The Ashes

[yeoman lai]

They could well go down as the worst England Ashes squad ever, and thats some achievement.

Somebody mentioned 2010-11..

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Bell
Pietersen
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Broad
Tremlett
Anderson

Makes you want to weep!

[Jacko]

Alternatively on this absolute road we've moved away from Bazball and got skittled for about 200 too few anyway.

As has been reiterated time and time again, these batters (particularly) have bang average techniques, so defending for long periods of time doesn’t work.

I think on this occasion it'll be players that get moved on, not the captain and coach.

[yeoman lai]

Alternatively on this absolute road we've moved away from Bazball and got skittled for about 200 too few anyway.

As has been reiterated time and time again, these batters (particularly) have bang average techniques, so defending for long periods of time doesn’t work.

I think on this occasion it'll be players that get moved on, not the captain and coach.

Which is why I've always said that "bazball" is a smokescreen for the fact that bar Root and Stokes none of them are proper test match batsmen so lets "invent" a new way  of playing a game that has been standard for well over 100+ years.

[Josh1873]

You can argue about the squad and the available talent all you like, I disagree it's as poor as is made out, and I disagree Australia are as good as is made out. I believe the teams are pretty evenly matched. I'd probably agree Australia are stronger, especially on their own patch, but it's not as if they're miles ahead of us in terms of talent - they're not. 

Either way, let's for arguments sake agree they're a lot better than us, that doesn't excuse a likely whitewash, and 3 humiliating, humbling, pathetic, spineless defeats. It doesn't excuse the arrogant and brainless attitude we play with, and are coached with. It doesn't excuse the non-existent preparation heading into this series. It doesn't excuse the fact this was a series the ECB, and that cunt Rob Key, have hyped up as our best chance to win since 2011, and then turning in such turgid, inept, performances. It doesn't excuse ridiculous player selections. It doesn't excuse showing a complete lack of respect to the opposition, or the conditions of the match. 

I disagree with the talent discrepancy argument, but even if the likes of Jacko are correct, we should be seeing damn sight better performances, attitude, respect of the opposition, and respect for test cricket that is required to be successful. 

However you dress it up, it's time for Key and McCullum to fuck off.

[Cheshire East Baggie]

Alternatively on this absolute road we've moved away from Bazball and got skittled for about 200 too few anyway.

As has been reiterated time and time again, these batters (particularly) have bang average techniques, so defending for long periods of time doesn’t work.

I think on this occasion it'll be players that get moved on, not the captain and coach.

I truly hope you're wrong, Jacko, because Baz is an absolute fraud as a coach at Test level, and Stokes has displayed his weaknesses as a captain and his frail physical condition. The abject "croneyism" of the current setup is something Key has allowed to happen. All three need to go IMO.

[Gzbaggy]

You can argue about the squad and the available talent all you like, I disagree it's as poor as is made out, and I disagree Australia are as good as is made out. I believe the teams are pretty evenly matched. I'd probably agree Australia are stronger, especially on their own patch, but it's not as if they're miles ahead of us in terms of talent - they're not. 

Either way, let's for arguments sake agree they're a lot better than us, that doesn't excuse a likely whitewash, and 3 humiliating, humbling, pathetic, spineless defeats. It doesn't excuse the arrogant and brainless attitude we play with, and are coached with. It doesn't excuse the non-existent preparation heading into this series. It doesn't excuse the fact this was a series the ECB, and that cunt Rob Key, have hyped up as our best chance to win since 2011, and then turning in such turgid, inept, performances. It doesn't excuse ridiculous player selections. It doesn't excuse showing a complete lack of respect to the opposition, or the conditions of the match. 

I disagree with the talent discrepancy argument, but even if the likes of Jacko are correct, we should be seeing damn sight better performances, attitude, respect of the opposition, and respect for test cricket that is required to be successful. 

However you dress it up, it's time for Key and McCullum to fuck off.

Have a look at the Test records of the Australian bowlers, then compare them with the English bowlers, there is a bit of difference!

[Logic1]

If you have a system where pretty much only privately educated kids have any hope of becoming a cricketer, then the fact we actually have spells of the game where we actually compete with Australia is actually quite impressive. I was totally wrong with my previous predictions. This Aus team is at peak performance with an impressive bowling attack. Bazball papers over the cracks of our poor technique and the preparation for this series is a total disgrace. Glad I didn't waste my money going.

PS: 5/17 players in England's Ashes squad didn't go to a private school.

[Brentbaggie]

If you have a system where pretty much only privately educated kids have any hope of becoming a cricketer, then the fact we actually have spells of the game where we actually compete with Australia is actually quite impressive. I was totally wrong with my previous predictions. This Aus team is at peak performance with an impressive bowling attack. Bazball papers over the cracks of our poor technique and the preparation for this series is a total disgrace. Glad I didn't waste my money going.

PS: 5/17 players in England's Ashes squad didn't go to a private school.

This. It’s a glorified posh boys’ club and has been for years. That we do win some series is a minor miracle given the “talent pool” existing at county level. The inherent exclusivity of the game at the highest level is a disgrace, but given how much cricket has disappeared from the curriculum in state schools don’t expect much change any time soon.

[Fido]

If you have a system where pretty much only privately educated kids have any hope of becoming a cricketer, then the fact we actually have spells of the game where we actually compete with Australia is actually quite impressive. I was totally wrong with my previous predictions. This Aus team is at peak performance with an impressive bowling attack. Bazball papers over the cracks of our poor technique and the preparation for this series is a total disgrace. Glad I didn't waste my money going.

PS: 5/17 players in England's Ashes squad didn't go to a private school.

This. It’s a glorified posh boys’ club and has been for years. That we do win some series is a minor miracle given the “talent pool” existing at county level. The inherent exclusivity of the game at the highest level is a disgrace, but given how much cricket has disappeared from the curriculum in state schools don’t expect much change any time soon.

My lad goes to a decent-sized secondary in an area of higher than average income and he has never played cricket on a cricket square with a cricket ball in the six years he's been there. It's easy for a school to "outsource" football as it's a thriving sport and there are hundreds of teams for all abilities in the area but cricket hasn't got anything like the same resources at club level.

[CA Baggie]

We couldn’t beat them at home 2 years ago, with home conditions and a better bowling atttack. The batting line-up hasn’t changed that much.

It was always going to be a tough ask, granted we’ve under-performed even when taking that into account.

Imagine a decent opener and a proper spinner and this team would look completely different.