sussexpob wrote:If Healy and co are right though about this being a classic seamers pitch, England's slim chances look a little brighter. England have proven in such conditions at home to consistently bowl teams out for decent totals and remain competitive despite their own batting nightmares. So maybe an opening for them (trying to be positive here)
I wish I shared your optimism.
It seems that with a one-sided series in prospect, the press are trying to emphasise the ways it *might* be competitive. Undercooked Australian side, multiple pink ball tests (despite no evidence whatsoever that this would actually advantage England - Australia have won every pink ball test they ever played), no Perth, greentop in Brisbane, rainy conditions, etc., etc.. Yes, there is a *chance* that all of these factors will help England take 20 wickets, but even if it does, England have to bat in these conditions, and England don't have the batting to make decent scores on good wickets, let alone tricky ones.
I wonder if England are being suckered here by the talk of the Brisbane pitch. How many times have we seen England go in with a view that a pitch might be a seamer, and it turns out not to be particularly helpful? How often have they gone without a spinner, and has it ever worked for them? I also wonder if it might be a good toss to lose for this reason. The temptation, especially with some rain around and potentially five quicks, will be to bowl first. History says that is almost invariably a mistake. I know India won last year fielding first, but they didn't win the toss...
I reckon any optimism about this series for England will be snuffed out by Saturday (I would have said Friday, but we have some rain in store). Go on England, prove me wrong.