3rd ASHES TEST: England v Australia at Birmingham, July 30 - Aug 3, 2009

[parra-matters]

So Aussies make 2 changes one forced one to break someone's confidence.
I mean fair dinkum the bowlers have struggled in the 1st 2 tests and instead that drop a opening batsmen instead of a bowler going for near 6 a over and hasn't looked like getting a wicket? Australia have no idea do they? and listening to the coach is like listening the Michael Hagan's after game interviews last season.
Stuart clark has to be there, Hughes deserves more chances hell the over 30's get picked for over a year out of form before they are dropped not after 2 tests.

 

[IanG]

Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it's a BIG test match 4 us. Thanks 4 all the support!

http://twitter.com/PH408
Apparently announced his omission on his Twitter

 

[Twizzle]

Hughes is apparently in the sh*t for his Twitter, cant see much wrong with his saying he is disappointed.

Looks like the umpires are continuing n from the second test, I though Kat's LBW was a pretty poor decision.

Gotta give credit to Sunshine, he did bat well.

Surprising how well the pitch played.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

Kat was clearly LBW, Watson could have been given as well but got benefit of whatever doubt there was.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Hughes is apparently in the sh*t for his Twitter, cant see much wrong with his saying he is disappointed.

Looks like the umpires are continuing n from the second test, I though Kat's LBW was a pretty poor decision.

Gotta give credit to Sunshine, he did bat well.

Surprising how well the pitch played.

Katich was plumb LBW much earlier in his innings.

But Dar didn't give it.

 

[Twizzle]

Katich was plumb LBW much earlier in his innings.

But Dar didn't give it.

so thats twice they got it wrong

it still doesn't make up for the poor decision in giving him out imo

 

[Mr Angry]

Gotta give credit to Sunshine, he did bat well.

this is the thing, we will never know if Hughes would have got a 100.

I ain't watching though.

 

[caylo]

I think Watsons inclusion probably saved one of Siddle or Johnson, had Hugues been picked I cant see both out of form quicks being picked but I still would have prefered Clark in there for Siddle.

I hope Watson can bag a few wickets along with Hauritz and Hilfy because I doubt Johnson or Siddle will do much. I ahve been very impressed with Hauri, his ability to spin the ball has amazed me tbh and now all he needs is a slider or wrong'un to add to that and he will be very dangerous.

 

[Twizzle]

Hauritz will do jack sh*t on this wicket

 

[lockyno1]

Katich was plumb LBW much earlier in his innings.

But Dar didn't give it.

Watch it again Tommy, hit him marginally outside the line. Was the right call. Don't come blaming the umpires after they gifted you the 2nd test!

 

[lockyno1]

this is the thing, we will never know if Hughes would have got a 100.

I ain't watching though.

He had a chance on Cardiff on an easier pitch to make a 100, he has himself to blame.

 

[beads6]

Watson has done well I'd still prefer Hughes opening and Hussey dropped with Watto at 4.. Clark should have played for Siddle also.

 

[parra-matters]

I can't see why dropping a young batsman when our bowling attack has been below par, it doesn't make any sence.
And picking a spinner on this wicket, the pommies must be laughing!

 

[lockyno1]

They were never going to drop Hussey- I don't like it but he is as safe as can be. I will say this, if he does not get runs before the series is out, I'd be pissing him off in a flash for the next series and bring in a middle order bat. I would actually rather Hughes develop in Shield cricket for a year or two

 

[lockyno1]

I can't see why dropping a young batsman when our bowling attack has been below par, it doesn't make any sence.
And picking a spinner on this wicket, the pommies must be laughing!

So remind me again what our batsmen got in the 1st dig at Lords..they were as much to blame as the bowlers! As for playing a spinner, the fact is Swann spun it on day 1, Hauritz will do well in this match. Plus him along with Hilfenhaus are the series leading wicketakers!

 

[Mr Angry]

He had a chance on Cardiff on an easier pitch to make a 100, he has himself to blame.

Yeah averaging 50 in test you should be replaced by someone who averages 19.

 

[andrew057]

it still doesn't make up for the poor decision in giving him out imo

Youre in the small minority that thinks that. Care to give a reason why you thought it wasnt LBW? Because the majority of the world with the full set of chromosomes think it was out.

 

[lockyno1]

Yeah averaging 50 in test you should be replaced by someone who averages 19.

You are only as good as your last test. It is not the runs so much but the way he is getting out. He needs to get in the nets/Shield cricket and play pull/hook shots, he has no idea against short pitched bowling at the moment.

 

[beads6]

I can't see why dropping a young batsman when our bowling attack has been below par, it doesn't make any sence.
And picking a spinner on this wicket, the pommies must be laughing!

a spinner got the only wicket on the first day of this test... Changes in the bowling line up should have happened but they didn't get over it. Hughes is only 19 he will come back bigger and better very soon.

 

[Ridders]

Katich was plumb LBW much earlier in his innings.

But Dar didn't give it.

Lol are you talking about the appeal where Anderson hit him outside the line of off? Seriously i thought Warnie was on drugs in commentary, he was trying to make it out as thought it was plumb. It would be best to actually look at things for yourself instead of just going of what was said by the commentators Tommy. FMD even Atherton was saying that it hit outside the line.

Lol at Watson haters. Maybe the wrong guy was dropped for him, but his inclusion will be a massive plus, especially if he can give us significant overs with the ball.