I think it's too naive to think it's down to lack of pace. Yes it's a factor, but its far from everything. I'd say it's as much to do with attitude too. I saw Steve Smith get dismissed in the first innings, on a series average of well over a hundred, and he was gutted, really mad with himself. I don't see that from England. I remember England in difficulty being able to give the ball to Flintoff, and no matter where, on what pitch etc he just did everything he could to get that man out, there's no one able to do that. Most of our batsmen look terrified of the same flat wickets the Aussies are struggling to get out on. Allowing the Aussies to go along at over 5 an over when Jimmy is down one end on less than 3 an over demonstrates all this too. There's no shame in losing to Australia, but there's shame in not competing. Regarding selection, IF the selectors think a player is good enough, then they need to be given their head, and backed for a test series. This constant revolving door of batsmen and bowlers isn't fair on them, there' a few in the list above who I think are plenty good enough if backed, but 2 or 3 matches aren' enough to prove anything in my opinion.

In fact, the WACA is being replaced by the brand new Optus stadium, funded by the government as a multi-use stadium with an increased capacity of 55k for cricket and more for other sports https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth_Stadium

The ECG give out test matches on a bidding basis though, so there's nothing Old Trafford can do, they either stump up the money and have to pass it on to fans, or have no test matches. I don' know if this is followed in other countries like Aus, as the venues for test matches doesn't seem to change like it does here - I.e. Durham, Cardiff etc. Lancs have probably made the right decision in trying to maximise non-test match revenues, to support this process at present, but it's a shame if the growth of the game is set only by money.

Another cracking day for England. Well on top in this match now. Very pleased for Cook, who has now gone past Brian Lara record of test runs scored, and also pleased for Broad too, who did a tremendous support role for Cook (and was very unlucky to be given out -looked like a dropped catch to me). If it's cloudy overhead tomorrow morning, I'd declare, if it's clear, then try and get another 20-30 runs.

Pleasantly surprised so far, but still far too early to be getting confident about this. Every game so far England's good days have been blown away quickly the next morning.

Definitely a batting wicket. New ball did zero. Mike Hussey said the pitch has been this way for the past several years now and doesn't deteriorate and in the Sheffield Shield 400+ in the 4th innings is a regular score. My guess is the Aussies will be 150 ahead after 1st innings, get 400, and England will be all out in 3 sessions for around 200.

Broad and Ali are top quality players, replacing them with a couple of novices will almost certainly ensure a 5-0. Want to try out new blood, try in the games vs New Zealand.

Nobody would care about the drinking, if we where winning. I don' think the Aussies have particularly better players, they just want it more, that's the gutting thing for me. Yes the pitches suit their bowlers, but that works both ways when they come here. I've said for a long time, at test level you need a couple of players who will just stick to the task of staying in, and if it means scoring runs slowly so be it. We have a team of decent quality shot makers, but no-one capable of occupying a crease for hours on end. Every good day for England on the tour has been surrounded by a fight back by the Aussies- that's attitude and character. Some of the 'shots' played at 350-4 where pathetic as though the test was as good as won.

The point being that most people wouldn't be listening to the commentary. You want people hooked and really involved, highlights don't do that. Would county cricket be popular? Not especially, but it may attract people, and I'm sure some people would rather watch it than loose women etc. I prefer test cricket too, but t20 is a big success, good fun and is a great introduction to cricket for youngsters who probably don't have the patience for watching test cricket.

Honestly, the Aussies are so far ahead in the game it doesn't matter. England would need to get 7 more wickets for around 50 runs to have a chance, and I can' see them getting the wickets or the runs.

The ECB has been ripping fans off for years on ticket prices too. I paid £84 for a standard ticket at the last Ashes. The number of kids attending is droppng outside t20 too. The Ashes are on BT and the tour of New Zealand is on Sky so to see both series youd need to be spending 60 odd quid a month minimum. I'd also disagree with Chaddy, a 1 hour highlights program doesn't give you any real insight into a days play, There should be at least one test from each series on terrestrial tv, and I'd like to see a return to county matches being shown live too, and 1 T20 game per weekend being shown live on each Saturday afternoon on free tv (Not evening - so younger kids can watch).

We'll lose to Belgium, and narrowly beat Tunisia, and scrape through vs Panama in the tax-evasion derby. Then lose to an average side in the first knock ot game on penalties. I see even Southgate is playing down our chances, should have stuck with Sam.

Not seen much of the action, but from commentary it appears that the Aussies gave just shown a bit more tenacity than England. From the bits I have seen, some of the English wickets in the first innings were been pretty soft dismissals, rather than a sustained period of good bowling. Just think this was a not lose game for the English, it'll allow the Aussie fans, media and players to get their tails up, and that' something we have struggled with massively in the past.

Good first day for England considering they lost their best two batsmen cheaply. I think the Aussies may have the mix wrong, 3 pace bowlers and 1 spinner is light on that wicket, although these things change. 350-400 would be a good score, more than that will take some getting for the Aussies. I think it's realistic if we can get through the first hour or so unscathed.

I've recommended it before, but Big Life Fix on BBC2 is an amazing program. This kind of thing would be an amazing thing for universities to run as final year dissertation projects.

One of the greatest talents of our generation? I'll get me coat.

Stalin? ? Ianucci also is the creator of Veep.

Many of them not allowed on here. Flipperty Flip.

The ref stepped in 1 punch too early last night. Takam was being pummelled at the time,wasn't really defending himself, but was standing. AJ should thank the guy, he will have learnt a lot in the ring last night. Takam never looked like winning or hurting Joshua, but he was a puzzle Joshua really struggled with, and I think he wanted to be the first to take AN the distance.

What happens if you buy a ticket in the dog section, then Spot is unwell? Do you have to sit somewhere else? We could cordon off an area of Blues, specially reserved for the kennel club.

Glad this Stokes thing appears to be blowing over. At the end of the day he's stupid in many ways, and should face the law, however I'm not sure the guy he hit, who was threatening to bottle the gay lads would be happy in court. I've seen videos of Gerrard doing similar, same with Lee Bowyer, Joey Barton etc... Tony Adams drink driving etc etc etc.

Should Stokes and Hales miss the Ashes due to a drunken fight? I have a feeling the Aussies wouldn't even consider not picking their best squad.

Lancs making hay at Durhams financial plight. Some strong words from the club today. It will be very interesting how they intend to grow the club. I like the idea of trying to use the clubs resources to try to improve the numbers playing cricket for fun, rather than just talent spotting, I have concerns Freddie is the right man to do this. I welcome him as a talisman, but I'm not sure he has the time or ability to do this. Nice to see the club wanting to develop away from the last few decades of pretty meandering teams.

Also he's only young, 20?, it's not unheard of of younger players being more erratic in form. He needs to be given time.

ECB release list of players unavailable for county sides for the rest of the season: http://www.glamorgancricket.com/cricket/news/2017/september/released-england-players-for-county-action.html Some counties seemingly far more affected than others.