Ashes warmups, June 25-July 1

[yuppie]

Leaving a load of grass on a pitch that doesn't crack up is too much of an advantage at the toss. You should pay for the benefit of bowling on the first morning with the risk of batting last against the spinners. Otherwise there's no dilemma.

I guess its best for England to play to their strengths. Like the last ashes in the UK where they played to Swann who was the best spinner by a mile. Never seen such pitches like that in the UK till then. Not sure they would have been produced if Australia had a Warne, or even a present day Lyon.

This time I'm guessing England's strengths is to negate Australias dominance. So that means, slow pitches with no turn. So lots of batsman will be expecting to get lots of runs then.....

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think so. It's hard to think of any surface that will suit England better. But dead tracks will most effectively blunt the opposition.

[yuppie]

Yep i think that will be the case.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wicket for Mitch3. Maybe Watson needs to remind the selectors of his bowling skills.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Now he's picked up Ravi and stifled those calls for his return to the England team. 2-fer.

[yorker_129-7]

A visual metaphor for Nathan Lyon's bowling at Chelmsford

[KipperJohn]

6 for Starc so we'll see him in Cardiff no doubt. Good comeback from Essex both openers gone.

[The Waugh Twins]

6 for Starc so we'll see him in Cardiff no doubt. Good comeback from Essex both openers gone.

Pretty decent comeback from Oz also as Essex were 1 for 290. Perhaps the pitch is boring the players out.

[The Waugh Twins]

Got to hand it to the apprentice groundsman just hired a couple of weeks ago, he has prepared the perfect pitch.

[The Waugh Twins]

Hmm are Australia showing signs perhaps of a little too much cricket?

Could be a brilliant opportunity for Watson, but I do feel his boat has sailed.

[The Waugh Twins]

Watson, lbw full toss. I would say that's it for him. Only way in the side now is if there's a heap of injuries.

[The Waugh Twins]

Watson, lbw full toss. I would say that's it for him. Only way in the side now is if there's a heap of injuries.

What a way to go Mark, lbw to a full toss.

I've said it before and I'll say it again this younger generation of cricketers can not play the full toss anymore.

[The Waugh Twins]

What a surprise suddenly a lot of viewers on this forum watching the Waugh Twins chat to each other.

[The Waugh Twins]

What a surprise suddenly a lot of viewers on this forum watching the Waugh Twins chat to each other.

That's because Oz are 4/84, they wouldn't be here otherwise Mark. Get use to it because that's how it's going to be all summer.

[The Waugh Twins]

Got to hand it to Watto though, he had a longer than expected career with Oz. Overachieved in some areas and underachieved in others, but overall he has to be pretty happy.