massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
Australia had three players who scored big runs - we had none Australia didn't bowl a single "no ball" - we bowled four, one of which cost us a wicket Australia didn't drop a catch - we dropped a few and at least one "regulation" at slip Australia didn't miss a run out from three yards - we did Australia didn't have a spinner, who was meant to tie up an end and give the quicks some respite, go at 8.63 an over - Lyon went at 2.33 Australia don't have two injured bowlers
So, forget this Test as it's lost unless rain intervenes and there still won't be enough to make a difference but where do we go from here? The chances are that we will go without a spinner in the next Test even more so if Stokes is out. Bairstow would probably come in but if he does then, hopefully, he will do so at 6 and we will take the opportunity to move Pope up one. Anderson and Broad will probably come in at the expense of Leach and an injured Robinson or rested Wood
Our fielding and catching specifically is a real concern. It's no use highlighting the fact that our players are "under cooked" in that respect - we have one of, if not the worst, record for pouching catches at slip in the world. We should, with all the coaches and facilities available to us, be one of the best.
Look at the Burns slip catch - he gets it completely wrong.
He tries to take it like a keeper (which he is) and is on the move with his feet as the ball is travelling.
At slip, you must have your head still and keep movements minimal. Once your eyes and brain has assessed the trajectory, you will move your hands or dive if necessary, but you don't take slip catches 'on the walk'.
I'm not claiming you have to catch everything at slip but, at this level, you need to have a method which will allow you to take 9 out of 10.
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
this is the problem and why I said that it won't happen 'yet' .. Buttler would be the obvious choice .. It's always best to change the captaincy between series, as I suspect little cliques could form around the new and the replaced leader .. Root has never been a good skipper, however, he is a national icon, a fresh faced hero and replacing him for many would be like butchering Bambi.
also I asked when Silverballswood was appointed .. why? .. Smith and Taylor as 'national selectors' seemed to be doing an ok job and could get round the counties on form spotting missions .. S/Wood now in charge of all formats can't do that, AND what in his record indicated he is a master coach/manager ? .. and let's have a right good whinge, how did the 'King of Spain' get the top job ? blah blah blah Strange that for this test, a number of Root's 'permanent fixtures' missed out, Anderson, Broad and Bairstow .. I dare say all 3 will be back for the next trial test. BUT, are Anderson and Broad still fit and able enough to bowl flat out for 15/20 overs a day in gruelling Aussie conditions for four tests ? .. personally, I doubt it. As said above IF there is a plan to ever again play a spinner during this series, a leggie needs to be recruited into the squad tout de suite .. I thank you
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
this is the problem and why I said that it won't happen 'yet' .. Buttler would be the obvious choice .. It's always best to change the captaincy between series, as I suspect little cliques could form around the new and the replaced leader .. Root has never been a good skipper, however, he is a national icon, a fresh faced hero and replacing him for many would be like butchering Bambi.
also I asked when Silverballswood was appointed .. why? .. Smith and Taylor as 'national selectors' seemed to be doing an ok job and could get round the counties on form spotting missions .. S/Wood now in charge of all formats can't do that, AND what in his record indicated he is a master coach/manager ? .. and let's have a right good whinge, how did the 'King of Spain' get the top job ? blah blah blah Strange that for this test, a number of Root's 'permanent fixtures' missed out, Anderson, Broad and Bairstow .. I dare say all 3 will be back for the next trial test. BUT, are Anderson and Broad still fit and able enough to bowl flat out for 15/20 overs a day in gruelling Aussie conditions for four tests ? .. personally, I doubt it. As said above IF there is a plan to ever again play a spinner during this series, a leggie needs to be recruited into the squad tout de suite .. I thank you
Buttler will always favour white ball over red which is why he was so reluctant to do this tour. His concentration when keeping is an issue too and the last thing he needs to be thinking about is field placements and bowling changes for 90 overs in a day. He also has no record whatsoever of captaining a side in the longer form of the game.
Root is the best we've got at the moment if only for one reason. He's the one and only player guaranteed his place in the side. And that sums up the situation we find ourselves in. Australia probably have eight or nine players who automatically get into the side and who will be fixtures subject to fitness.
