It's The Ashes (again)

[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.

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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?