[JonB]

Few interesting decisions but a number that were right and to be honest the Warner first ball catch behind then the LBW when he was out I can see why they gave the decisions they did and also why the players reacted as they did. The catch behind in real time in the moment just didnt seem right with a lot going off, only Bairstow showed any interest and i think the majority seemed to think he'd whacked the floor. Then for the LBW it just looked right to the point everyone including Warner thought it was out.

[SpireiteFitzy]

Is there an argument to say that players should commit to playing either short format cricket or test cricket? Watching Jason Roy just then it was blatantly obvious he just could not contain himself and goes chasing stupid shots given that all they need to be doing is batting out the day. You just can't turn off the attacking instincts of all these one day specialists. Only the truly elite of the game seem to be able to switch between formats with ease so maybe it's time to just have seperate teams.

This post has been edited by SpireiteFitzy: 05 August 2019 - 11:25 AM

[JonB]

Plenty are jacking in red ball cricket these days chasing the t20 money...that said Rashid signed a white ball only contract with Yorkshire and then got picked for the test side after he bowled one decent ball to Kohli in a ODI!!

The really good players are capable of playing all formats but they need to be good enough to bat accordingly. Roy is learning in at the deep end to be honest, he doesnt open the batting for Surrey in Championship games and i think he's partly been picked because of the clamour from the media and some fans because he's done well opening the batting in ODIs....there is also the fact that there isnt really anyone else to pick!

[Mr Mercury]

Technology in sport eh..just watched the the tv umpire give Laburchange out for Australia caught by Root when it appeared from every angle the cameras showed that the ball didn't carry!

[JonB]

Soft signal on the field was out which I suspect played a part. Those catches are really difficult once you start studying them like that, loads overturned in the past on ropey evidence.

[azul]

The new West Indian spinner looks interesting 6’ 5” and 22 st

[JonB]

Off to Old Trafford on Thursday for the test match, anyone been there recently and got an advice on best way to get from the centre to the ground? I'm on the train getting into Manchester Piccadilly whilst mate i'm meeting is getting into Victoria so need to meet up with him and then get out to the ground. Seen stuff in the past that the trams can be a nightmare as they dont bother putting extra on to account for extra folk heading to the ground.

[Westbars Spireite]

JonB, on 03 September 2019 - 09:43 AM, said:

Off to Old Trafford on Thursday for the test match, anyone been there recently and got an advice on best way to get from the centre to the ground? I'm on the train getting into Manchester Piccadilly whilst mate i'm meeting is getting into Victoria so need to meet up with him and then get out to the ground. Seen stuff in the past that the trams can be a nightmare as they dont bother putting extra on to account for extra folk heading to the ground.

It’s a long walk but I have done it back the other way after a gigs a couple of times.

For the test match Edgbaston the other week I downloaded the Uber app and we got Mohammed who supposedly had ‘good chat’ (he never spoke) and he drove us once we’d found each other. Cost about 7 quid I think and there were four of us in the car. Coming the other way was more as there was some surcharge for it being busy.

[JonB]

Westbars Spireite, on 03 September 2019 - 09:46 AM, said:

It’s a long walk but I have done it back the other way after a gigs a couple of times.

For the test match Edgbaston the other week I downloaded the Uber app and we got Mohammed who supposedly had ‘good chat’ (he never spoke) and he drove us once we’d found each other. Cost about 7 quid I think and there were four of us in the car. Coming the other way was more as there was some surcharge for it being busy.

Yeh Uber was an option i'd considered as well. Going back is easier as we are both getting the train out of Victoria as i'm heading to Scarborough for the weekend from there to meet up with family who will already be there. Just going is the awkward one as we go into different stations that are about 20mins walk apart. Suspecting the better option is we just get trams straight to the ground from our relevant stations and then meet up at the ground.

[Westbars Spireite]

Well I'd have gone for Lancs and Middlesex in the first two games. If I go Sussex and Gloucestershire it'll hopefully see us through to finals day.

[JonB]

Lancashire should have been there bar some bizarre captaincy as we discussed.

[Johnnyspireite7]

Westbars Spireite, on 05 September 2019 - 10:24 PM, said:

Well I'd have gone for Lancs and Middlesex in the first two games. If I go Sussex and Gloucestershire it'll hopefully see us through to finals day.

So far so good.....but you know what will happen.

[Westbars Spireite]

Johnnyspireite7, on 07 September 2019 - 07:30 AM, said:

So far so good.....but you know what will happen.

I’m quietly confident.

[JonB]

Great night....comfortable win which I wasn’t expecting. Annoyingly I’m away in the only part of America that apparently has no Wi-fi or signal on finals day!!

[Johnnyspireite7]

Should have an even chance to get to the final as IMO Essex are the weakest team left in.

[Westbars Spireite]

Johnnyspireite7, on 08 September 2019 - 07:20 AM, said:

Should have an even chance to get to the final as IMO Essex are the weakest team left in.

If we play as well as last night we’ll beat them, of that I’m sure. If we could somehow beat Notts in the final it would be absolutely poetic.

[Benno Spire]

Looking like another nervy close finish to the test

[azul]

Benno Spire, on 08 September 2019 - 03:19 PM, said:

Looking like another nervy close finish to the test

Not close enough

Think Labuschagne finally tipped the balance in that series.

Why did Archer knock Smith on the head?

[SpireiteFitzy]

azul, on 08 September 2019 - 05:34 PM, said:

Not close enough

Think Labuschagne finally tipped the balance in that series.

Why did Archer knock Smith on the head?

Just shows what a season in county cricket to acclimatise to these conditions before an ashes can do for you. Him and Burns both had good seasons and then came in and low and behold were two of the best batsmen in the series.

It was basically Burns, Stokes, and our quicks vs Labuschagne, Smith and their quicks. Sadly Smith is playing out of this world and they have have higher quality pace bowlers and more of them. Helps when you can rest the likes of Starc whereas Broad and Archer are having to play every game and bowl tonnes of overs.

[JonB]

SpireiteFitzy, on 09 September 2019 - 12:32 PM, said:

Just shows what a season in county cricket to acclimatise to these conditions before an ashes can do for you. Him and Burns both had good seasons and then came in and low and behold were two of the best batsmen in the series.

It was basically Burns, Stokes, and our quicks vs Labuschagne, Smith and their quicks. Sadly Smith is playing out of this world and they have have higher quality pace bowlers and more of them. Helps when you can rest the likes of Starc whereas Broad and Archer are having to play every game and bowl tonnes of overs.

Not the first time really....similar happened when they picked Chris Rogers in 2015 was it, years of doing well in County Cricket and he had a very steady Ashes series. Also didnt Siddle play some county cricket which is why they picked him out of the blue a bit? Most of our side has come out of what will have been a pretty draining World Cup experience straight into the Ashes and not played any red ball cricket. Few of theirs have been the same as well. Actually pretty annoying that county sides are happy to put their requirements first and give Aussies plenty of practice before an Ashes series!

Bowling wise losing Anderson was key plus Woakes has been pretty average looking like he was tired, injured or both. Left a lot on the shoulders of Broad and Archer and whilst Broad has done well it was a lot to ask of Archer as good as he's been.