| Th'Ashes Down Under 12:32 - Nov 13 with 13450 views | D_Alien |
So, the single-game build up to the First Test starts, with an England XI taking on England Lions (shadow squad)
To give a flavour of where we're at (or where Stokes says we're at)...
https://www.espncricinfo.com/s [Post edited 13 Nov 12:33]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:02 - Dec 19 with 1177 views | Sandyman |
286 all out. Poor, but credit to Stokes and Archer for playing proper test cricket and showing the grit and determination ALL our lot need to offer every game, not just now and again. |  | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:13 - Dec 19 with 1155 views | D_Alien |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:02 - Dec 19 by Sandyman |
286 all out. Poor, but credit to Stokes and Archer for playing proper test cricket and showing the grit and determination ALL our lot need to offer every game, not just now and again. |
Exactly this
At some point, we'll be chasing a highly unlikely total to remain in contention. We'll almost certainly fail to get there, but the manner in which we fight is now the most important thing that remains in this series | |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:18 - Dec 19 with 1146 views | Sandyman |
8-1 , Carse  | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 07:31 - Dec 19 with 1073 views | EllDale |
271-4……..
Another century for Head and 52 not out for Carey.
Australia lead by 356.
England are going to have to bat all day tomorrow to save this one presuming Australia declare any time soon. If they bat on the target could even be 500.
Frightening gulf between the teams. [Post edited 19 Dec 7:37]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 07:36 - Dec 19 with 1068 views | TalkingSutty |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 07:31 - Dec 19 by EllDale |
271-4……..
Another century for Head and 52 not out for Carey.
Australia lead by 356.
England are going to have to bat all day tomorrow to save this one presuming Australia declare any time soon. If they bat on the target could even be 500.
Frightening gulf between the teams. [Post edited 19 Dec 7:37]
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No pressure applied in the field on the Aussie batsman, field spread and it looked like a waving of the white flag. We needed to attack and take wickets and ended up just going through the motions and waiting for something to happen. Another humiliation this. [Post edited 19 Dec 7:37]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 08:34 - Dec 19 with 1021 views | isitme |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 07:36 - Dec 19 by TalkingSutty |
No pressure applied in the field on the Aussie batsman, field spread and it looked like a waving of the white flag. We needed to attack and take wickets and ended up just going through the motions and waiting for something to happen. Another humiliation this. [Post edited 19 Dec 7:37]
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At least Jacks has got a hundred in each innings! Although in reality he has been set up to fail and It is not his fault, as he is not a frontline red ball spinner. At best he is a sixth option in the white ball game.
Stokes being unable to bowl again has left three seamers. Australia played off Archer and made hay against the rest, although Carse has been slightly more accurate this innings. With Lyon locking down at end going at 2.5 an over they can rotate the seamers and build pressure. We have not been able to maintain any pressure.as the bowlers have been milked on what is a flat deck.
Ashes series away seem to be the end of a cycle and serious questions need to be asked. Is Stokes capable of playing the all rounder role? I am not sure his body can cope anymore and it is not through the want of trying. Who is going to bat at three? What is happening with the spinner? What happens next with the seamers outside of Archer? I suspect that it will be the end for Wood as well.
My two pennies:
- Give Brook the captaincy.
- Give Bethell the summer at three and get him working on the bowling. He could be a servicable part time option.
- Rew the elder becomes the next cab off the rank in the middle order and he can keep if Smith's form continues to wain.
- Haines and McKinney are opening options if we move on from Crawley or Duckett, who has also had a barren spell of late.
- Ahmed needs game time and I would look for him to slot in at seven, which allows four seamers to play. In the UK it is rare that a spinner has a massive impact so a combination of him, backed up by a few overs of Bethell and Root should be okay.
- The much vaunted seam attack has not been great. Archer is your spearhead and Atkinson is probably a good second choice, especially in English conditions. Carse/Tongue/? who are your stable of younger options? Get the seamers bowling in the championship early season and see who is bowling well. Cook is too slow on flat international wickets. I would give Potts another go as he is durable and usually accurate and can fill the 'hard yards' role. |  | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 11:36 - Dec 19 with 925 views | Nigeriamark |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 08:34 - Dec 19 by isitme |
At least Jacks has got a hundred in each innings! Although in reality he has been set up to fail and It is not his fault, as he is not a frontline red ball spinner. At best he is a sixth option in the white ball game.
