England v Australia, 3rd Test, Old Trafford, 1-5 August, 2013

embee wrote:

If the bloke on the left is unavailable they will pick the bloke on the right

Pidg 2 doing his best Stan Laurel impression.

Geez, the management of Philip Hughes' career has been disgraceful.

The decision to drop him after two tests (and only three innings) on the last Ashes tour still baffles me.

Since then the guy's been in and out of the team and shunted around the order. I shudder to think where his head must be at. We may not have the most talented batsmen at the moment, but shoddy management like this only ensures we will fail to get the best out of them.

I agree the management of his career, and Warner's has been strange.

Both would be yet to debut under any sensible selectorial regime.

JGK wrote:

skully wrote:Word on the wireless this morning is Warner for Hughes (if Smith is fit), Starc for Patto, and Lyon for Agar.

Bird needs to play.

 I don't get the justification for playing Starc.

Nath wrote:

JGK wrote:

skully wrote:Word on the wireless this morning is Warner for Hughes (if Smith is fit), Starc for Patto, and Lyon for Agar.

Bird needs to play.

 I don't get the justification for playing Starc.

Our selectors are morons....thats all the justification they need.

Hass wrote:Geez, the management of Philip Hughes' career has been disgraceful.

The decision to drop him after two tests (and only three innings) on the last Ashes tour still baffles me.

Since then the guy's been in and out of the team and shunted around the order. I shudder to think where his head must be at. We may not have the most talented batsmen at the moment, but shoddy management like this only ensures we will fail to get the best out of them.

Hughes is technically shite. Shouldn't be anywhere near an Aus XI.

Yeah, if you didn't think he needed dropping in 2009, then you're off your head. He blagged any runs he got and looked ropey doing it. Walking wicket.

I wonder if England will sneak Tremlett into the side for Bresnan......

Trembles is possibly the greatest untapped talent for England this century. Of course injury has largely been the reason, but when fit and he gets it right, as he showed in Perth and Melbourne in 10-11 and v Lanka at Southampton in 2011, he's a thing of beauty. That 6 months looked like Engulund had another Ian Bishop on display.

Looks like Clarke will bat at second drop. So if Hughes is dropped as expected could that be curtains for him at test level?

Starc, Warner and Lyon in. Hughes, Pattinson (injured) and Agar out. England unchanged.

I'm astounded they're not giving Bird a go. His nagging line and length is the sort of bowling England hates. He's a Stuart Clark clone and Clark was hugely successful against England.

Henry wrote:Starc and Lyon in. Hughes and Agar out. England unchanged.

Called that right on my fantasy side.

Interesting that it's muggy but the best tosser is expected to bat first because of the threat of spin. And Clarke wins the toss and bats.

England unchanged but oz have Warner, Lyon and Starc.

STARC!    

Aus win the toss and bat. So England batting by Tea.

skully wrote:Aus win the toss and bat. So England batting by Tea.

Channelling the Melbourne test?

Not happy to see Starc or Warner back. Starc has not looked threatening yet. Warner will be a walking wicket against good pace or spin bowling.

At least we're not playing two spinners. Regardless of whether or not is spins like a top, there's no point playing guys who can't turn a doorknob.

What are the odds on a Watson LBW?

So, 5 down at lunch?

taipan wrote:What are the odds on a Watson LBW?

Australia First Dismissal - 1st Inns

Back Lay

Caught
1.78
1.93

LBW
3.95
4.4

Bowled
5.6
5.7

Run Out
36
38

Stumped
60
100

Any other Method
200

Twat squirts one over gully.

Wh-wh-wh-where is everyone?? This is the Ashes, people.