The Ashes 2023

[slogen51]

O ye of little faith , we came very close to winning the first test

Most people think Stokes is the best thing for English cricket since - Botham?

Stokes 10 wins from 13 tests as captain

He does rather polarise Test Cricket fans : Entertainment vs not losing

Stokes obviously wants to win and will hopefully stick to the method that has proven successful and has got everyone talking about England cricket again.

I want to see England continue in their current mode and if Australia beat us over the five test series then well done to them.

[XWP29]

O ye of little faith , we came very close to winning the first test

Most people think Stokes is the best thing for English cricket since - Botham?

Stokes 10 wins from 13 tests as captain

He does rather polarise Test Cricket fans : Entertainment vs not losing

Stokes obviously wants to win and will hopefully stick to the method that has proven successful and has got everyone talking about England cricket again.

I want to see England continue in their current mode and if Australia beat us over the five test series then well done to them.

I want England to win. Period

[slogen51]

Under the 'old' system we lost the last series 4 nil

[Gary]

Those fans now calling him the greatest would probably be the same ones who said he should never wear the shirt again when his incident.

I’m all for the aggressive approach but I still would have kept batting while Root was there and playing well

[slogen51]

Was the declaration that controversial? England were close on 400. It's standard practice to put the opposition in for a difficult last half hour - that is normal isn't it?

Ok so Australia survived that difficult period but they could have lost a wicket but Stokes doesn't have your hindsight

[plmc135]

Two changes needed for 2nd Test, Foakes for Bairstow who was not good behind the stumps and Rehan Ahmed for Moeen, not fit.

[XWP29]

Was the declaration that controversial? England were close on 400. It's standard practice to put the opposition in for a difficult last half hour - that is normal isn't it?

Ok so Australia survived that difficult period but they could have lost a wicket but Stokes doesn't have your hindsight

Don’t forget this was a rain affected match with clear forecasts at the outset of thunderstorms and yellow weather warnings so the declaration may have prevented a few more vital runs and a possibly a draw. I have to say

I have no view on Stokes myself just hope he learns from it and gets wiser. The Aussies will be marvelling at their win and good fortune.
Anyway looking forward to a trip to headquarters next week for a day at the 2nd test.

[gamecock]

The declaration wasn't the problem, it was too many batsmen throwing their wickets away in the second innings. Root, Brook and Bairstow all poor shots. Got to be smarter than that.

[GetRAFbackto89nos]

The declaration was a great move, as it wrong footed the Aussies and meant they continued to stay on the back foot. Agree that we dropped far too many chances, and against the best Test side in the world, you can't do that and expect to win.
My changes for Lords would be Wood and Woakes in for Moeen and Anderson. Root can bowl spin; Woakes' bowling average at Lords is insane, plus a very useful batsman; and Wood for some much needed pace. Robinson and Broad are our best bowlers at the minute and deserve to keep going, plus Robinson is no mug with the bat.

[time on target]

Its a sorry state of affairs when we don't have a world class spinner but have to rely on Ali who is now not likely to be available for the 2nd test. Surely we must have some up and coming spinners so give them a chance.

[GetRAFbackto89nos]

Rehan Ahmed called up. Interesting move...

[Gary]

Second Test starts tomorrow

England XI: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow, Broad, Robinson, Tongue, Anderson.

[James Cutting]

Fingers crossed for a good match again. Funny the comments about the way Robinson celebrated Khawaja's wicket is still rumbling on...Not like the Aussies are innocent is it

[slogen51]

Root ( 1 wicket at Edgbaston ) has the slow bowling responsibilities although he probably won't have to bowl at Lords. Again no Mark Wood or Woakes.

We really need to win this match so why wouldn't you want the pace of Wood?

Mitchell Starc in for Australia who are bound to play Nathan Lyon as according to the BBC this will be his 100th consecutive test match!

Typical Lords weather forecast over the next few days

[plmc135]

Wood has been declared to not be fit enough to survive a 5 day match. Hopes to be ready for 3rd test.

[James Cutting]

Still feel like Foakes may have been the better shout behind the stumps, but, Bairstow can really kick on with the bat (if in the right mood)

[James Cutting]

England won the toss and will bowl first

[plmc135]

Bowling to be opened by Jimmy Anderson to Warner.

[plmc135]

11:44 Rain stopped play AUS 20 -0

[James Cutting]

Drizzle stops play, Aus 20-0.