Cricket

[captainfog]

Finn wicketless again. This is shaping up really badly. As the BBC article states, Strauss's team 3 years ago would have annihilated that lot.

Not in two days they wouldn't.

That pitch was slow as **** and offered little to our pace men. Swanny getting wickets is encouraging.

[Shaggy]

Not necessarily saying they would've won in two days but we would've done better with bat and ball. I think we're really struggling atm.

[captainfog]

Not necessarily saying they would've won in two days but we would've done better with bat and ball. I think we're really struggling atm.

We've been struggling since NZ. They were drop in pitches there too, weren't they? Struggled with the bat there too, very slow run rates. Not confident about the next test.

[Shaggy]

Yep drop-in pitches. At least Adelaide is flatter - Mitch's throat balls won't work there. Just worried we have no real form to fall back on in any area of the side.

[Chazza]

I see Gooch was talking up promoting Root to 3 and Bresnan coming in presumably for Tremlett.

[Chazza]

So the majority of pundits are going for....

Cook
Carberry
Root
KP
Bell
Ballance
Prior
Bresnan
Broad
Swann
Anderson

[Chazza]

Interesting

Paul Newman @newman_cricket
The early morning buzz is that Ben Stokes is going to make his Test debut for England in the second Test here in Adelaide today….

[Shaggy]

Stokes and Panesar! Big rumour.

[Chazza]

No Bresnan then?

[Shaggy]

Nope, not according to the cricket writers. Happy no Bresnan. Monty is a risk. Positive move though.

[RichC]

Two spinners would be a shock, not going to be a quick pitch apparently and we need to do something different after that first test debacle

[Chazza]

Like to see Prior promoted to 6 to give Stokes a bit of protection and him a bit of responsibility and focus.

[Shaggy]

Athers on SSN now practically confirming Stokes and Monty. Bold move.

[Chazza]

Nick Hoult @NHoultCricket
covers on at the Adelaide Oval.

[Alex]

Was reading today about Stokes being from New Zealand originally. Bit of extra needle