Correct. Underwood was very dangerous and I think I spotted in the recent telecast he is still their top wicket taking spinner?
Murphy looks the goods but looks a bit raw still. On a wicket that suits him he could be more than useful. Unfortunately age may have caught up with Lyon, he would have got more overs in test #3 but we will never know will we?
I think they will pick Murphy again but be very interesting to see if, when and how he is used. If that test is rained out as you mentioned it could be he might get more bowling in a test fizzling away to a draw.
Watched an interview with Ronald McDonald this morning (have doubts about his coaching too) and it looks like Warner could be skating on thin ice. Marsh's success makes him hard to drop and he could force Warner out I hope.
I know you mentioned Warner has booked his ticket, but with his dismal performances I don't think he has a guarantee? I thought his performances on the last tour were so poor he may not even get picked for this tour. As much as I admire the man Doug Walters failed on one tour of England averaging around 7 from memory and they were forced to drop him, some attacking batsmen simply do not come to terms with England's wickets.
Have always subscribed to the theory you pick the best 11 cricket, best 13 R.L. and best 18 AFL and then work out the positions after that. To me that means no Harris (not a fan, cannot turn ball off hip) and Warner miss out, Marsh in, Green in and Murphy just gets a reprieve on lack of opportunity. Boland out, Hazelwood in. Green or Head open, Marsh at 6 regardless.
Was also very interesting they sent Neser out of the squad for a game in county cricket. He can bowl and English conditions suit, wonder if they are planning to use him soon?
Also interesting the Poms recognised their mistake and batted Brook down the order. Shame that, was looking forward to them being two-for early in the second dig!!!

Fair statement. I probably opened for 20 or 25 seasons and played all my rep cricket as an opener and was a specialist. It was only the passage of years, reflexes and eyesight that saw different roles with the bat and sacrifice a spot to younger players or sheet-anchor the middle.
Only I am by no means a fan of Harris or Renshaw. Both have had more starts than Phar Lap and I seriously doubt if they will improve. Maybe Renshaw but for a left hander Harris is hopeless off his pads which is unusual for a left hander and gets bogged down, can't turn the strike with a push behind square, though Head has the same problem on leg only a better eye and heaps more talent.
I would like to see the selectors open with Green, he has sound defence, leaves everything (unlike Warner, would flash at anything). I think Green has the ability to leave and blunt the new ball but doubt if they will go that way. They should blood him but won't, he is a potential No 3 several seasons down the track? Also Green gives you 3 quicks, an offie and he and Marsh to take the rest spells. That also takes in my theory that the best XI has been selected. If you leave Green out you lose a lot in the gully where he is very talented.
I will be dirty if they pick Warner again and Broad gets him cheap both times. Be all hell to pay in the press then. His failures may well be leading the way for Labalphabet and Smith failures as well? Don't believe Renshaw and Harris bring enough to the table, it is a crying shame Pukovski hasn't learned to position himself properly to hook or pull. Other than his poor technique in that regard he looked the goods.
Also think replacing a left hander with one of two more left handers is playing into the hands of Broad, Anderson and Woakes.
We will see what the selectors do I guess, if we go down 2 - 3 and Warner plays both tests there will be some interesting reading in the news.

Only a couple more days for what could be an enthralling 4th test barring any weather intervention.
The make up of each side will be as interesting as the match itself.
Currently watching the women's ODI and very disappointed local girl Phoebe Litchfield went cheaply. She is highly talented and is really good to watch, particularly through covers.
I think they will keep Warner and Murphy but it is questionable if either will then contribute much for different reasons. Green is the likely 12th man. His performances have been luke warm.
We will see, also will see if the Australian officials have any adventure in them - I doubt it.

Well done Stuart Broad. Five bowlers have taken 600 test wickets or more and only two have been fast bowlers. Broad and Anderson. He played in Australia for a summer when he was 17. Wish he had stayed. How about Johnnys catch. That was good. Another good test coming up.

The byes were pretty difficult. One lot of four should probably have been a called a no ball as it sailed over Bairnstow's noggin.

I think he is a pretty good player and I don't think he pretends he is of test standard when it comes to wicket keeping. I think the Poms wanted him in as a batter and by also giving him the keeping duties they can include another player that would have missed out had Foakes been selected strictly as a keeper.

We went down the same path in the past by not selecting the best keeper but the best batter/keeper combination. He has the ability to really score quickly if he gets going. The guys that win you a test are the ones that can score quickly. The ones that hang around forever for a hundred can save you one but rarely win you one

How can they not play Murphy. All they have done is destroy his confidence. Even the mighty Windies with the fast bowling battery they had still included Roger Harper.