Stokes being unable to bowl again has left three seamers. Australia played off Archer and made hay against the rest, although Carse has been slightly more accurate this innings. With Lyon locking down at end going at 2.5 an over they can rotate the seamers and build pressure. We have not been able to maintain any pressure.as the bowlers have been milked on what is a flat deck.
Ashes series away seem to be the end of a cycle and serious questions need to be asked. Is Stokes capable of playing the all rounder role? I am not sure his body can cope anymore and it is not through the want of trying. Who is going to bat at three? What is happening with the spinner? What happens next with the seamers outside of Archer? I suspect that it will be the end for Wood as well.
My two pennies:
- Give Brook the captaincy.
- Give Bethell the summer at three and get him working on the bowling. He could be a servicable part time option.
- Rew the elder becomes the next cab off the rank in the middle order and he can keep if Smith's form continues to wain.
- Haines and McKinney are opening options if we move on from Crawley or Duckett, who has also had a barren spell of late.
- Ahmed needs game time and I would look for him to slot in at seven, which allows four seamers to play. In the UK it is rare that a spinner has a massive impact so a combination of him, backed up by a few overs of Bethell and Root should be okay.
- The much vaunted seam attack has not been great. Archer is your spearhead and Atkinson is probably a good second choice, especially in English conditions. Carse/Tongue/? who are your stable of younger options? Get the seamers bowling in the championship early season and see who is bowling well. Cook is too slow on flat international wickets. I would give Potts another go as he is durable and usually accurate and can fill the 'hard yards' role. |
as you point out, we seem unable to control the run rate. at least 2 bowlers are going for 5+ so as well as not taking the wickets, the run rate gets away from us too. They have also been better than us with catches. If Stokes can focus a bit more on his batting as he has done in his last 2 innings, he clearly has the eye and concentration to bat better than his lifetime average. bowl by all means, but other bowlers need to be found to pick up some of the strain he puts himself under with the ball. You mention some promising players coming up and I would say that after the ashes we need to blood a few of them. on't agree with Brook as captain. I don't think he has the mental capacity to do it. He talks some rubbish & seems to have not been as good as he has been given increased responsibility. he is one of those I would like to see focus on only his batting without other distractions.
Anyway on to tomorrow ..... |  | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 14:12 - Dec 19 with 872 views | isitme |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 11:36 - Dec 19 by Nigeriamark |
as you point out, we seem unable to control the run rate. at least 2 bowlers are going for 5+ so as well as not taking the wickets, the run rate gets away from us too. They have also been better than us with catches. If Stokes can focus a bit more on his batting as he has done in his last 2 innings, he clearly has the eye and concentration to bat better than his lifetime average. bowl by all means, but other bowlers need to be found to pick up some of the strain he puts himself under with the ball. You mention some promising players coming up and I would say that after the ashes we need to blood a few of them. on't agree with Brook as captain. I don't think he has the mental capacity to do it. He talks some rubbish & seems to have not been as good as he has been given increased responsibility. he is one of those I would like to see focus on only his batting without other distractions.
Anyway on to tomorrow ..... |
I was struggling to see any other candidates and hope that the additional responsibility might 'focus his mind' a bit more. But anyway what do I know about cricket, I don't even like golf! | | | |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 14:23 - Dec 19 with 858 views | TalkingSutty |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 08:34 - Dec 19 by isitme |
At least Jacks has got a hundred in each innings! Although in reality he has been set up to fail and It is not his fault, as he is not a frontline red ball spinner. At best he is a sixth option in the white ball game.
Stokes being unable to bowl again has left three seamers. Australia played off Archer and made hay against the rest, although Carse has been slightly more accurate this innings. With Lyon locking down at end going at 2.5 an over they can rotate the seamers and build pressure. We have not been able to maintain any pressure.as the bowlers have been milked on what is a flat deck.
