Apart from the night test, a Gabba green top would surely be the second ground he would do some damage?

A drop in MCG road and the batsmen/spin friendly SCG aren't going to help him much.
Perhaps he only has one test in him?

Looks that way. If he was going to play, surely it would have been this test?

England may think that the Perth replacement might also be Day/Night. Or, more simply, that he, more than the others, is massively undercooked. Or maybe he’s just been shite in the nets.

You maybe right. But Jimmy plays whether he’s been shite in the nets or not!

Anderson isn't rated to do 5 tests in quick succession. They are saving him for the day/night test when the pink ball may well do hoops. Most reports expect him to play 3 of the 5 tests.

Jimmy has a 'slight calf niggle' according to the Telegraph. My guess is the Gabba isn't that green, and England don't want to flog him for 40+ overs given so little preparation.

I don't think Anderson has ever had much success at the Gabba anyway.
I also doubt the Gabba will be quite as green come midnight tonight.
If they have any doubt then they've made the right call, and it's time someone else makes a name for themselves.
We've got enough bowling in the ranks anyway.

Have we? I’m not so sure. Broad is knocking on, Wood isn’t all that and Robinson is still learning his trade. Woakes is good but doesn’t get lots of game time. Taking 20 wickets will be tough

Other reports say we are simply 'managing his workload'. Whatever the truth, it is a good smokescreen.

Broad is getting on - He is still taking plenty of wickets, and has the 3rd most wickets of all time from a fast bowler. We also know he can go on match winning spells.

Wood - HE's the only fast bowler available, and in countries which encourage fast bowling he has done extremely well (Five wicket hauls against South Africa and West Indies away). He's also the sort of character that thrives on competition.

Ollie Robinson - Had a breakthrough summer. Bowled brilliantly. A lot to prove still and owes the England team after previous controversy.

Woakes - Never let England down. If it wasn't for the brilliance of Anderson and Broad he'd have played a hell of a lot more test matches. He has something to prove too.

Stokes - we all know what he can do on his day. 8 years ago he had a very respectable figures over in Australia, and with more experience he can do the same.

Australia might just have the edge with their bowling, but they're getting on a bit.

I'm far more concerned about our batting than our bowling.

Worrying about Englands batting is just the norm !

Robinson was so good in the Summer - this is a big step up but he seems to me the sort that would absolutely love taking on the Aussies.

Pope in, YJB out

He reminds me of Josh Hazlewood in terms of bowling style. I think he could be very well suited to Aussie pitches.

Good point about the replacement test being a D/N. Even a drop in road like the MCG pitch would swing in the evening.

Mind games a la Glenn Hoddle in 1998? God help us if so.

Under huge protest, I've bought my BT pass.

But am I missing something, or are there no televised highlights of the Ashes on any channel?

BT Sport 1 Live from 11pm

Yes - live. If you can stay up all night. But any highlights during the hours of daylight in the UK?

[QUOTE=Tomo;16137602]Broad is getting on - He is still taking plenty of wickets, and has the 3rd most wickets of all time from a fast bowler. We also know he can go on match winning spells.


Especially when Warner's at the other end. Broad v Warner in 2019: 7-35 in 104 balls.....