The Ashes

[Tom Joad 25]

Listened to the Ben Stokes post-match comments. Yes, he's showing a hint of humility for a change, but it's still pretty much Billy-Big-Bollocks stuff. "A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men".

I think, Ben, that you and Baz have created the whole mindset of that dressing room by the force of your own personalities. You have obstinately persisted with certain players who haven't risen to the challenge. You've created a situation where the players don't play much cricket and aren't under any pressure for their places in the side. It's not really fair to call them out for being "weak" when they are creatures of your own making.

Aye, I've not heard the detail yet, just the headline but I'm thinking this needs to end. Not ITK at all but I know some that watch County Cricket around the country. The story regularly comes back about the England golf clique and you have to fit in.  I love Stokes for his belief, for his ability to make things happen, and for inspiring others to achieve what looks impossible.  But to me that is starting to look like an amazingly gifted individual thinking everyone can achieve if they just believe.  I wouldn't throw the entire plan away,  England have lost multiple games in my lifespan by defending or being unadventurous.  But if you think you can just throw wickets away and drop catches then claw it all back with a 4th innings run chase you need to stop believing in fairies. Golf is for when the squad is relaxing and shouldn't be the defining selection.