I have my serious doubts about Root as a captain too. He clearly seems unable to motivate the players out there, his decision making is suspect (not bowling Jimmy and Broad straight after tea in Brisbane i think) was a huge mistake, and his flat refusal to bat himself at 3, along with his ability to not be able to see that Bairstow should bat in top 5 (just tell him that he's not keping wicket - you're the captain). I know it changes every day, but maybe the next game should be ... Vince,Stoneman,Root,Bairstow,Malan,Foakes,Woakes,Overton,Crane,Wood,Jimmy.
James Anderson speaking on BT Sport: "We're behind the game a little bit, but we are where we are. The rain helped us a little bit tonight. Tomorrow we've got to come back with a good attitude.
"I thought the application today was really good. We've got plenty of batting to come too. We'll rely on everyone tomorrow to get us through the day."
Yeah because our tail enders have really been good. I'd love to know how many runs we've put on for wickets 6-10 this series.
Ali now has the magnicent Ashes figures of 3-318. And a batting average of 19.
Well done Mo - you've really excelled there.
To be fair to Ali. He has been put in an impossible position.
They tweaked his action before the series which needs hundreds of repetitions to get right and used to. But with his finger he's been unable to bowl anywhere near the amount of balls needed. His finger splits after bowling about 5 balls.
So he needs to bowl to get rhythm but needs to not bowl to let his finger heal.
The only other spinner in the squad is there to play as a second spinner not as a replacement for Ali. Apparently medical staff wanted him to miss the warm uos and the first test to let his finger recover. But we had no other option so he olayed the warm up and the test. Rashid/Leach should be there as back up spinner.
Am I overreacting? Is Test Cricket going downhill never to recover? England are getting hammered by a fairly ordinary Australian side, in my opinion. The current Australian team would have got beaten by most previous Australian teams if they had been contemporaries. The difference in this series is mainly that Smith can bat and they have bowlers that can bowl fast and pretty accurately. This Australian team is not great because Smith and those quicks were not enough in India and, particularly, in Sri Lanka recently.
Smith appears to be outstanding, but is he just not another good Test player, who is benefiting from facing very ordinary bowling? Frankly, the whole standard seems to be poor and Test series are tending to be won by the odd player who can perform on home turf.
I don't think I am overreacting when I say that I am not sure Test cricket will return to the standards of yesteryear. There will be the odd player who can bat extremely well, turn the ball at right angles or swing or cut the ball around outstandingly, but T20 means that we are now in an era when quick runs, slogs, unorthodox shots make a good batsmen and keeping the runs down makes a good bowler.
England's 50-over and T20 team are much stronger than 5-10 years ago and fielding has undoubtedly improved dramatically, but I see Test Cricket declining in standard and interest as time passes.
Ali now has the magnicent Ashes figures of 3-318. And a batting average of 19.
Well done Mo - you've really excelled there.
To be fair to Ali. He has been put in an impossible position.
They tweaked his action before the series which needs hundreds of repetitions to get right and used to. But with his finger he's been unable to bowl anywhere near the amount of balls needed. His finger splits after bowling about 5 balls.
So he needs to bowl to get rhythm but needs to not bowl to let his finger heal.
The only other spinner in the squad is there to play as a second spinner not as a replacement for Ali. Apparently medical staff wanted him to miss the warm uos and the first test to let his finger recover. But we had no other option so he olayed the warm up and the test. Rashid/Leach should be there as back up spinner.
Bl00dy hell, could only think of Magennis in that post Canters, how many shit performances and excuses does he need?
Hopefully Ali plays a match-saving knock tomorrow. But even if not, writing him off after the way he's played over the last year or two is fucking ridiculous
This series has been an absolute disaster but in spells Anderson has bowled beautifully and Overton has looked decent. Plus Malan has batted very well so far this test, hopefully he can build upon it.
Am I overreacting? Is Test Cricket going downhill never to recover? England are getting hammered by a fairly ordinary Australian side, in my opinion. The current Australian team would have got beaten by most previous Australian teams if they had been contemporaries. The difference in this series is mainly that Smith can bat and they have bowlers that can bowl fast and pretty accurately. This Australian team is not great because Smith and those quicks were not enough in India and, particularly, in Sri Lanka recently.
Smith appears to be outstanding, but is he just not another good Test player, who is benefiting from facing very ordinary bowling? Frankly, the whole standard seems to be poor and Test series are tending to be won by the odd player who can perform on home turf.
I don't think I am overreacting when I say that I am not sure Test cricket will return to the standards of yesteryear. There will be the odd player who can bat extremely well, turn the ball at right angles or swing or cut the ball around outstandingly, but T20 means that we are now in an era when quick runs, slogs, unorthodox shots make a good batsmen and keeping the runs down makes a good bowler.
England's 50-over and T20 team are much stronger than 5-10 years ago and fielding has undoubtedly improved dramatically, but I see Test Cricket declining in standard and interest as time passes.
Maybe, I'm just being miserable today.
