The Ashes: Brisbane.

[mikesiva]

That didn't look out.

Broad should be banned from calling for reviews.

[Dr Cricket]

got a few hours break and will be at home trying to cramp some highlight in till I start work again at 1.30.

[Gingerfinch]

That didn't look out.

Broad should be banned from calling for reviews.

Was it him or Root who called for the review?

[andy]

Root, he looked more convicned

[andy]

I know Steve Smith said recently in a press conference that he would be reluctant to bowl again, but i wonder if he could have turned his arm over in the 1st innings...pitch clearly taking turn, and the seamers did a lot of bowling...if the aussies are only gonna have 4 bowling options all series, will be a long series for them... Smith could have bowled a couple of overs especially when there was a couple of partnerships going well..Even though only bowled a couple of overs, Root turned his arm over and provided a 6th!!! bowling option...just an idea, that smith could have bowled a few overs to change things up etc

[Dr Cricket]

Intresting I thought he said recently that he was going to bowl some overs to give the seam bowlers rest if required.

[andy]

The press conference i saw said that he wasn't keen on bowling anymore and that he just wanted to focus 100% on his batting...which is a shame really as he is a more than useful legspinner

[Dr Cricket]

Smith contradicting himself.
http://www.timesnownews.com/sports/arti ... ady/131092
http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/th ... a00a33dfcc

[Dr Cricket]

although him saying he was going to bowl was more recent than him stating he won't be bowling again.
reckon he decided that he probably need to bowl few overs to get the best out of Starc and Cummins.
suspect if australia had another bowling option in the top 7 he would then not bowl.
he basically been forced to bowl some overs again till australia can find an all rounder or a batsman bowling a few overs.

"mith, who has been urged to bowl more of his part-time leg-spinners during the series, said he was also prepared to trundle down some overs to help out.
"They're actually coming out pretty well, but hopefully I'm not needed too often but if I am I'll definitely bowl myself," he said.
"Obviously, if I need to bowl myself a little bit to give those guys a bit more of a rest so that they can come on and have that quick burst then that's where we'll have to go.
"But they (pacemen) are quite comfortable bowling reasonably long spells and keeping their pace up so that is really good for us.""

[andy]

Which is why im suprised Maxwell didn't play at 6...done okay recently, scored some runs, and chips in with a few overs...or Stoinis..?

[Dr Cricket]

Yeah maxwell should have been picked but guessing Australia just don't trust him with the bat.
they don't even really trust him in white ball cricket either as well recently.

[andy]

Maxwell scored 213* from 260 balls, for Victoria last night, as they racked up 365-3

[Aidan11]

Haven't seen much of the game so far but the scorecard suggests a good even game.

[andy]

The form of Cook is becoming a worry though, not as reliable as he used to be, and rare he looks settled at the crease anymore..

[meninblue]

The form of Cook is becoming a worry though, not as reliable as he used to be, and rare he looks settled at the crease anymore..

The ability of playing big knocks of 200+ is not possessed by many England cricketers at this point of time. The other England batters are not showing they have in it them that they can convert their 50's into 150+ or 200+ score. England will need Cook and Joe as they are big innings players. Cook will fail but his peak innings is better than peak form of other batsmen. He is definitely not the player he was before, but still he is better than most of the remaining England batters.