Ashes 2019

[DJC]

I’m starting to realise that Smith is a rare talent.  Perhaps he will achieve greater levels without the burden of the captaincy.

[Professer E]

Cameos Khawaja strikes again.  It must be a concentration thing,  looks set and finds a way to get out.

[JonHenry]

I’m starting to realise that Smith is a rare talent.  Perhaps he will achieve greater levels without the burden of the captaincy.

;D
If he does that we will see some amazing things
His average when captain was around 70 IIRC

I hope you’re prediction is correct

[ElwoodBlues1]

I’m starting to realise that Smith is a rare talent.  Perhaps he will achieve greater levels without the burden of the captaincy.

I think he still is the captain, the other bloke tosses the coin and does the interviews....

[bratblue]

We're lucky to be able to watch Smith, he bats like an eccentric genius.  You get a sense that at Lords the English are beginning to appreciate him for what he is.

[LP]

Will England bitch when Archer gets some comeuppance, something for Starc or Patto to aim for?

Quid Pro Quo Mr Archer!

[Professer E]

Dangerous pitch with variable bounce, they're the scary ones to bat on.

Yep,  I'm sure Cummins ET Al will have filed Archer's efforts away.  It will come,  just need to keep him guessing as to when he's going to need that helmet.....

[ElwoodBlues1]

Dangerous pitch with variable bounce, they're the scary ones to bat on.

Yep,  I'm sure Cummins ET Al will have filed Archer's efforts away.  It will come,  just need to keep him guessing as to when he's going to need that helmet.....

Prof, I think Cummins was the one who bounced Archer first as well as bouncing Woakes and Broad....the whole intimidation thing has got out of hand IMO and
the umpires need to put a stop to four or five bouncers and over before someone does get hurt badly. We probably over did it to start with and now they have the quicker Archer
the Poms think they can give it back but both Archer and Cummins were sending down way too many per over.
That ball that hit Smith reminded me of Phil Hughes getting hit in an unprotected area on the back of the head/neck and Smith could have been seriously hurt.
Langar is also to blame for pre match stuff about Archer not being able to sustain his pace etc etc and should have kept his mouth shut, Archer just wanted to prove he could bowl
quicker and quicker for a long period and was deliberately over bowled for intimidation reasons only....plus he and Butler seemed to be laughing about hitting Smith which is disgraceful.
Both captains should be told to end the over use of the short pitch stuff....

[DJC]

I think he still is the captain, the other bloke tosses the coin and does the interviews....

Not according to the interview I heard Paine give the other day.  He explained how he feels it's an advantage to be captain and keeper as he knows exactly when bowlers need a spell, what the ball/pitch is doing and can pick up on batsmen's vulnerabilities.  He captained as a fielder in the last tour game and didn't feel as confident calling the shots.

Smith has a bit to say, as you'd expect from a senior player, but Paine is calling the shots and has done an excellent job of rebuilding a fragile group.

[capcom]

How much longer must we have to tolerate Khawaja.

Labuschagne ... great knock.  Root, you're a lying cheat