It's The Ashes (again)

[Lurker#3]

This England team are full of morons. Get a fucking grip.

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Bazball really is a moronic way to play the game. It's all well and good thinking it's the best thing since sliced veg because we can beat Ireland in a one off Test. But when we come up against the top sides we will (and are) get unstuck - see New Zealand in the winter and the Edgbaston Test. For the second Test running Australia have outsmarted and outplayed England. Now we may well win this Test still, we're good enough to, but if we don't we'll be 2-0 down in a series where we've had more than enough chances to be 2-0 but for a pig headed ignorance.

I know I'll get labelled as miserable and negative but this style of cricket is really frustrating me and, in all honesty, pissing me off.

Time to get back to basics, get a reality check, tell some home truths to players and drop those who aren't performing.

The fact of the matter is, we haven't played baz ball since yesterday afternoon. That's why we haven't scored quickly enough for the amount of wickets we've lost. 

The stats were mentioned earlier. From 80% attacking shots v the short ball, yesterday early afternoon, down to 60% after stokes came in. Then down to 20% today.

Because they've been out-thought by Australia, who have simply played basic, but effective, cricket. 

There's a reason why Test cricket hasn't changed much in 100 or so years.

The point is, it isn't the "brand" that's cost us wickets today. It's been fantastic by the Aussie's and poor by us.

We're watching a different game. Attacking and trying to play shots consistently to short balls is a product of this ridiculous brand. Duck, evade and/or defend the ball, see off the bowlers and go again. It really is simple and basic. But our arrogance won't allow sensible cricket.

The stats don't support the assumption we've played attacking "baz ball" cricket. 

We've floundered and flailed around looking for rhythm, and we haven't commited to anything. That's what has cost us wickets. 

You either have to stick to your principles and keep playing your shots and accept you may lose wickets but continue to try and pressure the seamers by slapping them for regular boundaries. 

Or...

Duck, dive, evade and tire their seamers out. 

No issue with either. But I can't stand a 'nothing' approach, and that's what we've had since about tea yesterday.