The Ashes

[Cheshire East Baggie]

We couldn’t beat them at home 2 years ago, with home conditions and a better bowling atttack.  The batting line-up hasn’t changed that much.

It was always going to be a tough ask, granted we’ve under-performed even when taking that into account.

Imagine a decent opener and a proper spinner and this team would look completely different.

But the only seamers who've looked good are Archer and Stokes. The wicket-keeper has been woeful, standing so far back the ball doesn't carry, and not chipping in with the runs he was picked to deliver. These shortfalls are failures in planning and selection - bottom line is that Key, Baz and Ben have not picked the best players available, they've sent a poorly prepared, unbalanced squad. Why would that change now?

It's at times like this that I wish good old Geoffrey was still broadcasting on TMS. He'd be giving it with both barrels. He can't stand players who're full of hubris - apart from himself, obviously