Australia v England, 1st Test, Brisbane, 21-25 November, 2013

Only 6 more sleeps until the arsekicking begins. As I said prior to the English series, I hope for a competitive effort from the Aussies. While not completely disgraced, we were still bumfarked at 3-0.

Have you morphed into JGK's more loquacious brother?

Why aren't you saying BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!! ?

Flying north to Ho City on Friday so I will miss the test. Damn it.

Expecting 2-1 to England. Will be closer than people think.

Johnson is talking himself up. We know what we will get from Siddle and Harris but Mitch is a day to day proposition.

England look stronger on paper etc. but have faced nothing of any account so far down-under.

It's nearly time - I'm excited there's Test cricket. I'm just gutted I've got to watch a shedload of Jessies mincing around.

at least your jessies will win

They'll win in the audition for Jesus Christ Superstar.

Who gets nailed?

The bowler. The bowler always gets nailed. OK, it's usually a dry nailing, but I count wilful frottage as such.

PeterCS wrote:Have you morphed into JGK's more loquacious brother?

Just speaking the trooth, Petey,  

PeterCS wrote:Why aren't you saying BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!! ?

Of course!!

I think England need to go in with the bowler most like Tremlett was 4 years ago, and that is.... Rankin.

Not sure Carberry will cut it, but a much needed bit of aggression at the top of the order will help take the pressure off Cook and Trott:

Cook
Carberry
Trott
KP
Bell
Root
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Rankin

Carbs won't be aggressive. Not until he's ground his way to 50 or so.

I don't know who the third seamer's going to be. At this rate, they might as well pick Stokes and pack the batting.

Half empty, that.

We're nowhere near as well prepared as on the last tour. No news on Prior, so there must be a concern that he won't be fit.

As for the third seamer, I think we can discount Finn as he leaks too many runs. Tremlett not playing in this game is significant, I think he's been pencilled in - the worry is that he's done nothing to suggest that he will come close to being the threat he was on the last tour.

Indeed. A yard of pace. A yard and a half.

If he can put it in the right place though, there's every chance this Aussie side will give their wickets away to him.

beamer wrote:If he can put it in the right place though, there's every chance this Aussie side will give their wickets away to him.

If he doesnt bowl a no ball , the stupid qunts will chuck there wicket away to him

Big question - will Lardy make a reappearance for the First Test?

I think Rankin should be the third seamer. There's question marks over his stamina but for five overs or so, he is hostile. Tremlett has lost a yard of pace and Finn isn't improving.

This must be one of the few times, certainly over the past few decades where most of the Australians average in the 30s and the most of the poms average in the forties with the bat.

the 1st change pomgolian hack seamer will not be required....I predict Oz will be 6 fer 24 when the pill gets tossed to fatty/trembler/rancid

Paul Keating wrote:Flying north to Ho City on Friday so I will miss the test. Damn it.

Expecting 2-1 to England. Will be closer than people think.

That reminds me, I'll be in the Gulf ststes of America for the first two tests, Are there any seppos out there or recent visitors who can tell me if coverage is avaikable?

Furry is always good for dodgy links ...and he used to live in the US

It would make sense to ask Furry the IT question