England's Tour of Australia - Ashes, ODIs and T20s 13/14

England will have their work cut out chasing a target of 214.Australia's total was build around a hundred opening stand between Finch 52 & White 75,topped off by contributions from Maxwell & a quick-fire 33 from debutant Lynn as they posted 213-4.

England - 46-3 from 6 overs

Australia win by 13 runs as England finish on 200/9. Australia's total was just too much for England to get, despite a valiant innings from Bopara, although Broad said afterwards that he didn't think 213 was too many with the boundaries being short on that ground. Bopara's 65 not out came off only 27 balls.

Total contrast to the way he played in the last ODI which wasn't an easy pitch to bat on,this was,but that match was in the balance.Today with the pressure off Bopara performs.Very talented but frustrating player.Big mistake not playing Stokes.The first match of a series is vital,you lose & have to win the next 2.

The women have done English cricket proud.
Well done ladies .
Charlotte Edwards finished things off in the grand manner .

The ladies certainly did us proud. I am not sure Stokes would nave made much difference to the mens result to be honest.

Can't really see how Briggs gets into an International T20 side.He doesn't spin it much & relies on accuracy & change of pace,one-dimentional cricketer,average fielder can't bat.Australia have Maxwell who does all three,& have worked out that a leg-spinner that can turn the ball both ways & can be a wicket taker is the way forward,giving a debut to a 20 year old that has only played 5 domestic T20 games.Borthwick should never had played in the last Test but should be in our T20 side.Not sure if he's in Sri Lanka with the England Lions,but he would be an asset in the World T20 in Bangladesh.

Yes Briggs looked a great talent when he started out but has failed to progress from what I have seen. Early years for a spinner but it does go to show how bare the cupboard is in that department for England at present. I don't know much about Borthwick apart from his not had much chance to bowl on a seem friendly pitch at Durham.

(29-01-2014 23:16 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Borthwick should never had played in the last Test but should be in our T20 side.

Borthwick would probably go for 20 or 30 an over against this Australian side. In that test he played in he bowled no end of full tosses.

(30-01-2014 14:27 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(29-01-2014 23:16 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Borthwick should never had played in the last Test but should be in our T20 side.

Borthwick would probably go for 20 or 30 an over against this Australian side. In that test he played in he bowled no end of full tosses.

Maybe,but taking wickets is key in T20 cricket & will slow the scoring rate.Leg spinners will naturally take wickets when batsmen are attacking.It took England over 10 overs to take a wicket & only managed 4 in total.

I'm not saying Borthwick is Shane Warne but Briggs isn't worth his place,Root could bowl his overs or if they want a slow left armer Samit Patel can do a job & is a talent with the bat.

2nd T20 MCG England win the toss & elect to bat.

Australia leave out Henriques & Christian & bring in Hodge & Starc

England make one change DROPPING Briggs & bringing in Tredwell