Jamie Smith is an astonishing find

[Peter]

Not like you to be remorselessly negative p.

I think it is.

[Luis Anaconda]

I think it is.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Do have to say that Australia are an ageing team and there doesn't seem to be a lot coming through

By next year their bowling attack will probably still be:

Hazlewood 34
Starc 35
Cummins 32 (obviously still brilliant)
Lyon 38

We're 12 months out from the Ashes - they have a whole Test summer (and a difficult one against India) to get through. Not sure they will be as strong as they have been in the previous series

[Peter]

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Do have to say that Australia are an ageing team and there doesn't seem to be a lot coming through

By next year their bowling attack will probably still be:

Hazlewood 34
Starc 35
Cummins 32 (obviously still brilliant)
Lyon 38

We're 12 months out from the Ashes - they have a whole Test summer (and a difficult one against India) to get through. Not sure they will be as strong as they have been in the previous series

I'm confident we can compete against their bowling. I'm just concerned about ours.

The last three tours have seen us consistently struggle to take wickets. Would be great if we can go there with a bowling attack that can actually threaten consistently, with a few options. Wood and archer would help.

I don't think it is as simple as being able to bowl above 90 but certainly we need bowlers who don't rely on swing and excessive seam movement.

Aa others have said, Atkinson looks good. I quite liked Mahmood but injuries seem to have crippled him.

[Peter]

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Do have to say that Australia are an ageing team and there doesn't seem to be a lot coming through

By next year their bowling attack will probably still be:

Hazlewood 34
Starc 35
Cummins 32 (obviously still brilliant)
Lyon 38

We're 12 months out from the Ashes - they have a whole Test summer (and a difficult one against India) to get through. Not sure they will be as strong as they have been in the previous series

I've had to turn off the cricket today. It's just too bloody frustrating watching us fumble around against the tail.

[PSRB]

I've had to turn off the cricket today. It's just too bloody frustrating watching us fumble around against the tail.

Yep, blown it in 10 minutes

[Peter]

Yep, blown it in 10 minutes

I know it's part of the game but it is just so, so frustrating that we keep doing this.

[PSRB]

I know it's part of the game but it is just so, so frustrating that we keep doing this.

Going to lose by an innings here, if we're not careful #digin

[Luis Anaconda]

I'm confident we can compete against their bowling. I'm just concerned about ours.

The last three tours have seen us consistently struggle to take wickets. Would be great if we can go there with a bowling attack that can actually threaten consistently, with a few options. Wood and archer would help.

I don't think it is as simple as being able to bowl above 90 but certainly we need bowlers who don't rely on swing and excessive seam movement.

Aa others have said, Atkinson looks good. I quite liked Mahmood but injuries seem to have crippled him.

Yes - I can see where you are coming from. I think Stone can be useful too - but one of Wood and Archer with Atkinson and Stokes supporting will make a hell of a difference. And another year's experience for Bashir could be interesting - the talent is there as his height makes him a real threat on Aussie pitches. I'm planning to be out there for some of it so have to remain positive

[Peter]

Yes - I can see where you are coming from. I think Stone can be useful too - but one of Wood and Archer with Atkinson and Stokes supporting will make a hell of a difference. And another year's experience for Bashir could be interesting - the talent is there as his height makes him a real threat on Aussie pitches. I'm planning to be out there for some of it so have to remain positive

One day, I want to do that. Maybe.

The biggest frustration is that the ashes is massive, and when it is over here it is so incredibly exciting. Yet over there it's so one sided that it's over before it begins. I just want to see a competitive series, regardless of who wins.

I also want to win, because they are ****s 😀