Won’t be.
I expect we will be saying the same next summer. He isn’t automatically going play himself into form and there is a guy now asking questions however if you make it look like a closed door as England have done then it doesn’t matter.
He can post a 100 once in a year and “he’s back”. Reminded me of Bairstow making one exceptional catch and all the talking heads were, that’s why he’s England’s wicket keeper. Ignoring the several he had dropped that series that ultimately changed games.
Not even sure if Stokes with all his arrogance will think England can chase this down.
We won, finally 
I’ve always maintained that the SG ball is the one to use. Across conditions. It might well be time for countries to shift to that.
Offers a pronounced seam which helps both spinners and seam bowlers. Gets reverse swing into play in the later part as well as conventional swing earlier on. Plus the seam doesn’t disintegrate as quickly as the kookaburra and more concerningly , the Dukes.
There are three major cricketing ball manufacturers around. The best one is the one least used.
And the SG ball is the only one of the three which offers a handstiched seam. The other two are machined stitched.
Rob Key will only be interested if they start using it in Australia
England are so averse to playing for the draw that they’re now playing for the loss.
the rain is going to save them.
Dukes are hand stitched.
We are not set up well for the Ashes. Toothless bowling and a wafty opener who will give it away on bouncy pitches.
3 games to change.
Three games to find three top notch bowlers.
Good luck with that!
Ninth highest scoring Test match of all time, a run rate of over 4, 36 wickets, went into the final day and it wasn’t a draw (not all draws are bad, before anyone comments). Pretty fucking ninja, if you ask me.
Yeah, it’s entertaining stuff. Doesn’t always work, but it’s more likely to attract viewers than the old Boycott snooze fests of old.
I really don’t mind losing at cricket that much (caveat australis), you kind of have to have that mindset if you’re English otherwise you’d be a nervous wreck.
It should be a good contest then. An Australian top order that have been absolutely pants recently, with an excess of nervous energy. That with a poor English bowling attack could keep it even.
Your batting couldn’t possibly be as bad as England’s bowling.
England would be in danger of being a really good side if they dumped Crawley, Pope and Bashir.
Unfortunately I think age might be catching up with Woakes as well. Looked decent on the first morning but beyond that hasn’t offered much at all so far in the series and his batting looks to have regressed as well. Carse I still think can be a good test player but not convinced by Tounge yet. Bet they play both Archer and Atkinson next test as well, potentially a recipe for disaster with both just back from injury.
Pope’s fine. Especially if England have no one left in the counties to pick from.
Crawley , Yes. He’s long over due for a drop.
Bashir - I personally thiink he’s too inexperienced and needs a senior spinner in the team. No idea who. But someone to take charge of him and show him the ropes while he’s in the squad if not necessarily the playing xi.
Woakes - He’s increasingly looking innocuous in the bowling. Maybe better pitches might suit him
Carse - He’s okay. Personally think England should be having better players than him. As is the case or Tounge
I think they’ll get back Archer and Atkinson for the next test match. The pressure will be mounting for Stokes to have to bowl a few overs. The problem therein lies that Archer is injury prone and might break down again. And Stokes is a reluctant bowler (even if a very good bowler)
On current form it is.
The difference is a young bowling attack with potential, but no real leader vs an old batting top order that looks to have all developed the yips at the same time. Australia’s bowling attack at the moment looks to be the weight that puts the balance slightly in Australia’s favour in Australian conditions.
As things stand, I’m not expecting a series with any great batting performances
Following on from my previous post, I think Englands key will be if they can get 7 tests from Woods and Archer combined. Neither seem to be capable of doing all 5 tests, but if England could get 3 and 4 tests then you have a chance to rattle the Aussie batting lineup
I don’t think wood can play 2 tests in a 5 test series. He’s not the youngest anymore as well.