It's The Ashes (again)

[Cuzer]

This could get ugly quickly if we're not careful.

Was chatting about this series at work yesterday and a colleague likened it to when a newly promoted side plays one of the PL big boys, lots of effort, endeavour and tries to play the game the right way but makes a couple of mistakes early before surging back, only to be suckered on the counter attack late on. I thought that was a pretty apt way of looking at it.

Good teams do the basics well and take their chances when they come their way, that's the difference here; not Bazball, not the weather, we missed some sitters and they didn't. The only criticism I have with this team is perhaps there too great a focus on the sublime and whether we've neglected the boring, mundane things that are the foundations of any good team in any sport. Only time will tell but this England side will be better for the experience I'm sure.

Also, some positive news to read that Jofra Archer is expected to be fit for the World Cup later this year. Having him coming back into the test side in the next 8-12 months would be a real bonus.

I’d be astonished if Archer plays another Test.  I think he’ll focus solely on T20 franchises once the 50-over World Cup has passed.

He's openly said the complete opposite but it's whether the medical team advise him differently

Cuzer

[Ted Maul]

I'm just amazed anybody is remotely surprised on how we've approached the seires or the commnets of Stokes, it's just in line with how we've been since he took over

We will play and continue to play this brand of cricket, off to a flier this morning, Aussies all over the shop in the best bowling conditions and pitch of the series and then three quick wickets, it will be the approach under BM/BS we just have to live with it, we will be 150-5 and at times 320-1

For me it's exciting and at times frustrating, before this fifth test I can't help thinking there is no way we should be behind in the series, Aussies have resembled a Pulis side of soaking up pressure and nicking a winner but good sides, great sides, find a way to win and that's what they've done even if it's been against the run of play!

Cuzer

With that in mind, and I agree, I'm not surprised in the slightest. But you'd have to think that our chances of being a 'great' team are limited with a style of play that lends itself to being so shit or bust. 

Great teams are 6-7/10 every game, not 10/10 one game and 0/10 the next. It's frustrating mostly because we aren't allowing ourselves to choose the percentage play from time to time.

[Cuzer]

Those 3 balls from Starc to Brook, 3 minutes before lunch are beyond words!

Cuzer

---

I'm just amazed anybody is remotely surprised on how we've approached the seires or the commnets of Stokes, it's just in line with how we've been since he took over

We will play and continue to play this brand of cricket, off to a flier this morning, Aussies all over the shop in the best bowling conditions and pitch of the series and then three quick wickets, it will be the approach under BM/BS we just have to live with it, we will be 150-5 and at times 320-1

For me it's exciting and at times frustrating, before this fifth test I can't help thinking there is no way we should be behind in the series, Aussies have resembled a Pulis side of soaking up pressure and nicking a winner but good sides, great sides, find a way to win and that's what they've done even if it's been against the run of play!

Cuzer

With that in mind, and I agree, I'm not surprised in the slightest. But you'd have to think that our chances of being a 'great' team are limited with a style of play that lends itself to being so shit or bust. 

Great teams are 6-7/10 every game, not 10/10 one game and 0/10 the next. It's frustrating mostly because we aren't allowing ourselves to choose the percentage play from time to time.

Think they're just playing a different brand Ted

Great teams have off days so you're never 10/10 every game and this Stokes side hasn't had too many 0/10's as yet

The mentality is score quick and try to win the game, I've no issue with that

Cuzer

[Cheshire East Baggie]

Batting first probably not the greatest.

I can't stand this rhetoric of, "we don't want to lose the ashes but we know they've retained it" - no Ben, we've lost the ashes again, because they are taking it home again (in a manner of speaking - yes I know the original is kept here).

From what Aggers has been saying so far, Stokes has been pretty charmless in their interviews. Refuses to engage with any discussion about how England play and how their approach has evolved. Comes across as a bit of a twat if you ask me, huge talent notwithstanding.

Can understand Stokes contempt for the establishment media scratch Agnew & Atherton and you get individuals who cannot understand and comprehend the mindset and how this England team plays!!.
Past players are limited and institutionalised by the way they were taught how test cricket should be played!!.
Stokes will not tolerate or accept there snide underhand loaded questioning...good on him!!.

No Pindgill, that's wrong. He wasn't asked "snide, underhand, loaded questions", he was asked genuine questions from a top journalist who also played cricket at the top level himself. We'd all be interested in hearing some thoughts and inside info from the captain of England's team. Stokes is rude and dismissive - part of his job is to present a reasonable face to the media - he doesn't bother to do that. If I met him, I'd want to ask how he managed to lose the first two Tests. That would be a snide question 

[wba13]

Batting first probably not the greatest.

