The Ashes 25/26

[dedja]

The problem the Poms have is that they are full on Bazball and nothing else.

Bazball aka Travball won the Aussies the match but it was the only time it was used by them.

If the Poms could adapt when needed, then they’d be a much more potent force. They have a long batting order and should have done better with that talent.

They believe Bazball is the only way and won’t compromise for any conditions or match situation.

Does it make for more exciting cricket? Undoubtedly yes.

Has it made them a better and more successful team? Jury is still out I think.

That said, they are still a dangerous opponent and can easily take the series.

The Aussies, as seemingly always, have heaps of issues that they somehow seem to wallpaper over to win. This can’t go on forever though.

[mal]

The determination of who wins between the 2 countries is more to do with which country the game is played in

[The Dark Knight]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashe ... ns-1512397

[Aerie]

"Bazball" is what makes England dangerous, and it's not the run rate, but the self belief Stokes instills in his team. That self belief wasn't broken last tour of England and they fought back, but can England keep it up here in Australia? There is a ridiculous amount of outside noise coming from everywhere to disrupt them. If/once it's broken, they will disintegrate. Joe Root must stand up.

I think the time is now for Khawaja to be moved on. Weatherald did enough in the 2nd innings to be given at least another couple of Tests to prove himself. I don't think we need Weatherald and Head opening together. If Weatherald can play his role, it will be a massive win for Australia as it allows the luxury of having Head come in at 5. We need to keep an eye on the future and the now. With the form he is in, I think Renshaw is now a better prospect than Khawaja and comes in to that slot. Perhaps Head joins Renshaw by Boxing Day? That will be determined by Weatherald.

The upside for Australia is they have their captain to return, and maybe Hazlewood.

2 days of manic cricket doesn't tell us much, but with the Ashes needing to be won by England, getting things right 3 out of the next 4 goes seems unlikely, and would be near on impossible if they don't perform at the Gabba. But, don't count them out. Self belief is a powerful thing.

[Booney]

I'd like to see Renshaw come in with Weatherald and move Head back to 5, I'd hate to be seduced into changing the whole set up on the back of one knock.

Hazlewood won't be back anytime soon.

[am Bays]

I'd like to see Renshaw come in with Weatherald and move Head back to 5, I'd hate to be seduced into changing the whole set up on the back of one knock.

Hazlewood won't be back anytime soon.

Careful Boon, you start thinking anymore like me and you'll be Barracking for the Bays in no time

I note Renshaw tonned up yesterday

[Booney]

I'd like to see Renshaw come in with Weatherald and move Head back to 5, I'd hate to be seduced into changing the whole set up on the back of one knock.

Hazlewood won't be back anytime soon.

Careful Boon, you start thinking anymore like me and you'll be Barracking for the Bays in no time

I note Renshaw tonned up yesterday

Ease up.

[am Bays]

"Bazball" is what makes England dangerous, and it's not the run rate, but the self belief Stokes instills in his team. That self belief wasn't broken last tour of England and they fought back, but can England keep it up here in Australia? There is a ridiculous amount of outside noise coming from everywhere to disrupt them. If/once it's broken, they will disintegrate. Joe Root must stand up.

I think the time is now for Khawaja to be moved on. Weatherald did enough in the 2nd innings to be given at least another couple of Tests to prove himself. I don't think we need Weatherald and Head opening together. If Weatherald can play his role, it will be a massive win for Australia as it allows the luxury of having Head come in at 5. We need to keep an eye on the future and the now. With the form he is in, I think Renshaw is now a better prospect than Khawaja and comes in to that slot. Perhaps Head joins Renshaw by Boxing Day? That will be determined by Weatherald.

The upside for Australia is they have their captain to return, and maybe Hazlewood.

2 days of manic cricket doesn't tell us much, but with the Ashes needing to be won by England, getting things right 3 out of the next 4 goes seems unlikely, and would be near on impossible if they don't perform at the Gabba. But, don't count them out. Self belief is a powerful thing.

But it is also their biggest weakness, their hubris in thinking they can attack at anytime and play with freedom of chastisement for their actions belies their match awareness. Thanks for giving us 280 to get in four sessions at Edgebaston in 2023 d!ckhead!

This attacking mindset is no different to the Waugh Ponting teams of the early 00s where they routinely went at 4 plus an over but when they had to they pulled back the gears and played smart cricket (India 2004, batted time in the 1st dig at Adelaide in 2006. The one time we got overconfident we got our arses handed to us in 2005 e.g. Edgbaston in 2005 when we still persisted in bowling first 20 mins after our best fast bowler did his ankle.

