Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Strange how it took so long to come out, either the ECB were completely in the dark or there really is nothing to this.

Goes from bad to worse. I guess a positive could be that we might get to see if Foakes really is all that.

Dr Cricket wrote:Looks like bairstow is in trouble for headbutting an Aussie player outside a club 2 weeks ago.
Under investigation now by the ecb.

No worse than Warner hitting Root in a previous series. Fights among players are more common than you think it's only the high profile players that are newsworthy.

If Bairstow is given a ban for this it will be an outrage.

Dr Cricket wrote:Looks like bairstow is in trouble for headbutting an Aussie player outside a club 2 weeks ago.
Under investigation now by the ecb.

Strange that it comes out only now.

Is it greatly exaggerated and someone is looking to make some dough out of a beaten up story?

Surely if it was fully true, something would have surfaced before the test started - it would have been in Australia's interests.

Indeed a strange story given the timing and a lack of police report. Maybe Bairstow and Bancroft went head to head, perhaps after a heated argument but a headbutt was more of a press between foreheads.

But Bairstow has been warned of future conduct only a couple of months ago, does not bode well for any eventual punishment.

Apparently it was brought up in some on-field sledging, hence why its suddenly come up..

alfie wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Smith or Lyono for POTM?

Has to be Smith. His innings was the essential difference between Australia having this easy target and probably looking at a three hundred chase. Lyon indeed bowled well in both innings - outdoing the much-hyped pace trio - but surely the skipper was the star ? Took a bunch of catches too ...

agreed

England about to go two down, given they've already lost at the WACA.

Extraordinarily unwelcome news regarding JB, if true. This makes the tour look like an indisciplined rabble, especially in the aftermath of the Stokes incident. Do they really need to go to a club (here's a 53 year old talking) given how visible they will be?

Aidan11 wrote:

Dr Cricket wrote:Looks like bairstow is in trouble for headbutting an Aussie player outside a club 2 weeks ago.
Under investigation now by the ecb.

No worse than Warner hitting Root in a previous series. Fights among players are more common than you think it's only the high profile players that are newsworthy.

If Bairstow is given a ban for this it will be an outrage.

Warner was suspended.

A pretty satisfying performance from Australia though England have shown they are up for a fight unlike the corresponding Test four years ago where they were utterly annihiltted and left morally destroyed. That is unlikely to happen here even if they lose by 10 wickets - they have still put up a better fight than was expected before the start of this Test at this venue even if the Gabba pitch hasn't quite lived up to its reputation. The next Test is at a venue where you'll get the most "English" conditions possible with the Pink Ball swinging around, so they might have an opening there.

From an Australian perspective, I'm reasonably satisfied with the performance. All the four bowlers were outstanding, as was Smith. Warner grew as a batsman in Bangladesh and good to see that carry over here. England have had very good plans against him throughout the Test and executed the plan but he seems to have learned from his mistakes in the first innings and adapted quite well so far second dig. Bancroft also spending some much needed time in the middle in the second innings. Khawaja's weaknesses against spin once again resurfaced but I don't expect spin to be a factor in this series so he should still be fine here. Although it once again made him look silly for his outrage against his well justified (and I'd argue career saving) omissions in India and Bangladesh (2nd Test). If he had played in India, I'm pretty certain he'd have played himself out of test cricket for good. But I expect him to come good in this series, especially in the next Test at a venue where he crafted a masterful innings last year to secure a face saving victory against a rampaging South African attack. Handscomb could probably do with some runs, hasn't been in great form in the Shield either though I hope the selectors are more patient with him than they were with Renshaw. Shaun Marsh played a good innings and has definitely earned himself another Test but not scored a big enough score to spare him the axe should he fail in the next Test or two with the kind of form Maxwell has been in (who had no business being dropped from the Test squad in the first place after some excellent performances in the subcontinent). Paine kept well and was very good with the referrals. Not convinced with his batting and I'd much rather have had Renshaw at the top and Bancroft as the keeper lower down but he did what was expected of him.

Overall, a very positive Test. I expect a comfortable series win albeit not a whitewash considering the fight England have shown. Stokes could have made things more a bit interesting. Not that I'm complaining, mind you!

Can see Jake Ball getting the axe for Adelaide...im a fan of his, but he has struggled massively for control or any real penetration...seen criticsim of his batting but he is a number 10 so not bothered about that..but has struggled for form with the ball...is he 100% fit?

andy wrote:Apparently it was brought up in some on-field sledging, hence why its suddenly come up..

Peter Handscomb sledged Bairstow when he came in to bat, maybe that is why.

andy wrote:Can see Jake Ball getting the axe for Adelaide...im a fan of his, but he has struggled massively for control or any real penetration...seen criticsim of his batting but he is a number 10 so not bothered about that..but has struggled for form with the ball...is he 100% fit?

doesn't help that Moeen had to be pulled from the attack, especially given that it would appear Lyon was much more potent and had much more control. Day/nighter next so the seamers ought to be safe, I would have thought

Smith and Lyon the difference here ....wonder if that will be the case from here on in.

We might see Crane in the side for the boxing day test, if we've already lost the ashes by then

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

Aidan11 wrote:

Dr Cricket wrote:Looks like bairstow is in trouble for headbutting an Aussie player outside a club 2 weeks ago.
Under investigation now by the ecb.

No worse than Warner hitting Root in a previous series. Fights among players are more common than you think it's only the high profile players that are newsworthy.

If Bairstow is given a ban for this it will be an outrage.

Warner was suspended.

For what was described as "a glancing blow".


Any other redheads in the England squad? The ECB would be advised to check on their behaviour as well.