Third Ashes Test, Perth

[QF WP]

With it starting tomorrow, I thought I'd start the thread early. My father and uncle are flying over today (from BNE and SYD respectively), not normally a Test they would attend.

My father has lucked it in, as when I checked his booking yesterday, it was an upgradeable fare and not thinking there would be any J seats available (on a 734 with 24:30h remaining), was gobsmacked when it told me that for 16K points, one was his. So gave him my Xmas present early

When I checked him in 30 mins later, still 3 seats available (all Row 3), so he is rapt with 3A. Now he's got J both ways (as my mum organised a J Classic for the return).

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[simongr]

I think this will be a big test for England. And I mean that not as a "yay we are going to win" but they will be facing a revamped Australia and it will be a big trial for them to see if they can maintain their momentum from the other tests.

I am quite excited by this one...

 

[TonyHancock]

Looking forward to this one. I think the Australian players feel they have a lot to prove. It seems the press has forgotten England's collapse in the 1st innings in Brisbane.

I'm really not buying into the "gulf" between the two sides. I think England's batting line up can be fragile.

Nothing better than listening to the ABC commentary on a work afternoon!

 

[QF WP]

Particularly Kerry O'Keffee aka Skull

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[anat0l]

My father has lucked it in, as when I checked his booking yesterday, it was an upgradeable fare and not thinking there would be any J seats available (on a 734 with 24:30h remaining), was gobsmacked when it told me that for 16K points, one was his. So gave him my Xmas present early

Blimey! A 734 operating to PER? What a travesty...

 

[NM]

Blimey! A 734 operating to PER? What a travesty...

Well, it was starting in BNE, so what more do you expect from SYD-centric QF?

 

[TonyHancock]

I wonder how England and Australia are getting around the country for the tests. Seems a perfect opportunity for Qantas to do their bit for Australia by transporting England around in 737's!!!!

 

[anat0l]

Well, it was starting in BNE, so what more do you expect from SYD-centric QF?

A 763 at least? Even a 738 if so be it.

 

[JohnK]

Too close to call at this stage but one feels there will be a result if they can fit in 5 days play.

My concern is the make up of the Australian team. I hope I am wrong but Johnson, Hughes and Beer (the Michael variety) do not appear to be the saviours of Australian cricket.

Has Hughes made a score in shield cricket since a test against New Zealand earlier in the year? And Johnson is now match hardened after bowling in the nets. If they are truly our best 3 options then we are in trouble.

Well, it was starting in BNE, so what more do you expect from SYD-centric QF?

You would think that QF would schedule 734's and 738's to fly SYD/MEL-PER and save the 763's and A332's for BNE/CNS/ADL-PER. Why it makes perfect sense.

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, with a Points + Pay (36k + $ for J) on his return leg, I wonder if the old man has a JASA?

I'm concerned, like JohnK, that the bowlers can't get the English out twice. What will the green top give us and who will win the toss?

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[TonyHancock]

I'm still intrigued by the final selection for both teams. (It directly affects my ABC Fantasy Team!!)

I can't get my head around the bowling line up for Australia. If Beer does not play then Smith will be the primary spinner, and I'm not sure that is a good thing. If Beer does play then will Siddle be the unlucky man?

 

[NM]

Well it seems that in another first for Australian cricket, there will be Beer on the drinks cart in the 3rd test starting today in Perth.

 

[TonyHancock]

Well it seems that in another first for Australian cricket, there will be Beer on the drinks cart in the 3rd test starting today in Perth.

LOL

Four quicks and a part time spinner! Australia inserted.

This is going to be a fascinating day.

 

[QF WP]

May the game begin!

10am England have won the toss and decided to bowl first. So Strauss has taken a gamble on a greenish pitch.

9.50am "Beer left out of the Australian side. Now a minute's silence for sub-editors around the world," Michael says. Well, yes, but of course we can make the point that Beer has gone flat already

So many one liners possible

 

[QF WP]

And here are the teams:

Australia 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Steven Smith, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.
England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 James Anderson, 10 Chris Tremlett, 11 Steven Finn.

So England have brought in Tremlett for the injured Broad. Australia have made for changes: Hughes in for Katich, Smith in for North, Johnson in for Bollinger, Hilfenhaus in for Doherty.

Umpires: BR Doctrove (West Indies) and M Erasmus (South Africa)
TV umpire: Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Match referee: JJ Crowe (New Zealand)
Reserve umpire: BNJ Oxenford

 

[TonyHancock]

I just have a feeling that the England pace attack is a little inexperienced for the Perth track. I can see them bowling a bit too short.

 

[QF WP]

TonyHancock, cricinfo commentators agree:

Big gamble from Andrew Strauss to stick Australia in: a jeg-lagged Anderson, recalled Tremlett and young Steven Finn. Massive morning for those three.

We've survived the first over 0/0

Oops, did I talk too soon :

Review drama already, this one slants down the leg side and takes a deflection through to Prior who takes a good catch. It's given out, but Watson calls for the review straight away

Phew :

it's correctly overturned as the replays show it took the thigh pad.

 

[TonyHancock]

I just have a feeling that the England pace attack is a little inexperienced for the Perth track. I can see them bowling a bit too short.

OK maybe they might pitch it up occasionally to Phil Hughes!

 

[QF WP]

Indeed they did :
1.6
Tremlett to Hughes, OUT, gone! Tremlett strikes, early breakthrough. Brilliant bowling. Went fuller at the stumps, Hughes tried to play it to the leg side and is beaten all ends up. Perfect comeback for Tremlett, but not for Hughes
PJ Hughes b Tremlett 2

 

[samh004]

Wow, this match has started well