David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd on missing out on the Ashes series

With BT Sport making their cricket broadcasting debut for the winter’s Ashes in the early hours of Thursday morning, fans took to social media to ask where David Lloyd was.

Bumble has become one of British sport’s most popular pundits and his absence from the Test, along with the equally popular Sportsmail columnist Nasser Hussain, will be a loss for spectators.

While Bumble won’t be covering the series Down Under, he will be bringing you his famous commentary right here on Sportsmail.

BT Sport pundit Adam Gilchrist could not fill the void left by David Lloyd on Sky Sports

Missing out on the best boozer

Due to Sky Sports no longer holding the rights to international cricket in Australia, this is the first time in years I have not been covering an away Ashes series and it has been strange following from afar.

I have been constructing mental images of Brisbane, and one of them has been of one of its great pubs. 

It’s called the Story Bridge Hotel, an establishment that draws a cross-section of people. It’s like five pubs in one and a bit raw in places. 

The front bar can be full of ne’er do wells while in the one next door they are all suited and booted and tucking into some decent food. In my absence, I have sent Ollie Holt, the Mail on Sunday’s chief sports writer, on a recce.

Alastair Cook may have to stay away from the Brisbane boozers... at least until they win

Alastair Cook may have to stay away from the Brisbane boozers… at least until they win

Told you we can play

As for the cricket? Make no mistake, our lads can play. 

I have said consistently that the pitches we saw in England in the summer were not straightforward. 

Pitches in Australia will be and players like James Vince, Dawid Malan and Mark Stoneman will find it easier. Their strong performances didn’t surprise me.

James Vince went into the Ashes as an unknown, but his performance didn't surprise me

James Vince went into the Ashes as an unknown, but his performance didn’t surprise me

Beware budgie smugglers

I am also not surprised they have a swimming pool deck in the crowd at the Gabba. It’s that hot at this time of year in Brisbane.

But the cameramen have to be at the top of their games when filming fans having a dip. 

If you pan round to some bloke with budgie smugglers on, that’s classed as X-rated.

A swimming pool deck is understandable in the Brisbane heat, but budgie smugglers are not

A swimming pool deck is understandable in the Brisbane heat, but budgie smugglers are not

Get after Nathan…

My only concern with how England played was that they showed too much respect to Nathan Lyon. 

Going at two and a half runs an over is too slow. 

With Australia fielding four bowlers you have to be proactive against their spinner to make Steve Smith use his quicks. You want to be on about 270 when the second new ball comes.

England were guilty of showing too much respect to Australia bowler Nathan Lyon

England were guilty of showing too much respect to Australia bowler Nathan Lyon

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