Cricket

[LetMeSleep]

Well we will probably only have 2-3days at the Oval.

Congrats to England. They have all done their part and they have worked hard to win the important moment (Lords aside). They still aren't the complete team but they worked Australia over very well. Now Anderson can have a longer rest too.

[LetMeSleep]

And enjoy this evvo. And your holiday.

[zeb]

Thanks Pup.

[LetMeSleep]

I've never understood the hate. He's been a fairly consistent captain in my eyes, after having such a high standard.

Very young side soon if Rogers does retire.

[zeb]

Yeah, the team make up could be very interesting.

As for Clarke, I've always liked him. He's been an excellent servant for his country.

[LetMeSleep]

Same. But older people seem to have a different opinion about Clarke.

[Evvo]

And enjoy this evvo. And your holiday.

Thanks man, that's good of you! Very odd series - don't think England are as good as the media is making them out to be, ditto Australia being terrible. But as you say, England have won all the major exchanges, Lords aside.

Even if the Oval goes 5 days, that'll be 19 of 25 days play in the series. A whole test gone!

[zeb]

Congrats Evvo. Looking forward to the next home series down here.

[William Bloke]

I have never minded Clarke as captain - he's done fine really. I always thought he was attacking enough and wasn't afraid of going for a result, traits I value.

When will Australia learn about the English swing do you think?

[LetMeSleep]

Punter wants the Duke ball introduced in Shield cricket. They'd have a massive contract with Kookaburra so I don't see it happening anytime soon. Maybe any batsmen who gets a CA contract needs to spend a season or two in county cricket. (But of course that'd eat into the IPL and our 'heroes' wouldn't like that.)

And while I'm here. How the fuck did Glenn Maxwell ever get a baggy green? A test player he is not.

[William Bloke]

Isn't that very thing an issue though - Australians being too geared to the short forms of the game and forgetting that Test cricket is a 5 day long haul war.

Apart from Steve Smith I can't imagine any of our current test team batting through a session, let alone a day currently.

The mindset seems all wrong.

[LetMeSleep]

You can add Smith to that. Sure he scored big at Lords but his shot selection at Edgbaston and Trentbridge was terrible.

We need Rogers to stay on another year and bring Khawaja in. Otherwise we'll have an incredibly young and inexperienced team. My first XI for Bangladesh would be:

Rogers, Warner, Marsh, Smith, Khawaja, Marsh, Nevill, Johnston, Siddle, Lyon, Ahmed/Agar.

[LetMeSleep]

Just looking at the stats and it is similar to 2009 when England won the key moments and subsequently the Ashes. However, on paper it looked like Australia could have won.

2015 Ashes Highest Run scorers and Wicket takers:

Root 443
Rogers 437
Smith 365
Warner 333
Ali 228
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=9249;type=series


Broad 21
Starc 18
Hazelwood 16
Lyon 12
Johnson 11
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=9249;type=series

[zeb]

A good day for us (finally!). But Siddle? Awful decision there.

[LetMeSleep]

A good day for us (finally!). But Siddle? Awful decision there.

He should have played before this. But really neither Rogers, Clarke or Siddle should be playing. They should have announced their retirements after this match.

[Clint72]

Amazing amount of changes for the next Test, should be interesting.

[LetMeSleep]

If only. DFAT and their advisors.

[LetMeSleep]

Are you heading down for a days play this weekend, V? Or are you up north?

[William Bloke]

Oh. Yep, in Perth, heading to the Waca now. Look for me on the telly. Wearing an Oakland A's cap.

[LetMeSleep]

I'm broadcasting this at the moment. I'll keep an eye out. Don't melt.