All the past players get wheeled out for the same old stories. The press will find a handful of wayward predictions or run with the guys who predict a whitewash or deliberately say something controversial for more clicks. Ah the pre match hype and nonsense just get it started.
Speaking of predictions I will list a few pre match tomorrow - but I will start with Khawaja dropped by the 3rd test.
Interesting call, and his recent form has been quite patchy, but I’m loath to write off any of the Australians just yet. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him, or a few others, digging in with a significant score or two.
I’m just looking forward to a test series. I find the pantomime around it cringey
It’s the same disease that affects everything from politics to showbizz these days. The person who makes the most outrageous comment gets the most attention. That means headlines, clicks and advertising revenue. So ex players try to out do each other with provocative quotes to get attention.
In this atmosphere, comparing the series to the Ilyad is relatively restrained.
I know absolutely nothing about Cricket, so now I’ll jump in with my strong opinions.
Just kidding. I know nothing, so cannot have an opinion on anything but what kind of hats, bats or trousers they use. Even that is a stretch.
Yes, I am bored. Also, good night.
i know the hype is off the charts, but the series more often than not will deliver the goods…its not like an FA cup/Champions League final where the final can be one of the dullest games in the comp but they are kinda duty bound to hype it…it does live up to the marketing alot of the time
Monty v Smith in the last pre match sledge. Pretty good stuff to hear a current player and captain have a pot shot back. Normally it’s a straight bat of diplomacy.
But Monty whilst you are right to call Smith a cheat, didn’t you say something in your book about how the team and you tampered with the ball?
You’ve just joined old mate Jonny in the hypocrite hall of fame.
Ok at the risk of looking a total fool let’s go with some predictions
Have a go you guys….because we are all experts after.
Crawley again scoring high 
Poor review Duckett
The idea they had any chance of winning this series.
Utterly laughable.
I predicted Starc to take 3 in the first hour, I ummmm just forgot to post it.
I wonder how ticket sales on any 4th/5th days in this series are going?
The way this is going you could see “post deleted by user”
Englad look to be digging in a bit, but it’s still very precarious.
I do hope it’s not one-sided, all jokes aside.
Cricket’s making me grumpy 
Do you have tickets for the 4th and 5th days of this Test?
Mate, 4th day tix for the Gabbatoir were sold out last week (yeah I checked).
Almost as funny as 7 English batsmen scoring less than ‘Extras’.
The BBC does cricket on the radio very well, I will give them that. Thoroughly enjoy it every series.