MadAsHell

2/145 at Tea with Rogers unbeaten on 74. Smith getting out was annoying. Was looking good and then played a few false strokes before getting out. Only 86 more to get to avoid the follow on. Hopefully we don't loose anymore then 2 wickets in the final session. Add 100 runs, and we're in a decent position.

Spot on Cards. 7th consecutive 50 for Rogers. Lets hope he goes on to turn this one into a ton!

Was a shocking call, and for a minute it looked like Warner wasn't going to challenge. Decent start. And if Starc is injured, we just need to bat time. Mark Taylor already saying Starc could be in doubt for Lords. Reckon Siddle will be the likely replacement if that's the case.

England All Out 430 J. Root 134 M. Starc 5/114 (24.1) M. Ali 77 J. Hazlewood 3/83 (23) G. Ballance 61 N. Lyon 2/69 (20) Still believe that score was more a case of our bad bowling rather then their good batting. Outside Root, there's no reason to fear any of their top 5. Cook's form is still down, Ballance made the worst 61 I've seen, Bell's out of form and Lyth didn't do much. We'll need to bat well. 500+ if we're any chance, but from the looks of the pitch I'd say the likely outcome from here is draw or England win.

Over 400 now England with still 2 wickets in hand. On this track we may be playing for a draw. 9 down now, but to add salt to the wounds, Starc clearly has an ankle issue. We've leaked runs in this innings with the two Mitch's. Depending on results in this test, Siddle could find himself in contention for Lords due to his accuracy. Edit: 9th wicket.

Was it just me that thinks we were done over on that over turn? I've watched the replay several times now, and every time it looks to me that Voges gets it in both hands before hitting the wicket. Seems that Broad gets the benefit every time it's the 1st Test of an Ashes series in England....

Didn't see any of the last session, but to have them 7 down is alright, especially on that wicket. Knock them over for 380 or less and then bat well to make 500 and we take control. Important day coming up! Hope we bowl better in the morning then we did yesterday.

Funny session that one. I thought we bowled better, but nil wickets. The wicket looks like an absolute road, but hopefully we can maybe get them 6 down by stumps to be on track to keep them to under any type of huge score. Mitchell Starc has been a concern in the first two sessions, looks back to bowling the way he was before Warne gave him that massive spray. He played a few tests last Ashes Series in England, so doesn't have the excuse of not knowing the conditions. Fingers crossed for a big final session.

Pegged the run rate back a little since lunch and a few half chances with edges not going to hand. Get Root and the rest could go quickly!

Yep, as you mentioned we're already missing Harris at the moment. Watson may be useful on this wicket with his line & length. Siddle also. Having said that, the three quicks picked have certainly deserved first crack.

Hope that drop doesn't turn out costly, he's looking good! Although I said the same thing about Cook just before he got out, so hopefully that means Root will go out in the first few overs after lunch.

I certainly don't want to go praising the enemy to quickly, but they're looking good at the crease. Very busy.

Cook looking dangerous already.

Was a shocking over, but will take the wicket!

England win the toss and bat. The Marsh brothers miss out and Voges & Watson get the nod ahead. Lets hope for at least 2 wickets in the first session. 3+ would be great!

Sad way for Rhino to bow out. Was looking forward to watching him, Hadds & Rogers walk off arm in arm after The Oval test celebrating a series win as all three retire at the one time. The XI for the first test will be interesting. My prediction: Rogers (can't go past his experience in England) Warner Smith Clarke S. Marsh (Voges very stiff) Watson (will be his final test series, so they'll give him first crack) +Haddin Johnson Starc Lyon Hazlewood Voges and Mitch Marsh knocking on the door!

Your right that does tend to be the way. Cloke ended up signing late and I think Dunn signed about mid year the other year if I'm correct. I hope he stays. Edit: Re-worded.

I get that, but when you continually see contracted names Terlich, M. Jones, Michie thrown around, just to name a few.... It's never to be traded, because as we all know, they have zero value. Wouldn't be the greatest look for the club sacking three contracted players. I agree with pretty much everyone that they're not long term players for the club, but I currently assume they'll still be on the list next year.

So I'm assuming in this thread that players contract status aren't relevant one bit?

I do agree with that point WJD, however you still need the players available to move on.What i mean by that is the only other players we have coming out of contract are Riley, Pedersen, Cross, Hunt and the rookies. Cross and Pedersen have done enough to warrant new deals IMO, the rookies are showing very promising signs down at Casey so that only leaves Riley and Hunt. You could make a tough call on Hunt, but the poor kid hasn't really had a good run. Roos himself on a recent episode of Roos views described him as very exciting which gives me the feeling they may stick by him. Then of course there's Riley who could well get the chop. There's reasons for and against. The final option would be cutting contracted players eg: Terlich, M. Jones, Michie etc, however you do that to often like we did last year and you run the risk of your club picking up a reputation amongst other players and the AFLPA of being a club to avoid as they cut players mud contract. All things for the list managers to take into consideration.

Still think this off season will be the calm before the storm of offseason 2016. Based on the fact that of a weak draft coming up, needing another year to see where the likes of Trengove, Hunt and our rookies are at as well as getting another pre-season into the likes of Hogan, Petracca, Neal-Bullen etc. If we delist Jamar, Bail & McKenzie and trade out say Howe, Grimes & Fitzpatrick that gives us 6 list spots. Trade in an experienced outside mid with pace and an another ruck to battle for a spot with Gawn. Can then promote Vanders & Harmes which allows you to draft two kids in the national draft and two in the rookie draft. This would then also mean at the end of 2016 Goodwin can make a call on the careers of: Cross (1 year at the end of 2015) Terlich M. Jones Spencer Pedersen (1 year at the end of 2015) Riley (1 year at the end of 2015) Trengove Hunt (1 year at the end of 2015) Michie Newton White (extra rookie year end of 2015) King (extra rookie year end of 2015) 1st Rookie selection of 2015 rookie draft 2nd Rookie selection of 2015 rookie draft Allows him to really take ownership of the list right from the start.

Fair enough. Everyone entitled to their opinion.

Yeah he's certainly in danger. Reckon he may get lucky with a 1 year extension, but don't expect the offer to come until well into trade period I reckon once they know how the list is shaping up.

Been to see him play at Casey this year?

Reckon they're all developing well. I'd be tempted to promote Vandenberg & Harmes and keep King & White both on the rookie list for another year.