Ashes

[BrilloPad]

Can England still win?

[Moscow Mule]

Can England still win?

The series or in general?

TBH, England have shot themselves in the foot a couple of times. Johnson is bowling out of his skin, but in the first test less than 10% of his balls were hitting the stumps - get out of the way or put more pads on.

The rest of it is the sort of mental weakness that the Aussies were showing signs of getting over in the summer - a series they didn't deserve to lose by such a big score. Just wtf are they doing playing cross batted shots when you've got to bat for two days? Just bonkers.

Cook has been mucking about trying all sorts of daft ploys in the field too - we play best boring our opposition to death, and should get back to it.

My prediction is they win here in a single session and in 4 days in Perth, taking the Ashes back. Then we win one of the remaining tests thereby perpetuating the lie that we've got nothing to worry about.

This team need to get back to basics, and to enjoying their cricket. Both Cook and Flower are in trouble on the back of these two performances.

[DirtyDog]

The series or in general?

TBH, England have shot themselves in the foot a couple of times. Johnson is bowling out of his skin, but in the first test less than 10% of his balls were hitting the stumps - get out of the way or put more pads on.

The rest of it is the sort of mental weakness that the Aussies were showing signs of getting over in the summer - a series they didn't deserve to lose by such a big score. Just wtf are they doing playing cross batted shots when you've got to bat for two days? Just bonkers.

Cook has been mucking about trying all sorts of daft ploys in the field too - we play best boring our opposition to death, and should get back to it.

My prediction is they win here in a single session and in 4 days in Perth, taking the Ashes back. Then we win one of the remaining tests thereby perpetuating the lie that we've got nothing to worry about.

This team need to get back to basics, and to enjoying their cricket. Both Cook and Flower are in trouble on the back of these two performances.

100% of the dismissals in the second innings were to balls which would not have hit the stumps, so we need to concentrate more on making the bowler put the ball in the right spot. Duck, weave, move, get hit - get the bat away from the ball, though. A quick video of Brian Close v West Indies might not go amiss.

Prior saved his career this innings, so they won't drop him. Root saved his position at number 3 (although he should probably open if Cook has had 2 days in the field again). Swann should be "rested" as he's getting clarted everywhere and hasn't a clue about where to bowl at the moment - replace with Bresnan. Pietersen needs to be told to start thinking, or risk being replaced - has he ever made a slow, meaningful century??

As a unit, the side haven't bowled well since New Zealand - Swann, Anderson and Broad had one good match each in the summer, which was enough to win the series on doctored pitches, but not good enough here.

England XI for Friday: Cook, Carberry, Root, Pietersen, Bell, Prior, Stokes, Broad, Bresnan, Anderson, Panesar

My ideal from this squad: Cook, Carberry, Root, Ballance, Bell, Bairstow, Stokes, Broad, Bresnan, Anderson, Panesar

[Ruprect]

There is a risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water if one is not careful. There are several players who are in a poor run of form at the moment:

Cook
Pietersen
Prior
Swann
even Anderson

However these are all senior players, with excellent experience. To make wholesale changes can be just as disruptive for the team and we've made the mistake in the past of being reactive and not persevering where we should have.

Even though it is frustrating, I'd stick with the same, just swapping out tremlett for panasar for the quick surface in Perth.

Introspection may be needed, but not right in the middle of the tour.

[minestrone]

This could turn nasty this one.

[DirtyDog]

This could turn nasty this one.

Can England outscore Smith, Haddin and Warner?

Probably not.

All the talk of making changes to improve the side, and we've played the side we'd have always played if Bresnan hadn't been injured.

Nice to see the Australian batsmen playing daft shots to get out - unlike England, they tend to do it after battering some runs though.

[minestrone]

IF Broad is gone that will be a 5-0 series win.

[minestrone]

Actually, just seeing the Broad dismissal for the first time, stayed on the pitch looked for a review, then walked off fine.

He is looking for a flight home.

[Ruprect]

Just watched the highlights. Brutal. England are in disarray. How did this happen so quickly?

Have to say picking bresnan was a triumph of hope over experience, now broad won't be bowling again either we're well and truly shafted.

We can't ring wholesale changes now, but next year it's going to be time for some spring cleaning.

[MarillionFan]

England's Swann retires from cricket - BBC Sport

Bad timing & letting your team mates down Graham. You're losing and you want to stop. Poor show should have seen the next two out and then retired.