Blazer Boy Strauss has done more to damage English cricket than anyone in living memory. He got the job as he looked too dull to do anything & then, in that classic sting, did something. As he’s devoid of intuition, he follows the focus group readings, Blair like, & being rather fond of being boss guy, unthinkingly actions what he thinks they say. So county championship April & September. Cricket for mothers & children in the interlude. I’m much more interested in countries which respect cricket. Afghanistan have a strong first class set up, as do Bangladesh.
Rabbit in the headlights. Constantly looks 30 seconds away from crying. He used to be a really world class batsman. It was a crazy decision to make him captain. Is there no decent captain in the county game who could come into the squad without embarrassing themselves ? They don't need to be able to bat or bowl as they could simply take the place of a non scoring batsman or a non wicket taking bowler. In fact, thinking about it, I'd be up for it.
Maybe Deeney could help? There appear to be plenty on here who think he excels as a non-playing captain.
Troy in the Brearley role? Would bring more physical presence & it would be great to see him grabbing some Aussie larrikin by the face. Would it appeal to the mums & kids in school holidays? It probably would.
Much more positive from the bowlers with Broad answering a few critics . Hopefully the batsmen will back them up !
I seldom listen to TMS these days but I know what you mean. Can be a little too pleased with himself. Something of fellow Mancunian, Neville G, about him. Having said that, he is a lot more insightful & articulate than Shearer, Ferdinand & the other ****s in/up Ghastly Gary's inner circle.
He’s a real know-all. I’m quite pleased Broad seems to have told him to shove his opinions where the sun don’t shine. Bring back Fred Trueman and Trevor Bailey, I say.
128 ahead with 3 wickets in hand - hopefully get to lead by 180-200. More useful runs from the lower order .
Just wait until he has to bowl. Weird that both Bess & Curran the Younger were both being touted as future ‘batters who bowl a bit’. Super but who’s going to take the wickets?
Dom will get wickets. He hasn’t bowled in any conditions remotely favourable for him, either at Lords or here.
Fantastic to see a young ‘un so thrilled. His challenge will be to learn his craft as an offspinner while trying to hold down his test place. In more ominous news, England could well win today, it’s Curran S’s birthday & Stokes is on the balcony. A potent admixture.
With that wicket taken by Woakes your prediction of a win today looks ever more likely. It'd be nice to see Curran get a decent bowl and potentially pick up a couple of victims. Just having one over before lunch was unfair to him in my opinion.
Agreed. Good q. Crane & Curran Snr in Oz were close. That Curran is now 23. Let Curran Jnr’s birthday celebrations begin!
Bit like the last series we played against Pakistan at home - lose badly in one then hammer them in the next. Wasn't it 4 tests though?
Its all very well winning in 3 days but what the hell are we supposed to do today and tomorrow ? Work ? Supporters really are an after-thought. No wonder T20 is proving so much more popular.
Support Afghanistan! Two nil up vs Bangladesh in their warm up to the greatest moment in their sporting history. Their first test match. Vs India in a week or so. A truly life affirming story. Afghanistan is barely a functioning country & cricket was unknown there 20 years ago. Their team started in refugee camps, playing with taped up balls. (And if you’ve ever played with your balls taped up, you’ll realise how difficult this is.) And yet they now rank alongside/ahead of the Windies & Sri Lanka in white ball stuff. While suicide bombers are messing up the country, Rashid Khan bosses the IPL. Aged 19.
My ultimate aim is to tilt this into an Afghan cricket forum. Rashid is the Tommy Smith & Mujeeb the youthful & enigmatic Vydra. A step at a time.
I was at uni with someone who was highly instrumental in setting up cricket in Afghanistan. Story told here, I believe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Ashes-Remarkable-Afghanistan-cricket/dp/0753522470
I read the book recently & have been engrossed by the companion film a couple of times. Instrumental in my huge admiration for Afghan cricket. Unfortunately, for me, the link merely leads to Alexa. ‘Alexa, can you establish Afghan cricket?’ In grating, almost robo voice: ‘Yes, I can establish Afghan cricket.’ In cloying middle class voice: ‘Thank you, Alexa.’ To channel my inner Moose, don’t all you millennials realise these are listening devices which you to have installed in your own homes? Btw, Keithers, which one is your mate? The army chap who donated kit?
