# The Ashes 2013 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 9, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013 "2013-07-09T05:37:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/81 "2013-07-14T12:45:57Z")
What an incredible match. We were watching it at the local(Delhi) pub last night and Australia looked like goners for sure. And now they’re within 20 runs of winning(and one wicket of losing), and for the first time in a long time, I’m actually rooting for an Australian cricket team. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/82 "2013-07-14T12:45:59Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > could the umpires have extended the session? It was already extended by 30 mins - lunch was supposed to be at 1pm. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/83 "2013-07-14T13:07:14Z")
England need to take a good hard look at themselves regardless of what happens. Their inability to put the Aussies away is alarming. Two consecutive last wicket stands are ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/84 "2013-07-14T13:24:12Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > England need to take a good hard look at themselves regardless of what happens. Their inability to put the Aussies away is alarming. Two consecutive last wicket stands are ridiculous. I think we’ve fallen short with the bowling attack. Four bowlers may have been enough if they are all on form but they haven’t been. Wow! just got the last wicket…on appeal…faintest of touches and how apt that the technology settles it at the end. Bloody hell. Don’t know that we deserved it but very glad that Jimmy got 10-fer ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/85 "2013-07-14T13:34:33Z")
One helluva match 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/86 "2013-07-14T13:51:00Z")
James Anderson is Man Of The Match, and deservedly so, I think, since he dominated both innings with the ball (and got 10 wickets, to boot). Siddle, Bell and Agar would also have been in the running, I’d have thought, but it seemed that a lot of players from both sides didn’t really show up. England’s bowlers seemed flat for long periods, and Australia have done nothing to show that their top order has improved after a poor performance in India. Hell of a game though. There’s another 9 to go after this. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/87 "2013-07-14T14:58:35Z")
well done england well done anderson great bowler humble n smiling guy. not tht it matters(tht who i supoort) but i will be supporting australia because they are the underdogs, also bcoz they lost to india and because of stuart broad:) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/88 "2013-07-14T21:29:12Z")
In other cricket news, [Afridi scores 76 and takes 7-12 against the Windies.](http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-pakistan-2013/content/current/story/651253.html) ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/89 "2013-07-14T22:09:35Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > In other cricket news, [Afridi scores 76 and takes 7-12 against the Windies.](http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-pakistan-2013/content/current/story/651253.html) Boom boom indeed ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/90 "2013-07-15T02:04:39Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > For the Australians … the batting of their top order generally Yeah, tell me about it. If our top 5 “batsmen” scored just 4 more runs each in either innings, we win the game. The number of single-digit scores is shameful and someone need to be held to account, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/91 "2013-07-15T02:28:57Z")
That is why I love test cricket. I’ve never really taken to T20, and One-dayers I can take or leave. Why would you need them, after 5 days of play, the game comes down to 14 runs! I actually think the difference in the end was the use of the DRS. England used it so much better than Australia. Much as I like Shane Watson, it was very arrogant, to call for a review immediately he was given out, he didn’t even briefly consult with Rogers. ---
**Author:** ![rhysf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f14d63/32.png) [@rhysf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhysf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/92 "2013-07-15T04:25:35Z")
My preferred Australian team for the next test: Ashton Agar Brad Haddin James Pattinson Peter Siddle Nathan Lyon Mitchell Starc James Faulkner Jackson Bird Ben Hilfenhaus Ryan Harris Mitchell Johnson Clarke can carry the drinks until he learns how to use DRS. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/93 "2013-07-15T11:00:51Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > In other cricket news, [Afridi scores 76 and takes 7-12 against the Windies.](http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-pakistan-2013/content/current/story/651253.html) that means if pak were given only 1 batsman (afridi) and 1 bowler (afridi- to bowl all 50 overs) and rest 10 just fielders, most likely - pak would have still won. That was some performance by Afridi. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/94 "2013-07-15T15:16:53Z")
England have announced that they will bring the same squad forward for the next game on Thurday. They traditionally don’t like to change a winning side, but I suspect Finn may well make way for Bresnan. And that would be a good move - of all the England bowlers, Finn was the obvious stick-out ‘failure’ in the test. I can’t see a change in the batting coming. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/95 "2013-07-15T15:32:03Z")
I have always been of the Imran Khan school of thought. You need 5 bowlers if you hope to win. Australia of the 2000’s could do with 4, but when you have Warne and McGrath you really know that everyone else is just numbers. Which batsman to drop… ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/96 "2013-07-15T15:40:57Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I have always been of the Imran Khan school of thought. You need 5 bowlers if you hope to win. Australia of the 2000’s could do with 4, but when you have Warne and McGrath you really know that everyone else is just numbers. > > Which batsman to drop… In my view this only really works if you have an Imran Khan (i.e. a destructive all rounder capable of low 20s average with the ball or around 40 with the bat - or in Imran’s case both). England don’t have an Imran Khan. They would be best served picking the same balance - but with Bresnan in for Finn who was mostly rubbish in this test. We should pick the players who have the ability, not force some balance to the side without test match quality players filling each position. If they do consider dropping a batsman, Bairstow is the one on the block by process of elimination: Cook is the captain, Root is better than Bairstow, Trott is the anchor, Pietersen is the flair player, Bell has just scored the best 100 of his career and Prior is arguably the best wicketkeeper batsman in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/97 "2013-07-18T06:07:11Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I have always been of the Imran Khan school of thought. You need 5 bowlers if you hope to win. Australia of the 2000’s could do with 4, but when you have Warne and McGrath you really know that everyone else is just numbers. > > Which batsman to drop… But our problem has been our batsmen more than our bowlers, of late. Not sure that reducing the number of batsmen even further is the answer. While we won’t know the exact team until the toss tonight, [here’s something we do know](http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ryan-harris-and-usman-khawaja-into-ashes-team-for-second-test-20130718-2q657.html): > [@](#): > > Mitchell Starc’s hot and cold performance last week has cost him his position in the Australian team for the second Test. > Burly Queensland quick Ryan Harris will come into the XI in Starc’s place while Usman Khawaja has been called in to replace Ed Cowan in the Australian top order. > Starc can consider himself unlucky after claiming five wickets in the first Test though he was also prone to inaccuracy at times, while Cowan struggled with scores of 0 and 14. Cowan had to go, but I’m not so sure about Starc. I think he was worth one more try, on condition he improve. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/98 "2013-07-18T07:11:32Z")
Unless the pitch is considered to favour the quicks who bang the ball in then the fact Starc’s is left arm alone should have counted in his favour rather than another hard working, short of a length medium-fast right arm. Maybe after a Test on a dead & slow track where to pitching short was fruit salad, we are going to see 4 balls per over of chin music. ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/99 "2013-07-18T08:37:31Z")
If this report is right, I’m pretty pleased that Starc is not playing. I thought he did alright on a pretty difficult bowling surface and thought, qualitatively, that he bowled a bit better than Pattinson to be honest (and indeed, quantitatively speaking, he took the same number of wickets in the match with a slightly better economy rate). Watch Harris take a 5-for now. About the only thing that not picking Starc does is remove the left arm over rough that Swann might be able to exploit. The toss this morning is perhaps more critical than most - both sides will bat, I’d have thought. England need to give their bowlers - and particularly Anderson - another day off if possible, given the exertions of Day 5 in Nottingham. Oz would be well served in sending Anderson back into the field and seeing if they can break him down when he gets tired. ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013/100 "2013-07-18T10:36:32Z")
Watson starts by taking Cook early in England’s innings. A spot bowling change early in the innings. Good captaincy by Clarke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ashes-2013/663013.md?page=6)