Australia v England, 2nd ODI, Brisbane, 17 January, 2014

True. You would at least get some clue, and some effort to go with it.

Willey's got a Crook back, so wouldn't be available anyway.

I have no combination puns for Wakely and Brooks.

That brooks no contradiction, it would only pun very wakely anyway.

Pretty damning stat

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Since the new ODI regulations came into effect in late 2012, England have only managed to break the 50 barrier four times from 16 in which they have been allowed the full first 10 Powerplay overs. Only once, in Southampton last June, have they passed 60, their hand forced by a monstrous New Zealand total of 359. Even then, it wasn't enough.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013-14/content/story/709439.html

But two new white balls means we have to block the crap out of it like it's the first hour of a Test. It's the rules. Everyone else is just cheating.

Apropos of nothing, Midge had his Ashes winning mo shaved off this morning at a charity event.

Hope for England? Only if you're superstitious, or find Village People moustaches appealling.

Maybe Bwoyd Wrankin should grow one.

Or even a pair.

beamer wrote:But two new white balls means we have to block the crap out of it like it's the first hour of a Test. It's the rules. Everyone else is just cheating.

You know it's true.

And that this gives England the moral victory every time.

If the opposition want to waste a good dot ball, that's their tough luck. Saw Ronald shoulder arms to a half volley again the other day. I sniggered at the naivety displayed by the bowler. Ian Bell wasn't going to fall for that.

Uh-oh. It's Ronald again.

Back in the cupboard soon, I spose.

PeterCS wrote:Uh-oh. It's Ronald again.

Back in the cupboard soon, I spose.

He's never been anything but Ronald in ODIs. Well, probably three or four ODIs. Which is a very Ronald-heavy percentage.

...I Ron looks like he has been grazing in good paddocks this tour...seems to have put on a bit of pudding

You take your comforts where you can.

lack of having to run between the wickets...

Comfort eating is a good sign of depression, or he's just having a slothful holiday.   

Red wrote:Interesting now that both McDermott boys are in the squad for the PM's match tomorrow. Is this nepotism at work given the way Ali McDermott has been bowling?

The PM XI has been put together to give least disruption to the BBL. 

In any case, it was never a selection of the best cricketers available.

skully wrote:Apropos of nothing, Midge had his Ashes winning mo shaved off this morning at a charity event.

Hope for England? Only if you're superstitious, or find Village People moustaches appealling.

This is good.   If it turns out that his mo was the source of all his power and has a shocker in the JAMODIs then he has plenty of time to grow one back before the real cricket starts again.

Sage - sort of.   

I thought the plan was to shave it off, raise a motza for charity then immediately start growing it back again for the rope series anyway/

Finn isn't even being played against the PM's XI. Seriously, he should be sent home. England are effectively saying he is un-pickable, so therefore he is a waste of a spot.

Henry wrote:Finn isn't even being played against the PM's XI. Seriously, he should be sent home. England are effectively saying he is un-pickable, so therefore he is a waste of a spot.

So, you and Gilo are in agreement on this one...

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013-14/content/story/709945.html

I wonder if Trev and Ashley are the same person?

You never see them together, ...

Poor guy, he's been absolutely ruined. Wonder if he'll ever recover.

Poor bugger. Potentially more damaged than Trott.

Dello wrote:Poor guy, he's been absolutely ruined. Wonder if he'll ever recover.

The entire bowling coaching staff should be sacked for this. In fact, maybe it's time to forget bowling technical coaching and just concentrate on the psychology of it and say to them, go out and bowl with your natural action. Preferably as fast as you're able to.

Finn could come back stronger like Anderson did, or he could be out of the game completely in a couple of years. Perhaps we should blame Graeme Smith who was apparently the first to complain about him running into the stumps. Is he not satisfied with finishing off an England captain every four years or so?