Ha! Now we’ll have them on the run. Our master plan now is to ‘eradicate basic mistakes’. Thank **** we have all the analysts over there else we’d be stumped.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59778957

The only way Burns hasn’t got out?

I see what you did there…. :p

:D

Have a good Xmas

Pope and Burns out Crawley and Bairstow in. No real surprise but feel sorry for Pope who has very limited red ball practice this year. Hope he gets plenty for Surrey next year.

Not sure it shouldn't have been Hameed. He looks pretty awful

Yes I think they must have tossed a coin.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59789912

Technically Burns is far worse. At least Hameed has a reasonably sound technique to work on, Burns' is simply awful and at this stage in his career will not be able to correct this.

He's been chewed up and spat out once, maybe they thought they'd give him a go this time.

Well he deserves a second chance. Burns had loads and so did others so yes Hameed deserves some chance and luck

Happy Christmas Stuart Broad!


(He must be spitting blood)

Changing > 1/3rd of the team also makes an absolute mockery of Silverwood saying he’d pick exactly the same teams as he did for the 1st 2 Tests. I can’t see how he can survive this tour. I wonder if Root will also step down as Captain

Need a new new coach desperately, and Root needs to be replaced as Captain without doubt.

I just hope they don’t replace him with Stokes. Maybe make Butterfingers as the captain

They did indeed. Butler dropped it

agreed. Poor though Pope has been, imo got to keep faith in someone whose technique is as good as his (well at least in comparison with others)

The only reason he didn't get more of a chance before is because he got injured. Once he recovered, it took him 3 years to return to the form that got him picked in the first place.

Yep, spot on. He’s one player that the ECB have actually handled well.

Cold and damp in Melbourne. Off to game in a minute. Hope Australia bat first. Going to be with my son and his mates.

The indigenous welcome before each Ashes test is so brilliant