creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Worthy4England]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

That would be 50.28 to you Pru…away from home...

[BWFC_Insane]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

Yep - its true. But not sure we did so well on their flat tracks last time out.

[Prufrock]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

That would be 50.28 to you Pru…away from home...

Have I got that the wrong way around? Anyway, I've never seen Khawaja look anything other than total shite, which I'm sure you'll agree is statically important.

[Prufrock]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

Yep - its true. But not sure we did so well on their flat tracks last time out.

For sure. I wouldn't have us favourites if we were in Oz. My point is just that you'd expect averages of teams who have home scores regularly 400+ to be higher than those where they're ~300. Especially given how poorly teams travel now.

[Worthy4England]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

That would be 50.28 to you Pru…away from home...

Have I got that the wrong way around? Anyway, I've never seen Khawaja look anything other than total shite, which I'm sure you'll agree is statically important.

No you haven't he averages 50.46 at home... but in any event along way from 4. It is a lot lower in England - 7 tests at around 15...

[BWFC_Insane]

Not as simple as just looking at averages. They play half their tests on flat tracks. Khawaja averages about 4 outside Australia.

Yep - its true. But not sure we did so well on their flat tracks last time out.

For sure. I wouldn't have us favourites if we were in Oz. My point is just that you'd expect averages of teams who have home scores regularly 400+ to be higher than those where they're ~300. Especially given how poorly teams travel now.

In fairness you can compare this to previous England sides who won the ashes that contained more players with averages over 40 - ones who played primarily in English conditions.

I don't think there is any other conclusion beyond - we have a very weak batting line up.

And as I type - Roy has gone.

[Worthy4England]

Joe Root's lucky bails...

[Bruce Rioja]

And as I type - Roy has gone.

I've no idea why we'd open with Roy. I'd rather him come in at five and play like it's an ODI.

[BWFC_Insane]

Good session for England. Just need to avoid a collapse now and we should avoid the follow on....

[Worthy4England]

I'm saying nothing. Nada.

[Prufrock]

And as I type - Roy has gone.

I've no idea why we'd open with Roy. I'd rather him come in at five and play like it's an ODI.

I think the answer is b) there is nobody else.

Good to see Patinson taking the old adage that the perfect ball flicks the top of off stump quite so literally.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm saying nothing. Nada.

Been out this morning; came in to find words like "survived" being bandied about on the Guardian commentary . Are they all Ozzies?

ps. Had a panic moment when I saw their 71-7 online error... .

[BWFC_Insane]

And as I type - Roy has gone.

I've no idea why we'd open with Roy. I'd rather him come in at five and play like it's an ODI.

Sometimes he'll come off though and batter the opening bowling. In Australia for example he might be a good opening option.

He's barely played red ball cricket so its worth him trying to find a way - in absence of other options. In these conditions he needs to subtly adapt his game and it will be hard. But I'd give him a chance to do so.

[Prufrock]

Aye, and don't think it's a terrible dismissal, in and around off stump, nibbled a bit, you'll get those opening against good bowlers. Could've had softer hands but according to BBC he'd not been too bad for that, not flashing at things as you might expect.

[BWFC_Insane]

Aye, and don't think it's a terrible dismissal, in and around off stump, nibbled a bit, you'll get those opening against good bowlers. Could've had softer hands but according to BBC he'd not been too bad for that, not flashing at things as you might expect.

I think he plays at some stuff he shouldn't and plays hard at everything. That will be a problem in these conditions - but I don't think there is any point expecting him to be the next Cook or Boycott - find a way to play his game. If he can't then its not worked.

[Prufrock]

Don't disagree. And as you say will work well in other conditions. If Burns can find some form they could be a good combo. Not ideal, but we're long past ideal!

Remember some analysis of the Australians in 2015 and how far in front of their body they played, with hard hands and how they kept nicking off. Works well in Aussie conditions with little sideways movement but not so much here!

[Enoch]

Thoroughly enjoyable morning of test cricket.

A proper contest between bat & ball.

[Prufrock]

Obvious jinx coming up so sorry, but just read the Aussies have been whinging about the ball (as we did plenty yesterday). Seems like once it looses it's hard shininess there isn't huge amounts there (though enough that it's not easy). Time to cash in now. Need one of these two to go big.

[Prufrock]

First time I'd seen Burns in the flesh for an over last night. He doesn't half look odd. (Not that that seems to hold that cheating bastard back).

[Enoch]

First time I'd seen Burns in the flesh for an over last night. He doesn't half look odd. (Not that that seems to hold that cheating bastard back).

Did you ever see Alan Knott at the crease?