Thread: The Ashes Tour

Before the Ashes start, let's remember where we left Australian men's Test cricket

Good analysis of the State of the Aussie's 5 day game.

Here

Australian Ashes team confirmed for first Test, with Travis Head picked ahead of Usman Khawaja at number five

Australia has named its team for the first Ashes Test against England at the Gabba, with South Australia's Travis Head preferred for the last batting spot ahead of Queensland veteran Usman Khawaja.

Key points:

• Australian Test captain Pat Cummins says it was a "tight" call to take Travis Head over Usman Khawaja for the number five batting spot for the Ashes
• The first match in the five-Test series begins at the Gabba on December 8
• Cummins says the pace-bowling tandem of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are likely to take the new ball against England

Selectors had already confirmed that Alex Carey would be Australia's wicketkeeper for the Gabba, replacing former skipper Tim Paine.

Head made his Test debut against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018, and played most of the Ashes series the following year.
His last match was last year's Boxing Day Test against India.


Australian XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc.

Here

In other news…got me smart tv purchased and set up.

Ready for action - the more damp the better.

Might even have an armstrong style brekkie on Wednesday morning.

I went to the last Gabba Ashes Test.

Not buying tickets this year ... it's a wet Summer

^^ Cyrille, once you've got your tin of Leo and Greggs steak bake organised, please could you say how you're planning to watch the Ashes in Thailand? I've got nothing pressing on until March/April so need to get this organised.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

... it's a wet Summer

I did read the first three days could be badly hit.

Originally Posted by Mendip

^^ Cyrille, once you've got your tin of Leo and Greggs steak bake organised, please could you say how you're planning to watch the Ashes in Thailand? I've got nothing pressing on until March/April so need to get this organised.

Where are you in Thailand?

^ I wil be in Korat.

Originally Posted by Mendip

^ I wil be in Korat.

Well if you're near civilisation, pick up an Amazon Firestick Max or a new Mi TV Stick (or you can order one off Lazada).

Then get a $25 Chinese IPTV sub and Robert is a male sibling of your father.

^ Nice one, thanks!

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Well if you're near civilisation, pick up an Amazon Firestick Max or a new Mi TV Stick (or you can order one off Lazada).

Then get a $25 Chinese IPTV sub and Robert is a male sibling of your father.

Just say what you mean Barry

Originally Posted by Mendip

^ Nice one, thanks!

Let me know when you've got the kit and I'll talk you through the rest.

England has been rocked by an injury to James Anderson on the eve of the Ashes series, with a calf problem set to keep the 39-year-old out of the first Test in Brisbane.

The Cricketer reports that Anderson, the third highest wicket-taker in Test history, will miss the match, with team management not willing to risk him, although the injury is not deemed to be serious.
He's expected to be fit for the second Test in Adelaide.

The Ashes | James Anderson to miss first Test with calf injury

Thousands of Barmy Army fans set to miss the Ashes as governments refuse to relax international border restrictions

The Barmy Army has promised there will still be a "strong vocal presence" from the vocal supporter group despite "thousands" of members unable to travel from the UK.


Adam Canning, the Commercial Director for the Barmy Army told Sky News’ First Agenda that there were thousands of disappointed fans who would not be able to attend the first few Test matches.

“We’ve got no travelling fans from the UK due to the restrictions,” he said.

Thousands of Barmy Army fans set to miss the Ashes as governments refuse to relax international border restrictions | Sky News Australia

I thought Oz had opened up to vaccinated travellers?

A reasonably interesting read before the pummeling begins.

An Ashes series like no other: let the hostilities, or even the respect, begin | Ashes 2021-22 | The Guardian

"Root acknowledged how unusual this all was 48 hours before the all-important toss. But when the first ball comes fizzing down at Australia’s traditional Ashes stronghold, familiar feelings should come flooding back. Will a familiar result follow?"

Probably.


"As has always been the case since the two countries first met on a cricket field in 1877, the beauty is in finding out."

As an England, fan I'm not sure beauty is the correct word.

As you Aussies doubtless know, Anderson's record in Aus is not crash hot.

In fact in my view Chris Woakes, who will almost certainly come in for him, is a better pick because of his batting.

Anderson will be good for Test 2 in Adelaide and will do better there anyway, particularly as it’s a day night affair.

Have we lost the toss yet

Originally Posted by malmomike77

Have we lost the toss yet

England won the toss and decided to bat.

I wonder if any/all will take a knee?

well that rules out the old double sided coin

well that's buggered it then


Phil Tufnell Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

If you don't get big first-innings scores in Australia, you don't win Tests. It's as simple as that.

This England batting line-up is vulnerable and can be flaky. They've got to show their mettle now. They can't be 30-4.

Well - no Broad or Anderson

1st BALL WICKET !!!

Bye Bye Mr Burns