The Ashes: (England tour of Australia)

[blockerdave]

I think the star of the first Ashes test was Lyon. He's doing the job of two bowlers. Holding the runs, getting wickets and bowling from one end non stop. This is allowing Smith to play a 6-1-4 combination. He can simply keep his quicks fresh and there's no respite for the Poms.

england were too cautious against Lyon. He's a decent bowler, but he's no Murali or Warne. We let him bowl... if we get after Lyon, the other 3 have to bowl more and that's where their pace and accuracy will suffer.

 

[blockerdave]

What I feel is Root was pressurized a lot. He is captaining the side and is expected to play Smith kind of innings every day he comes out to bat. When Australia were bowled out the headlines were Root needs to play a Smith innings. Why? For me the biggest failure was Cook, he had to absorb the pressure in the second innings and allow England to build the innings. Root should stay where he is in the batting order and others need to really step up or else this Australia and New Zealand tour will be really long for England. This will be career defining series for Vince and he has all the potential, played a fantastic innings and need to continue that. Key to doing well in Australia is being fearless and not getting intimidated by Aussies, Kohli was successful because of his attitude, Stokes would have been gem.

Cook certainly failed and his 2nd innings dismissal was appalling. But Root's failure to convert starts is becoming a problem.[DOUBLEPOST=1511861486][/DOUBLEPOST]I am now of the opinion, England must not let the police dictate their selection.

The incident happened when, August? And was captured on CCTV. They have had more than enough time to bring charges or dismiss.

ECB should say "we are starting our disciplinary process on 1st December" and go ahead.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

england were too cautious against Lyon. He's a decent bowler, but he's no Murali or Warne. We let him bowl... if we get after Lyon, the other 3 have to bowl more and that's where their pace and accuracy will suffer.

Your point about England being too cautious is a good one. I though Vince was very very shaky against spin and Malan was all over the shop. I saw England play spin in India and it wasn't poor but not prolific. I think you're underselling Lyon. IMO, he's the best off spinner in the world. If M Marsh had fulfilled his potential, it's not an attack I would want to face.

If I were Trevor Bayliss, I would look to bat big in the first innings but not in a meek way. If they can take Lyon out of the equation, specially in the first innings, Australia's attack won't look as dangerous as it does.

 

[blockerdave]

Your point about England being too cautious is a good one. I though Vince was very very shaky against spin and Malan was all over the shop. I saw England play spin in India and it wasn't poor but not prolific. I think you're underselling Lyon. IMO, he's the best off spinner in the world. If M Marsh had fulfilled his potential, it's not an attack I would want to face.

i rate Lyon, and i think he has improved a lot over the last few years. his bounce certainly makes him dangerous.

BUT, he doesn't have much mystery: not huge variations, doesn't really get a large amount of drift or flight. what i'm saying is that first innings especially, when the pitch shouldn't be too in his favour, is the opportunity to get after him. it won't be easy - he is a class bowler. but hell it's test cricket, it's not supposed to be easy.

i also think it's the absolute key to England having a modicum of success this winter: what Smith wants is to let Lyon bowl long spells, keeping the other 3 fresh and letting Cummins and Starc in particular bowl shorter spells and keep their pace up. Get after Lyon, and that plank falls apart. Make Cummins and Starc bowl 60/70 overs+ a match in longer spells and i think one or both of them won't last the 5 tests

 

[LiveLoveABD]

i rate Lyon, and i think he has improved a lot over the last few years. his bounce certainly makes him dangerous.

BUT, he doesn't have much mystery: not huge variations, doesn't really get a large amount of drift or flight. what i'm saying is that first innings especially, when the pitch shouldn't be too in his favour, is the opportunity to get after him. it won't be easy - he is a class bowler. but hell it's test cricket, it's not supposed to be easy.

i also think it's the absolute key to England having a modicum of success this winter: what Smith wants is to let Lyon bowl long spells, keeping the other 3 fresh and letting Cummins and Starc in particular bowl shorter spells and keep their pace up. Get after Lyon, and that plank falls apart. Make Cummins and Starc bowl 60/70 overs+ a match in longer spells and i think one or both of them won't last the 5 tests

I think we are saying the same thing. I also think England should move oceans and mountains to get Stokes in. I think Malan should be dispensed with as should Ball. Ball is the worst bowler to have come out of all these talented cricketers England seem to produce ever since the 2015 WC.

 

[blockerdave]

I think we are saying the same thing. I also think England should move oceans and mountains to get Stokes in. I think Malan should be dispensed with as should Ball. Ball is the worst bowler to have come out of all these talented cricketers England seem to produce ever since the 2015 WC.

Ball reminds me of Bresnan when he came into the England ODI team in 2007/8. A real one paced, no movement up and down pie chucker who gets annihilated by good batsmen.

Bresnan came back and ended up as a very good cricketer. I have my doubts that Ball will...

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Can't help but feel that the lack of a true all-rounder will hurt Australia sooner than later. If Lyon gets neutralised, there's absolutely no chance that the other 3 pacemen can bowl 25+ overs effectively. Maxwell and Cartwright seem to be the main options right now but Wildermuth might be a left-field choice that could surprise England. He's a better bowler than the other two too.

 

[Velocity]

Well England bowl, but usually Adelaide is great to bat on first so a bit of an odd decision.
Can't help feeling sorry for Sayers , there was a great oppurntunity for him but Cummins can also bat which may have put him ahead.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Craig Overton is a top, top prospect. Will perhaps struggle in his first few matches but he can be England's 3rd fast bowler (meaning the one behind the first two choices) for years to come. Keep an eye on him.

EDIT: Craig, not Jamie although he's a pretty good player too.

 

[zimrahil]

Seen the score but How did England bowl today ?

 

[CerealKiller]

Seen the score but How did England bowl today ?

Boring. But quite effective. They just need to mop up the tail quickly. And Cook has to fire.[DOUBLEPOST=1512216694][/DOUBLEPOST]

Jamie Overton is a top, top prospect. Will perhaps struggle in his first few matches but he can be England's 3rd fast bowler (meaning the one behind the first two choices) for years to come. Keep an eye on him.

Jamie is the other twin, isn't he?

 

[CremerCurrans]

Jamie is the other twin, isn't he?

. Yes.

 

[Velocity]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...y-vs-otago-2nd-match-the-ford-trophy-2017-18/

Stokes makes 2 off 7 on his return to cricket.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

England's bowling is slow and lacks accuracy.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

England's bowlers were good yesterday, disciplined and making Australia work in pretty tough conditions. Today has been a classic display of bad captaincy by Root, allowing batsmen to settle and applying very little pressure. 400+ could be a big score on this pitch.