Anyhow, you know how I feel about our team.  Until the Newlands gang retire or are found out I don't support them and wish them nothing more than constant defeats. If they drop Little Davey before he is ready to go we will soon hear about them from either him or the lovely Candice.

It is really good cricket though. Joe Root's catch was a cracker.

 

 

This does not look good.
Looks like rain would be the only saviour for Aus.
Unless they too bat for a day and a half.
Having difficulty coming to terms with Cummins short pitched tactics and field settings.
They strike me as negative, in all my years of cricket I thought the stumps were the target that brings into play the keeper, slips, gully, mid wicket etc??
I am confused.
One wonders also if it is coming from the coaching staff.
I realise the poms have been preparing wickets to suit their new style but starting play with a deep square leg and deep point.
Really? Isn't that akin to only having 8 effective fielders (bowler excluded).

I wasnt having a chuckle Craig, I laughed my head off. That Crawley innings was nothing short of fantastic. More than a run a ball on a big ground. If that had been played on any of the previous ground this series he would have had probably 250. I think the Poms could really tee off tonight and put on 150 plus in the first session. Really enjoying this series with the cricket being played. It would be hilarious if Bairdstow gives them a towelling.

I think you are right on the money rmoor. The first two tests could have gone either way if a catch had been held or a declaration not made.

I couldn't get over that innings by Zac Crawley. I watch the television picture and listen to a bit of the ABC radio coverage and heard that the fastest 200 in Ashes history belonged to Sir Donald in 1934 when he took 234 balls to score 200. Given this was a bigger ground and he scored 189 off 183, he only needed another 11 off 41 balls to equal that and off probably the best bowling attack in the world at present. He had a bit of luck, but so what, they all do. That innings was no fluke. Just because I don't like the present Aussie team doesn't mean I support the Poms, but this guy can bat.

I only played cricket at grade level but I don't care who they play for. If they are good I love watching them. I remember as a kid I saw Graham Pollock and Sir Garfield bat, I saw Barry Richards, Sir Viv, David Gower, Sachin and Virat Kohli. I knew my limitations so it was just fabulous watching these guys cart good attacks with such style and grace and power.

I think the weather forecast is bad for Saturday and possibly fine for Sunday so if they move it along until mid afternoon it is only the half way mark in the test. The ball is keeping low and there are cracks so it won't be easy getting anything above 250. I don't reckon the Poms want to bat again in this match. Look at the ball that got Root and you will see why.

I may be going the early crow but I think the Poms are building the momentum and the Aussies are starting to think about going home. The Oval in London is a bit of a graveyard for us so it is going to be exciting.

How good are the Pommie commentators.  I have always liked Aggers and Vaughan. The surprise is how good Glenn McGrath is with his insights. I wish they would get rid of Jim Maxwell as he is becoming a know it all, loud mouth, bore.

Bring it on, can't wait.

 

 

-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 22nd of July 2023 11:36:32 AM

That was (almost because he was stranded on 99 no) the third fastest century in Ashes history and hit off probably the best bowling attack in the world.

It was also the fastest 500 ever hit. To rub it in even further, Old Trafford is a big ground and our fielders were back yet look at the sixes hit.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Sunday 23rd of July 2023 10:17:24 AM

That was (almost because he was stranded on 99 no) the third fastest century in Ashes history and hit off probably the best bowling attack in the world.

It was also the fastest 500 ever hit. To rub it in even further, Old Trafford is a big ground and our fielders were back yet look at the sixes hit.

Get rid of Warner and replace him with someone who can get runs.
He's a has been.

Could not agree more rmoor. He wont get dropped. Was your mate Gordon Rorke by any chance. If so, how quick was he. Terrifying.

Full steam ahead for The Oval on Wednesday. I wonder if Murphy will get recalled. Funnily enough, it has all gone sort of pear shaped for the Aussies since the Carey Bairstow dramas. I think a win for the Poms and a drawn series is a fair ending. The urn doesnt travel so they can still go and look at it at Lords.

Thank you very much for the lecture on where I should live Magnarc. As to where I choose to live and where I would be best suited I think I will make that decision.

I don't subscribe to your jingoistic rants even if though this is not your country of birth. As to Newlands wearing a bit thin, it will never wear thin until all those who took place are exposed.

Over the years I have spent quite a lot of time in the UK and it is a fine country and I think the people are very fair minded. Whether you like it or not, this Aussie cricket team is despised throughout the world. They are not even liked here in Oz. They are propped up by a sycophantic press eager for the Cricket Australia's advertising dollar.

Perhaps you might like to name just one country that likes them.