Cricket Thread

[ancoats]

Do you think stokes wins the toss and bowls?

I have a feeling if the Aussies win the toss, they will bat first, if england win the toss, they will bowl first

The Aussies are light in the bowling department and will want to get a score on the board. England is Strong in the bowling department and will want early wickets

 

[waspish]

When doesn’t he?

Interesting so asked Grok

**2**

Ben Stokes has won the toss and elected to bat first in 2 Test matches as England's captain. This aligns with his "Bazball" strategy, which typically favors bowling first at home to set up chases, especially on flatter pitches. He has done so only twice in home Tests: during the 2023 Ashes at Lord's and the 2025 third Test against India at Lord's. For context, out of 12 toss wins in home Tests under his leadership, he has bowled first in the other 10. Away from home, particularly in Asia, he has batted first 6 times after winning the toss, as pitches there tend to deteriorate. Overall, he has won 22 of 37 tosses as captain (59.46% rate).

 

[MillionMilesAway]

As long as when England bowl, they bowl mostly on a decent length and not all in the bowler's half of the pitch. Too often it's far too short.

 

[waspish]

Thing with fast bowlers in Australia they have to bowl a lot fuller! They have to know that and be in that length from the off!

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Watching Steve Smith have a set up question from a home journo just to have a pop at Monty for his Mastermind performance is a perfect example why I detest the Convicts.
Genuinely hope to see him in tears come the end of this Ashes Series.
Smarmy sarcastic swine.
Should have got a life ban for the ball tampering episode.

 

[SWP's back]

England can play Pope as a wicket keeper and still play all 4 and Bashir
But England will name 3 quicks and Bashir and have Stokes bowling after the ball goes soft

Having the options is the key, the Aussie will play Nathan Lyon's because he's done well at Perth before, so england must have a change-up at both ends after the new ball goes soft and Bashir spin and Stokes mixed up cutters and slower balls.

TMS 99.99% positive they won’t.

 

[supercity88]

TMS 99.99% positive they won’t.

I don't think they will. They'll be concerned about whether Wood can stay fit so will cover him with a 4th seamer. I think we'll leave out Bashir to cover Wood and Root will bowl if we need a spinner. We've got a good combination of pace, bounce and technique across the 4 seamers and Stokes. It also means Stokes potentially bowls less than he might otherwise need to which keeps him in better shape for the rest of the series.

 

[ancoats]

I don't think they will. They'll be concerned about whether Wood can stay fit so will cover him with a 4th seamer. I think we'll leave out Bashir to cover Wood and Root will bowl if we need a spinner. We've got a good combination of pace, bounce and technique across the 4 seamers and Stokes. It also means Stokes potentially bowls less than he might otherwise need to which keeps him in better shape for the rest of the series.

Stokes can be the 4th bowler, but Joe Root can not be the option for spin and getting wickets. This is why Bashir has to play, my pick would be Archer Wood Carse Bashir Stokes

 

[ancoats]

or what grade of sandpaper is best with this weather

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

or what grade of sandpaper is best with this weather

What course of sandpaper is best to scuff up toughened leather?

 

[melrose40yarder]

TMS 99.99% positive they won’t.

Wouldnt play Pope full stop utter garbage.

 

[ancoats]

As long as when England bowl, they bowl mostly on a decent length and not all in the bowler's half of the pitch. Too often it's far too short.

A good Length is no good down under ? It's always a little short of a good length for the bounce or long yorkers

 

[ancoats]

Wouldnt play Pope full stop utter garbage.

I think that's the only option if they play Pope as wicket keeper and want to play 4 quicks and Bashir

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I think that's the only option if they play Pope as wicket keeper and want to play 4 quicks and Bashir

Drop Pope and play Smith?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

 

[melrose40yarder]

Bethell and Smith all day.

Drop Pope and play Smith?

 

[ancoats]

Nathan Lyons plays for the Aussies, so that is a good guide to how they see the wicket.
Missing 2 of their best bowlers will mean the groundsman would be under orders to make it flat as a pancake and offer some turn and bounce

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Bethell and Smith all day.

Ahmed too can bat,

It’s a shame that Bashir is such a bunny with the bat.

 

[ancoats]

Drop Pope and play Smith?

I think Pope is still the vice captain, so he plays with or without Smith

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I think Pope is still the vice captain, so he plays with or without Smith

They’ve made Brook VC.