2nd Test: Australia v England at The Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 5-9 Dec

[War]

Ha damn, technically such a 5-bowler balance is probably ideal @ Adelaide. But i didn't think Flower & selectors would be brave enough to pick Stokes, given Prior's iffy form & the general indifferent batting form of the top 7, in 2013.

This is the boldest selection ENG have done in a while, so i applaud them for that. But they need certain players to step up or else it could blow up in their faces.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

@War, can we just clarify something first please. Are you supporting England or Australia? You can't do both

Edit: Yes Broady!

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Warner is gone. That's a big wicket on a flat batting track.

 

[MUFC1987]

I'm thankful for that. Seeing Warner score 200 or so today would have been awful. Anyone but him.

 

[War]

@War, can we just clarify something first please. Are you supporting England or Australia? You can't do both

Edit: Yes Broady!

Ha im neutral when AUS & ENG play, since they are both the teams i support. That has always been my position since the 1997 Ashes.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

What on earth have they done?

I'd have gone for Root at 3, Prior up to 6 and Bresnan in for Tremlett.

We may have lost the Test before it began with this line up.

nah i think the selection the fine. it's a weird one as there seems to be 3-4 options that are about as close to each other as they could be.

 

[Spickery]

It has been a frustrating match to watch so far with the players coming on and off the field. David Warner was playing well until he played a shot he didn't need to. He should be kicking himself after throwing away a good start. After lunch will be the test for Chris Rogers and Shane Watson. They have the opportunity to make a big score if they can get past the opening period after lunch. England are bowling well so far and will be very pleased to be rid of David Warner.

 

[MUFC1987]

Rogers is playing spin bowling like England normally do. Just defending and waiting for a ball good enough to get him out.

Would like to see both Swann and Panesar slow it down a few mphs though, to really capitalise on that turn.

 

[MUFC1987]

Oh, game on.

Rogers gone too.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

nice to see Australia continuing the first innings trend of throwing away top order wickets on benign pitches well into the 7th test

 

[MUFC1987]

That's an absolute beauty from Panesar.

This is why two spinners can work for us, because he's reliable, even if he does serve up a 4-ball every few overs.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

yep i think 2 spinners can work, but i think we need a 3rd seaming option if we do so. which is hard to achieve.

 

[MUFC1987]

In an ideal world, obviously yeah, someone like Stokes would be good enough to bat at 6 and then provides that 3rd option. But I think it can work with just the 4 bowlers. I mean obviously you need a pitch that is going to turn, but when Monty plays a bit more, he'll be in better form and can keep it tight early, while still posing a threat. I mean he's bowled quite poorly at times today, yet hasn't gone for much and caused problems.

 

[Spickery]

Wasteful batting from Australia that session. Chris Rogers and Shane Watson were both in and had scored half centuries, but then got out playing poor shots. Steve Smith getting out to Monty Panesar was unexpected because he is normally a good player of spin. I think a lapse in concentration was to blame.

Michael Clarke and George Bailey need to build a partnership. If they can stay in the middle for a while and score runs players in the lower order like Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson can quickly add more runs to the total.

 

[War]

The Ashes 2013-14: Monty Panesar 'racist' tweet and why Cricket Australia mustn't be ignoramuses - Martin Samuel | Mail Online

Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, 1st day : CA issue apology for Panesar tweet | Cricket News | England in Australia - The Ashes | ESPN Cricinfo

It's indeed been a strange few weeks for CA and the AUS media in general.