To be fair to the Australian bowling attack, their problem has always been staying fit, it's England's "misfortune" to be facing a fit Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins at the same time. That attack with Lyon would be competitive against any opposition
Broad's figures of 0-142 are the 12th worst in the history of the Test cricket. Unlike Anderson who seems to want to give 100% all of the time, Broad's body language suggests that he is trying going through the motions.
Broad's figures of 0-142 are the 12th worst in the history of the Test cricket. Unlike Anderson who seems to want to give 100% all of the time, Broad's body language suggests that he is trying going through the motions.
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
This in a nutshell is why we’re looking at another whitewash
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
This in a nutshell is why we’re looking at another whitewash
I do wonder if we are seeing the end of Cook. We need one of Broad or Anderson to carry on for a bit as to lose both would be too much. Anderson is the genius but may feel his time has come. Root hopefully will see that the captaincy has come too early and is detrimental to his brilliant batting.
I may not be the world’s leading expert in cricket but I am fairly certain that to win the toss, elect to bat, get to 360odds for 4 and then lose, potentially by an innings and some, is not really very good.
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
This in a nutshell is why we’re looking at another whitewash
I do wonder if we are seeing the end of Cook. We need one of Broad or Anderson to carry on for a bit as to lose both would be too much. Anderson is the genius but may feel his time has come. Root hopefully will see that the captaincy has come too early and is detrimental to his brilliant batting.
Anderson is still up there with the world's best bowlers, 50 wickets this year. Broad is younger, but seems to have declined first
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
This in a nutshell is why we’re looking at another whitewash
I do wonder if we are seeing the end of Cook. We need one of Broad or Anderson to carry on for a bit as to lose both would be too much. Anderson is the genius but may feel his time has come. Root hopefully will see that the captaincy has come too early and is detrimental to his brilliant batting.
Anderson is still up there with the world's best bowlers, 50 wickets this year. Broad is younger, but seems to have declined first
Indeed, we need one of them to hang around for a while yet to lead the attack.
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
Cook, Root, Ali (although has injured finger), Woakes, Broad and Anderson have been well below their best.
Vince looked really good today. It was unfortunate that he got a real beauty from Starc that would have got most batsmen out. The big problem England have in this series is not Vince, Stoneman, Malan. It is the three senior players called Root, Cook and Broad. They have all not performed to their previous levels.
Cook, Root, Ali (although has injured finger), Woakes, Broad and Anderson have been well below their best.
I agree except for Anderson. He's been surprisingly inconsistent, but still has 12 wickets at 26
I agree Anderson has been ok, but he's certainly not been at his best and to have stood a chance we needed virtually everyone to be playing near their best.
Root hasn't even been bowling Jimmy when you'd expect (although Root may be at fault, I could see why he preferred Overton who looked more dangerous).
Listened to Michael Vaughan this morning on the Aussie coverage and he and a couple of the Aussie commentators were in agreement that the rookies Stoneman, Vince, Malan and Overton have all done well and it is the senior players that have let the team down. I don’t think Broad has been anything like his best for the whole year and could do with being left out for a while. Cookie is looking very shaky and Root is having a poor series. I’ve always been a fan of Mo but he is looking poor at the moment. Woakes who I thought has been one of England’s better players in the last year is another to under achieve. Only Anderson and Bairstow of the senior players have been anything like there normal selves. So we’ve got 3 rookies doing okay, one extremely well, two regulars playing well and 5 of the team not anywhere near their best. Doesn’t stack up well really. If we lose this test, I’d like to see the selectors take a couple of chances. Bring in Crane (although I do worry the Aussies will just go after him and destroy his confidence) out and Foakes (Serious question for @The_President and others is he good enough to open) and if Overton is not fit, Wood.
Stoneman Foakes Vince Root Malan Bairstow Ali Woakes Overton or Wood Crane Anderson
I would leave Mo out, but even though his batting’s been poor I would really be even more concerned about our tail if Woakes was seven and Overton 8. This morning f course is unlikely to happen, as Bayliss is very unlikely to drop Cook or Broad.
I'm sure the captaincy is having a negative impact on Root's batting, it must be really hard to captain on the field, conceding 600+ runs, then bat properly
Regarding Anderson. 50 wickets this calendar year 12 wickets at 26 from three tests this series. Yet again our best bowler by some distance.
I agree changes need to be made but Anderson has to stay.
Anderson’s figures are flattered rather by that spell under lights at Adelaide. When the sun’s out he’s certainly been better than Broad but not good enough IMO
Regarding Anderson. 50 wickets this calendar year 12 wickets at 26 from three tests this series. Yet again our best bowler by some distance.
I agree changes need to be made but Anderson has to stay.
Anderson’s figures are flattered rather by that spell under lights at Adelaide. When the sun’s out he’s certainly been better than Broad but not good enough IMO
I do think you need him in the team for a number of reasons.
We can't have an attack with just rookies and Anderson brings a wealth of experience for those younger quickies, he is incredibly fit for his age and even when conditions don't suit him he doesn't go for runs and he is still capable of big spells - yes he did get 5-43 in the last Test but overall in the series he has taken 12 wickets at 25.83 with an economy rate of 2.43. Only Starc, from both sides, could be said to have performed seriously better overall.
