The Ashes

[rsbaggy2]

Stokes is saying "We've got the right people in this team". McCullum is saying "I don't like being told what to do".

I don't see a future for them in the Test setup, and I don't see us improving while they are both still involved. Stokes as a player has a lot to offer when he's fit, but that's increasingly rare. McCullum is a fraud.

Bar the notable omission of a spinner and a second, more consistent opening bat I'm not sure I disagree with Stokes. The main reason for frustration on this tour is that we've sent the most talented group we've had for 15 years over there to play their weakest, oldest and most out of form side since 2010 and we've beaten ourselves in four and a bit days of test cricket.

C'rect Ted. The areas improvement is required have been highlighted by many commentators,  mainly because they are obvious. Stokes appears to have recognised it. McCullum appears to have doubled down though and Key has gone quiet.  The subjects not acknowledged by the team management  remain. Team selection and guaranteed places being a huge one. I personally don't believe we should throw out the baby with the bathwater but of the 3 main men, Stokes' position should be safe, Key has questions to answer while McCullum appears thoroughly arrogant and dislikeable.

McCullum's arrogance.
Has it filtered through to the players too?

Well infact it's not even a question. Several times now the squad has been ill prepared for a tough tour. That stems from the top .. hugely arrogant ego.

[pindgill]

Don’t worry England will smash NZ & Pakistan in the summer test series and will be the greatest in the world again!!…

[Johnnykayeengland]

Some unfair criticism of McCullum.
He came into a failing, negative England setup like a breath of fresh air. We had some superb wins, a few defeats, but an exciting time for the team. Negativity was out of the window, we should have won the last home ashes.
But we've been beaten by a better team. Just like the last few tours of Australia.
Of course there's been mistakes. Lack of backup players for me. We do have the quality, back home.
Also bad luck with the first 3 bowlers injured.
I'd keep him.
And certainly keep Stokes. An inspiring captain. Anyway, who would replace him?!

[Tom Joad 25]

Some unfair criticism of McCullum.
He came into a failing, negative England setup like a breath of fresh air. We had some superb wins, a few defeats, but an exciting time for the team. Negativity was out of the window, we should have won the last home ashes.
But we've been beaten by a better team. Just like the last few tours of Australia.
Of course there's been mistakes. Lack of backup players for me. We do have the quality, back home.
Also bad luck with the first 3 bowlers injured.
I'd keep him.
And certainly keep Stokes. An inspiring captain. Anyway, who would replace him?!

I stand by my criticism of McCullum.  Stokes is as good a leader as we have had for a while, no issue there. Like I say, I wouldn't ditch the baby with the bathwater but this Australia side were there for the taking and we lost the Ashes in a matter of  days. In fact, we lost the 1st game in one session.

[wba13]

Probably the two biggest mistakes were not playing both Bethal and Tongue from the start also using Carse to open the bowling which he never does. Spinner Wicketkeeper and openers need sorting, let’s see what happens come summer.

[rsbaggy2]

Some unfair criticism of McCullum.
He came into a failing, negative England setup like a breath of fresh air. We had some superb wins, a few defeats, but an exciting time for the team. Negativity was out of the window, we should have won the last home ashes.
But we've been beaten by a better team. Just like the last few tours of Australia.
Of course there's been mistakes. Lack of backup players for me. We do have the quality, back home.
Also bad luck with the first 3 bowlers injured.
I'd keep him.
And certainly keep Stokes. An inspiring captain. Anyway, who would replace him?!

I stand by my criticism of McCullum.  Stokes is as good a leader as we have had for a while, no issue there. Like I say, I wouldn't ditch the baby with the bathwater but this Australia side were there for the taking and we lost the Ashes in a matter of  days. In fact, we lost the 1st game in one session.

Brook showing all the necessary requirements to follow in Stokes footsteps.

[Hughie Reed 31]

Some unfair criticism of McCullum.
He came into a failing, negative England setup like a breath of fresh air. We had some superb wins, a few defeats, but an exciting time for the team. Negativity was out of the window, we should have won the last home ashes.
But we've been beaten by a better team. Just like the last few tours of Australia.
Of course there's been mistakes. Lack of backup players for me. We do have the quality, back home.
Also bad luck with the first 3 bowlers injured.
I'd keep him.
And certainly keep Stokes. An inspiring captain. Anyway, who would replace him?!

It’s not back luck it’s bad planning
Archer & Wood are hardly robust tough players look at their injury records
Going to Play the Aussies in their back yard and thinking the above players
Would play major roles was pie in the sky
Sam Cook & Sonny Baker along with Rehan Ahmed should have been in the squad
+ the fact we just rocked up without having any 4/5 day games out there was pure
Madness
Most of us have already said this was a ageing Australia squad with injury problems
Of their own and they still hammered us 4-1
Easy in hindsight I agree.
But something got to change.

[Johnnykayeengland]

Some unfair criticism of McCullum.
He came into a failing, negative England setup like a breath of fresh air. We had some superb wins, a few defeats, but an exciting time for the team. Negativity was out of the window, we should have won the last home ashes.
But we've been beaten by a better team. Just like the last few tours of Australia.
Of course there's been mistakes. Lack of backup players for me. We do have the quality, back home.
Also bad luck with the first 3 bowlers injured.
I'd keep him.
And certainly keep Stokes. An inspiring captain. Anyway, who would replace him?!

It’s not back luck it’s bad planning
Archer & Wood are hardly robust tough players look at their injury records
Going to Play the Aussies in their back yard and thinking the above players
Would play major roles was pie in the sky
Sam Cook & Sonny Baker along with Rehan Ahmed should have been in the squad
+ the fact we just rocked up without having any  4/5 day games out there was pure
Madness
Most of us have already said this was a ageing Australia squad with injury problems
Of their own and they still hammered us 4-1
Easy in hindsight I agree.
But something got to change.

Tend to agree with the first half.I don't follow county cricket like you, so have no opinion on those players. But isn't it what's going on behind the scenes?
No practice matches, a squad with poor backup in case - as you say - easily predictable injuries.
I disagree about Oz being there for the taking. Wasn't that wishful thinking?

[Jacko]

Top 3 run scorers in Div One of CC last year. Sibley, Hameed and Lyth. All played and failed in the test arena. The depth simply isn't there (and won't be until the ECB scrap the 16.4 and start playing and prioritising Championship matches in June, July and August.)