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Job done and early into the day as well.Biggest positive for me was the statement Aust sent to Eng....India got off to a flyer in that 2nd innings, and Aust was able to rein India back in with wickets. An Indian batting line up far more experienced and better then Eng batting line up.

Starc is a conundrum, either hot or not.. but can hold a stick....as his 40 odd showed in that crucial partnership with Carey. If Starc makes way for say Hazlewood, Aust tail is very long. With Uzzie averaging 19 in the UK, Warner still scarred from the Broad experience, Green on his 1st UK tour, Head just being Head - unpredictable, leaving a lot of pressure on Smith especially and Labuschagne to score runs. 

After Boland's performance, does Neser come in? Or is Neser too like Boland? Neser definitely more then capable wielding a willow.....personally I think Starc will keep his spot....maybe better for the run v India....definitely needs to rein that over economy in....is he just to be used in 4-5 over spurts....and Green bowls more....any UK pitches where two spinners will be employed?

 

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Great to win the World Test Championship Final but still some glaring issues that need to be addressed before the Ashes commences on Friday-
1. The opening pair of Warner & Khawaja continue to struggle in India with the bat meaning Labushagne & Smith are constantly coming in at 2 for stuff all.
2. Starc continues to bleed runs in England, going at 6 an over is not acceptable at Test level especially if you are not taking key wickets, England will no doubt target him if selected.
3. Boland just has to play all 5 Tests, with Hazlewood & Neser next in line to alternate the other fast bowling spot ahead of Starc.

 mate the openers are already looking shaky and it's only India not the home side 

So England have picked an attack of Anderson, Broad, Robinson, Moin Ali and Stokes. Of those, only Broad has bowled in a red ball match in the last month.
Could be an opportunity for Australia to get off to a fast start as their bowlers have shaken off the cobwebs in the WTC final.

can only hope Australia isn't falling for that mate maybe that's the test

Eng attack will certainly be fresh that's for sure. Robinson and Anderson coming off recent injuries..and Stokes suffering from an existing knee complaint...time will tell if their attack is slightly under done or not. Aust just need to play each delivery on its merits and hopefully keep their bowlers out for 120 + overs to test how they really are traveling in terms of match fitness.

Out of the two teams, Aust had the better warm up match....better opposition in India and had moments in the test where they were tested with bat and ball.....Eng batsmen and bowlers filled their boots v Ireland....but not all their batsman gotta a hit though, so hopefully Aust bowlers can strike early and put Eng Bazball game plan under the pump.

 

Not surprising they have picked Anderson & Broad if even just for the mind games for the likes of Warner, Khawaja, Head etc who have struggled against them in the past in England.
Robinson is definitely a better bowler on English pitches and will nibble a few around.
Expect firebrand Wood to be unleashed on us for at least 3 of the Tests when one of each of the above will be rested.

If the weather stays the way it is at the moment ( fine and hot), the Aussies will be very comfortable. If it turns humid or cloudy then Anderson, Robinson and Broad will come into the picture with the swinging duke balls. Ali will be targeted by the Australian batsmen

Birmingham/Edgbaston is sold out for all 5 days.Gates will close before play starts,
Capacity is 22,500.
The weather in England's second city.Is unseasonably hot and humid.Theres green grass on the wicket.They did not cut the grass yesterday. 
Anderson and Broad will be a handful for our batsman.Win the toss and bowl first.

Can see Aust going into this test unchanged...no doubt hindsight will tell all.....catch 22 with Starc.....he can bat and on song can take wickets in quick succession.....Hazlewood lengthens Aust tail.....economically better then Starc with the ball, but comes with an injury inundated last few seasons..... Neser can bat and bowl, better suited to Eng conditions, coming off a strong county start....but not played in a match for over a month.....decisions decisions decisions. 

Both Aust women's teams have gotten off to dodgy starts v their respective English counterparts...hopefully Aust men's team dont make it a threesome.

 

In some 44 years of watching Test Cricket from all over the world I dont think I have ever seen as clueless and defensive field placings as those employed by Cummins today (no doubt in unison with that clown coach McDonald) on the first morning of an Ashes series!!!