ASHES 21/22

[The_Dud]

I know it sounds wrong, but I hope Harris has another failure so the selectors have no excuse for keeping him.

A mediocre 30 or 40 is the worst possible outcome.

[st.byron]

Well, the Poms are putting up a fine fight (by their standards) . Looks like we'll be in for a well-balanced series. The balance looks like somewhere between 5-0 and 4-0.

That looks very nicely balanced. 5-0 being the most balanced.

[st.byron]

Jaysus the Poms are in poor shape. They’re bowlers have to back it up again. Their first change bowler is sending down 125kmh marshmallows. Oh…….and Anderson and Broad, f***you.

[The_Dud]

Can we finally put to bed the myth of ‘the pink ball under lights’!

[st.byron]

Can we finally put to bed the myth of ‘the pink ball under lights’!

Root coming on for a bowl in the 14th over……Wouldn’t be happening if the seamers were threatening…….and Warner runs himself out

[st.byron]

I know it sounds wrong, but I hope Harris has another failure so the selectors have no excuse for keeping him.

A mediocre 30 or 40 is the worst possible outcome.

Agree with you about Harris. Looks shaky, playing across the line……selectors won’t have the nuts to drop him if he even gets a not very solid 40 or 50 under sfa pressure.

[Wayne42]

Jaysus the Poms are in poor shape. Their first change bowler is sending down 125kmh marshmallows.

Rod Marsh used to call these types of English bowlers, Pommy Pie Chuckers.

[shanegrambeau]

Check out from 9:30 (timeline) and hear him explain English selection ....wow...talk about repeating..

[roskilde]

Can we finally put to bed the myth of ‘the pink ball under lights’!

Root coming on for a bowl in the 14th over……Wouldn’t be happening if the seamers were threatening…….and Warner runs himself out

He genuinely looked like their most threatening bowler tonight as well.

Shambles.

[shanegrambeau]

When the captain speaks....

Root upon acknowledging Green's impact after Brisbane. "We've all seen him now and we'll play him better in the next test"

Proceeds to get out to Green again.

......the world hears crickets.

[shanegrambeau]

Test Haiku

Here’s J Richardson
One over, one maiden, one wicket
Here we go again

[saynta]

Question: How do you turn the worlds premier batsman, Smokin Joe Root into Smoked Joe Rooted, the timid park cricketer.
Answer: Hit him in the nuts with a rock hard cricket ball at 142ks per hour.

I feel his pain.

[shanegrambeau]

Question: How do you turn the worlds premier batsman, Smokin Joe Root into Smoked Joe Rooted, the timid park cricketer.
Answer: Hit him in the nuts with a rock hard cricket ball at 142ks per hour.

I feel his pain.

twice

one for each nut

[saynta]

Question: How do you turn the worlds premier batsman, Smokin Joe Root into Smoked Joe Rooted, the timid park cricketer.
Answer: Hit him in the nuts with a rock hard cricket ball at 142ks per hour.

I feel his pain.

twice

one for each nut

The first one was friendly fire in the nets and he wasn't wearing a box. Silly pom should have known better.

[shanegrambeau]

England are 24.1 overs away from securing a draw!!

[st.byron]

Same squad named for the rest of the series. Harris is very lucky if he gets another chance.

[roskilde]

Another drubbing this time without our two most important bowlers. Great depth there. Come on England make a bloody contest of it.

[st.byron]

Another drubbing this time without our two most important bowlers. Great depth there. Come on England make a bloody contest of it.

I can understand the sentiment of wanting a closer contest. There is though a lot of pleasure in watching England get smashed over and over.

[saynta]

Another drubbing this time without our two most important bowlers. Great depth there. Come on England make a bloody contest of it.

I can understand the sentiment of wanting a closer contest. There is though a lot of pleasure in watching England get smashed over and over.

Even with that excessive annoying background noise that passes for singing in pommieland.

