fear Australia and that is why they can beat Australia."
The tourists would probably gobble up the offer of a draw at the Gabba, a ground where Australia have not lost since 1988 and where England have not won since 1986.
All of sudden, it seems a more realistic possibility.
The 'harmison loosener' is now in the viz profanisaurus
Back on social media and sledging aussies.
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
Back on social media and sledging aussies.
We should know soon.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...igation-nears-conclusion-england-all-rounder/
Ben Stokes investigation nears conclusion after England all-rounder gives final statement to police
Ben Stokes gave his final statement to the police over the weekend while his England team-mates prepared themselves for the opening Test of the Ashes series in Brisbane Credit: David Hedges
Nick Hoult, Cricket News Correspondent, in Brisbane
Avon and Somerset police interviewed Stokes in Bristol over the weekend after more than six weeks compiling evidence and speaking to witnesses including Alex Hales and the two gay men who told detectives the England all-rounder saved them from being beaten up.
Only once the police have decided on their next course of action can the England & Wales Cricket Board’s own disciplinary process kick into action. If Stokes is charged it could be months before his case reaches conclusion meaning it could drag on well into next year.
Stokes faces an independent ECB disciplinary committee and a ban from Test cricket looks inevitable for getting drawn into a street fight in which he suffered a broken hand that would have put him out of the warm-up games in Australia. Other England players who were out that night in Bristol have already been fined by the ECB. But the board has been advised by their lawyers to put the case against Stokes on hold so as not to prejudice the criminal inquiry.
England cricket star Ben Stokes allegedly punches man in street brawl
Last month Hales’s lawyer said he expects his client to be cleared of any criminal charges after he was interviewed under caution days after footage emerged of the incident which showed Stokes punching a man to the ground. A man who looked like Hales was also seen kicking out at someone during the fight.
The incident took place hours after England beat West Indies in a one-day international and two days before the next game was due to take place at the Oval.
we need stokes there to one bomb him on a night out
Anyways, Cricket is something sky do well, of course they stole pretty much everything from Channel 4 who really innovated the presentation format for cricket, but I'm just imagining how god awful BT are going to be, with Cricket it's one of the few sports were I consider the punditry to be a big part of the enjoyment, so it could be a big issue
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
Boycott, Vaughan, Swann, Pietersen and Ponting. Not exactly shrinking violets. Irrelevant for me so it's TMS. They have Agnew, Swann, Boycott, Vaughan, Tufnell ; Aussie perspective - Glen McGrath and Jim Maxwell, who's very good. Unfortunately they also have Ed Smith which is when I'll fall asleep.
yeah smith, crap batsman crap commentator, but he's a posh tory so he has to get a gig. For BT, I like KP, Vaughny, ponting, Boycott is okay, a bit of a tired cliche these days, can't be doing with graeme swann, looks like the sort of fella who retweets soccer am
summerisle
The rain, it raineth every day
Tries at the same time to be controversial and all things to all men in a blokeish manner. Saying that I don't mind him. Not sure what that says about me.
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