The Ashes; Second Test, Lord's, July 16-20

[yuppie]

I have never seen Nevill play but rumour is he is a better keeper than Haddin and at present a much better batter. So this strengthens Australia.

Obviously I hope Haddins personal issues get resolved happily for all those involved. No matter the type of person on the pitch, no one deserves what he will be going through.

Still think Watson should be dropped, and a new number 6 and 7 for Australia will again strengthen the team.

[sussexpob]

Am I mistaken, or has the BBC confused a picture of Joe Root with Adam Lyth.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33524926

[dan08]

Watson dropped. Mitchell Marsh in. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/the ... al_twitter

[Gingerfinch]

Am I mistaken, or has the BBC confused a picture of Joe Root with Adam Lyth.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33524926

looks like Lyth. Definitely a left hander anyway.

[Arthur Crabtree]

You're on top of this Dan. Any other changes in he pipeline?

[braveneutral]

I heard Clarke and Smith had a bust-up about the beers in the opponent's dressing room.

[yuppie]

New 6 and 7 for Aus. Perhaps a test to late.

Hopefully Starc is fully fit.

Then it should be the same. Marsh will need to make some runs, as his bowling will leak plenty. Puts more pressure on MJ and Lyon. But there should be more in the pitch at Lords for MJ, and if Hazelwood keeps his lines then him and Starc could cause some major problems.

I also think England's over confidence from the first test could just work in Australia's favor. After all England went one up against WI and NZ and that got them no where

[Arthur Crabtree]

I heard Clarke and Smith had a bust-up about the beers in the opponent's dressing room.

You got anything else on this?

It's not exactly Bodyline though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I also think England's over confidence from the first test could just work in Australia's favor. After all England went one up against WI and NZ and that got them no where :rasta

But on the other hand, if England win, that's 2-0.

[yuppie]

I also think England's over confidence from the first test could just work in Australia's favor. After all England went one up against WI and NZ and that got them no where

But on the other hand, if England win, that's 2-0.

Then they can be cocky, but following the past 2 series they will end up drawing 2-2

Actually i think we need to start a petition to bring back Moores. England might actually play positively in this test with an Australian in charge, when what they should be doing is protecting this 1-0 lead.....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Making England take Moores back would be a brilliant tactic from Australia. How England will do without datapeta is one of those unknowable factors.

England got bounced out by India at Lord's last year and lost. That should give cause for optimism.

[yuppie]

Australia need to learn from England in the first test and keep it tight.

If there is anything in the pitch for the quicks then MJ will cause some problems. Hazelwood and Starc to keep it tight, MJ to bowl quick on a pitch that might offer him something. And Lyon to hold an end whilst Starc and Hazelwood keep it tight. M Marsh to hope sh:t takes if he is required.....

Moores to come back because he's English. And England should have an English coach. Its just wrong having an Aussie coach on the ashes right?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Don't care so much where the coach comes from as long as s/he gets the most out of the players. All countries have had overseas coaches? Not sure about SA. NZ?

[yuppie]

Would not recommend a SA coach......

[bigfluffylemon]

I also think England's over confidence from the first test could just work in Australia's favor. After all England went one up against WI and NZ and that got them no where

But on the other hand, if England win, that's 2-0.

Then they can be cocky, but following the past 2 series they will end up drawing 2-2

Actually i think we need to start a petition to bring back Moores. England might actually play positively in this test with an Australian in charge, when what they should be doing is protecting this 1-0 lead.....

It's always so hard to tell sarcasm in text, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here.

Watson and Haddin are both out. Haddin for personal reasons apparently, but given his recent performances, unless his replacement has a horror show, it seems likely that both have played their last test for Australia. Haddin was going to retire at the end of the series anyway (was that official, or just widely reported)?

Should England win at Lord's, this could be viewed as the beginning of the disintegration of this Australian team, in the same way that the Gabba 2013 began the disintegration of Flower's England.