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

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cricinfo has it now, but is saying he may miss the Test. Hope he hasn't had bad news, I think he missed games before due to a family illness. Best wishes to him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like Mitch2 is going to be fit.

[hopeforthebest]

Haddin ruled out. Nevill to debut.

Doesn't seem to be widely reported this one.

https://twitter.com/SkyNewsAust/status/ ... 1637581825

cricinfo says the sports psychologist has been involved.

[Arthur Crabtree]

James Anderson has said that England had avoided confrontation in the first Test. Then added the Aussies declined to come into the England dressing room for a beer... I think the Earl of Dukes needs to retake the study day.

[sussexpob]

Personal reasons being reported on BBC... lets hope its nothing a la Trott or Trescothick, or anything that is too bad. I hasten to add though that I doubt he will play in a baggy green again

[Gingerfinch]

James Anderson has said that England had avoided confrontation in the first Test. Then added the Aussies declined to come into the England dressing room for a beer... I think the Earl of Dukes needs to retake the study day.

Declined a beer? I'm not a big fan of the false pre-game handshakes etc, but refusing a beer after the game has finished is petty.

[sussexpob]

Increasingly get a subtle feeling that 2015 for the Aussies is turning into a "2013 England" type scenario. Its really important they compete at Lords strongly, if they lose this test their tour could fall apart badly like it has for England. I mean Haddin is now gone, Harris has retired, Watson is probably gone or in very last chance saloon.... problems piling up.

Big test of the character and togetherness of this dressing room. WT made the point about long series being difficult mentally to play nowadays, which I agree with 100%. Is this further evidence?

[Aidan11]

I said straight after the first test that Haddin & Watson might not play in the second test.

Looks like I'll be half right.

[sussexpob]

Looking at Nevills FC record and his recent form, there are worrying scores there for England....

235 not out, 112, 78 and 59 ni the last few matches....average well in the 40's

[Aidan11]

Looking at Nevills FC record and his recent form, there are worrying scores there for England....

235 not out, 112, 78 and 59 ni the last few matches....average well in the 40's

Makes you wonder why he didn't play in the first place.

[sussexpob]

Looking at Nevills FC record and his recent form, there are worrying scores there for England....

235 not out, 112, 78 and 59 ni the last few matches....average well in the 40's

Makes you wonder why he didn't play in the first place.

Probably catches like Kamran Akmal

[Arthur Crabtree]

When Braddin plays for NSW, he keeps ahead of Nevill.

[The Waugh Twins]

All the talk is about England batting with aggression, T20 style batting is the way to go, what poppycock. If that approach is followed by England their propensity to collapse will increase rapidly. There's a time and place for going at the bowling but it has to be appropriate to the situation.

Absolutely agree with that. The random series with En Zed and the 4 an over from the first test will not stand up to the likes of South Africa.

[The Waugh Twins]

James Anderson has said that England had avoided confrontation in the first Test. Then added the Aussies declined to come into the England dressing room for a beer... I think the Earl of Dukes needs to retake the study day.

Declined a beer? I'm not a big fan of the false pre-game handshakes etc, but refusing a beer after the game has finished is petty.

Fair enough, maybe a cup of tea but there was a no alcohol policy from memory under Buchanan and Waugh particularly whilst on tour.

[The Waugh Twins]

When Braddin plays for NSW, he keeps ahead of Nevill.

Aparently true, Nevill stands about 5 yards behind him.