1ST ASHES TEST: England v Australia at Nottingham Jul 10-14, 2013

[Meapro Ham]

Usual story for the Aussies, batting just not good enough. Take out Agar's innings and we've been totally thumped. And that's with the bowlers doing pretty well.

It's frustrating. With our bowling line up all we need is two quality bats that regularly score hundreds and we'd be a quality side. But as it is unless Clarke scores runs we've got nothing.

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Hard to see the Aussies getting through the second new ball. Anderson will be swinging it both ways.

 

[abpanther]

From what I've seen I think it's actually easier to bat on this pitch with the new ball as it comes on to the bat nicely. The problem is when the ball gets old, the pitch is pretty dead and the ball just doesn't come onto the bat so it's tough to play shots.

 

[Moffo]

First hour is vital...if they survive that we are a chance

I think we are beyond f**ked though

 

[hineyrulz]

We have no hope.

 

[abpanther]

Agar has shown that he can bat, no reason why he can't stick around for a long time and maybe even get a 50.

Haddin is the key man, he needs to be there till the end, he is capable of getting runs quickly, my concern is his ability to play Swann

I think Starc and Siddle can bat, they should do better than their first innings efforts

 

[Meapro Ham]

If Haddin or Agar can bat until the end it could become interesting. All our remaining bats are good enough to hold up an end. But again we're relying on the tail for a miracle when one of the top order needed to make a big hundred.

 

[vvvrulz]

Am I the only one who thinks Australia have a good chance here?

If they can get to 200 without loss I think they're in the driver's seat

Big chance, all of your batsman are handy until #11.
I can only see Haddin disappointing everyone like always but the others have the backbone to get you home if they're good enough.

Its about 60-40 to England imo.

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

I agree it's easier to score with the new ball, but I think it'll also be easy to get out while it's swinging. It doesn't swing too long though, I think the first new ball swang for about 8 overs, if they get through that without much damage, they'll be a good chance.

 

[jargan83]

Still a chance for a positive result but it's a slim one

Haddin will get a start today and throw it away it his usual style

 

[Helmet Man]

Heroes aren't born they're made

Can Agar do it again for Australia? Can he pull off another stunning innings to win the 1st test?

 

[abpanther]

I much prefer to see Haddin batting against seamers with the new ball versus him facing Swann with the old ball.

 

[Twizzle]

while we are there we are a chance

 

[Helmet Man]

Broad's poor sportmanship runs in the family, I remember his old man smashing his stumps down, after getting out for 183...

Paradoxically Stuart Broad's father was umpiring the game where Ramdin got the suspension for faking a catch.

So much irony on so many levels.

Ramdin was banned for two one-day games by the match referee, who happened to be Broad's father, Chris.

http://cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/56959/holding-calls-for-broad-ban-over-non-walk

 

[benched tiger]

Ethically and morally it may not have been Broads finest moment and most likely he will be forever tagged as a person of questionable character which is fair enough,however when it come s to sport he is not the only person playing professionally that has foresaken fair play for winning disguised by being competitive.This can all be avoided if the third ump simply steps in and suggest to field umps 'we may have a issue with that initial call,lets take a moment and have a second look'

 

[Rod]

Can't believe some of you clowns are still giving it to Broad as if he is obliged to walk, particularly given your own questionable history on the sportsmanship side of things.

That's why we have umpires. You should take the lead from your own players and cop it on the chin.

As for the game, looks like turning into a cracking finish. The unknown quantity is still Agar, and if he can show the first innings wasn't a one-off.

 

[Cletus]

Heroes aren't born they're made

Can Agar do it again for Australia? Can he pull off another stunning innings to win the 1st test?

Nuh. Even if he could I don't think the other bowlers will make 10 between them against Swann.

 

[Willow]

That's why we have umpires. You should take the lead from your own players and cop it on the chin.

You mean like your own unwavering acceptance of the referee's decision?

What the fk were the refs up to there at the end? Clear Dogs knock on ignored and then let them play on after 80? Awful refereeing all game

Should have been play on, bullshit call.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Cowan has to go..

 

[Twizzle]

Cowan has to go..

OK, this is how it works

we win we keep the same team, we lose we look for scapegoats and he'll get the chop