Another ******* batting collapse after a reasonable start, we lost 6 wickets for 46 runs this morning, which saw us all out for 277 runs, having been 231 for 4 overnight. However, last time I looked, about an hour ago, we had taken 4 of their wickets for 50 odd runs so hopefully we can bowl them out cheaply this time.
What are the chances that Wood could play all 5 Ashes matches? Sadly slim, I fear. To win, I reckon our bowlers will have to be on fire. I don’t see the batsmen pounding Australia into submission.
Yes - he does have real fitness issues which is a shame. Our chance to gain a victory - don't throw this away lads. Our batsmen aren't going to enjoy facing Starc , Cummins and Hazelwood.
Good for Wood. 5fer in 8 overs. I didn’t spot Onion. Action in the middle too frantic for the cameras to dwell on the crowd.
Was a good day today and pitch wont get easier. I think 250 for us will be plenty, possibly only 200 required. Wood bowled well - quick and straight - far better option than curran, especially out here. Only casualties were my knees which are burned to ****
I really hope the top 3 get some runs although the thought of Denly in the Ashes is bizarre & horrifying. Maybe a sarong to shade the knees. Quite liberating provided it is securely knotted.
Running out of options in the top 3 though. Drop Denly and replace him with who ? Even your Burns isn't scoring this winter though he looks a class above the hapless Jennings. Ps Have Joe Root and James Blunt ever been seen in the same room ?
Typical English thing - hammered in the first 2 tests then potentially win the 3rd with ease. Always remember doing that in the Ashes during the 90s/00s. Be nice to win but shouldn't paper over some pretty big cracks. Or maybe a lesson that we need to be prepared better but then the issue is you have so much T20/ODI stuff that is there enough time to do that?
The pre test prep comprised two 2 day games. Nets, really. Unsurprising that we started so feebly. As you say, white ball matches are crowding out the schedules. I think test cricket is in a mess. Few series are competitive, with the home team winning almost always. When sport is uncompetitive, interest quickly, & rightly, dwindles. The administrators are undermining test cricket.
All about the money isn't it - and the ECB are now bringing in the 100 ball competition because they think people cannot be attracted or focused enough for even T20!
Good day today - should definitely carry on batting until lead well past 500. Windies demoralised / not bothered with series in the bag. None of the top 3 really deserve their places but no obvious replacements in line in time for the ashes. Root scoring a hatful in 2nd innings of a dead test shouldnt disguise a poor series. Will be a handsome win against a team that is no longer really bothered. As mentioned, will only paper over the cracks
I am clearly a lucky omen and have applied to ECCB for funding to become official mascot on all future tours
Against Australia, I would bring in Roy. Big time experience & curiously pigeonholed as white ball only. Keep with Burns. I’d tell Root to bat 3 (& free him from the captaincy). YJB at 4 (no gloves), Butt, Stokes, Foakes at 7. Broady & Jimmy propping it up. Other bowlers to suit. Ali, a Curran, Wood, Rash. Let’s keep Belly in the frame. Sack the scruffy Australian from tests immediately & bring in Alec Stewart in a tracksuit. Light cigar & retire.
I see Woy as the old school type who would be comfortable doing football in winter & cricket in the summer. A couple of weeks of rushing around doing both in the spring.
At number 3, Root has the calmness of Simon Stylites compared to Flapper Bairstow. Skip ain't straightforward. Buttler, you feel, has that 'good with the servants' type of poshness & you can picture his beautifully cream flannels. The type who would declare at Lord's so as to take part in the mixed doubles semi at Wimbledon. The Hundred would be rendered immediately irrelevant as all the school mums dissolve at his matinee idol good looks. Otherwise, Burns (who should insist that he be referred to as Mr Burns) or AI. I need to think more deeply about the latter.
They won't junk Root as Capt., even if they should. Think the Ashes could be a whole different ball game, literally, if we actually manage to win the white ball biffathon, even though the personnel will be different. Bet we don't, though.
Funnily enough I think the distraction of winning the WC would cause the players to completely lose focus for the ashes and hence lose. Best outcome for the ashes would be a swift exit.
Agree. You need luck to win the biffathon. One unlucky catch/drop/run out and it's gone. Remember Stokes' last over ! It was in the bag but that sort of thing can happen in 20/20. Plus we are favourites therefore we have no chance - we can't cope with expectation.
Are there that many in both squads ? Probably about 50% of the potential Ashes side .. Root Stokes Bairstow Buttler Ali
Mmm, that’s tricky. I’m not a huge fan of the one day game. But it’s a tournament with everyone else in it, and we’ve never won it. Marginally - but very marginally - the WC.
I, slightly sadly, agree. And I reckon we stand a better chance, too. The Aussies are no great shakes at the mo but we were overall feeble in the Windies & mgmt seems all at sea.
Ashes for me. Every time. Can barely remember the last 20 20 cups. The last half of dozen ashes are etched into my brain.
The WC will be a 50:50 affair but I take your point. We’ve won the last 4 home Ashes & the current Australia are a truly modest outfit. Bowling attack fine, albeit less so away. Batting paper thin at the moment although we await The Sandpaper Twins’ return. Hilarious how Smith & the idiot boy opener have really tried to shaft their ‘mate’ Warner. Ashes will be tallest midget competition whereas I fancy the WC could bring some top drawer action.