2023 ASHES CHALLENGE; May the best team win.

**Loy Toy** · 20-06-2023, 02:18 AM

Certainly a great test match and I hope the rain stays away and a result, either way, is achieved.

**harrybarracuda** · 20-06-2023, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by hallelujah

Although what a stupid fucking declaration that was in the first innings. We could have been much more comfortable now.

Had our openers laid down a nice total between them in the second innings, we could have been much more comfortable.

Ifs and buts isn't it. I can understand the gamble, but it didn't come off.

**Bettyboo** · 20-06-2023, 07:43 AM

I can understand the declaration; we've been trying to take them out of their comfort zone. This seems a good idea because they have better players across the team, imho.

Tactically, we've been superior and also f'ked with their minds (which is usually the other way around in the Ashes).

Neither team has fired double barrels in this game although a lot of players have either played well or had cameos. If Brook and Root can kick on through the series then we have a chance. Broad almost always causes damage in the Ashes - doesn't always look like he has the tools, but just turns up to the party and does his stuff...

Has been a fun game so far, I feel that England have been the better team, but probably the Aussies think they've been (pretty close game where we've usually taken the initiative).

Anyone's games; weather to play a big part. The Convicts, if they get some decent weather, could chase this down with comfort. I hope for filthy on/off starts and overcast drizzle all day long - Root 5 wickets and MoM (just as easily Khawaja could bat through the innings to see the Convicts home and take MoM). Or, the less exciting rain all day draw which is probably a better result for the Convicts then us.

**cyrille** · 20-06-2023, 07:52 AM

If it ends with anything other than an England win, the Aussies will know they’ve got away with one.

I can’t see Smith or the Saffer scoring so few runs in any of the four tests to come.

This is a huge opportunity for England.

Going forward, the selectors need a good long think about whether or not a rather portly Bairstow keeping wicket is a good idea.

Also, Jimmy has been low key.

**Bettyboo** · 20-06-2023, 07:54 AM

I don't say this lightly: I agree, Cyrille.

**Shutree** · 20-06-2023, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I don't say this lightly: I agree, Cyrille.

Me too!

**harrybarracuda** · 20-06-2023, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by cyrille

If it ends with anything other than an England win, the Aussies will know they’ve got away with one.

Perhaps a better phrase would be "The Aussies will know England let them off the hook".

**Loy Toy** · 20-06-2023, 11:14 AM

One thing for sure is the Aussies will benefit from this first test experience and only get better.

The Poms won the toss and now they find themselves in a situation where they could lose this test if the weather is favouable for the Aussies.

Anyway a great start to the Ashes and hopefully more close and competitive games to follow.

**cyrille** · 20-06-2023, 03:54 PM

It is currently raining in Edgbaston.

**Bettyboo** · 20-06-2023, 03:56 PM

Good start, but it needs to be on and off to give the Convicts the most difficult batting conditions. I suspect that this is why Stokes' team went at it hard yesterday.

**Mendip** · 20-06-2023, 04:09 PM

I have a question... what happens if Moeen Ali's finger doesn't get any better? Can we select a new spinner for the next test at Lord's? Are we allowed to select a new spinner or do we have to keep with the original selection for the series?

And if we are allowed to select a new spinner, who could it be?

**malmomike77** · 20-06-2023, 04:14 PM

Yes, Dawson as it should have been from the start

**Ukan Kizmiaz** · 20-06-2023, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

The Poms won the toss and now they find themselves in a situation where they could lose this test if the weather is favouable for the Aussies.

I actually think the aussies could get the runs if there is enough play. If they can get get thru the 1st seesion getting 80-10 runs and loss of a couplle of wickets then...
I expect they will play to win.
It may end up that the rain may save England from a loss.

So here we are on day 5 and both sides are well-placed to win! Fantastic.

**Shutree** · 20-06-2023, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mendip

And if we are allowed to select a new spinner, who could it be?

There are 16 in the squad:

England squad vs Australia

Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrenc, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Does Ali's replacement not need to be from this squad?

**harrybarracuda** · 20-06-2023, 04:55 PM

no play until at least 1.10pm at edgbaston

**Shutree** · 20-06-2023, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mendip

And if we are allowed to select a new spinner, who could it be?

It is not a like for like but I'd give Mark Wood a chance.

**cyrille** · 20-06-2023, 05:48 PM

That's who I'd pick too.

**David48atTD** · 20-06-2023, 05:54 PM

Ah, the question is (in my time zone) stay up and watch as long as I can, or catch some kip and get up @ 3am and hope the result has not been achieved?

Plus I'm busy as all f*ck at work at the moment and yawning all afternoon.

Add, that the state of Origin, Game II is on Wed night.

I slightly fancy England's chances as runs on the board are like gold in games like these.

GO AUSSIES

**harrybarracuda** · 20-06-2023, 05:55 PM

They're taking lunch at 12:30.

**David48atTD** · 20-06-2023, 05:55 PM

Oh, great to see the Stands full and the Barmy Army so vocal when full also

**Ukan Kizmiaz** · 20-06-2023, 06:18 PM

food for thought from teh Ashes reddit -

I was browsing Wikipedia earlier and read an article on English history and it said that Nigel Farage masterminded Brexit all those years ago as a futile attempt to stop Usman Khwaja from scoring 200 on the final day of the first test match of the Ashes at Edgebaston.

The lows that England would stoop to try and win is pitiful.

**Bettyboo** · 20-06-2023, 07:46 PM

Play starts in 30 minutes.

2:15pm UK time.

Cloudy and perhaps more rain:

2023 ASHES CHALLENGE; May the best team win.-screenshot-2023-06-20-21-47-a

The Convicts might get 60 overs, maybe 50, maybe 40, maybe 30? - they'll have to get a move on...

60 overs = 3 an over
50 overs = 3.5 an over
40 overs = 4.4
30 overs = 6 an over

I'd like rain, on and off, I'll be happy with 30 overs to bowl in terrible conditions for batting.

**DrWilly** · 20-06-2023, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ukan Kizmiaz

The lows that England would stoop to try and win is pitiful.

All this Bazball nonsense and in the end it’s up to bloody rain dances…nothing ever changes

**Bettyboo** · 20-06-2023, 07:54 PM

Nasty and cloudy overhead is the latest. Greeeeeat.

**helge** · 20-06-2023, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Nasty and cloudy overhead is the latest. Greeeeeat.

Reckon this is why most civilised countries do not "get" cricket.

If you want to win so badly, just do underarm deliveries.

Aussies won't complain

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