I can't stand this rhetoric of, "we don't want to lose the ashes but we know they've retained it" - no Ben, we've lost the ashes again, because they are taking it home again (in a manner of speaking - yes I know the original is kept here).

From what Aggers has been saying so far, Stokes has been pretty charmless in their interviews. Refuses to engage with any discussion about how England play and how their approach has evolved. Comes across as a bit of a twat if you ask me, huge talent notwithstanding.

Can understand Stokes contempt for the establishment media scratch Agnew & Atherton and you get individuals who cannot understand and comprehend the mindset and how this England team plays!!.
Past players are limited and institutionalised by the way they were taught how test cricket should be played!!.
Stokes will not tolerate or accept there snide underhand loaded questioning...good on him!!.

No Pindgill, that's wrong. He wasn't asked "snide, underhand, loaded questions", he was asked genuine questions from a top journalist who also played cricket at the top level himself. We'd all be interested in hearing some thoughts and inside info from the captain of England's team. Stokes is rude and dismissive - part of his job is to present a reasonable face to the media - he doesn't bother to do that. If I met him, I'd want to ask how he managed to lose the first two Tests. That would be a snide question 

You mean the same press that hung, drawn and quartered him over the fight incident where he was only protecting innocent people. Some were quick to jump on his back then, yet you still want to call him a twat. 
He’s a fine upstanding man who doesn’t take fools gladly. Some can’t wait to put the knife in, those 2 young men were certainly glad he was on there side instead of doing what most would and stand and watch. But of course he shouldn’t help as he’s a high profile individual.

[Bob Fossil]

Batting first probably not the greatest.

I can't stand this rhetoric of, "we don't want to lose the ashes but we know they've retained it" - no Ben, we've lost the ashes again, because they are taking it home again (in a manner of speaking - yes I know the original is kept here).

From what Aggers has been saying so far, Stokes has been pretty charmless in their interviews. Refuses to engage with any discussion about how England play and how their approach has evolved. Comes across as a bit of a twat if you ask me, huge talent notwithstanding.

Can understand Stokes contempt for the establishment media scratch Agnew & Atherton and you get individuals who cannot understand and comprehend the mindset and how this England team plays!!.
Past players are limited and institutionalised by the way they were taught how test cricket should be played!!.
Stokes will not tolerate or accept there snide underhand loaded questioning...good on him!!.

No Pindgill, that's wrong. He wasn't asked "snide, underhand, loaded questions", he was asked genuine questions from a top journalist who also played cricket at the top level himself. We'd all be interested in hearing some thoughts and inside info from the captain of England's team. Stokes is rude and dismissive - part of his job is to present a reasonable face to the media - he doesn't bother to do that. If I met him, I'd want to ask how he managed to lose the first two Tests. That would be a snide question 

I can understand anyone's contempt for the media. However, he's not really talking to the media is he, he's talking to the fans, who like you, want genuine answers and analysis of the performance. So you are right, he should put his personal grievance with the media aside and address the people who matter, genuine fans.
He's actually playing into their hands by being moody and charmless as that's how they want to portray him.

[SuperBob2002]

I haven't watched it, and in part that's because I find the whole attitude and style so frustrating. It's too reckless to the point I don't enjoy watching. That's a personal preference, I understand those who lack attention span and the Hundred types will enjoy it, but looking at the score and how we collapsed to a low score after 50 overs or so, I'm guessing that reckless mentality has once again cost us?

[rsbaggy2]

I haven't watched it, and in part that's because I find the whole attitude and style so frustrating. It's too reckless to the point I don't enjoy watching. That's a personal preference, I understand those who lack attention span and the Hundred types will enjoy it, but looking at the score and how we collapsed inside 50 overs I'm guessing that reckless mentality has once again cost us?

It would seem so. Though there are those (purists?) that will never see it that way ...

[SuperBob2002]

I haven't watched it, and in part that's because I find the whole attitude and style so frustrating. It's too reckless to the point I don't enjoy watching. That's a personal preference, I understand those who lack attention span and the Hundred types will enjoy it, but looking at the score and how we collapsed inside 50 overs I'm guessing that reckless mentality has once again cost us?

It would seem so. Though there are those (purists?) that will never see it that way ...

When it comes off, it's admittedly spectacular, but I just don't understand the general philosophy. It very much reminds me of Mowbray in our Premier League relegation. Playing a certain way just for the sake of it rather than playing the situation and adapting your game to get the best results.

[rsbaggy2]

Those proponents of bazball are probably having a Friday night piss up. Enjoy.

Aussies handed the ascendancy.. and if their fielding was up to scratch England would be all out with 50 runs less.