Does it start midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow? Either way what are your thoughts? Dont fancy our chances much down under. Think we might go with this 11 Burns Hameed Malan Root Stokes Pope Buttler Robinson Leach Wood Anderson
Woakes or Broad ( if fit ) will replace Anderson I think. Apparently Anderson has a very poor record for this ground so he’s to be saved.
We need a horses for courses approach like in 2010. Overton could do some damage on Aussie pitches. Not the fastest but slams it into the deck hard, bit like Tremlett. Aussie batsman not played red ball for a while, so beat the bat and try and get em to play loose shots.
Overton isn't in the 12 for this test. I agree with you though, he'd get some bounce. Archer's pace is a massive miss.
Was thinking Overton more for drop in pitches, he bowls the odd boundary ball off the legs but he's someone who uses the deck and regularly beats the bat. Robinson for me is our key bowler, he keeps it tight and with the modern day batting ethos of hitting everything could get a good return.
Still think it's the batting that will let us down again though. Aussies have a formidable trio in Warner, Smith and Labuschagne. Apart from Root there's not enough in our line up that can be relied on.
They have said they want Jimmy to play in 3 of the 5 tests, so logically, aged 39, you would assume 1,3 and 5. However, there will be little movement tonight (tomorrow ) so outright pace will trump lack of ball movement. We can beat Australia, but in my lifetime if we get a poor start over there, we struggle. A good first day is vital IMO.
Hameed has had a couple of encouraging innings against the Lions, so let’s hope he could finally become a regular and reliable opener that we need
Can't see us winning the series but Australia have lost their captain. Desperately need Root to carry on with the bat where he left off in the summer to have any chance.
Can’t see us winning more than one test as our batting just won’t hold up against their top class bowling line up. I think their batting is very shaky but Smith and Labuschagne will pull them of the mire far enough to outdo out batters. I wouldn’t be sad to see it piss it down all week, taking a 0-0 into Adelaide which is probably our best chance of a victory on paper. If we can get ahead at any point I think the Aussies could crumble, they’ve faltered under pressure a few times in the last 3 years but still think they’ll have plenty to comfortably beat us.
Don’t think either team are well prepared or particularly talented outside a few individuals. We don’t have the batting to grind out a draw so may as well go for it. 4-1 Australia