It's a big day today - the start of The Ashes. I'm not sure I like it being in Cardiff, but that's

[Rich]

another matter.

Hope Bayliss continues the attacking brand of cricket. I'd be tempted to play Rashid over Ali. Ali hasn't been bowling all that well for England this season - perhaps he's done better at Warwickshire, I'm not sure?

I doubt that'll happen, though.

Rich's XI to play Australia:

Lyth
Cook (c)
Ballance
Bell
Root
Stokes
Ali
Buttler (wk)
Broad
Anderson
Wood

12 - Rashid

[Ben.]

and he has barely bowled.
The other option is to drop Ballance, who looks a bit all over the place, shift Bell and Root up and play Ali at 5 and Rashid at 8. There is still enough batting there and you have cover if either of them has an off day with the ball.

[Luis Anaconda]

but that is not surprising as he plays for Worcestershire :-) Not been brilliant for them either but I think England will stick with him and that will be the line-up. Think the Aussies are going to miss Harris though not sure just how good this Hazelwood is.

In short, we are going to get gubbed

[Rich]

places.

That is an option, I suppose. But I like Ballance - he's the sort that will click at some point and seems to relish the big stage. I'd back him at least for the first 3 test matches.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Ben.]

although tbf Steve Smith was supposed to be a clone of Warne.

[Rich]

the press that he's as quick as ever. To me, this means that he's lost a yard of pace since we last faced him.

[Ben.]

his front foot also moves forward occasionally.

[Rich]

became the number one batsman in test match cricket.

He's going to be Anderson's little bunny imo. LBW candidate.

[Luis Anaconda]

Hope you are right about Johnson. Be interesting to see what pitches we prepare. Do we want them that quick? Doubt Cardiff will be tbh

[Ben.]

no problem with him favouring it but playing inswinging yorkers like he did to Boult is slightly concerning.

[Luis Anaconda]

Smith seems to be a Bradman clone at the moment :-(

[Ben.]

he's obviously doing something right although as you say his technique really doesn't look like it should work.

[Ben.]

found out the other day he played for Sevenoaks (in Kent, down the road from me) when he was 17, just think if all it worked differently he could have been bottom of Div 2 now.

[Luis Anaconda]

knows a thing or two that lad

[Ben.]

which got him started really, I miss the bloke who just nicked everything to slip.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I can't wait until they all have run in to their mummies because it rains a bit.

[Rich]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/33425867

A cricketer has died after being struck on the chest by a ball during a local league match in Surrey.

Bavalan Pathmanathan, 24, was batting for Manipay Parish Sports Club in the British Tamil League on Sunday at Long Ditton recreation grounds.

Yes - The British Tamil League.

The incident was also reported chiefly by the Colombo Mirror.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

It makes me sad.

[Rich]

the local cricket club for a game. At this point you would be told that because you are not Tamil, you are not welcome.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Pokster]

[Pokster]

[Luis Anaconda]

The England and Wales Cricket Board aka the ECB

[Rich]

Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Headingly. It's really quite simple.

[Pokster]

wd R yet anoither **** idea from you

[Rich]

we have test matches in places such as the SWALEC and Chester Le Street :-(

Do people in the north east (outside of Durham) even like cricket?!

[Luis Anaconda]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

It's bloody rude to a host nation.

[Pokster]

up there at all... none.

Some of the older grounds are in need of updating, so if there is a ground that is better, use it.

I suppose the British Grand Prix should never have left Brands Hatch??

[Rich]

best ground behind Lord's. If you've been then it's hard to disagree.

[Pokster]

wd r got nice conflicting views there

[Ashberto]

most of which are not used often enough for tests because there is too much competition.

*I have no idea how much money has been invested.

[Rich]

grounds rather than just giving them to the highest bidder.

[Pokster]

I'm not sure how financially viable cricket clubs are tbh

[Pokster]

[Pokster]

[Classic Jorge]

Mind you, nice to see Cardiff getting some much needed investment, eh?