Ashes series away seem to be the end of a cycle and serious questions need to be asked. Is Stokes capable of playing the all rounder role? I am not sure his body can cope anymore and it is not through the want of trying. Who is going to bat at three? What is happening with the spinner? What happens next with the seamers outside of Archer? I suspect that it will be the end for Wood as well.
My two pennies:
- Give Brook the captaincy.
- Give Bethell the summer at three and get him working on the bowling. He could be a servicable part time option.
- Rew the elder becomes the next cab off the rank in the middle order and he can keep if Smith's form continues to wain.
- Haines and McKinney are opening options if we move on from Crawley or Duckett, who has also had a barren spell of late.
- Ahmed needs game time and I would look for him to slot in at seven, which allows four seamers to play. In the UK it is rare that a spinner has a massive impact so a combination of him, backed up by a few overs of Bethell and Root should be okay.
- The much vaunted seam attack has not been great. Archer is your spearhead and Atkinson is probably a good second choice, especially in English conditions. Carse/Tongue/? who are your stable of younger options? Get the seamers bowling in the championship early season and see who is bowling well. Cook is too slow on flat international wickets. I would give Potts another go as he is durable and usually accurate and can fill the 'hard yards' role. |
It's the inability to just bowl one side of the wicket that annoys me. Hitting line and length more often than not should be bread and butter for International bowlers. It's been virtually impossible to set a field from.one ball to the next or exert pressure on the batsman by drying up their scoring shots. It also makes you realise how much Anderson and Broad are missed. | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 14:57 - Dec 19 with 822 views | isitme |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 14:23 - Dec 19 by TalkingSutty |
It's the inability to just bowl one side of the wicket that annoys me. Hitting line and length more often than not should be bread and butter for International bowlers. It's been virtually impossible to set a field from.one ball to the next or exert pressure on the batsman by drying up their scoring shots. It also makes you realise how much Anderson and Broad are missed. |
They were generational talents. In my time only Gough and Caddick come close but not for the length of time Anderson and Broad. We were blessed and are now seeing the void they leave. | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:14 - Dec 20 with 693 views | D_Alien |
So... England to chase a test record 435
No real time pressure, just normal test batting but on a wearing pitch
Not expecting anything except for them to fight and at least take the game into a fifth day | |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 09:08 - Dec 20 with 631 views | EllDale |
Does normal test batting include getting out trying to reverse sweep Lyon as Brook did and then standing there in a state of bewildered entitlement. Crazy shot.
As an aside this was apparently the first time that Brook and Crawley have batted together in a test match. | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 09:31 - Dec 20 with 615 views | D_Alien |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 09:08 - Dec 20 by EllDale |
Does normal test batting include getting out trying to reverse sweep Lyon as Brook did and then standing there in a state of bewildered entitlement. Crazy shot.
As an aside this was apparently the first time that Brook and Crawley have batted together in a test match. |
"...bewildered entitlement..."
Good one | |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 00:14 - Dec 21 with 536 views | Sandyman |
Rain stopped play  | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:36 - Dec 21 with 518 views | dingdangblue |
Doing really well on day 5, 2nd new ball with Stark, Lyons just limped out of the Ashes - just reign yourself in for 30 mins - but England just can't help themselves. |  |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 04:09 - Dec 21 with 489 views | D_Alien |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:36 - Dec 21 by dingdangblue |
Doing really well on day 5, 2nd new ball with Stark, Lyons just limped out of the Ashes - just reign yourself in for 30 mins - but England just can't help themselves. |
Even that record-breaking target was doable
..but not by this side
Credit to the Aussies. I honestly think if the positions had been reversed, they'd have made it, just by cutting out the mindless shots
[Post edited 21 Dec 9:19]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 06:11 - Dec 21 with 464 views | TalkingSutty |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 04:09 - Dec 21 by D_Alien |
Even that record-breaking target was doable
..but not by this side
Credit to the Aussies. I honestly think if the positions had been reversed, they'd have made it, just by cutting out the mindless shots
[Post edited 21 Dec 9:19]
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The whole coaching set up and management needs looking at. Somebody will be enployed as the batting coach, our batsman can't help themselves and don't learn from their mistakes. Drop them, take their contracts away and send them back on to the county circuit. They might start focusing on shot selection then and valueing their wicket when it hits them in the pocket. [Post edited 21 Dec 10:05]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 09:46 - Dec 21 with 410 views | Daley_Lama |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 22:34 - Nov 14 by Daley_Lama |
Brook really frustrates me.