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
this is the problem and why I said that it won't happen 'yet' .. Buttler would be the obvious choice .. It's always best to change the captaincy between series, as I suspect little cliques could form around the new and the replaced leader .. Root has never been a good skipper, however, he is a national icon, a fresh faced hero and replacing him for many would be like butchering Bambi.
also I asked when Silverballswood was appointed .. why? .. Smith and Taylor as 'national selectors' seemed to be doing an ok job and could get round the counties on form spotting missions .. S/Wood now in charge of all formats can't do that, AND what in his record indicated he is a master coach/manager ? .. and let's have a right good whinge, how did the 'King of Spain' get the top job ? blah blah blah Strange that for this test, a number of Root's 'permanent fixtures' missed out, Anderson, Broad and Bairstow .. I dare say all 3 will be back for the next trial test. BUT, are Anderson and Broad still fit and able enough to bowl flat out for 15/20 overs a day in gruelling Aussie conditions for four tests ? .. personally, I doubt it. As said above IF there is a plan to ever again play a spinner during this series, a leggie needs to be recruited into the squad tout de suite .. I thank you
Buttler will always favour white ball over red which is why he was so reluctant to do this tour. His concentration when keeping is an issue too and the last thing he needs to be thinking about is field placements and bowling changes for 90 overs in a day. He also has no record whatsoever of captaining a side.
Root is the best we've got at the moment if only for one reason. He's the one and only player guaranteed his place in the side. And that sums up the situation we find ourselves in. Australia probably have eight or nine players who automatically get into the side and who will be fixtures subject to fitness.
you have only tackled one of my points (captaincy) and I agree with your conclusions up to a point .. Buttler HAS captained an England one day side, in Bangladesh, so would not be a total novice in the role .. the most experienced captain in the side is Burns, but a t m he can't bat and he can't catch, other than that .. he's yer man ((:>)
The England Lions are playing Australia A at the moment in a 4 day game. The good news is that we bowled Australia out for 213 with Norwell taking 5-58 and Bess 4-80. The bad news is that we are 13-3
England U19s are in Sri Lanka. Having won the first 50 over game by 25 runs we've lost the next three. Our scores have been 242, 103, 114 and 117
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
Surely Stokes would have to be in the running as skipper?
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
Surely Stokes would have to be in the running as skipper?
If fit and mentally prepared to take on the pressure of the job
massacre .. the end of Leach's test career and hopefully the woeful captaincy of 'skipper Root', though the latter will not happen yet, (if ever ?) .. England's bowlers kept right at it but the Aussie batsmen were just too good and too determined .. thank the Lord for a rare Smith failure
Who would you have replacing root as captain? Buttler? The problem is that there isn't a stand out or obvious choice
Surely Stokes would have to be in the running as skipper?
If fit and mentally prepared to take on the pressure of the job
Yeah, fair point about the mental side. He probably wouldn't be interested and no one could blame him if he wasn't.
The England Lions are playing Australia A at the moment in a 4 day game. The good news is that we bowled Australia out for 213 with Norwell taking 5-58 and Bess 4-80. The bad news is that we are 13-3
England U19s are in Sri Lanka. Having won the first 50 over game by 25 runs we've lost the next three. Our scores have been 242, 103, 114 and 117
buttler's got his eye on morgan's job. Wouldn't want him as test captain as i don't think he's a test match player - foakes is way better behind the stumps and arguably would get as many runs in the test team.
Root has always been captain for the same reason - he's the only one who's got his spot 100% nailed down. Everyone else is fighting for their place, or too old/not interested eg anderson and broad.
The England Lions are playing Australia A at the moment in a 4 day game. The good news is that we bowled Australia out for 213 with Norwell taking 5-58 and Bess 4-80. The bad news is that we are 13-3
England U19s are in Sri Lanka. Having won the first 50 over game by 25 runs we've lost the next three. Our scores have been 242, 103, 114 and 117
Of course, in this Test we were 147 all out
Anyone notice a trend here?
4 centuries in a row, call him up to the test team 😬🤭
Watched the highlights & I've gotta say I thought England were a tad unlucky not to get Australia out cheaply. Bowled brilliantly in spells. A couple more of those balls find the edge of the bat & it's a different game
Captain Cowardly Dunce and the overpromoted 'Spoons in full effect. Pick the wrong XI for Brisbane - no Broad with his record there? Settle firmly on that XI before the toss. Cos conditions on the first morning couldn't be important, could they??? Win the toss on a humid cloudy day, with prospect of interruptions and A GREEN TOP FFS!!! 'we'll have a bat' That wicket is so green & moist that halfway thru day 2 with barely 80 overs bowled it's already got dents in it ensuring variable bounce for the rest of the match. But the leadership knows better, right? Doing it by numbers. Numbers apparently drawn blindly from a hat. Leaving out a proven Brisbane wicket taker Selecting a left arm spinner to play a side with a batting order laden with left handers Selecting a left arm spinner, who doesn't have a mystery ball/doosra/chuck on a GREEN TOP FFS!!!!!!!
