I've not seen much of this as it is so over night. If you believe the papers here the score is mostly due to England's ineptitude, how accurate is that.

Are you in the UK? Why would anyone believe the papers, ever?

I wouldn't be suprised if we cant even defend the ashes at home at the end.of the year, let alone in England. No matter how bad you say England are right now, Australia are at a bit of an all time low.

But we'll see I guess.

No wonder we get along. It must just be the Americans who don't get me.

So is there is there another sport that takes 14 days to build to a really, really exciting climax and still finishes 0-0. I think not.

I like cricket.

Can't wait for the ashes.

zeb, do you hate Maxwell as much as most people? I can't fucking believe that guy opened the batting in an Australian test side.

ACB should give up on all rounders and play specialists. Maxwell in the test team is a joke. Maxwell in the O/D team is a stretch.

Whatever the team lineup is they should sit them down and say they have their places in stone (barring injury) for the next series so there's no worry about being dropped. They are a young side and they need confidence and time. They also need support from the ACB and coaching staff that they're not expendable. The way that Khawaja has been treated is atrocious.

My XI - Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja, Smith, Haddin, Siddle, Pattinson, Starc, Lyon. Rest of squad - Bird, Johnson, Hilfenhaus, Henriques, Marsh, Wade, Quiney.

I much prefer Haddin to Wade too. Wade is such a bad keeper. But Haddin is getting a bit old now so there's gonna have to be a replacement there in the not too distant future anyway. We need to find someone who is actually good at wicket keeping. I seriously thought Hughes looked more comfortable behind the wickets the couple of times he has popped the gloves on than Wade.

Yeah I wouldn't pick Maxwell for the ODI either, he's just a 20/20 baseball hitter at best.

Yep, we're doomed this Ashes. You must be hurting right now, Soma.?

I'm obviously quite happy with our bowling performance but we came damn near to choking even harder than Sri Lanka at the crease. There's a certain lack of urgency which we refuse to shake.

India are going to take the Champions Trophy with ease at this rate.

Just found out that I'll be switching the Ashes Tests over the next few months. Paid to watch it all.

Switching?

Sorry. Broadcast lingo. I'll be working on the channel that transmits the Ashes to Australia. Paid to watch it, avoid arguments at home.

Ah.

Not sorry to see Mickey get the axe. It just wasn't working out. I'm not naive enough to think, however, that this will solve all of our problems.

Not enough talent in the Australian squad plus too many egos. Clarke is the only player who would get into the England XI. Australia may win the odd session but I don't feel we have the necessary players and temperament to compete in English conditions against a strong team.

But you never know...