OT - The Ashes

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

Starts tomorrow at Edgbaston - not sure what to think, the Aussies are strong as usual, but England have a certain ‘something’ going for them.  I feel it will be very tight but it would be great to regain the Ashes so have to go for an England series win.

[Soldier on 290]

Hope we can deliver. Fear their bowling attack though worried we might encounter a 49 all out type score line at some stage !

[Satriales 994]

No idea what to expect in terms of results, but I do think it will be a very entertaining series. Let's hope for a 2005 style classic.

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 4,616]

I think I'll probably end up working from home a little more often between now and the end of July.

[TIL 1010 5,246]

Looking forward to a good series v The Shackle Draggers.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

Crictime is great for those who want to watch live. 

Edited June 16, 2023 by Midlands Yellow

[NFN FC 1,142]

Booooo! cricket

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

7 minutes ago, NFN FC said:

Booooo! cricket

Fantastic sport. It’s summer and time for football to take a back seat. 

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

11 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Fantastic sport. It’s summer and time for football to take a back seat. 

Indeed.  I’m off to t20:at Lord’s tomorrow evening - hopefully England will have closed on 340-3 by then….

[Barham Blitz 869]

It is the least predictable series in years.  England have home advantage but the stated intention of flat fast wickets almost favours the Australian bowling attack over our own and scoring quickly enough to leave time to bowl out a reasonably strong Australian batting line up twice against an outstanding bowling line up is going to make for fascinating viewing.

I suspect there will be some glorious sessions and the odd horrific collapse.  I'd feel a lot more confident if we had a fully fit selection of bowling options but I've got tickets for the first two days at Headingley and I'm really looking forward to the whole series.  ODIs and T20s are fun, but you can't beat an Ashes series when the teams are closely matched.

[canarydan23 4,762]

8 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

Indeed.  I’m off to t20:at Lord’s tomorrow evening - hopefully England will have closed on 340-3 by then….

340 in a day? That'd be a low run rate for Bazball! I'm hoping for all out for 420 with the Aussies already down to 15 for 3.

Fifth days might be very quiet this series.

Dare to dream.

Edited June 15, 2023 by canarydan23

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

Just now, canarydan23 said:

340 in a day? That'd be a low run rate for Bazball! I'm hoping for all out for 420 with the Aussies ready down to 15 for 3.

Dare to dream.

That is probably a bit low these days - but I was basing it on only about 80 overs, the over-rates will be pitifully low. 

 

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

21 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

Indeed.  I’m off to t20:at Lord’s tomorrow evening - hopefully England will have closed on 340-3 by then….

Middlesex still haven’t won a match I think? Still will be a great night out. 

 

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

4 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Middlesex still haven’t won a match I think? Still will be a great night out. 

 

Kent haven’t done much this season and “let” a side chase 500 to win the other day (not in t20, obvs!)…but it’s a great place to watch a game

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

21 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

Kent haven’t done much this season and “let” a side chase 500 to win the other day (not in t20, obvs!)…but it’s a great place to watch a game

What are the ticket prices like? Compared to football it’s normally a bargain. 

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

10 minutes ago, Midlands Yellow said:

What are the ticket prices like? Compared to football it’s normally a bargain. 

Think it was £30, not bad at all…definitely compares well to football, though of course it is all very weather dependent…there’s not much worse than waiting endlessly for a game to possibly start on a damp day.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

9 minutes ago, Branston Pickle said:

Think it was £30, not bad at all…definitely compares well to football, though of course it is all very weather dependent…there’s not much worse than waiting endlessly for a game to possibly start on a damp day.

Ain’t happening tomorrow, a Friday to savour. 

[NFN FC 1,142]

8 hours ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Fantastic sport. It’s summer and time for football to take a back seat. 

It could be. I haven't ever had the time to follow it...

... So booo 😉

[BroadstairsR 2,273]

9 hours ago, Midlands Yellow said:

Fantastic sport. It’s summer and time for football to take a back seat. 

Quite.

I don't know why it always generates such demeaning comments from those who are not into the game. It's become normal.

Personally, I feel sorry for those who can't get into cricket and feel that they are missing out, so I don't bother with response.

I'm not into tennis and detest Wimbledon week and the seemingly blanket coverage which takes over the media, but I respect/like the fact that many view it differently and enjoy the festival.

I'll just watch every single ball bowled today and not miss a single one. Even toilet breaks and trips to the fridge have to wait until a break in play.

We can exchange opinions MY, you seem to be similarly hooked.

P.S. There's a thread on the 'non-football' to post  in order not to annoy others (aka, The Philistines.)

Edited June 16, 2023 by BroadstairsR

[Graham Paddons Beard 2,791]

I hate the Aussies nearly as much as I hate the Binners . Warner in particular. Horrible piece of work. 
 

Aussies are odds on to win the series. Bit surprising but whether Baz ball can overcome the Aussie attack I’m not sure. 
 

let’s hope we prepare a few green tops to move the ball sideways for Jimmy and Broad. 

 

[hogesar 10,763]

Not surprised to see Aussies odds on this time round. Remember looking at their middle order and being surprised how much talent and how many in form. 

[Capt. Pants 5,008]

Think we'll need a bit of help with the weather along the way. If it turns out to be a typical Aussie summer in England we might get rinsed. A bit ofcloud cover and we have a chance.

And please no more injuries.

[king canary 8,757]

I'm off to Egdebaston tomorrow so very much looking forward to this!

[Badger 2,745]

I am really excited by this series - it will be the ultimate test of our new approach. IMO a lot will hinge on whether we are able to pressurize the Aussie attack in the same way we have been able to do others. I can't do Edgbaston this year, although normally go but have tickets for later in the series.

My biggest hope is that Joe Root does not use the reverse sweep until he has scored at least 50 - he keeps trying it early on but rarely looks convincing!

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

53 minutes ago, king canary said:

I'm off to Egdebaston tomorrow so very much looking forward to this!

Cool - day two is usually pretty good - often get to see both sides bat/bowl which is the best of both.  Though who knows these days, you might see the end of the match too!

[dylanisabaddog 6,143]

1 hour ago, king canary said:

I'm off to Egdebaston tomorrow so very much looking forward to this!

We're batting first. Hoping you get to see both teams bat tomorrow. 

Starc not playing 😊

[TheBaldOne66 768]

Went to an Ashes test back in 85 at Edgbaston, what a fantastic day it was!

Aussies started day with 8 down for about 260! Within first 5 balls they were all out! England then went on to score over 300 for loss of one wicket! Only disappointment was my hero Graham Gooch, was only wicket to fall for just 19 but Tim Robinson and David Gower both scored centuries! 
 

We had some great banter with the Aussie fielders on the boundary in front of us, especially a guy called Andrew Hilditch, oh happy days!

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

England win the toss and elect to bat first. Par score 350 on a flat Edgbaston track? 

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

Crictime streaming now. 

[Nora's Ghost 157]

A proper sport played by true sportsmen.