WTC and Ashes 2023

[John S]

I would have thought that most of what has made conditions favourable for bowling in England is the overhead conditions rather than the pitch.

Less grass on the surface should certainly mean that the ball stays new for less time and doesn't swing for as long but then it should also start reversing sooner.

Fair point. I think it's a bit of both - it will be interesting to see how both teams bowlers are able to handle the ball and make it swing.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

At least the weather forecast for Edgbaston (Birmingham) is looking alright for at least the first 2 days.
Sunny & 26 Friday, Sunny & 24 Saturday.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Yeah, I would ease Hazlewood back in and go with the same team as played the WTC.



They've said that a fair bit of this is tactical. They want him to bowl full and attack the stumps and know that he'll leak runs but he also provides that threat.

If Australia are under the pump and the ball isn't doing much then clearly he should change tactics and bring the length back and bowl more economically.

I'm happy that they give players license to attack but that requires calculated risk whereas I think Starc is struggling to control his line at the moment.

Hopefully he is better for the warm up match and can hit the ground running in this series.

With that full length it somewhat negates the fullest threat of the swing given the ball will stay much lower on those pitches. A little nibble in or away on a good length will bring more forms of dismissal into play than on Aus pitches where slips catches are so dominant.

 

[John S]

I'd also like to see them use their brains too. Far too many times you see them continue to bowl short rubbish when it's obvious that tactic isn't working.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Agreed. I think the key thing will be to not get sucked into playing like your opposition if that's not your normal game. Don't mind Cummins and co. going with some short stuff, but if they bowl good areas there will be opportunities behind the wicket.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Must have been a tough call on the bowlers. I think if Hazlewood can shake off the rust it'll prove to be the right decision but that's certainly not a certainty.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I haven't seen it remarked that much in the media just how significant a call to it is to change bowlers given Starc was part of a team just crowned the world's best but I think the logic is sound. Whether it plays out as the theory would suggest is another matter.

 

[Pfitzy]

Track looks dry as fuck

 

[Sword of Justice]

Bowlers too full so far but Hazlewood pace is encouraging for his fitness

 

[John S]

Track looks dry as fuck

Like a road. Radio said flattest track in England in about 15 years

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Cummins has been up to 145km and it’s at Carey’s shins…

 

[Sword of Justice]

Cummins has been up to 145km and it’s at Carey’s shins…

I'm scratching my head as to how Boland is getting so much more carry through consistently, because it's not the cliche bending the back.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I'm scratching my head as to how Boland is getting so much more carry through consistently, because it's not the cliche bending the back.

And that carry is exactly what gets him his wicket

 

[Sword of Justice]

Nathan Lyon changing the game

 

[Dctarget]

Nathan Lyon changing the game

In the funniest way possible, that was deplorable

 

[kiap]

Gottim yes!

 

[Dctarget]

On ya way, go try and fight someone you twat

 

[John S]

That was a weird one. Stokes gone now too. Aus on top at the moment, even though the poms were slapping it around like a one dayer earlier

 

[Sword of Justice]

That was a weird one. Stokes gone now too. Aus on top at the moment, even though the poms were slapping it around like a one dayer earlier

I think the lengths were not quite right early and our fields are not quite balanced but some Lyon magic and Hazlewood bowling fantastically has counterpunched.

 

[Stagnation]

From 5-176 to 8/400 I’d be pretty disappointed if I was the aussies