Author Topic: The cricket... (Read 260824 times)

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1100 on:** 10 August, 2015, 01:47:28 am »

What we cannot tell for certain is the psychological state of the teams. One would assume that Australia must be feeling very ragged after two heavy defeats, particularly given that the combined total of their worst two innings is under 200 runs. Somehow England managed to recover from their second innings at Lords.

Having now lost the series, it would be quite easy for Australia to capitulate badly, but at least the Oval has the reputation for producing good batting wickets. Will Anderson be fit? And if he is, whom do they drop?

Peter · « **Reply #1101 on:** 10 August, 2015, 10:01:04 am »

I think they might drop Lyth, move Root to opener with Cook, then everyone moves up the order and Anderson comes in at 11. That's what I'd do. We shouldn't need another batsman (all the bowlers can bat, Broad and Stokes especially). If they want to try an opener, Mark Stoneman of Durham deserves a shot. They could also give Buttler a break to find some form and put Bairstow behind the stumps, which would give them the opportunity to try another batsman.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1102 on:** 10 August, 2015, 10:13:16 am »

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/aug/09/england-ashes-adil-rashid-oval-alastair-cook-australia

Some interesting speculation from Mike Selvey, who suggests leaving Anderson out of the Oval test, with a view to preserving him for battles to come - 7 tests before the end of January.

Peter · « **Reply #1103 on:** 10 August, 2015, 10:18:06 am »

Hmmm. Maybe there is a secret quota of non-delivering Yorkshiremen to be fulfilled?! I think Rashid deserves a proper chance but I'm not sure this is the time to do it.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1104 on:** 10 August, 2015, 10:38:36 am »

I have to confess that my interest in county cricket has dissolved to the extent that I would struggle to name the counties for which most of the England team member play. I was surprised, for example, that Panesar plays for Essex - my home county, whom I used to watch and follow regularly. I just can't muster any enthusiasm for the 2-division championship. Whatever anyone says, that halves the number of counties playing first class cricket.

bobb · « **Reply #1105 on:** 10 August, 2015, 02:03:10 pm »

I wouldn't be surprised if Australia won at The Oval. It seems to happen quite often for the beaten team to win the last test once a series has been wrapped up...

Edit: Plus the pitch should be more to their liking and various players will be desperate to perform well for fear of the chop!