Just heard what Haddins personal reasons are, poor lad best wishes to his family.

Poor show by the Aussies not taking up England's offer of a beer after the test. They're hard to warm to at the best of times but this just hardens attitudes against them. Thought this sort of aloofness had retired with Ponting.

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I don’t think Peter Siddle reads this august forum, but he certainly chucked in his two bobs worth via the BBC Cricket page with, "This is the fifth Ashes I've played in and it's the first time anyone has gone for a drink after just one Test," said Siddle. "It's interesting coming from Jimmy as at the Oval in 2013 he said: 'I don't know why we do this, I can't stand this. It's interesting comments but we know what Jimmy is like.

"It is always hard, aggressive matches from both countries but after the game we move on to the next one and go again. We will be happy to have a drink with England at the end of the series."

Obviously we mere mortals don’t know what the players do after a game and if a drink is commonplace or not, but these days professional sports people usually head for things like warm down exercises, ice baths and massage as they start getting ready for the next match. Many don’t drink at all during competition times.

I think from the cricket perspective, not drinking with the opposition during a series may have started with Captain Grumpy, Alan Border, who realised the game had become business rather than a free social trip to England and I’m not sure how many English players were keen to enjoy a friendly ale after any of the games in the last series.

Interesting comment Will Scarlet, “They're hard to warm to at the best of times but this just hardens attitudes against them”. Makes me wonder how many Australians you actually know, but anyway, if you played against me at the level of cricket I play these days, we would certainly have a friendly beer after, and probably during, the game and I’m sure there would be plenty of laughs mixed in with some compulsory sledging both ways once we heard your accent

comment by ozziewhite (U6324)
posted 2 hours, 51 minutes ago
Poor show by the Aussies not taking up England's offer of a beer after the test. They're hard to warm to at the best of times but this just hardens attitudes against them. Thought this sort of aloofness had retired with Ponting.

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I don’t think Peter Siddle reads this august forum, but he certainly chucked in his two bobs worth via the BBC Cricket page with, "This is the fifth Ashes I've played in and it's the first time anyone has gone for a drink after just one Test," said Siddle. "It's interesting coming from Jimmy as at the Oval in 2013 he said: 'I don't know why we do this, I can't stand this. It's interesting comments but we know what Jimmy is like.

"It is always hard, aggressive matches from both countries but after the game we move on to the next one and go again. We will be happy to have a drink with England at the end of the series."

Obviously we mere mortals don’t know what the players do after a game and if a drink is commonplace or not, but these days professional sports people usually head for things like warm down exercises, ice baths and massage as they start getting ready for the next match. Many don’t drink at all during competition times.

I think from the cricket perspective, not drinking with the opposition during a series may have started with Captain Grumpy, Alan Border, who realised the game had become business rather than a free social trip to England and I’m not sure how many English players were keen to enjoy a friendly ale after any of the games in the last series.

Interesting comment Will Scarlet, “They're hard to warm to at the best of times but this just hardens attitudes against them”. Makes me wonder how many Australians you actually know, but anyway, if you played against me at the level of cricket I play these days, we would certainly have a friendly beer after, and probably during, the game and I’m sure there would be plenty of laughs mixed in with some compulsory sledging both ways once we heard your accent

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I know and have great friendships with a few Aussies and have spent time in your lovely country. Wasn't my intention to insult you all! Just commenting on how I was surprised that Clarke, who seems far more amiable than Ponting, wouldn't take a few of the lads over for a quick beer once all the warm downs had been completed ( to be fair, only Johnson needed to warm down 😏) It's not a big deal and is just a small side story ultimately.

Always well up for the banter during a match and can goe as good as I get if it comes to slagging off accents!

Cheers Will,

We'll have a few beers and watch the first session of the game tomorrow, unfortunately I have to get up and work on Friday

Days off for me! Can't wait!

And to be fair, having met Siddle, who is a top bloke, at Notts last season, I believe his version of events!

Toss coming up shortly.. which even team wins it. will bat i assume

Morning. How is the pitch looking??

I'd like to see England bat first and get a good score on the board like last test as batting last in these ashes games is so tough. If the pitch and conditions are suited to bowl though obviously should do that.

Is Starc fit ?

Pitch looks greener than at Cardiff, time to shitt our pants

Australia bat first.. all out in 2 sessions

Annoying to lose the toss but perhaps not a bad one to lose. Warm and overcast out there think it will swing.

I think the wicket at lords stays flaf for almost 5 days. if England can get early wickets and get a lead on first innings.. wil be huge pressure for Aussies on the 3rd innings.. we will see.

Batting first definitely seems advantageous though, first blood to the aussies

1 lucky win and the ENgland fans are out with their hard-ons

This test will get a few of you in check

Lefty.. you are English so whats the issue with England??

I am indeed English..and would fight for this beautiful country

I do support India in Cricket though..I have my reasons but this isent the place to discuss ,

BUT - it adds a nice balance on this thread dont you think.??

Be boring if we dident have a little banter

We have so many likeable players tbough like Broad
Moeen and Cooky

come on England lets get this done

Always something special about the first day of a Lords test match.

well, Aussies have lost last two tests here...though we have on both occasions batted first. So should be interesting....

I love my footy... But you cant beat a test match at lords against the aussies.

lucky sod there

an outside edge already...

nicely played there though