West Ham Online

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.

What strikes me about this modern England Team is a real lack of characters with personality that can get in the Aussies heads or inspire the Team to push on. They're mostly wet young lads who are struggling to impose themselves. Some may develop that over time but overall there's a mental weakness that comes across which is holding us back. No cսnt really prepared to keep chirping and sledge them in to playing under pressure. They tend to coast through sessions rather than take the opportunities to attack them when the tone arises. It's all too easy for the convicts in that respect. Stokes cannot do it alone. 

From what I see, I don't think we bowled that well, they played some awful shots. I just can't see how our batsmen will be able to attack Starc & Cummings and getting away with it, and they certainly don't value their wicket enough to try and tire them out, so can see another collapse unless Root & Brook are on it. Maybe one of the others will have their 1 good innings in 20, everyone will proclaim they have always had it in them, then they will go back to being hapless for the next 10 tests.

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025, 07:45 How on earth was Carey not out with that nick? Every fielder knew he nicked it, he knew he nicked it, and confirmed that in his post match interview, there was a spike but before the ball got to the bat. Snicko is clearly not working properly, he went on to make another 30 odd at a crucial time. That needs sorting out.

Really will be time for the batsman to stand up and be counted once these final two wickets go down.
No excuses now,they can either prove that they've learned some lessons or give in to their sense of arrogance.

Brook dropping Khwaja could prove very costly and it seems everyone knew Carey found an edge when given not out. Bowling was a mix n match between very good and piss poor, but as we all know,its on the batsmen now.

How on earth was Carey not out with that nick? Every fielder knew he nicked it, he knew he nicked it, and confirmed that in his post match interview, there was a spike but before the ball got to the bat. Snicko is clearly not working properly, he went on to make another 30 odd at a crucial time. That needs sorting out.

Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Brook and Smith owe England a performance with the bat tomorrow. Some are lucky to still be in the side. No stupid hurling wickets away. Just concentration and graft. Target the short ball, leave the wide ones. Make them earn their wickets.

Lyon will bowl well on this pitch.

Good recovery from 94/4 but will want another 30 runs or so tomorrow before we see whether it’s a good, bad or indifferent score.
Not seen the highlights but the commentary saying it’s a good wicket to bat on
Saw the groundsman interviewed pre match & said he was trying to prepare a good cricket wicket that had all facets of the game able to shine. 
Reckoned he’d like to see 300 runs & 10 wickets each day
Not far from that 

Thankfully, some of the Aussies threw their wickets away. But Archer bowled well. Gotta get the two remaining wickets cheaply, then bat properly…

Englands day
When you win the toss and bat you want to be 300/4 by stumps
Since Head in the First Test too many have got a start & not gone on
Reprieve for Khawaja but losing Smith on the morning of the Test is a blow
Green under a lot of pressure from Webster who has been excellent when he played & Inglis needs to do a lot more if he is ever going to be more than a stop gap player

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025, 00:05 The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑17 Dec 2025, 00:05 The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

And another by Archer!  

1st great ball from Archer after lunch! Excellent start.  

Now for another...

This has already got disaster written all over it.

Not the lack of an early wicket - more importantly the fact that England are STILL persevering with their short-pitched drivel.

The definition of insanity…

Carse is pitching far too short - yet again.

Pitch it up, you stupid cսnt!

The Brendan Carse selection could come back to haunt England.

I mean, we'll be lucky to win over a few hearts, but fuck me, this is a shocking start from him.

zebthecat wrote: ↑16 Dec 2025, 23:32 We'll be batting last against Nathan Lyon.
He has 63 wickets at 25 in Adelaide.

 

We'll be batting last against Nathan Lyon.
He has 63 wickets at 25 in Adelaide.

Not holding out much hope. The pitch most likely to turn from day 3 and we haven’t really got a frontline spinner. Bet Leach would bowl well in Adelaide.

Baaaaaaaaaz!
[Waves giant plastic foam hand]

stubbo-admin wrote: ↑16 Dec 2025, 20:42

zebthecat wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025, 19:38

Westham67 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025, 09:39 The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson

As ever with England when the batting fails repeatedly they drop a a bowler of course. 

Reminds me when I played Club Cricket...always stated the batting was the 'strength' and was always the bowlers that got moved about when the team kept getting rolled for under 200.

For some reason, batters get reputations that last for games and series upon series, bowlers get cut after one hit and miss game. 

zebthecat wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025, 19:38

Westham67 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025, 09:39 The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson

As ever with England when the batting fails repeatedly they drop a a bowler of course. 

Khawaja turns 39 during the Test and has been left out. Probably the end for him. 
Wetherald & Head to open & Josh Inglis retains his place
Cummins & Lyon in for Doggett & Neser as expected

Big Bash has now started so no opportunity for anyone to force their way in with red ball performances 
Perth Scorchers open with a win in a shortened game against Sydney Sixers with future Test player Cooper Connolly getting them home 

Westham67 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025, 09:39 The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson

Pope carries on & Bashir sits and watches
Adelaide tends not to be as lively as Perth & Brisbane. 
Believe Lyon has the most Test wickets at Adelaide of any of the Australian attack & should be some spin later in the Test
Forecast for Day 1 is 36 degrees & 39 for Day 2 so pitch should dry out nicely 
Australian team not announced yet

The only change is Tounge in for Atkinson