It's The Ashes (again)

[AnelkasBeard]

I'm delighted we've won. Why wouldn't I be? But I'm not so short sighted to ignore the fact it's a 5 game series and that we need to improve in order to fight back and win the Ashes.

Have you bothered to look at the stats of the series? I'll put them below so you can see. It's as tight as a ducks arse. A few moments that have swung either way have settled all 3 Tests. Looks like I'll be the third person to tell you you're talking bollocks.... sensing a theme?

Runs - England 1809, Australia 1850.
Wickets lost - England 55, Australia 58
Averages - England 32.89, Australia 31.89
Extras scored - England 99, Australia 148.

That difference of 50 in extras, plus several more dropped catches by England, is why we lost the first two Tests. None of this bollocks you reel off about philosophy and arrogance etc.

---

What a difference Wood and Woakes made to this Test - absolute night and day, both fantastic players. Robinson to be dropped for Old Trafford to get Jimmy back in you'd assume. Foakes needs to come in for Bairstow. When Bairstow keeps, he averages below 20. When he just bats, the last 11 Tests played, he averaged 60, and historically has averaged much higher. Doesn't take a genius to work it out, does it?

Team for me. Keep Moeen at 3, helps the balance of the batting line up, Brook needs to stop at 5. It's not ideal, but I don't see what other option we have with Pope's injury. I don't think we'll see Foakes in for Bairstow, but it needs to happen.

Crawley
Duckett
Ali
Root
Brook
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Those stats back up my thoughts which I've posted above and will copy and paste below!

'2-1 down is probably a fair reflection. 3-0 would have been harsh on us as we have had some good periods of play.'

Not too sure why you're getting personal over me saying it's a poor series for us so far when we're 2-1 down! Yes it's been close hence why I believe 2-1 is a fair series scoreline, but to say we haven't been at our best is also correct. We need to improve and cut out costly mistakes in order to win at Old Trafford and then at the Oval. I'm not sure what part of that is bollocks?

You're incredibly fatalistic with your views. You're completely blinded by your dislike of the style, to equate everything bad to "bazball" (as Rich also points out), and ignoring anything good that it does. This amounts to a lot (not all) of what you say on this thread being bollocks.

The simple fact is, results show that this is currently the best way we can win Tests. We don't have a batting line up of Cook, Strauss, Trott, KP, Bell, Collingwood, Prior any more.

You can criticise the selection of the team, I feel like that is pretty valid. But the rest, why don't you try to enjoy it a bit more?

Agree to disagree. We're just going around in circles. I guess we're best off ignoring each other! Well, you may be best off if you think I talk bollocks.

12 wins in the last 16 Tests. 1 win in 17 Tests before that.

This is fact. It is currently the best way we can win Tests.

[Cheshire East Baggie]

Some redemption to what has been a poor series so far. 2-1 down is probably a fair reflection. 3-0 would have been harsh on us as we have had some good periods of play. However, we now need to turn our attention to the next Test. I'd be inclined to keep the same side that started this Test, fitness dependant (Robinson appears to be a doubt? If so I'd being in Tongue over Anderson, controversially). I would give serious thought to dropping Bairstow and bringing in Foakes. I believe Johnny's form with the gloves is now impacting his batting - his confidence is shot.

He was phenomenal last summer and is a fantastic batsman, but I feel a short break will do him good.

Crawley wouldn't be anywhere near the side but we all know he's got a spot for life as long as Rob Key is involved in the set up.

You’re gutted we’ve won that, aren’t you?

I'm delighted we've won. Why wouldn't I be? But I'm not so short sighted to ignore the fact it's a 5 game series and that we need to improve in order to fight back and win the Ashes.

Have you bothered to look at the stats of the series? I'll put them below so you can see. It's as tight as a ducks arse. A few moments that have swung either way have settled all 3 Tests. Looks like I'll be the third person to tell you you're talking bollocks.... sensing a theme?