[shanegrambeau]

In years that England are in a (rare) patch of form, I feel the waft of their arrogance, but I realize I am super-sensitive at times. Still, this time, I just do not see how they are surprised with the result. Joe Root apparently said, that he 'can't believe they (England) are so much worse' (man for man) than Australia. Am I over thinking, if I assume he is being coy? He must have a gripe (or ten) with the selectors, coaching, general set-up of the English camp. Though he ought to wonder why he is captain. Clearly not a good captain judging by the a) bowling tactics, b) decision making, c) complete lack of message, or 'take-up' of that message to his players. They bowl short, they look sloppy not keen, they drop copious numbers of catches (11 already). Perhaps these old guys do what they like? I suppose they are trying in ways we cannot see, but the result - ? - look at the body language said the SA women's coach. (former SA keeper)

They are clearly not as good and as a team, with their terrible selection, strategy, attitude. They will get a pummeling again unless Australia looses it's1 edge or develops attitude problems.

Melbourne and Hobart are their best chances.

They need a spinner. They need Wood. They need a keeper who can hold catches and is committed. I think Butler can give you 200% but then gets patchy??

[saynta]

From the heraldsun.com.au

Player ratings:

AUSTRALIA

MARCUS HARRIS

Failed to cement his spot in the side after scores of 3 and 23. Looked good in the second innings, surviving a tricky session under lights, before nicking to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler from the seventh ball he faced on day four.

Rating: 4

DAVID WARNER

Fought off the pain of badly bruised ribs that had him in doubt for the Test to help set Australia on the road to victory with a crucial 95 in the first innings. Was run out for 13, leaving him furious, in a horror mix-up with Harris in the second innings.

Rating: 8
Marnus Labuschagne again proved Australia’s Mr Reliable.


MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

Rode his luck by twice being dropped by Buttler in the first innings (on 21 and 95) and surviving being given out leg before when Ollie Robinson was called for a no-ball before making the match’s only century (103). His 51 in the second dig capped off another terrific game for Australia’s Mr Reliable.

Rating: 9

STEVE SMITH

Back as captain after the late withdrawal of Pat Cummins (Covid-19 protocols), he made a patient, vital 93 in the first innings that helped shape the contest, despite having his share of luck. Never got going in the second innings, being dropped first ball by Buttler and then surviving an lbw review before being dismissed for six. Led well as skipper and had taken five catches in the slips by dinner on the final day.

Rating: 8

TRAVIS HEAD

Didn’t get the home Test hundred he desperately coveted but contributed strongly, which he says is his No. 1 goal this series, by making a quickfire 51 in the second innings. Looked on track for a century before being brilliantly caught on the boundary by a diving Ben Stokes.

Rating: 6.5

CAMERON GREEN

After being bowled for two in the first innings, the Green Machine made a big impact with the ball, taking 2-24 off 10 overs, including the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root to start the collapse. His fast and aggressive bowling drew comparisons to former star England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Showed his class with the bat with an unbeaten 33 in the second dig.

Rating: 7

ALEX CAREY

Hometown wicketkeeper made his first Test fifty in only his second Test at an important time after Australia lost two quick wickets in the first innings, featuring in a 91-run partnership with Smith. Fell cheaply in the second innings going for quick runs. Gloved the ball well behind the stumps but was guilty of letting a Buttler edge sail past him when he should have taken it.

Rating: 7.5
Mitchell Starc showcased his prowess with the pink ball.

MITCHELL STARC

Superb all-round performance. The pink-ball king ripped through England’s batting with 4-37 in the first innings, becoming the first bowler to take 50 Test wickets with the pink ball. He then shook Root up late on day four before knocking him over with the final ball before stumps to virtually end the tourists resistance. Also displayed his batting prowess, making 58 for the match off only 59 balls.

Rating: 9

MICHAEL NESER

Made the most of his long-awaited Test debut by getting a wicket (Haseeb Hameed) with his second ball. Illustrated his power with the bat by smashing 35 off only 24 deliveries in the first innings. Claimed the crucial wicket of Dawid Malan in the second innings in an encouraging debut.

Rating: 6.5

JHYE RICHARDSON

Given his chance for the injured Josh Hazlewood, he captured his first Test wicket in 1050 days with a brute of a delivery that flicked Hameed’s gloves in the second innings. Then bowled Australia to victory, snaring five second-innings wickets including the key breakthroughs of Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler.

Rating: 8.5

NATHAN LYON

Bowled a lot of overs for his five wickets and struggled to deliver the knockout blow. Spun the ball sharply at times but didn’t rip through the England line-up as many expected on a pitch that gripped. His successful DRS referral for lbw against Stokes on the final day was crucial.

