The Ashes.

[only1billybonds]

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

[Westham67]

Bumrah 2 in an over 103 for 3

[Westham67]

Windies 99- 1 of 11 overs 

[Fauxstralian]

Buttlers long term record & the fact that they are moving to India will mean he is retained
McCullum whatever his faults is endlessly loyal to batsmen ie Crawley, Pope etc in the Test team

Pressure is on Pakistan to be more positive against SL today to get the result (a win by 64 or a 13 over chase) to jump over NZ
Not really their style and expect SL will want to finish better than their Super 8 poor performances 
 

[Westham67]

Butler will play I hope he hits form

[Fauxstralian]

By winning the group it sounds like England go to India and may well play India 
Suspect India v Windies will be on a dust bowl & the semi final pitch will have the hair dryers on it til Tuesday 

NZ have to sweat on Pakistan not winning comfortably (65 runs or chase in 13 overs) v SL after their latest choke 

[Westham67]

The middle order and the tail won that match, The top order is the issues 

[Westham67]

Ahmed 19 off of seven balls

[goose]

quite the comeback from england here.
they were done 3 over ago - Ahmed and Jacks have turned this around.

[Westham67]

Brook gone 50 for 3

[Westham67]

Head of BBC cricket says England cannot with the world cup if Butler is not in form

[goose]

as i say that Brook breaks the screen with 6.

[goose]

England are a shambles at the mo.
Near run out, swinging and missing, falling over trying to scoop.

Boycott would be fuming.

[Fauxstralian]

Buttler 
It’s a cruel game 
 

[violator]

2nd ball, gone

[Come On You Irons]

Buttler fails again. Put him out of his misery FFS!

[violator]

Well he's got Salt early doors

[violator]

If Buttler fails again in this one, will they risk him for the next game that actually matters. Matt Henry will be itching to get at him.

[Westham67]

Brook is now calling a fielding mistake a mis execution , Blair like spin

[Westham67]

Butler still in the team. I hope he does well to be honest he seems like the sensitive type

[Fauxstralian]

Arrogant?
Kiwi coach Kiwi bowling coach … understandable then

England v NZ at 1.30
England through and a NZ victory will see them join them
If they lose and Pakistan beat SL tomorrow I believe they need the net margin in the two games to be less than about 70 runs 

S Africa through in the other group & India v Windies on Sunday is effectively a winner take all quarter final

[Westham67]

This England cricket regime have been accused of being arrogant and I agree, I am almost certain Butler will play in the semi final . Its looking like its going to be against India or the Saffas

[Fauxstralian]

West Indies strength is having a lot of 6 hitting batsmen
Good recovery but suspect SA will chase it down relatively comfortably 

Think India will prepare a run scoring wicket for themselves & try and blow Zim away
Might try a more turning one if as likely they need to beat the Windies

[Westham67]

That's not a bad score from where they were 178-8

[Far Cough UKunt]

Respectable enough of a score but may or may not be enough.

[Westham67]

I know they got lost in their own attacking cricket Viv Richards type batting melancholy