It's The Ashes (again)

[rsbaggy2]

2-2 is a fair series result. Both sides have had sessions of dominance and both sides have had sessions of poor cricket. Ultimately, however, I still can't help but feel that we let Aussies off the hook too many times. They're a better side than us, no doubt, but they haven't been anywhere near their best but have still managed to retain the Ashes.

I've obviously been critical of this current ethos and the unwillingness to play the game situation, I do like the positivity and I sincerely hope England learn from the mistakes they've made throughout. I'm not calling for a complete change it just needs a slight tweak to be less reckless and play sensibly when the match situation dictates. Nothing too drastic, but we do need to learn from this series. A series we could, and arguably, should have won had we taken chances and asserted our dominance when we were on top.

Anyway, what a series. And this is why Test cricket is the greatest form of the game. The best moments have been the tense situations which naturally come regardless of style. Winning Tests will get more people interested. Winning is the key. Always has been and always will be.

You don't get moments like we've seen across this series in the ridiculous Hundred or the T20 Blast. Red ball is by far the greatest form of cricket.

I feel like we've already seen this correction? Whilts we debated the approach in the first two tests quite strongly, we definitely saw a more focused correction to aggressive but sensible cricket in the last 3 Tests. And look what happened. The  first two Tests, we were definitely too far Bazball. The last 3 Tests is what we want to see.

India in the winter is going to be a massive massive test. Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar spinning it sideways is going to be oh so difficult to overcome. One things for sure, it's gunna be fun. What team would you go for? Something like this:

Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Stokes
Bairstow (it should be Foakes, especially in India, but we all know it won't be)
Dawson / Ahmed
Wood
Leach
Tongue / Potts

Harsh to drop Woakes, but India isn't the place for him, likewise Jimmy, although he'll probably play. Hopefully Stokes sorts his knee, otherwise we'll need another bowling option. Batting seems settled, the bowling is a real worry.

Think it will be a tough tour but also a very close fought one. Agree with much of what you say and the loss of Broad and probably Stokes may prove pivotal. Anderson almost certainly will go. Don't agree with it but can't see him being dropped.