"TNT now go with the same Smith rumour he didn't train on Monday, ill, but was back at it yesterday and he appears to be leaving the ground. Real talk, his absence isn't the seismic one it would've been in the sense that he's not as reliable a scorer these days, but symbolically, he's a huge figure in the team and match-up."
"Despite the current frothing, we've seen wonders over the last few years that have changed our conception of the possible and with it the nature of Test-match cricket, the miracles of Bazball no less inspiring now than then. Moreover, it remains the case that England's is a team full of matchwinners who may now be acclimatised to conditions; if they can get rolling, Australia will start to wonder. That if, though, is of Cameron Green proportions."
Steve Smith missed training on Monday due to illness but returned to practice and was seen leaving the ground; his possible absence would reduce scoring threat but remain symbolically significant. If Australia win the toss and bat first, England would face a severe challenge chasing a big total rather than setting one. England arrive at Adelaide with memories of a recent collapse in Perth but carry a Bazball-inspired belief and several matchwinners who could flourish if acclimatised. Australia enter on a positive buzz with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon back at a strong venue. A combination of momentum, bowling quality and conditions could make the contest short, yet an upset remains possible.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]