The Ashes; First Test, Cardiff, July 8-12

[Aidan11]

Do we really need national anthems and all this other stuff?

[yuppie]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Aidan11]

It wont be long before the Ashes starts with a full opening ceremony.

[swannyforengland]

Interesting point on Moeen Ali being selected because of the rough that Johnson/Starc creates - Graeme Swann said in his autobiography that Johnson basically doesn't create any useful rough at all - it's like he "bowls in ballet shoes".

I'd have picked Rashid - you don't pick someone to bat at 8 because they might score a ton (and Rashid seems just as capable as Moeen in that regard - as a lower order player he might be less interested in his average and more inclined to attack) and with four seamers and another capable offie in Joe Root, Rashid offers something totally different and unusual in international cricket.

[sussexpob]

This anthems crap... why, just why!

[yuppie]

Interesting point on Moeen Ali being selected because of the rough that Johnson/Starc creates - Graeme Swann said in his autobiography that Johnson basically doesn't create any useful rough at all - it's like he "bowls in ballet shoes".

I'd have picked Rashid - you don't pick someone to bat at 8 because they might score a ton (and Rashid seems just as capable as Moeen in that regard - as a lower order player he might be less interested in his average and more inclined to attack) and with four seamers and another capable offie in Joe Root, Rashid offers something totally different and unusual in international cricket.

Hey Swanny.

I would agree regarding most of that. Interesting that MJ dosent create much rough

[yuppie]

This anthems crap... why, just why!

Sponosrs?

Get on with it, i cant delay work, and have always followed first ball of the ashes test for as long as i can remember.

Hurry up.

[Aidan11]

The only thing missing is Gary Barlow to officially declare the new series open.

[swannyforengland]

Can we park the hovercover on the Australian flag?

Mindgames!

[Aidan11]

I feel like getting in the Outrage bus already just for this bloody awful ceremony.

[yuppie]

ECB, you're a joke.

Get the game started. Were here to follow cricket, not this other sh+t

[backfootpunch]

Stop this flag rubbish and get the players on the field

Start the bloody game

[yuppie]

Explain this to non cricketing followers.

Amateur hour at international sporting event.

[Dr Cricket]

lol what a joke of an opening cerenomy.
Not a surprise for a very hyped series.
When will England ever learn it is just a normal series get on with the game.

[swannyforengland]

Wales aren't even playing! They didn't play the Brazilian anthem before every World Cup game...