The plan is: "We've got a decent spinner so we have to bat first so he can shoot them out in the 4th innings - logical right? And nothing else is relevant" The Aussies must be laughing their cocks off and working out how far they can all improve their averages, and get two days off each match.
Australia's lead is already big enough, they'll only bat on for the practice. Defeat by an innings and a shameful margin. Only the weather can take this into a 4th day.
Aussie pundits weren't convinced the home side is all that special. They've had no more preparation than England. India beat them comfortably. Only COVID or extraordinary weather can prevent a 5 nil evisceration. The margins will be record breaking. Outside of the "leadership" (ha!) group the England squad must know they've been thrown under the bus by halfwits, they'll try and try, flog themselves to a standstill in the face of insurmountable odds but they'll all know their plight is hopeless.
There's been a campaign for years in Aussie that England doesn't warrant 5 match series. This tour will cement that.
Captain Cowardly Dunce and the overpromoted 'Spoons in full effect. Pick the wrong XI for Brisbane - no Broad with his record there? Settle firmly on that XI before the toss. Cos conditions on the first morning couldn't be important, could they??? Win the toss on a humid cloudy day, with prospect of interruptions and A GREEN TOP FFS!!! 'we'll have a bat' That wicket is so green & moist that halfway thru day 2 with barely 80 overs bowled it's already got dents in it ensuring variable bounce for the rest of the match. But the leadership knows better, right? Doing it by numbers. Numbers apparently drawn blindly from a hat. Leaving out a proven Brisbane wicket taker Selecting a left arm spinner to play a side with a batting order laden with left handers Selecting a left arm spinner, who doesn't have a mystery ball/doosra/chuck on a GREEN TOP FFS!!!!!!!
The plan is: "We've got a decent spinner so we have to bat first so he can shoot them out in the 4th innings - logical right? And nothing else is relevant" The Aussies must be laughing their cocks off and working out how far they can all improve their averages, and get two days off each match.
Australia's lead is already big enough, they'll only bat on for the practice. Defeat by an innings and a shameful margin. Only the weather can take this into a 4th day.
Aussie pundits weren't convinced the home side is all that special. They've had no more preparation than England. India beat them comfortably. Only COVID or extraordinary weather can prevent a 5 nil evisceration. The margins will be record breaking. Outside of the "leadership" (ha!) group the England squad must know they've been thrown under the bus by halfwits, they'll try and try, flog themselves to a standstill in the face of insurmountable odds but they'll all know their plight is hopeless.
There's been a campaign for years in Aussie that England doesn't warrant 5 match series. This tour will cement that.
Captain Cowardly Dunce and the overpromoted 'Spoons in full effect. Pick the wrong XI for Brisbane - no Broad with his record there? Settle firmly on that XI before the toss. Cos conditions on the first morning couldn't be important, could they??? Win the toss on a humid cloudy day, with prospect of interruptions and A GREEN TOP FFS!!! 'we'll have a bat' That wicket is so green & moist that halfway thru day 2 with barely 80 overs bowled it's already got dents in it ensuring variable bounce for the rest of the match. But the leadership knows better, right? Doing it by numbers. Numbers apparently drawn blindly from a hat. Leaving out a proven Brisbane wicket taker Selecting a left arm spinner to play a side with a batting order laden with left handers Selecting a left arm spinner, who doesn't have a mystery ball/doosra/chuck on a GREEN TOP FFS!!!!!!!
The plan is: "We've got a decent spinner so we have to bat first so he can shoot them out in the 4th innings - logical right? And nothing else is relevant" The Aussies must be laughing their cocks off and working out how far they can all improve their averages, and get two days off each match.
Australia's lead is already big enough, they'll only bat on for the practice. Defeat by an innings and a shameful margin. Only the weather can take this into a 4th day.
Aussie pundits weren't convinced the home side is all that special. They've had no more preparation than England. India beat them comfortably. Only COVID or extraordinary weather can prevent a 5 nil evisceration. The margins will be record breaking. Outside of the "leadership" (ha!) group the England squad must know they've been thrown under the bus by halfwits, they'll try and try, flog themselves to a standstill in the face of insurmountable odds but they'll all know their plight is hopeless.
