Can't say I'm all that bothered over the barren last day in the field in Townsville - except that it showed England won't want to be hoping for too much from their spinners on this trip ( at least having Moeen and Crane bowl virtually all day for 1 wicket should put an end to any silly notions of playing two spinners in a Test). Hopefully that long bowl will blow out Moeen's cobwebs ...pity he didn't get much of a hit with the bat.
Bit surprised to get the feeling England may still favour Ball over Overton for Brisbane : he may well be the better prospect - though his early Test record is hardly outstanding - but he's had virtually no lead-in bowling ; and Overton (even if he can't buy a run , or even a few balls at the crease !) has taken several wickets on tour and also bowled some very economical spells. Sure bowling to Warner and Smith will be a big step up ; but if he isn't worth a try when in apparently decent rhythm you have to wonder why he's in the party...
Not too shocked at the odds quoted above : bookies reflect the money they are having thrown at them and with Aussies generally a confident lot and England supporters (as heavily underlined by the voting on this site
) more given to the pessimistic end of the spectrum , you'd expect something like that. Won't mean a thing on Thursday morning.
I haven't voted on the prediction thread : I don't like hexing my teams ! But although I'd concede Australia will start favourites by virtue of being the home team (especially at the Gabba ) I really fancy this to be a contest , between two teams neither of which is the finished product , but each boasting some potential match winners. I gather the weather in Brisbane is said to be a bit unsettled this week so conditions might be more to the the tourists' liking than usual ...who knows ? With many Australians unhappy with the selections for the First Test may they have a chance to break the Curse of Brisbane dating back to 1986 ...at least you could say they're "due"...