Feel a bit sorry for Joe Root's critics, to be honest. They're running out of things to moan about.
This year, he's proving to be the most in-form Test cricketer in the world. As a batsman, he's scored more runs and made more hundreds than any other player this year. As a fielder, no-one (other than wicket keepers) has taken more catches. (And his pick of wicket keeper has taken more catches than any other). He's put on the highest partnership for any wicket, for any team this year (with Lawrence). He's put on more runs with Bairstow this year than any other partnership for any team. And, as a bowler, he's second in the list of Test bowling averages this year.
Most importantly, he's won more Tests than any other captain in the world this year.
I am sure there are some that will find fault. But, for me, he's continuing to be outstanding.
To be fair it is only 25th of January
Root will be hoping cricket is cancelled for the year as he'll be a shoo-in for all the "cricketer of the year" awards
Feel a bit sorry for Joe Root's critics, to be honest. They're running out of things to moan about.
This year, he's proving to be the most in-form Test cricketer in the world. As a batsman, he's scored more runs and made more hundreds than any other player this year. As a fielder, no-one (other than wicket keepers) has taken more catches. (And his pick of wicket keeper has taken more catches than any other). He's put on the highest partnership for any wicket, for any team this year (with Lawrence). He's put on more runs with Bairstow this year than any other partnership for any team. And, as a bowler, he's second in the list of Test bowling averages this year.
Most importantly, he's won more Tests than any other captain in the world this year.
I am sure there are some that will find fault. But, for me, he's continuing to be outstanding.
I can't help thinking that getting away from cricket for such periods of time has helped Root more than most. Sometimes when you are under pressure and you're not performing as well as you have done, there is mothing better for you than clearing the mind and thinking about anything but cricket. Root is back to his very best - we just need two or three others to join the party with the bat.
4 in India 2 vs NZ at home 5 vs India at home 5 in Australia
16 Tests against the best teams in 12 months, whereas many of the smaller countries have hardly any Test cricket now
great for us as spectators though. I know its the NZ cricket board's choice to play loads of 2 match series and stick the focus to white ball, but they shouldn't be allowed to do that now they're top ranked team
Especially with the bubble squad rotation, cold players coming in, and form players going home
Exactly. Nasser Hussain & Rob Key were having a good debate about that the other day.
I can see both sides of the argument to be honest
Roots interview on TMS was good. He explained that players are getting rotated to give them time away from the bubble rather than picking form players.
Root made it sound like a good idea, which I get in the current environment. I just hope that it doesn’t become the new normal and that players are rested on the future because they’ve been away from home for a long period.
Especially with the bubble squad rotation, cold players coming in, and form players going home
Exactly. Nasser Hussain & Rob Key were having a good debate about that the other day.
I can see both sides of the argument to be honest
Roots interview on TMS was good. He explained that players are getting rotated to give them time away from the bubble rather than picking form players.
Root made it sound like a good idea, which I get in the current environment. I just hope that it doesn’t become the new normal and that players are rested on the future because they’ve been away from home for a long period.
I don't expect it to be the norm once Covid bubbles have gone, but in the meantime it's definitely affecting the quality of the team for the India series, with players used to Asian conditions going home and being replaced by players who've spent winter in the Loughborough nets
AND if bubbles still existed next winter, no way would England do the same for an Ashes series.
"Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler will be going home after the 3rd Test with Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow joining the bubble for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG"
Especially with the bubble squad rotation, cold players coming in, and form players going home
Exactly. Nasser Hussain & Rob Key were having a good debate about that the other day.
I can see both sides of the argument to be honest
Roots interview on TMS was good. He explained that players are getting rotated to give them time away from the bubble rather than picking form players.
Root made it sound like a good idea, which I get in the current environment. I just hope that it doesn’t become the new normal and that players are rested on the future because they’ve been away from home for a long period.
I don't expect it to be the norm once Covid bubbles have gone, but in the meantime it's definitely affecting the quality of the team for the India series, with players used to Asian conditions going home and being replaced by players who've spent winter in the Loughborough nets
AND if bubbles still existed next winter, no way would England do the same for an Ashes series.
"Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler will be going home after the 3rd Test with Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow joining the bubble for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG"
But then if the Ashes is the ultimate goal (and let's admit, it always is in English Test cricket), they'll hope to avoid a bit of burn out by next winter by letting players have a rest, see their families etc.
Especially with the bubble squad rotation, cold players coming in, and form players going home
Exactly. Nasser Hussain & Rob Key were having a good debate about that the other day.
I can see both sides of the argument to be honest
Roots interview on TMS was good. He explained that players are getting rotated to give them time away from the bubble rather than picking form players.
Root made it sound like a good idea, which I get in the current environment. I just hope that it doesn’t become the new normal and that players are rested on the future because they’ve been away from home for a long period.
I don't expect it to be the norm once Covid bubbles have gone, but in the meantime it's definitely affecting the quality of the team for the India series, with players used to Asian conditions going home and being replaced by players who've spent winter in the Loughborough nets
AND if bubbles still existed next winter, no way would England do the same for an Ashes series.
"Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler will be going home after the 3rd Test with Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow joining the bubble for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG"
They do have to be selective when they do rest players but we will see more of it happening simply because so many of the players now have the opportunity to chase the dollar - how do you tell, if they want a break, Buttler, Archer, Stokes, Curran, Bairstow etc that they can't play in the IPL or Big Bash ?
I suspect the coverage will be very widely criticised, but it's great to see cricket back on terrestrial TV here. The last series broadcast on C4 was the 2005 Ashes series. A repeat of that would be nice.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo Number Five...
The only song to make me feel overwhelming joy and sadness - sadness when it was the end of the last day of the final test match of the summer and I knew summer was over and I had to go back to school.
Comments
4 in India
2 vs NZ at home
5 vs India at home
5 in Australia
16 Tests against the best teams in 12 months, whereas many of the smaller countries have hardly any Test cricket now
I can see both sides of the argument to be honest
Root made it sound like a good idea, which I get in the current environment. I just hope that it doesn’t become the new normal and that players are rested on the future because they’ve been away from home for a long period.
AND if bubbles still existed next winter, no way would England do the same for an Ashes series.
"Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler will be going home after the 3rd Test with Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow joining the bubble for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG"
https://www.icc-cricket.com/world-test-championship/standings
Not England related, but Australia have pulled out of their tour of S Africa due to Covid concerns
Fantastic!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/02/channel-4-wins-rights-for-england-test-cricket-tour-of-india
Lets hope England aren't stuffed, a massive ask to go out there and perform with so little preparation for many of the players
And the T20s which will be in the afternoon for us, and ODIs which will be in the daytime for us
The series starts on Friday!!!
edit, I really need to start reading all posts first