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Think they will now...Archer certainly was quick....whilst Aust were lucky with the early morning rain....not sure how Eng didn't win that match....Aust cluster farked so many reviews during the match and dropped a fair few gimmes. Aust seem to bat when the cloud cover and light was at its worst today...whilst Eng got sunshine today to bat in, when they could of easily had the dodgy conditions Aust batted in....but still 1-0 to Aust....

Changes for the next test....can see a few me thinks....reckon Smith will play because he is cricket obsessed....fight speed with speed O reckon....ping Archer with 3 150 click bowlers in Cummins, Starc and Pattinson and look to compress a finger or three on Archer's bowling hand....

ArkRoyal wrote: why has Australia got ten wickets an 'interchange'? Smith should be written in wisden 'absent injured'.

Freezin: it is because they don't bowl short in the nets.

Used to be the case that he would have been 'absent injured' or retired hurt but there is now I think a concussion rule - if a Doc says you have concussion you can be replaced. Don't think it has been in that long.

I think there's a general rule by CA that if you're subbed out for concussion it takes around 7 days to recover but its up to the medicos to decide if he's good to go or not.

Despite holding out for a draw I feel the whole momentum of the series has swung towards the Soap Dodgers virtually all off the back of Archers hostile bowling and the confidence it has given all of the Poms players and fans!

Having said that if we dont tinker around with our out of form top order we will make it easy for them to take the 20 wickets needed to win a Test match, is it worth dropping Warner down the order to 6 bring in Harris to open possibly with Khawaja or Bancroft and having Labushagne come in at 3 but with Smith possibly out maybe Warner to 4?

And if Paine ever wins the toss again he needs to bloody bat first!!!

they played against 12 it is that simple
why? because of Archer's good bowlling -- the game is too in favour of the batsmen these days.

ArkRoyal wrote: they played against 12 it is that simple
why? because of Archer's good bowlling -- the game is too in favour of the batsmen these days.

Concussion in sport is becoming a bigger issue, not just in cricket but even more so in AFL,NRL and American football. Even soccer could have it's issues going forward with the heading of the ball.
That said it's an interesting point on Joffra's good bowling, if the short pitched delivery that struck Smith on the arm and broken it would he have been entitled to a substitute? Answer - probably not but the ball was bowled with the same intent.
Protection of the head should be paramount though.

Lots of decisions for the selectors for the 3rd test regardless of the availability of Smith. Labausagne technique and temperament stood out as superior to all except Head and he deserves another chance.
Is it time to bring in Harris and who drops out if you pick him. Do Australia unleash Starc and Pattinson for the next test and who do they replace? In contrast England will likely go in with the same xi. It's almost like they are 1 up in the series and not the Aussies.
The good thing is that everything starts at 0 again and even though England had the better of the Lords test they didn't win it and that momentum can be grabbed back in one or two good sessions.
The incentive is that we are now only one win away from retaining the ashes and Langer will no doubt be reminding them of this.

Totally agree mike.....Eng have a few issues as well....Roy and Denly are as vulnerable as Warner and Bancroft at present...Leeds is usually a seamers paradise....so not so sure Aust will make any bowling changes now....lot for the Aussie selectors to ponder on I guess.....Smith is cricket OCD...he will play I reckon....

Steve Smith looks 50\50 ATM for Thursdays test.We probably would of lost the first 2 tests without Steve.
Stark back and some other batsman picking up there game.Lyon also bowls better bowling into Starks footmarks.

All of the momentum is with the Poms now GTR.
Unless our horribly under performing batsmen can actually start scoring some decent runs this will be a 3-1 result to the Poms.