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[Manormanic]

And Starc is certainly out.

[Number4]

Just read Johnson has injured his foot so is in doubt as well

[Manormanic]

The wheels seem to be coming off for the Australians at the moment. 

[MD2812]

Or this is a big mental games tatics.

Difficult for England Batsman to research bowlers/field settings for those bowlers/how to play those bowlers/their strengths &weaknesses if you've got a pool of 8 bowlers rather than 4 to focus on.

I think bowling from Australia A may be a similar tatic. The Aussies worked out that cook doesn't play as well off the front foot, why give him chance to adapt to doing so on the Aussie pithces before the series?
Give him some false confidence then have him scratching round at the crease when it matters?

[Alvaro]

"Carberry played neatly enough, seeing off several periods of slow scoring without growing too frustrated. He snicked numerous deliveries going across him towards the slips when attempting come forward and drive, but was otherwise able to sit on the back foot in defence and attack, suggesting that Australia A's bowlers too often dropped short of the ideal zone."

To be fair, a common LH's flaw, but something better bowlers will prey on?

Some Twitter rumours that Bollinger is in the pot to play at the Gabba!

[ppccopener]

there bowling is decent Bollinger just has to be a silly rumour I would think

it's runs they need against our attack

might be a bit closer than the summer but fancy england to be tough to beat,might not be attractive cricket

but we do have a good side.Harris is'nt fit yet and unlikley to last 5 matches-he's there best bowler by miles

[joeljonno]

Or this is a big mental games tatics.

Difficult for England Batsman to research bowlers/field settings for those bowlers/how to play those bowlers/their strengths &weaknesses if you've got a pool of 8 bowlers rather than 4 to focus on.

I think that they will have researched all the top bowlers, not just the big four.  So this is just keeping the options only.  If they haven't a plan now for all the players then they possibly never will.  There will still be a good couple of days between the team being announced and the start of the match.

Regarding the opening position, I don't think Carberry has nailed down the position yet, although, he is definitely in the box seat now. Moving Root down to that dodgy 6 berth.

[uknsaunders]

Is Dougie still playing cricket? Hope he doesn "hit the wall" again 

Australia A - please play Englands batsman into form. Started to make Cook look like Gower towards the end of the day! You have a guy with a bad back, struggling between the wickets and without a bat in months. What do you do, pick 2 proper seamers and some friendly spin on a featherbed.

Wouldn't the correct response be to prepare a green top and get 4 seamers on the edge of the test squad to stick it up Cook?

Obviously not.

[Alvaro]

DB's played 7 List A games this year for NSW and both FC games so far.
He took 6/62 against Tasmania last week, so is in some semblance of form.

[Vitas Cricket]

Had lined up another dirty pizza and some potato smileys for tonight's session, the weather has scuppered that dream!

[billyb]

https://twitter.com/ECB_cricket  Ouch...

[Vitas Cricket]

http://t.co/CEQXWDDlxo

[mo_town]

Poor Gary Ballance just seems to suck..no chance of him getting a chance in the first test!

[rbblack]

Poor Gary Ballance just seems to suck..no chance of him getting a chance in the first test!

Give him time. He's a quality, quality batsmen. Can't argue with a first class average of 53 and 18 hundreds in 103(?) innings.
Can't see him not making it internationally either. Just needs some experience.

[Ayrtek Cricket]

i think thats why hes been taken on the tour to give him some experience in the squad and international surrounding as he has time on his side to develop as a player.