***Official*** 4th Test at the MCG

[Crazy Sam]

Bill Lawry in and Kevin Pietersen out already makes this game more inviting.

 

[S.Kennedy]

shocker

Uncompetitive one-sided cricket that will probably follow the same pattern as the other tests with all the inevitability of a James Bond film: England's pretty little thirties against a rampant bowling attack getting them to a 300 type score, under par in Australia, followed by England bowling 80mph medium short pitched tedium for hours on end, perhaps hopping for some miraculous dibbly dobbly, against Smith Smith and getting absolutely nowhere - vice versa if Australia win the toss. England will somehow contrive to keep in the game before collapsing.

 

[Heboric]

Well certain England punters are giving England a good chance based solely of the potential unavailability of Mitchell Starc

 

[fredfertang]

Well certain England punters are giving England a good chance based solely of the potential unavailability of Mitchell Starc

They do tease these Australians - we'll doubtless be told next that Smith has a touch of indigestion and is doubtful for Boxing Day

 

[stephen]

They do tease these Australians - we'll doubtless be told next that Smith has a touch of indigestion and is doubtful for Boxing Day

Turns out that consuming so many of Broad's pies clogs up the system.

 

[S.Kennedy]

I do realise England cannot just say, ''yes we're ****e'' - especially with two tests looming - but these type of interviews are a bit ridiculous,

Ashes: Australia not better than England - Mark Stoneman - BBC Sport

 

[Furball]

Displaying all the intelligence our regular contributors from Durham show.

 

[Compton]

“we’re two sides of fairly balanced bowling attacks”

 

[Gob]

“we’re two sides of fairly balanced bowling attacks”

Yeah but wait till it swings.

 

[Tannhauser]

As an England fan, Melbourne and Sydney are always my favourite tests. For some reason we save those two for not playing like arseholes. Surely we can nick a 1-4 for a party back at Trafalgar Square?

 

[Tannhauser]

Is anyone else feeling sorry enough for Cook that they are hoping he gets a big hundred in this test (proviso being that England still lose)? He has been a player that I have loved to fail, but secretly admired. It was tough watching Ponting at the end, and even though Cook is an Englishman (vomit) I'd hope to get one last gem from him.

Given the choice between four more failures from Cook and 4-1, or a big hundred and 5-0, I'd probably go for the 4-1 but I'd think twice. With some of the dick head millennials currently polluting the England camp, a bona fide legend like Cook doesn't deserve to go out like this.

As an aside, the way Cook immediately rose above the Aussie 'sledging' early doors on this tour was absolute class. Everything short of looking down at his shoes and giving it 'you missed a bit'.

 

[Burgey]

I’d like to see Cook make a ton in Sydney then retire. I wonder if he’s a bit like Huss at the end, still loving the game but thinking nothing could be worse than touring with this pack of young arseholes.

 

[Burgey]

Just heard Andrew Strauss’ wife has been diagnosed with cancer as well and he’s headed home. Thoughts with his family. Horrible ****ing business.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well certain England punters are giving England a good chance based solely of the potential unavailability of Mitchell Starc

I will give them some good odds and clean up.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I’d like to see Cook make a ton in Sydney then retire. I wonder if he’s a bit like Huss at the end, still loving the game but thinking nothing could be worse than touring with this pack of young arseholes.

I think he may well be fed up of them. He has never drunk so is out of the loop there and they seem to want to have a good time rather than put the effort in. Coach must be under pressure too for allowing it all to go on, maybe Strauss too but under the circumstances he has enough on his plate at present so his deputy needs to step up and crack the whip.

 

[Tannhauser]

I think he may well be fed up of them. He has never drunk so is out of the loop there and they seem to want to have a good time rather than put the effort in. Coach must be under pressure too for allowing it all to go on, maybe Strauss too but under the circumstances he has enough on his plate at present so his deputy needs to step up and crack the whip.

12,000 Test runs, 4-time Ashes winner, 31 Test hundreds, father of two. On tour with a bunch of 'lads' whose accolades include owning ripped jeans and concave faces. A man can have only so much patience.

 

[marc71178]

I'm not watching it. Just waiting until April and the championship starting to be honest.

Best make sure you refrain from making tIll-informed comments as well then although watching hasn't stopped that in the past I guess.

 

[Groundking]

I just want Cook to get a triple before he's finished, which I really don't think is far away

 

[Tannhauser]

I just want Cook to get a triple before he's finished, which I really don't think is far away

A 2nd innings 335 at the SCG and then off into the sunset.

 

[Gnske]

I’d like to see Cook make a ton in Sydney then retire. I wonder if he’s a bit like Huss at the end, still loving the game but thinking nothing could be worse than touring with this pack of young arseholes.

I wonder if Joe Root will try taking Cook to a boat party too.

I would be happy with this end, Huss retiring at the top of his game compared to what happened to Ponting was so nice.