He is unbelievably talented but bats without brain sometimes.
His one warm up match before he plays in the Ashes and what does he do? Bats like its a T20 game, dancing down the wicket, playing scoops and out for 2, spending the rest of the day on a balcony.
Dare i say it, his ego is both his strength and his achilles heel.
Aus strong favourites but i reckon it will be close this time round |
I retraxt.
Brook could have 20 warm up matches and he would still not be able to sort his head out.
It’s almost as though he chooses the perfect moment to give his wicket away in an embarrassing fashion to the advantage of the opposition.
This was the same in the India series that we managed not to win.
What happens result-wise is irrelevant now, ashes gone, really not bothered if we get whitewashed.
Duckett has to be dropped. Cannot bat on these wickets
Pope has to be dropped. Cannot bat on these wickets and doesn’t appear to be able to control attacking urge (aka Harry Brook mentality)
Supporters will defend Brook saying he is so good that he should be free to play how he likes (see Kevin Pietersen career) Difference was, when it came down to it, KP knew when to knuckle down.
Ahmed in for Duckett
Bethell (longer term view) for Pope |  |
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 10:10 - Dec 21 with 378 views | TalkingSutty |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 09:46 - Dec 21 by Daley_Lama |
I retraxt.
Brook could have 20 warm up matches and he would still not be able to sort his head out.
It’s almost as though he chooses the perfect moment to give his wicket away in an embarrassing fashion to the advantage of the opposition.
This was the same in the India series that we managed not to win.
What happens result-wise is irrelevant now, ashes gone, really not bothered if we get whitewashed.
Duckett has to be dropped. Cannot bat on these wickets
Pope has to be dropped. Cannot bat on these wickets and doesn’t appear to be able to control attacking urge (aka Harry Brook mentality)
Supporters will defend Brook saying he is so good that he should be free to play how he likes (see Kevin Pietersen career) Difference was, when it came down to it, KP knew when to knuckle down.
Ahmed in for Duckett
Bethell (longer term view) for Pope |
I had big hopes for Brook but he's got the brains of a pot dog. He sums up the arrogance and carefree attitude of this England team. Accountable to nobody and don't have the stomach for hard work, never mind a battle. [Post edited 21 Dec 10:10]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 11:43 - Dec 21 with 340 views | D_Alien |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 10:10 - Dec 21 by TalkingSutty |
I had big hopes for Brook but he's got the brains of a pot dog. He sums up the arrogance and carefree attitude of this England team. Accountable to nobody and don't have the stomach for hard work, never mind a battle. [Post edited 21 Dec 10:10]
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Lined up for the captaincy, too...
If he spends the rest of his career making amends for tossing his early promise away like a bat to midwicket, he might just retrieve something, but to do that you need a brain [Post edited 21 Dec 11:46]
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| Th'Ashes Down Under on 14:21 - Dec 21 with 296 views | EllDale |
The whole fiasco has exposed the fault that in this country top level cricket is becoming more elitist.
Australia has a tenth of the population but anyone can play at school.
The lack of preparation has been evident again; the bulk of the Australian team played three or four Sheffield Shield games before the series started.
The disdain with which the ECB hierarchy treat red ball cricket is another contributory factor. | | | |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 03:37 - Dec 22 with 209 views | Nigeriamark |
| Th'Ashes Down Under on 01:36 - Dec 21 by dingdangblue |
Doing really well on day 5, 2nd new ball with Stark, Lyons just limped out of the Ashes - just reign yourself in for 30 mins - but England just can't help themselves. |
Spot on. We got within 85 runs of a record even though:-
Brook plays a stupid shot once he was well set
Crawley looks nailed on for a century and walks out of his crease to Lyon ( who bowled poorly until the brook wicket) & is stumped
Smith hits 4 consecutive boundaries while in a great partnership on the last day but is out slogging a good ball with the next ball.
There was plenty of time in hand but as you say, they just can't help themselves. It is like they always think they have a t-20 chase with a hundred runs needed from 10 overs.
Frustrating | | | |
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