England v Australia, 1st Test, Edgbaston, 16-20 June, 2023

Victory in the WTC Final is an excellent warm up to Cricket's greatest contest - The Ashes.

Starts on Friday in Birmingham.

Forecast looked a bit dodgy a few days ago, but now says 25C and sunshine for first 3 days at least. Might need that kind of weather (or rain delays) to take any of the matches a decent way into day 4 anyway.

A confidence boost for Australia when we’ve only faced Ireland in a warm-up… but we know how England will approach it regardless. I suspect we’ll want a true paceman in possibly cloudless conditions.

Seems changes to the XI that won the WTC Final are unlikely with coach Ronnie McDonnie saying overnight:

"Australia coach Andrew McDonald says Mitchell Starc's tendency to leak runs is no concern for the Ashes, with his wicket-taking ability crucial to team balance"

They shirley can't drop ScoBo (this will please h) so the likely XI for T1 is:

GCS
Ooze
Shrapnel
Smudge
Blowie
Snot
Mariah
Koo
2nd
Elmer
ScoBo

Big question for us is do we play Jimmy and Sturat together, especially in pretty warm weather and in a three-man seam attack?

We might want the extra pace of Wood or, to a lesser extent (though still quicker than the old guys and Tommy) Tongue. I expect Moeen will play and bat 8, no debate over the batting other than through any injuries or trying to squeeze in an extra seamer.

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes*
Bairstow+
Moeen
Broad/Robinson
Wood/Tongue
Anderson

Shirley big Robbo is a must.

I reckon Jimmeh, Sturat and Robbo will be the starting quicks.

skully wrote:Shirley big Robbo is a must.

I reckon Jimmeh, Sturat and Robbo will be the starting quicks.

There’s nothing much over 80mph in there though, with those three. In dry/warm conditions we might need a bit of variety, and someone who can give Head a few head shots to deal with…

Furry muff, beams

Wood certainly rarely lets England down when fit.

Showers/storms possible from Sunday (day 3) now.

best bat first then if u win the toss, although some think
thats old hat. are robbo & anderson actually fit, can stokes bowl? i guess we'll only find out on the day.

4-1 to oz. after all its been 20 years, theyve got to win in
the uk sometime.

We’ve gone with the old guard plus Robinson, then… I do have concerns that there’s no change-up option to break a partnership, especially if Stokes can’t contribute with the ball, could be some long sessions in the field.

Norfolk Ian Goode wrote:We’ve gone with the old guard plus Robinson, then… I do have concerns that there’s no change-up option to break a partnership, especially if Stokes can’t contribute with the ball, could be some long sessions in the field.

Is this guy that guy??

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/dukes-ball-secrets-revealed-australia-england-ball-seam-selection-ashes-hazlewood/2023-06-15

pre-emptive blaming the balls

Alloysimian wrote:

Norfolk Ian Goode wrote:We’ve gone with the old guard plus Robinson, then… I do have concerns that there’s no change-up option to break a partnership, especially if Stokes can’t contribute with the ball, could be some long sessions in the field.

Is this guy that guy??

The original beamer, not the original NFI. An ID I registered a couple of years back which was something to do with a discussion about the 500th member, and using it now as locked myself out of my original account.

2nd loses the toss and we're bowling.

Koo out, Purple in.

Bit of a selection surprise perhaps. Mitch Marsh was mooted on news as possible inclusion. Anyway the day of the Ashes has arrived.

Looking forward to both sides losing by an innings and some.

England like chasing, but no chance of a Nasser/Drunky moment on this surface.

Statement first ball from Crawley…

Early reality check… 200 all out by lunch?

Jesus, what a flat deck.

Aus will have to be at their best to avoid a big score.

skully wrote:Jesus, what a flat deck.

Aus will have to be at their best to avoid a big score.

Including actually appealing for the nicks… that second wicket still makes it evens so far, though. We could still be rolled for 250 in late afternoon.

50 for the FTB (FZB?) on a tailor-made FT…

And after all that, Australia take the first morning honours.

Defensive fields ultimately paid off as they know the England batsmen will get themselves out playing this way.

Last ball drama. Onya Boland!

Massive wicket by ScoBo on Lunch.

Given the road-like nature of the deck, Aus will be pleased with their effort.

Shocker from Razzie initially, anyway…

Could easily be bowled out by tea here, but they’re not going to take a step back and reassess for half an hour like teams might have done in the past.

Freak dismissal for Brook, but all starts and no substance here. Smith and Labuschagne won’t be so generous on this road.