The Ashes: Brisbane.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Report from the Press Association that Ball will be preferred at the Gabba.

Though I doubt they know.

England have won four times at the Gabba.

Bodyline under Jardine.

1936-7 under Gubby Allen.

1978-9 under Brearley.

1986-7 under Gatting.

Three Middx captains and a Surrey. Can Joe Root break the pattern?

[Gingerfinch]

Am I right in saying, whoever has lost at the Gabba has never gone on to win the series?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Top run scorer at the Gabba for England is Alastair Cook, with 434 runs at 87. Top wicket taker is Bob Willis with 19 wickets at 16.

Highest wicket taker for an English spinner, Ashley Giles, seven wickets in two games at 43.4.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Am I right in saying, whoever has lost at the Gabba has never gone on to win the series?

Really? That makes for a fabulous omen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England have lost 11 times at the Gabba.

Looks like 1954-5 England lost by an innings in Brisbane then won the series, the Tyson tour.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Going to watch the opening day at a friend's house.

Anyone else going to be up all night, or watching around the world?

[Dr Cricket]

Recording it and probably watching some of it when I wake up around 3.30am to go work.

[Dr Cricket]

http://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/3 ... es-the-cut
lol look at the team.
how Ali gets into the team is laughable or how Woakes was close to surpassing Starc.
Wouldn't have both of Anderson or broad in the team, would probably choose hazlewood over Anderson.

that attack isn't really frightening for the batsman, Broad and Anderson don't really scare me anymore, especially broad considering he still hasn't found his rythym and fix his bowling action, still falling away so lost the swing and Anderson past his best.

[Gingerfinch]

I'd maybe have Ali ahead of Lyon. Not sure why Buttler makes it, tbh. You could have Ali and Lyon, play Johnny as keeper, and drop Buttler.

[Dr Cricket]

wouldn't have Ali at 8 and the front line spinner.
lyon is by far the better bowler.
Ali will only be in the team if he bats in the top 7.
I would personally pick
Warner
Cook
Root
Smith
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Starc
Broad
Hazlewood
Lyon

only tricky pick was broad or Anderson.
went with the younger man.

[Dr Cricket]

I'd maybe have Ali ahead of Lyon. Not sure why Buttler makes it, tbh. You could have Ali and Lyon, play Johnny as keeper, and drop Buttler.

I would have ali in the team but not in the way key gets him in or the reason for it, no way is Ali on par with lyon bowling.

[Gingerfinch]

I'd make one change to your team. Jimmy for Broad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Recording it and probably watching some of it when I wake up around 3.30am to go work.

Ouch.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'd just have Cook, Root and Bairstow in. Stokes if available. If in Australia.

In England, Broad and Anderson come in.

[Durhamfootman]

I have a feeling that by the end of this series Bancroft will be at 5 and YJB will be back at 7 with the gloves

I have a gut feeling about Bancroft..... I think he is going to burst onto the scene in a way that Stonemercenary can only dream of