Listened to Michael Vaughan this morning on the Aussie coverage and he and a couple of the Aussie commentators were in agreement that the rookies Stoneman, Vince, Malan and Overton have all done well and it is the senior players that have let the team down. I don’t think Broad has been anything like his best for the whole year and could do with being left out for a while. Cookie is looking very shaky and Root is having a poor series. I’ve always been a fan of Mo but he is looking poor at the moment. Woakes who I thought has been one of England’s better players in the last year is another to under achieve. Only Anderson and Bairstow of the senior players have been anything like there normal selves. So we’ve got 3 rookies doing okay, one extremely well, two regulars playing well and 5 of the team not anywhere near their best. Doesn’t stack up well really. If we lose this test, I’d like to see the selectors take a couple of chances. Bring in Crane (although I do worry the Aussies will just go after him and destroy his confidence) out and Foakes (Serious question for @The_President and others is he good enough to open) and if Overton is not fit, Wood.
Stoneman Foakes Vince Root Malan Bairstow Ali Woakes Overton or Wood Crane Anderson
I would leave Mo out, but even though his batting’s been poor I would really be even more concerned about our tail if Woakes was seven and Overton 8. This morning f course is unlikely to happen, as Bayliss is very unlikely to drop Cook or Broad.
On Foakes. No. Best keeper in the country but shouldn't bat above 6.
I'm wondering if Cook's heart is still in it. I thought dropping the captaincy would reinvigorate him... Mind you he had a storming season for Essex, and is, with the exception of one series, crap in Australia
I'm wondering if Cook's heart is still in it. I thought dropping the captaincy would reinvigorate him... Mind you he had a storming season for Essex, and is, with the exception of one series, crap in Australia
Cook has a 1 year old & 3 year old. It's pretty common for someone's focus to shift to family matters.
Comments
I know it changes every day, but maybe the next game should be ...
Vince,Stoneman,Root,Bairstow,Malan,Foakes,Woakes,Overton,Crane,Wood,Jimmy.
They tweaked his action before the series which needs hundreds of repetitions to get right and used to. But with his finger he's been unable to bowl anywhere near the amount of balls needed. His finger splits after bowling about 5 balls.
So he needs to bowl to get rhythm but needs to not bowl to let his finger heal.
The only other spinner in the squad is there to play as a second spinner not as a replacement for Ali. Apparently medical staff wanted him to miss the warm uos and the first test to let his finger recover. But we had no other option so he olayed the warm up and the test. Rashid/Leach should be there as back up spinner.
Smith appears to be outstanding, but is he just not another good Test player, who is benefiting from facing very ordinary bowling? Frankly, the whole standard seems to be poor and Test series are tending to be won by the odd player who can perform on home turf.
I don't think I am overreacting when I say that I am not sure Test cricket will return to the standards of yesteryear. There will be the odd player who can bat extremely well, turn the ball at right angles or swing or cut the ball around outstandingly, but T20 means that we are now in an era when quick runs, slogs, unorthodox shots make a good batsmen and keeping the runs down makes a good bowler.
England's 50-over and T20 team are much stronger than 5-10 years ago and fielding has undoubtedly improved dramatically, but I see Test Cricket declining in standard and interest as time passes.
Maybe, I'm just being miserable today.
50 wickets this calendar year
12 wickets at 26 from three tests this series.
Yet again our best bowler by some distance.
I agree changes need to be made but Anderson has to stay.
Root hasn't even been bowling Jimmy when you'd expect (although Root may be at fault, I could see why he preferred Overton who looked more dangerous).
I don’t think Broad has been anything like his best for the whole year and could do with being left out for a while. Cookie is looking very shaky and Root is having a poor series. I’ve always been a fan of Mo but he is looking poor at the moment. Woakes who I thought has been one of England’s better players in the last year is another to under achieve. Only Anderson and Bairstow of the senior players have been anything like there normal selves.
So we’ve got 3 rookies doing okay, one extremely well, two regulars playing well and 5 of the team not anywhere near their best. Doesn’t stack up well really.
If we lose this test, I’d like to see the selectors take a couple of chances. Bring in Crane (although I do worry the Aussies will just go after him and destroy his confidence) out and Foakes (Serious question for @The_President and others is he good enough to open) and if Overton is not fit, Wood.
Stoneman
Foakes
Vince
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Overton or Wood
Crane
Anderson
I would leave Mo out, but even though his batting’s been poor I would really be even more concerned about our tail if Woakes was seven and Overton 8. This morning f course is unlikely to happen, as Bayliss is very unlikely to drop Cook or Broad.
We can't have an attack with just rookies and Anderson brings a wealth of experience for those younger quickies, he is incredibly fit for his age and even when conditions don't suit him he doesn't go for runs and he is still capable of big spells - yes he did get 5-43 in the last Test but overall in the series he has taken 12 wickets at 25.83 with an economy rate of 2.43. Only Starc, from both sides, could be said to have performed seriously better overall.