The Ashes 2023

[Tommy Chong]

It's worked pretty well so far. Eleven wins and two narrow losses, and it's never dull.

There's no rule against it I guess.

 

[Milk]

Women had a great chance to win this one but dropped Healy first ball and she went on to add 50 priceless runs.
Now England are in turmoil 5 down with a whole day to hunt 152 runs.

Still, big Ecc took a ten for across the two Aussie innings

 

[JimmyJeffers]

It should be called 'whopperball' then! Because only a whopper would be arrogant enough to exercise this as a playable strategy.

So if the pitch has turned in favour of the bowling side, are you still going to try hit a boundary with every ball?

I mean, the whole point of test cricket is that you have unlimited overs. So you can be patient and out think your opponent. Like chess.

Test cricket is dying apart from in a few countries. I watched the whole of the england series in West Indies and it was absolutely awful.
The only way test cricket can appeal to new generations is if teams play the way England are. Even then, the T20 franchises will eventually rule.

 

[cronullasharks]

Test cricket is dying apart from in a few countries. I watched the whole of the england series in West Indies and it was absolutely awful.
The only way test cricket can appeal to new generations is if teams play the way England are. Even then, the T20 franchises will eventually rule.

You're probably right but i can't stand all these ramp shots and switch hitting that's come into the game. Dare say once the t20 franchises completely take over the game and test cricket becomes even less of a thing I'll stop watching altogether.

 

[Milk]

This womens test is a great watch. Aus need 3 wickets and England 101 runs. So much on the shoulders of Wyatt and Big Ecc now

 

[JimmyJeffers]

You're probably right but i can't stand all these ramp shots and switch hitting that's come into the game. Dare say once the t20 franchises completely take over the game and test cricket becomes even less of a thing I'll stop watching altogether.

The Ashes is such an important event that will continue as long as cricket is played. It’s like Wimbledon or the Ryder cup. Quality and amount of investment may vary though.

the way England play is very well received in England and I don’t see as much excitement for 20/20 as in other countries.

I don’t mind the ramps etc to be honest.

 

[sbbefc]

Apparently South Africa will only be playing one test series over the next couple of years. I always had SA down as a great test nation too. There's been some cracking tests against them over the years.

 

[cronullasharks]

The Ashes is such an important event that will continue as long as cricket is played. It’s like Wimbledon or the Ryder cup. Quality and amount of investment may vary though.

the way England play is very well received in England and I don’t see as much excitement for 20/20 as in other countries.

I don’t mind the ramps etc to be honest.

You try and ramp me Jeffers and you'll be wearing a beamer next ball. We clear?

 

[Milk]

My ratings for the women

Tammy Beaumont- 9/10 for first innings 208 passing Betty Snowball as highest English female test runscorer. Would have been 10 but should have pushed to drop down order for second innings.
Emma Lamb - 6. Women don't play enough tests to learn
Heather Knight (c) - 6. Useful 50 but perhaps not aggressive enough in field placings
Nat Sciver-Brunt - 5 Useful 78 in first innings but poor with ball and dropped a relatively simple C&B
Sophia Dunkley - 4 not a test player
Danii Wyatt - 8 two useful knocks but should have pushed to open second innings
Amy Jones - 4 glovework poor, batting worse. Time for a new face for T20s?
Sophie Eccleston- 8 took 10 wickets in match but should look at Gardiners 8 for. Batting poor
Kate Cross -7. Not an opening bowler but tried her best
Lauren Filer - 8 real find. Managed 77.6 mph but now needs Issy Wong to push her to 80
Lauren Bell - 6 The Shard was ineffective but good learning experience

 

[ToffeeTim]

Tongue over Wood?

Don't get it myself. Very long tail as well now. No spinner is a big risk in a test against Australia. They will look to bat long and not take any risks so they can tire out the bowlers.

I would have had Woakes and Wood well above Tongue

 

[ToffeeTim]

Just looks a very poorly balanced team to me. Broad batting far too high at 8. No front line spin bowler, and not the best wicket keeper with the gloves.

Aussies will like this selection a lot

 

[john jako]

Dawson not getting a look in is strange.

2 more wickets to go with his 6 he picked up yesterday against Middlesex.

Also add his 141 knock so he can do abit of both lol

 

[Walken]

Tongue over Wood is baffling. Quite a few bowlers I would select before Tongue but lets hope the lad shows up for it.

 

[Milk]

Toss is going to be critical. England prefer to chase so if stokes wins, expect a bowl.

Wonder if Ali will play any further part in series

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Tongue over Wood is baffling. Quite a few bowlers I would select before Tongue but lets hope the lad shows up for it.

I’d have liked to see Curran mentioned more to be honest. Has something different about him and is a far better batter.
I trust in this England side though who know far better