Give 'em hell!

I was there too. Surreal entertainment before the game and during the interval...   SLIPPER !!!!!!!!!!!

England win the next test and its series over. Add to that and absolutely outrageous anti-convict victory rant by myself.

Originally Posted by: bowser 

Don't forget the next one is at Lords, where the touring sides tend to do well.

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

Indeed, although I can't help but feel this result will have somewhat knocked the stuffing out of the convicts. They really needed to win this one. If we win at Lords it's over. There's no way they can win three in a row. Another crucial battle commences in three days time

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Or draw? I think there are question marks over the Aussie top order, most notably Cowan, but there was also an over Reliance on Anderson on England's part, with Finn looking poor, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next test.

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

I agree with that , he was totally a class apart, needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool me thinks

I do feel a little sorry for Finn, he is clearly in a run of poor form and not playing too well but as the least 'established' of the bowlers he seems to be getting a bit more than perhaps the others would. Remember Broad had a period (or 3 or 4 to be precise) where he was not taking wickets and going for runs and we stuck with him. Also, Finn was possibly the pick over the winter??

Same team for me, Lords might just suit Finn you know

Trouble is Finn needs pace and bounce to be the true threat that he can be - that pitch just didn't have that after the first day or so. Jimmy was the only bowler for England to be truly threatening at all times. The Aussies benefitted from the conditions hugely on the Wednesday.

The Aussies seem to have picked a team where all the tail are averaging 15-20 or more, in the same way England have tried to do in the past. Not sure if thats deliberate, or if all their bowlers just happen to be no mugs with the bat, but the two No 11's in this match woiuld look comfy far higher up (as Agar showed on saturday, if not so much on Sunday).

I'd go with Bresnan as he is an up and down bowl at the wickets bowler, and that works at Lords where you get help from the slope. Tough on Onions who is suffering from Anderson's brilliance as he would be the nex swing bowler of the cab rank.

In both innings the number 11 for Australia performed admirably, getting a combined total of 125 runs whereas England's number 11 only got 1 run. Obvious where the change needs to be made, get rid of Jimmy

Being more serious, what a great test match. Every time it seemed like the Test was going one way then it would be snapped back the other. In england's second innings, it seemed like every time a pair were going well and you just thought england were about to set a really commanding target then down a wicket (or two) would go.

Cant wait for the next one 

Not wanting to tempt fate but:

When was the last time England won 3 Ashes series in a row? or even 4 

1977, 1978/9 and 1981. Eng lost in 82/3 but won in 85 and in 86/7, so at this point had won 5 out of 6.

The sides did play a 3-test series in 79/80 for some reason (Aus won all three tests as all their best players that had joined Packer came back into the fold) but the Ashes were not at stake in this series.

Yeah, I think we'll see the same XI start the 2nd Test, too.

My only disagreement with you is if Bairstow & Root continue to struggle, when I think we'll see Compton brought in and Root move back to 6. Then again, there's a certain pigheaded arrogance about selection committees, especially English ones, and to do like I say (and like I'd guess the majority of England fans want) would be an admission that they got it a bit wrong to drop Compton & retain Bairstow.

Not sure that dropping Compton is a mistake. Yes he scored 2 centuries in NZ, but on both occassions the pitches were extremely docile (draws all the way) and the NZ attack is not the best in world cricket. He failed to get going in the 2 return matches here - maybe if there had been a third he may have come good, but I don't think he is quite good enough. In my opinion he had a very good county season last year and was given a go, fair enough. If he carries on scoring stacks of runs he may get another chance.

We shouldn't forget Graeme Hick - oodles of runs in county cricket but never really cut it at the top level.

Re the arrogance of the selection committees - they can seem that way but at least we no longer give players one test to make an impression or they are discarded, as happened so often in the 80's. Compton had 5 tests, and while some would say the two tons was enough, I refer you to my comments about the circumstances of the tons. Bells on Friday/Saturdaywas his best of 18 test tons because of the pressure, and the situation and ultimately it won the game (with Jimmy's help...)

Yeah, I remember those days, too.

You'll note I said I thought they'd keep the same XI for the 2nd Test - and only if Root & Bairstow continued to struggle would I advocate a change.

I've also said earlier in the thread that I don't think Compton is *THE* answer. He's a decent enough club cricket opener, but not what we need longer term opening the batting. But, right now, I think him opening and Root at 6 improves the team. 1) because I think Compton would score as well as Root at opener; 2) because it allows Root to move back to where he's looked a natural and scored loads of runs; 3) because I think Bairstow is a limited batsman and will struggle to post consistent performances there.

So, we wouldn't gain anything at No2, but we would at No6. An overall net benefit for the team.

Of course, Root could knock off a century from No2 next game and Bairstow crack a quickfire ton, which would secure their places for the rest of the series

Possibles include Joe Denly, Michael Lumb, Mike Carberry, James Vince. Root will suceed at the top - he did get a crack in the first and a shocker in the second.

Not long now to find out the XI...

Is that the same if they win the toss and we are bowling? I'd like to see the alternative of; lose the toss, bowl, use any moisture and get them out for 240.

Oh, I don't use facebook much these days so happy birthday for the other day you 'git auld knacker'

Where you been???  There aint no moisture!!  We got heatwave, boy!!!!

Cook gone his poor form continues.