Ok England ain’t in it but still, lovely conditions, 2 pretty good teams and having had a real tussle of a series in India not long ago.
Some top flight bowlers on both sides with a wicket looking to deteriorate.
I am hoping Scott Boland is the new Glenn McGrath albeit late in his career. Best economy rate in the world in Tests 2.18. Jimmy Anderson is second with 2.27.
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dai says
Some interest. A one match game to decide best team in test cricket is probably insufficient though, and if it must be in London, why is it at The Oval rather than Lord’s?
Junior Wells says
No idea. Rankings for Test cricket would be a challenge given the range of “victories” a team can have.
Junior Wells says
@Dai
Why are they playing at The Oval and not Lord’s? The ICC wanted a “clean” venue in terms of sponsorships, and Lord’s has some deals in place which made this a problem.
dai says
Thanks. All about money as usual
deramdaze says
Loads and loads of interest.
What a privilege to be able to see these two sides in a Test Match in this country.
Also, rather nice that it looks like it might have legs in it beyond the third day.
There’s a gap in the market in English cricket – a boring, tedious player who scores 70 runs over three sessions and limps to a hundred sometime after lunch on Day 2. To any 12-year-old reading, unlikely, master that and you’ll be a legend in a decade’s time. If you know a 12-year-old English lad, be sure to tell him.
Native says
Good to have a look at Australia before the Ashes. And disappointing to see that they look in good shape. Bit worried about England; injuries a massive problem. Is Stokes fit to bowl? Probably not. How will Bairstow fair returning from injury? How fit is Jimmy? Ali replacing Leach? All a bit worrying…
chiz says
… and their warm up was two and a half days against Ireland, where some of them never got a bat, while Australia got a decent run out in English conditions against India’s best. Bizarre
Junior Wells says
Yes fortuitous. For the India tour they arrived over there a mere 2 weeks before the first test and no matches, I seem to recall. No doubt due to IPL commitments. etc. Probably would have been the same in England but for this match.
Bargepole says
A fine game of cricket so far…..the Aussies look ominously good both batting and bowling….roll on next Friday!
Mousey says
Loving it!
Cookieboy says
Interesting thing to me as an Aussie is reading the comments on sites like The Guardian. A lot of English types are saying things like, “I never thought I’d say this but I want Australia to win.” I never thought I’d read that! I always thought in regards to cricket it would be a case of “Anyone but Australia”
Junior Wells says
Pretty different team and culture now and there is not a lot to like about the ICB’s dominance of world cricket. And there are those outrageous pitches on the sub continent.
That said, I am sure that the anyone but Australia faction is alive and well on the blog.
Black Celebration says
From my perspective I definitely want England or NZ to beat Australia but in a match featuring Aussie vs the other test nations, I want Australia to win.
Freddy Steady says
Aussies are quite bullish!
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/65850882
Junior Wells says
Well worth watching. Massive atmosphere. India going the tonk, getting battered by a brutal Cummins , sitters missed, ANOTHER no ball not out (FFS)
Everygoodboydeservesfruita says
Terrible catching from Australia and despite Hayden’s commentary nothing about Warner’s batting makes me think anything has changed. BTW, I was of the view that I’d like to see Neser or Abbot in the XI because I think they will take wickets too and they’d shorten a tail that looks increasingly long. I was asked who I would drop and I said that I would have chosen Neser rather than Boland to replace HWood. But Boland looks the best of the Aussie bowlers. Starc’s ability to take a wicket or too in the opening 10 overs is so vital. But the Australian tail is long these days.
Mousey says
I think Boland is essential. Cummins too, and either Starc or H’wood or both of those two can be dubious. Having Cameron Green in the team is such a bonus.
So looking forward to The Ashes. As a Kiwi I love it that McCullum is there.
It’ll be a good series!
Junior Wells says
Anyone else see Labuchagne Labushane….. Marnus fall asleep waiting to come in at #3 ? Most remarkable thing I have ever seen. #3 FFS how could you fall asleep? 3 minutes later he is facing an absolute barrage of brutal balls. Getting hit , knocked over.
Hilarious.