Test Cricket for 150 years has a unique ability to bite people in the ar5e when they dont respect it.

[CENTURION]

The poms have got the batting firepower to ditch bazball & knock up scores of over 400, that's what they should do to win the Ashes.

[Booney]

Wickets taken in the first Ashes test by Country of Birth

Australia: 20
New Zealand: 5
South Africa: 5
Barbados: 2
England: 0

[Booney]

There is a slight bit of irony in the critism of bazball from the first test.

For the most part it had England front of the test for nearly all of the game. Obvious come back is that 'but they didn't win it'. True.

Irony being it was the prototype bazball innings that won Australia the game. Further to that it wasn't necessarily by design from the Aussies and more because of Khawaja injured forcing their hand.

Not saying England couldn't have been more intelligent with the bat in the hand but it also wasn't the complete disaster many are making it out to be.

I thought Stokes captaincy and the bowling plans for that hour when Head got on top was more of a disaster than their batting.

Ultimately that test was decided by the one batsman that got away......just happened to be a brilliant Head innings for the Australian win.

Went from 5/160 to all out 172 in the first innings losing 5/12 and in the second innings went from 1/65 to 6/88 losing 5/23 in the second innings.

If you don't think losing 10/35 with some of the most insane batting cost them the test you were watching the wrong game.

[dedja]

At the start of the AUS 2nd innings, WinViz would have had the Poms at 90+%

Yep, they should have had a greater target, but 205 was more than enough to win the match … enter Travis Head.

whfuc makes some valid points, doesn’t deserve the mockery.

[whiteclawbaby]

Early prediction for the 2nd Test @ The Gabba - Pink Ball Test.

Weatherald
Renshaw
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Carey
Webster
Cummins
Starc
Boland

Wouldn't hate seeing Boland swapped out for Doggett to rest the Barrel but they will have had plenty of rest by then as it is. Lyon to sit out before being picked again for the Adelaide test. Webster can bowl spin if need be. Khawaja, unfortunately, is a liability at his age. He has been a solid contributor to the Australian Test side for a decade and a half but it's time to move him on.

[The Bedge]

Early prediction for the 2nd Test @ The Gabba - Pink Ball Test.

Weatherald
Renshaw
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Carey
Webster
Cummins
Starc
Boland

Wouldn't hate seeing Boland swapped out for Doggett to rest the Barrel but they will have had plenty of rest by then as it is. Lyon to sit out before being picked again for the Adelaide test. Webster can bowl spin if need be. Khawaja, unfortunately, is a liability at his age. He has been a solid contributor to the Australian Test side for a decade and a half but it's time to move him on.

Lyon only bowled 2 overs this test.. and with the pink ball you have to wonder how much he'll bowl at the Gabba also.,

For me, Doggett is better suited to the pink ball than Boland.. but if Cummins plays obviously one has to go.. can't see them picking 5x quicks.

Who knows, couple weeks to go

[Booney]

Early prediction for the 2nd Test @ The Gabba - Pink Ball Test.

Weatherald
Renshaw
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Carey
Webster
Cummins
Starc
Boland

Wouldn't hate seeing Boland swapped out for Doggett to rest the Barrel but they will have had plenty of rest by then as it is. Lyon to sit out before being picked again for the Adelaide test. Webster can bowl spin if need be. Khawaja, unfortunately, is a liability at his age. He has been a solid contributor to the Australian Test side for a decade and a half but it's time to move him on.

Don't hate it, Head can put his magic finger* to work if need be and as noted Webster can bowl some offies and I reckon we'll need to bat deeper with the pink ball under lights against that Pommy attack. Like the thinking.

[am Bays]

Lyon is 3rd on the list of pink ball wickets (played the most with Starc)

His average is five runs better (25) than his career (30) and at a slightly better strike rate.

Not sure why you would want to drop your best spinner

[RB]

I'd like to see Renshaw come in with Weatherald and move Head back to 5, I'd hate to be seduced into changing the whole set up on the back of one knock.

Agreed. Test opener is a niche position. Everything was working for Head on Saturday but I'd be pretty bearish on his chances of doing the job as opener long-term.

[RB]

But it is also their biggest weakness, their hubris in thinking they can attack at anytime and play with freedom of chastisement for their actions belies their match awareness. Thanks for giving us 280 to get in four sessions at Edgebaston in 2023 d!ckhead!

This will never not be funny.

[Brodlach]

How bad was the over rate. Only 72 overs day one.

[dedja]

How bad was the over rate. Only 72 overs day one.

What took so long