Ashes Verdict - Stourbridge Cricket Club

The 30-year-old batsman is the second player to be part of Express and Star's new Ashes Verdict series after Tariq Ali from Wolverhampton Cricket Club gave his thoughts on yesterday's opening day.

They play their home matches at the Memorial Ground, High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge. First Class Cricket was played at the Memorial Ground between 1905 and 1981.

The club's first team play in Division 2 of the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League.

And England find themselves in a dominant position at the end of Day 2 having restricted Australia to 264-5, still with a lead of 166 runs.

England enjoyed a good morning as they managed to get a total of 430 on the board after starting the day on 343-7.

Worcestershire's Moeen Ali made an entertaining 77 as England managed to get past the much needed 400 landmark before they were dismissed. Mitchell Starc was the star bowler for the tourists taking five wickets in his first bowling innings of this summer's Ashes series.

It seemed 430 was going to be just a par score when Chris Rogers and David Warner made a solid start to the Australia's reply but England fought back taking five wickets before the close.

Ali, who had earlier shone the bat, impressed with the ball as well taking the wickets of Michael Clarke and the world's current best batsman Steve Smith.

Bradley, who has played for Stourbridge Cricket Club for most of his life, said England have the upper hand ahead of a big day tomorrow.

"At the moment you would probably say England are ahead but it only takes one big partnership from the Australians to change it.

"Every session tomorrow is going to be vital.

"It was good to see from a local point of view Moeen Ali stepping up to the plate this morning getting some runs and turn what could have been a low score to a par score of 430.

"I know there was talk of giving Adil Rashid being picked but Moeen's come up trumps so far, if he can keep it going it will be good for England. He does go for a few runs but he tends to have a golden arm and gets vital wickets like he showed against India last year.

"I think England are more than capable of getting them out for about 350 and getting a useful lead that would give them a buffer to put pressure

"There could be some uneven bounce on the last day which may play an important part."

To get involved in the Ashes Verdict email nigel.slater@expressandstar.co.uk