Australia vs England - First Test

[GVGjr]

- The track is rated as slow and one that you need to bat with a lot of patience on.

- A few people like Cosgrove and Gillespie are urging the selectors to play Hauritz.

- The Poms believe they have seen some flaws that they can exploit in Hughes.

- Harmison has bowled well against us in the 2nd tour game.

This is shaping as a hard game and one that will set the tone for the balance of the series.
The player that I think could cause us the most problems is big Freddie Flintoff. If he can stay fit his bowling has often troubled our batsman.

What are your predictions for the series?
I'll go with a 2 all result.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

I reckon this is difficult to pick to be honest. There is going to be a lot discussed by the selelctors of both sides prior to the first test, particularly as to how much spin the pitch will take & of course the make up of both teams.

The player I see as a bit of a barometer is Mike Hussey. I think if he fires Australia will be making scores of around 400, if he fails then England well may grasp the initiative.

[comrade]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

GVG, I think you're spot on about Flintoff.

Especially against Hughes, he'll constantly go around the wicket and bowl short and sharp into his rib cage - looking to exploit the way Hughes opens up and tries to play everything on the offside.

[hujsh]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

GVG, I think you're spot on about Flintoff.

Especially against Hughes, he'll constantly go around the wicket and bowl short and sharp into his rib cage - looking to exploit the way Hughes opens up and tries to play everything on the offside.

Surely as an Aussie batsman he'll have learnt how to deal with this though?

[Happy Days]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Surely as an Aussie batsman he'll have learnt how to deal with this though?

You would have thought so, but unfortunately that's not the case.

[comrade]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Surely as an Aussie batsman he'll have learnt how to deal with this though?

Harmison worked him over in both innings in the most recent tour match. It was almost embarrassing watching Hughes try to combat it.

[Bornadog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

What are your predictions for the series?
I'll go with a 2 all result.

I will go with an unbeaten result for the Aussies (Including a draw or two)

[LostDoggy]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Ok, here comes the embarrassing novice question: when does the first test start? With the Bulldogs heading for finals, Wimbledon and my personal avoidance of the news I am not sure when it all starts. I thoroughly enjoyed the last test. I know it's this month. Yes I have Foxtel. Be kind chaps.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Ok, here comes the embarrassing novice question: when does the first test start? With the Bulldogs heading for finals, Wimbledon and my personal avoidance of the news I am not sure when it all starts. I thoroughly enjoyed the last test. I know it's this month. Yes I have Foxtel. Be kind chaps.

Wednesday night.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

England have picked 2 spinners!

Stuart Clarke out so Hilfy & Haurritz play.

England have won the toss & elected to bat.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Teams:

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ravi Bopara, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Andrew Flintoff, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Monty Panesar.

Australia 1 Simon Katich, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Hauritz, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Peter Siddle.

*Remember it's being televised live on SBS.

You can get score updates here:

Live Scoreboard

[1eyedog]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Ricky looked shattered as soon as it landed tails too. Lets get a couple of early scalps and put them right on the back foot. Looks like I'm going to be pretty tired tomorrow.

[dog town]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

I have taken Thursday and Friday off so looking forward to it. Good move to bring in Hilfy IMO but I would have teamed him with either McDonald or Clark. I hope Hauritz goes well but I dont think he is much more threatening than the part timers we have in the side.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

Johnson bowling too straight, getting nothing through the air.

[comrade]

Re: Australia vs England - First Test

One of the lowest and slowest England pitches I've seen. The ball will be rolling by day 5.