England 2021-22 Ashes Tour

England's first warm-up match against the Lions (Eng A) was abandoned on the final day, with only 29 overs on day 1. Hameed (53 no) & Burns (39 no) added an unbroken 98 opening stand. With no play possible on days 2 & 3, they have just one more practice match on Tuesday against the same opponents.

With the resignation of captain Tim Paine, Australia have to find a new leader. Fast bowler, Pat Cummins is thought to be the least controversial choice, & an announcement is expected within days. Ironically, only days before Cummins admitted that it would be unlikely that the 3 man fast bowling attack would get through all 5 Tests, & rotation would be required.

I think this is going to be an Ashes sseries like no other in Australia. How much it will take out of the players after itb is over remains to be seen.

First test at the Gabba even more important than ever imo now that Perth is off the agenda. Huge, huge test match coming up.

Ideally win the toss, bat first and make a decent score. But against that Aussie bowling attack, hmmmmm. Difficult.

The word is that Anderson will be rested, although he has a slight injury. Australia show all their cards by naming a starting XI, England named 12, & will more than likely have to leave a seamer out, unless they gamble on the weather, with a forecast thunder storms on the first 2 days. You would expect to see them play 6 batters & a keeper, with the return of Stokes to balance the side.

Boycott
Hutton
Trott
Root
Pietersen
Stokes
Botham
Russell
Swann
Trueman
Anderson

^ Knott instead of Russell for me unless Russell is picked as an all-rounder wicketkeeper/painter

Australia XI 1st Test Brisbane
1.David Warner 2.Marcus Harris 3.Marnus Labuschagne 4. Steven Smith (vc) 5.Travis Head 6.Cameron Green 7.Alex Carey (wk) 8.Pat Cummins (capt) 9.Mitchell Starc 10.Natham Lyon 11.Josh Hazlewood

Resting Anderson for the first … hope they don’t compound that fuckery by playing Woakes instead of Wood! Need some pace!

No Anderson or Broad .
Saving them for the day nighter/s???

England won toss and bat.

All out by lunch then