Runs - England 1809, Australia 1850.
Wickets lost - England 55, Australia 58
Averages - England 32.89, Australia 31.89
Extras scored - England 99, Australia 148.

That difference of 50 in extras, plus several more dropped catches by England, is why we lost the first two Tests. None of this bollocks you reel off about philosophy and arrogance etc.

---

What a difference Wood and Woakes made to this Test - absolute night and day, both fantastic players. Robinson to be dropped for Old Trafford to get Jimmy back in you'd assume. Foakes needs to come in for Bairstow. When Bairstow keeps, he averages below 20. When he just bats, the last 11 Tests played, he averaged 60, and historically has averaged much higher. Doesn't take a genius to work it out, does it?

Team for me. Keep Moeen at 3, helps the balance of the batting line up, Brook needs to stop at 5. It's not ideal, but I don't see what other option we have with Pope's injury. I don't think we'll see Foakes in for Bairstow, but it needs to happen.

Crawley
Duckett
Ali
Root
Brook
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Are you putting Jimmy in because you know they will, or because you think he should have a farewell appearance at OT? On performance so far this series he should be nowhere near the team, Robinson (if fit) and Tongue are way ahead of him, and Potts much less of a risk being nearly 20 years younger. Anderson can't play the short ball game at his pace and he offers nothing with the bat. Only nostalgia gets him a game at Old Trafford. Stokes has a series to win. How tough will he be?

[SuperBob2002]

Jimmy shouldn't be selected. There's no room for sentiment in sport. But I fear he'll get a place just because it's OT.

Anelka's team is pretty much what I'd go with but Tongue replacing Anderson and Crawley replaced with Bairstow. But I think he's nailed it in terms of what England will go with.

[Offside]

I'm delighted we've won. Why wouldn't I be? But I'm not so short sighted to ignore the fact it's a 5 game series and that we need to improve in order to fight back and win the Ashes.

Have you bothered to look at the stats of the series? I'll put them below so you can see. It's as tight as a ducks arse. A few moments that have swung either way have settled all 3 Tests. Looks like I'll be the third person to tell you you're talking bollocks.... sensing a theme?

Runs - England 1809, Australia 1850.
Wickets lost - England 55, Australia 58
Averages - England 32.89, Australia 31.89
Extras scored - England 99, Australia 148.

That difference of 50 in extras, plus several more dropped catches by England, is why we lost the first two Tests. None of this bollocks you reel off about philosophy and arrogance etc.

---

What a difference Wood and Woakes made to this Test - absolute night and day, both fantastic players. Robinson to be dropped for Old Trafford to get Jimmy back in you'd assume. Foakes needs to come in for Bairstow. When Bairstow keeps, he averages below 20. When he just bats, the last 11 Tests played, he averaged 60, and historically has averaged much higher. Doesn't take a genius to work it out, does it?

Team for me. Keep Moeen at 3, helps the balance of the batting line up, Brook needs to stop at 5. It's not ideal, but I don't see what other option we have with Pope's injury. I don't think we'll see Foakes in for Bairstow, but it needs to happen.

Crawley
Duckett
Ali
Root
Brook
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Those stats back up my thoughts which I've posted above and will copy and paste below!

'2-1 down is probably a fair reflection. 3-0 would have been harsh on us as we have had some good periods of play.'

Not too sure why you're getting personal over me saying it's a poor series for us so far when we're 2-1 down! Yes it's been close hence why I believe 2-1 is a fair series scoreline, but to say we haven't been at our best is also correct. We need to improve and cut out costly mistakes in order to win at Old Trafford and then at the Oval. I'm not sure what part of that is bollocks?

You're incredibly fatalistic with your views. You're completely blinded by your dislike of the style, to equate everything bad to "bazball" (as Rich also points out), and ignoring anything good that it does. This amounts to a lot (not all) of what you say on this thread being bollocks.

The simple fact is, results show that this is currently the best way we can win Tests. We don't have a batting line up of Cook, Strauss, Trott, KP, Bell, Collingwood, Prior any more.

