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[alexhilly1492]

Ah fair enough! Glad I have both BT and sky!

[Biggie Smalls]

Just read that australias domestic season will include 1st round shield games with a pink ball , and all shield games after xmas (2nd half of season) will be using a dukes .
Would it have been a good idea for the last few county championship rounds to have been played with a kookaburra ? Has this been done before ?

[alexhilly1492]

england squad to be announced before the next odi at the oval

[Woodyspin]

Just read that australias domestic season will include 1st round shield games with a pink ball , and all shield games after xmas (2nd half of season) will be using a dukes .
Would it have been a good idea for the last few county championship rounds to have been played with a kookaburra ? Has this been done before ?

No but its a good idea, play and practice with everything ever will use.

[Seniorplayer]

A friend of mine was chatting with Colin Graves at Lords the other day. During the conversation Graves indicated that Ballance will be in the squad for the ashes as they think his back foot game will be suited to quick Aussie decks.

He should be he did far better against Morkel and Co than his Replacements against the Windes but he needs to bat at five also because he bats ugly doesn't help his case.
 Bulk of the bowling will be done by seamers but can't see England with an attack that has  little variation taking 20 wickets to win unless the ball moves around for the king of swing.

[petehosk]

I don't mind Ballance playing! I just think he is not a number 3 batsman. Batting at 5 he would be fine......but not at 3.

[Woodyspin]

He should be he did far better against Morkel and Co than his Replacements against the Windes but he needs to bat at five also because he bats ugly doesn't help his case.

Shame his only test match in Australia was batting at 5 and got out LBW and ct behind off Lyon.

His other 2 appearances v Australia were Bowled and Ct behind and LBW and ct behind.

Think they already have a plan to him. It wont be bowling short.

[justnotcricket86]

Rowland-Jones has a stress fracture of the back. Certainly rules him out of the Ashes...

That is a gutter. Feel for the bloke

[northernboy1987]

Gutted for TRJ. Finn took a timely 8fer to remind the selectors he's still playing.

[alexhilly1492]

I don't mind Ballance playing! I just think he is not a number 3 batsman. Batting at 5 he would be fine......but not at 3.

ballnace will be at 3 though, malan has done enough at 5 to stay there its westley who needed the runs and didnt get them unless we go in with an unchanged batting order! bayliss has said 1 game too many better than 1 game too few!

[GoodLeave]

Finch to replace Maxwell?

I know Maxwell bowls a bit but if you're picking No. 6/7 pinch hitters...

[Seniorplayer]

ballnace will be at 3 though, malan has done enough at 5 to stay there its westley who needed the runs and didnt get them unless we go in with an unchanged batting order! bayliss has said 1 game too many better than 1 game too few!

Yes he probably will but  batting  at 3 he will struggle against the quicker ball.

[LateBloomer]

Have any forum members managed to get tickets?

I fly to Perth for days 3&4 of that Test then have day 1&2 tickets for Melbourne

Will be in Sydney when the 5th Test is on so might also try and aquire tickets for that one.

Then I have ODI tickets for Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney

If anyone fancies meeting up for a Fosters (Australian culture) get in touch. I am excessively generous at the bar when England win and even moderately when they lose so cash in!

[Biggie Smalls]

Finch to replace Maxwell?

I know Maxwell bowls a bit but if you're picking No. 6/7 pinch hitters...

No , please no . Even Cartwright,  who's only been around for a couple years,  scores more shield runs than Finch. Finch gets dropped from the vics shield side every now and then.....he's not the man , not by a long shot .
Why would you pick a 'pinch hitter' for a test match anyway ?

[six and out]

No , please no . Even Cartwright,  who's only been around for a couple years,  scores more shield runs than Finch. Finch gets dropped from the vics shield side every now and then.....he's not the man , not by a long shot .
Why would you pick a 'pinch hitter' for a test match anyway ?

I was going to ask you about this.

From an Aussie viewpoint what do you think your side will be.

It looks like your top 5 are pretty nailed on (unlike ours!) But the no. 6 spit is very open?

Wade will probably keep the gloves.

Lyon will play, so it will be 3 quicks and fitness depending I would think it would be Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins?