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

[The Waugh Twins]

Santa never made it into Darwin that year.

[The Waugh Twins]

Santa never made it into Darwin that year.

*modded*.

[The Waugh Twins]

It puts life into perspective when I think that one of the greatest boxing day test match draws occurred whilst I spent 4 days with thousands of other families in a school waiting to be evacuated out of Darwin as a result of Cyclone Tracy.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Must have been an experience living in Darwin back then.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cook's at it again:

"What is driving us as a side is what has happened over the last six weeks, restoring the pride of English cricket, making cricket feel popular again and enjoying that, enjoying what it has done to people and making stars of people."

That series you had nought to do with, the bulk of the Test side had nought to do with, and under a captain you have publicly said you think you can do a better job than.

Hmm. Yes he does seem to be claiming that changes he made in the Test team is what has led to the ODI side improving. Yet he took no responsibility for the WC, indeed suggested he was missed. Strange bloke.

[Gingerfinch]

Cook's at it again:

"What is driving us as a side is what has happened over the last six weeks, restoring the pride of English cricket, making cricket feel popular again and enjoying that, enjoying what it has done to people and making stars of people."

That series you had nought to do with, the bulk of the Test side had nought to do with, and under a captain you have publicly said you think you can do a better job than.

Hmm. Yes he does seem to be claiming that changes he made in the Test team is what has led to the ODI side improving. Yet he took no responsibility for the WC, indeed suggested he was missed. Strange bloke.

Doesn't sound like Cook is taking the plaudits for that series, more of, let's hope that they can carry on the good work.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He says that changes that were implemented in the Test side led to changes in the ODI side.

We spoke at the beginning of the summer about showing off your talent. I think that message has gone through into the one-dayers as well

Though presumably you'd work on showing your talent all the time. He's pretty categorically claiming credit for the ODI performances there. Something you'd expect him to go out of his way not to.

[Gingerfinch]

He says that changes that were implemented in the Test side led to changes in the ODI side.

We spoke at the beginning of the summer about showing off your talent. I think that message has gone through into the one-dayers as well

Though presumably you'd work on showing your talent all the time. He's pretty categorically claiming credit for the ODI performances there. Something you'd expect him to go out of his way not to.

It could have been spoke about for all we know? When all said and done, me you and the rest know Cook has no real affect on the ODI side. Be interesting to see if the test side can 'take it to' the Aussies, and play with no fear of failure.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It probably was spoken about, but it's just a cliche. Saying you've got to get the best out of yourself isn't going to lead to changes in the way the team approach the game. I expect the big change is just the absence of Moores. What I thought was strange was that he went anywhere near claiming an influence, especially after not doing the same in the winter. I brought it up because I initially quibbled with Splinters' point, but on reading the interview again, he's spot on.

[Arthur Crabtree]

'The message got through' is a particularly annoying way of putting it as well. As if resistance to his liberating free thinking had held the side back, but now the penny has dropped.

[Aidan11]

Has Bairstow played himself into the first test?


Bresnan might also have given a nudge to the selectors although this is less likely.

[Gingerfinch]

Has Bairstow played himself into the first test?


Bresnan might also have given a nudge to the selectors although this is less likely.

I doubt either will play in the first test. Much as I like Bresnan, I hope we have gone past picking bowlers because they can score a handy 25. Bairstow is certainly knocking on the door.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Has Bairstow played himself into the first test?


Bresnan might also have given a nudge to the selectors although this is less likely.

I doubt either will play in the first test. Much as I like Bresnan, I hope we have gone past picking bowlers because they can score a handy 25. Bairstow is certainly knocking on the door.

Morgan didn't trouble the scorers either at Lords yesterday against a poor Hampshire attack.

[Aidan11]

Has Bairstow played himself into the first test?


Bresnan might also have given a nudge to the selectors although this is less likely.

I doubt either will play in the first test. Much as I like Bresnan, I hope we have gone past picking bowlers because they can score a handy 25. Bairstow is certainly knocking on the door.

Morgan didn't trouble the scorers either at Lords yesterday against a poor Hampshire attack.

He won't get in. More of a ODI player.

[budgetmeansbudget]

But he is being talked about as a fringe test player again, and may be the sort of player to take the attack back to the Aussies. They'll have to do something if Ballance fails miserably in the first test, and James Taylor looks further away than ever of getting in the team at any level. Hales is another option but Morgan does have the experience and the mental toughness needed in this series.