Western Australia v England, Perth, November 5-7

Anderson bowling again.

Cook- FFS.

KP 34 not out off 19 balls.

KP falls to another left arm spinner. hmmm

Collingwood securing his spot for the first three tests with a hard fought 20 not out.

Looks like the Poms are going to jag this at the death.

It's good that we're trying to win these games rather than using them as glorified practice sessions.

Batting still a concern, though.

This is the biggest challenge of Cook's career - if he pulls out of this slump, there's no telling what he might achieve as he will be stronger for the experience. If he can't however, he will be damaged goods and can kiss the captaincy goodbye.

But Cook's looked out of sorts for three years now. He's constantly battling with his technique. I don't doubt that he's strong mentally but I think that maybe his technical flaws are just too much ingrained into his batting to be corrected.

We just have to accept that he's similar to Collingwood- Wont ever look great, but will occasionally grind out a score and average around 42. But can we find someone who is better than that?

There are hopes for Hales and Northeast.

I notice North didn't feel like bowling himself

Henry wrote:But Cook's looked out of sorts for three years now. He's constantly battling with his technique. I don't doubt that he's strong mentally but I think that maybe his technical flaws are just too much ingrained into his batting to be corrected.

We just have to accept that he's similar to Collingwood- Wont ever look great, but will occasionally grind out a score and average around 42. But can we find someone who is better than that?

There are hopes for Hales and Northeast.

And Lyth. At least no-one is mentioning Denly's name anymore!

England win! Useless Wozzies!

Ah yes, forgot Lyth. England effectively have a 30 man squad in Australia with the Lions in tow.

The best planned tour so far I can remember. Thanks to Cricket Australia for being so hospitable!

Nath wrote:England win! Useless Wozzies!

Reverse psychology, Nath. Last time the Poms played the Wozzies in a tour opener (before Lilac Hill became the norm) was 86-87 (I'm pretty sure). The Wozzies smashed the Poms, and look how that tour turned out.

I can't remember the last time England won a tour game in Aus. Pretty sure we didn't win any in 06-07, or 02-03. We may not have even won one in 98-99 but I can't be sure.

That's my recollection, Trev. And State games have become rarer and rarer since 86-87.

Usually it's been a case of getting hammered in the first state game with some unknown fast bowler bowling us out cheaply (Matt Nicholson in 1998 and Callum Thorp in 2002) and never recovering from there.

Unfortch in 86-87 it was the very regrettable Chris Matthews. Botham, Gower and Lamb could play him with a stump and their eyes closed.

Good win for England, although a stinging loss is never too far away. Strauss 120 - start as you mean to go on, I say.

Positives- Strauss, Broad, Pietersen, and to a lesser extent Swann have all found form.

Negatives- Anderson did nothing to show that he can take wickets in this part of the world, Cook and Collingwood are badly out of touch.

Looks like it'll be a top/middle order of;

Cook
Strauss
Trott
Pietersen
Morgan
Bell
Prior

No way they'll drop Collingwood.

Opening with Bell and Strauss with Morgan at six wouldn't be the worst idea. Bell's opened a bit before.

Cook won't be dropped.

Whoever punched Jimmy didn't do a good enough job.