You can criticise the selection of the team, I feel like that is pretty valid. But the rest, why don't you try to enjoy it a bit more?

Agree to disagree. We're just going around in circles. I guess we're best off ignoring each other! Well, you may be best off if you think I talk bollocks.

Indeed.  

• “The most important conversations you'll ever have are the ones you'll have with yourself.”

[SuperBob2002]

Have you bothered to look at the stats of the series? I'll put them below so you can see. It's as tight as a ducks arse. A few moments that have swung either way have settled all 3 Tests. Looks like I'll be the third person to tell you you're talking bollocks.... sensing a theme?

Runs - England 1809, Australia 1850.
Wickets lost - England 55, Australia 58
Averages - England 32.89, Australia 31.89
Extras scored - England 99, Australia 148.

That difference of 50 in extras, plus several more dropped catches by England, is why we lost the first two Tests. None of this bollocks you reel off about philosophy and arrogance etc.

---

What a difference Wood and Woakes made to this Test - absolute night and day, both fantastic players. Robinson to be dropped for Old Trafford to get Jimmy back in you'd assume. Foakes needs to come in for Bairstow. When Bairstow keeps, he averages below 20. When he just bats, the last 11 Tests played, he averaged 60, and historically has averaged much higher. Doesn't take a genius to work it out, does it?

Team for me. Keep Moeen at 3, helps the balance of the batting line up, Brook needs to stop at 5. It's not ideal, but I don't see what other option we have with Pope's injury. I don't think we'll see Foakes in for Bairstow, but it needs to happen.

Crawley
Duckett
Ali
Root
Brook
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Those stats back up my thoughts which I've posted above and will copy and paste below!

'2-1 down is probably a fair reflection. 3-0 would have been harsh on us as we have had some good periods of play.'

Not too sure why you're getting personal over me saying it's a poor series for us so far when we're 2-1 down! Yes it's been close hence why I believe 2-1 is a fair series scoreline, but to say we haven't been at our best is also correct. We need to improve and cut out costly mistakes in order to win at Old Trafford and then at the Oval. I'm not sure what part of that is bollocks?

You're incredibly fatalistic with your views. You're completely blinded by your dislike of the style, to equate everything bad to "bazball" (as Rich also points out), and ignoring anything good that it does. This amounts to a lot (not all) of what you say on this thread being bollocks.

The simple fact is, results show that this is currently the best way we can win Tests. We don't have a batting line up of Cook, Strauss, Trott, KP, Bell, Collingwood, Prior any more.

You can criticise the selection of the team, I feel like that is pretty valid. But the rest, why don't you try to enjoy it a bit more?

Agree to disagree. We're just going around in circles. I guess we're best off ignoring each other! Well, you may be best off if you think I talk bollocks.

Indeed.  

• “The most important conversations you'll ever have are the ones you'll have with yourself.”

I bloody well hope not - I'm a right miserable cunt.

[AnelkasBeard]

Some redemption to what has been a poor series so far. 2-1 down is probably a fair reflection. 3-0 would have been harsh on us as we have had some good periods of play. However, we now need to turn our attention to the next Test. I'd be inclined to keep the same side that started this Test, fitness dependant (Robinson appears to be a doubt? If so I'd being in Tongue over Anderson, controversially). I would give serious thought to dropping Bairstow and bringing in Foakes. I believe Johnny's form with the gloves is now impacting his batting - his confidence is shot.

He was phenomenal last summer and is a fantastic batsman, but I feel a short break will do him good.

Crawley wouldn't be anywhere near the side but we all know he's got a spot for life as long as Rob Key is involved in the set up.

You’re gutted we’ve won that, aren’t you?

I'm delighted we've won. Why wouldn't I be? But I'm not so short sighted to ignore the fact it's a 5 game series and that we need to improve in order to fight back and win the Ashes.

Have you bothered to look at the stats of the series? I'll put them below so you can see. It's as tight as a ducks arse. A few moments that have swung either way have settled all 3 Tests. Looks like I'll be the third person to tell you you're talking bollocks.... sensing a theme?