Rating: 7

ENGLAND

HASEEB HAMEED

Failed to back up his promising first Test – when he at least chewed up some balls – by making a total of only six in Adelaide, including a shocking shot which gifted Michael Neser his first Test wicket.

Rating: 1

RORY BURNS

Looked certain to be dropped for the Boxing Day Test when he fell for four in the first innings, giving him a total of 17 runs in his first three innings of the series. Showed some grit by taking the first ball again at the start of the second innings – something he had relinquished – and battled hard for 34 off 95 balls without looking convincing. Arguable whether it will be enough to save him.

Rating: 4

DAWID MALAN

Followed his strong first Test with another excellent, fighting display in the first innings when he topscored with 80 before falling for 20 in the second dig. Also made a mark with the ball, snaring his first Test wickets (Marnus Labuschagne and Jhye Richardson) with his leg-spin bowling.

Rating: 7.5

JOE ROOT

England’s skipper and best batter fought courageously in both innings, making 62 and 24, but was shaken up (hit in the groin) and then dismissed by Mitchell Starc at the end of day four, which broke his country’s heart. Took three wickets with his off-spin – equal-most of any England bowler in the match.

Rating: 7.5

BEN STOKES

Fought hard in typical fashion, making 34 and 12 off a total of 175 balls, but with England’s backs to the wall in both innings he never got on top of the bowling. Took three wickets and a brilliant outfield catch to dismiss Travis Head.

Rating: 5.5

OLLIE POPE

Nightmare match, making only five and four and never looked comfortable. England needed him to show some resistance on the final day but he was knocked over in the third over.

Rating: 1

JOS BUTTLER

Rarely has a wicketkeeper produced such a mixed bag. Spilled three chances, including two regulation ones, while also taking three excellent diving catches. Made a first innings duck and would have had a pair if Alex Carey had gobbled up his thick edge. Made the most of the life, showing great fight to soak up an incredible 207 balls in the second innings before being unluckily dismissed.

Rating: 6.5

CHRIS WOAKES

Made no impact with the ball, finishing with match figures of 1-149, sparking calls for him to be replaced by the faster Mark Wood for the third Test at the MCG. However he showed some real ticker with the bat at No. 8.

Rating: 5.5

OLLIE ROBINSON

Toiled hard like the rest of the England seamers without a lot of success. Cost himself Labuschagne’s wicket with a no-ball before exacting his revenge soon after. At one stage reverted to bowling off-spin after his side’s mistake in not picking a recognised spinner.

Rating: 5

STUART BROAD

Like most of the England bowlers he pitched too short and paid the price. Had his moments but never looked particularly threatening and finished with 2-100 for the game. Smartly ran out David Warner.

Rating: 4.5

JAMES ANDERSON

Veteran star, like always, battled hard with the ball and was economical but didn’t produce the pink-ball swing expected of him. Desperately unlucky not to claim Labuschagne’s wicket in the first innings when Buttler dropped a sitter but took only three wickets off 39 overs.

Rating: 5


Lets face it, so far the poms have been crap and these ratings reflect that fact.

[shanegrambeau]

Lets face it, so far the poms have been crap and these ratings reflect that fact.

NOT helped by appalling decisions.

Not putting in a nightwatchmen just one of many.

What was Root thinking? I'll 'lead from the front'?

By going in ....and getting out!?

[st.byron]

Lets face it, so far the poms have been crap and these ratings reflect that fact.

NOT helped by appalling decisions.

Not putting in a nightwatchmen just one of many.

What was Root thinking? I'll 'lead from the front'?

By going in ....and getting out!?

Do you mean in England's second innings?

[shanegrambeau]

Lets face it, so far the poms have been crap and these ratings reflect that fact.

NOT helped by appalling decisions.

Not putting in a nightwatchmen just one of many.

What was Root thinking? I'll 'lead from the front'?

By going in ....and getting out!?

Do you mean in England's second innings?

No, not this test...Root as captain last time in Sydney

[Ghost Like]

How is it Jhye Richardson plays one test, takes a "5 for" and requires a rest? Yet Harris plays two Tests, fails 4 times and gets guaranteed a 3rd.

All the best to Boland but Richardson & Neser should be rightfully confused & p!ssed with selectors, selection integrity and JL.