Runs - England 1809, Australia 1850.
Wickets lost - England 55, Australia 58
Averages - England 32.89, Australia 31.89
Extras scored - England 99, Australia 148.

That difference of 50 in extras, plus several more dropped catches by England, is why we lost the first two Tests. None of this bollocks you reel off about philosophy and arrogance etc.

---

What a difference Wood and Woakes made to this Test - absolute night and day, both fantastic players. Robinson to be dropped for Old Trafford to get Jimmy back in you'd assume. Foakes needs to come in for Bairstow. When Bairstow keeps, he averages below 20. When he just bats, the last 11 Tests played, he averaged 60, and historically has averaged much higher. Doesn't take a genius to work it out, does it?

Team for me. Keep Moeen at 3, helps the balance of the batting line up, Brook needs to stop at 5. It's not ideal, but I don't see what other option we have with Pope's injury. I don't think we'll see Foakes in for Bairstow, but it needs to happen.

Crawley
Duckett
Ali
Root
Brook
Stokes
Foakes
Woakes
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Are you putting Jimmy in because you know they will, or because you think he should have a farewell appearance at OT? On performance so far this series he should be nowhere near the team, Robinson (if fit) and Tongue are way ahead of him, and Potts much less of a risk being nearly 20 years younger. Anderson can't play the short ball game at his pace and he offers nothing with the bat. Only nostalgia gets him a game at Old Trafford. Stokes has a series to win. How tough will he be?

Mostly the first bit, a small part of the second bit.

I agree his performances haven't been good. But he'll be in the team.

[CA Baggie]

It's Josh Ffs. Think eh.

We could be winning the series 3-0 and just as easily be 3-0 down. We're going toe-to-toe with the No1 team in the world so IMO it's been a great series so far. People who aren't cricket lovers often more that Test cricket is boring, this certainly hasn't been.

There has been too much aggression at times (shot selection not sledging) but most wickets are taken from poor shots or misjudgements. It's like scoring a goal and one oset of fans saying it was a great goal and the opposition fans bemoaning the defending. And dropped catches, we've dropped a few more than them.

[richbaggie]

It's Josh Ffs.  Think eh.

We could be winning the series 3-0 and just as easily be 3-0 down.  We're going toe-to-toe with the No1 team in the world so IMO it's been a great series so far.  People who aren't cricket lovers often more that Test cricket is boring, this certainly hasn't been.

There has been too much aggression at times (shot selection not sledging) but most wickets are taken from poor shots or misjudgements.  It's like scoring a goal and one oset of fans saying it was a great goal and the opposition fans bemoaning the defending.  And dropped catches, we've dropped a few more than them.

Spot on

Crawley is a good example. He scores a lot of runs with flashing cover drives from balls that some players might leave. He played it well yesterday. Then he gets one that swung late and he nicks it and people criticise him fir getting out to one he could have left and blame the style we play

[petty sniper]

Jimmy shouldn't be selected. There's no room for sentiment in sport. But I fear he'll get a place just because it's OT.

Anelka's team is pretty much what I'd go with but Tongue replacing Anderson and Crawley replaced with Bairstow. But I think he's nailed it in terms of what England will go with.

There is no room for sentiment in sport...........posted on a forum about a club that has won fuck all in most of our lifetimes that the only reason we give a shit is sentiment.


Sport is all about sentiment otherwise everyone would support Man City

[SuperBob2002]

Jimmy shouldn't be selected. There's no room for sentiment in sport. But I fear he'll get a place just because it's OT.

Anelka's team is pretty much what I'd go with but Tongue replacing Anderson and Crawley replaced with Bairstow. But I think he's nailed it in terms of what England will go with.

There is no room for sentiment in sport...........posted on a forum about a club that has won fuck all in most of our lifetimes that the only reason we give a shit is sentiment.


Sport is all about sentiment otherwise everyone would support Man City

In that case we may as well select Boycott, Freddie Flintoff and Botham!