There's been a campaign for years in Aussie that England doesn't warrant 5 match series. This tour will cement that.
Ponting going in on the officials and he has a point. Stokes first FOUR deliveries before the wicket taking ball to Warner were no balls. Not a single one was called and the 3rd umpire responsible for checking didn’t tell the infield umpire to tell Ben to watch his front foot.
You can say a bowler shouldn’t be bowling no-balls which is fair but, for someone who’s been out of the game for a period of time, desperate to make a breakthrough and known for pushing himself to the absolute limit, the umpires have a duty to give him that information.
In terms of performance I feel that yesterday went as well as we could have hoped for up until the last hour. The extended days play for a reduced bowling attack suffering with fitness and injury problems, Australia could take advantage of that late in the day. Obviously the dropped catch and missed run outs are things that could have been the difference between a lead of 120 odd or 250 but it just shows you have to be absolutely flawless when playing Ashes cricket and I think our current group just aren’t experienced, technically able or (barring a couple) fully understand playing test cricket.
It’s obviously a lot easier to sit and say what I think they should do compared to them facing 90mph hostile bowling from Hazwelwood, Cummins and Starc but I just don’t feel like any of our batsmen other than Root and Stokes have the patience, ability or frame of mind to just stick around ignoring the score for an hour and just properly getting themselves in like Labuschagne did.
Tonight might be the first night I don’t watch the entire days play. If we are 50/4 again at lunch then I’ll probably write this one off and watch the NFL before going to sleep.
Comments
He tries to take it like a keeper (which he is) and is on the move with his feet as the ball is travelling.
At slip, you must have your head still and keep movements minimal.
Once your eyes and brain has assessed the trajectory, you will move your hands or dive if necessary, but you don't take slip catches 'on the walk'.
I'm not claiming you have to catch everything at slip but, at this level, you need to have a method which will allow you to take 9 out of 10.
also I asked when Silverballswood was appointed .. why? .. Smith and Taylor as 'national selectors' seemed to be doing an ok job and could get round the counties on form spotting missions .. S/Wood now in charge of all formats can't do that, AND what in his record indicated he is a master coach/manager ? .. and let's have a right good whinge, how did the 'King of Spain' get the top job ? blah blah blah
Strange that for this test, a number of Root's 'permanent fixtures' missed out, Anderson, Broad and Bairstow .. I dare say all 3 will be back for the next trial test. BUT, are Anderson and Broad still fit and able enough to bowl flat out for 15/20 overs a day in gruelling Aussie conditions for four tests ? .. personally, I doubt it. As said above IF there is a plan to ever again play a spinner during this series, a leggie needs to be recruited into the squad tout de suite .. I thank you
Root is the best we've got at the moment if only for one reason. He's the one and only player guaranteed his place in the side. And that sums up the situation we find ourselves in. Australia probably have eight or nine players who automatically get into the side and who will be fixtures subject to fitness.
England U19s are in Sri Lanka. Having won the first 50 over game by 25 runs we've lost the next three. Our scores have been 242, 103, 114 and 117
Of course, in this Test we were 147 all out
Anyone notice a trend here?
Root has always been captain for the same reason - he's the only one who's got his spot 100% nailed down. Everyone else is fighting for their place, or too old/not interested eg anderson and broad.
Pick the wrong XI for Brisbane - no Broad with his record there?
Settle firmly on that XI before the toss. Cos conditions on the first morning couldn't be important, could they???
Win the toss on a humid cloudy day, with prospect of interruptions and A GREEN TOP FFS!!! 'we'll have a bat'
That wicket is so green & moist that halfway thru day 2 with barely 80 overs bowled it's already got dents in it ensuring variable bounce for the rest of the match. But the leadership knows better, right? Doing it by numbers. Numbers apparently drawn blindly from a hat.
Leaving out a proven Brisbane wicket taker
Selecting a left arm spinner to play a side with a batting order laden with left handers
Selecting a left arm spinner, who doesn't have a mystery ball/doosra/chuck on a GREEN TOP FFS!!!!!!!
The plan is: "We've got a decent spinner so we have to bat first so he can shoot them out in the 4th innings - logical right? And nothing else is relevant" The Aussies must be laughing their cocks off and working out how far they can all improve their averages, and get two days off each match.
Australia's lead is already big enough, they'll only bat on for the practice.
Defeat by an innings and a shameful margin. Only the weather can take this into a 4th day.
Aussie pundits weren't convinced the home side is all that special. They've had no more preparation than England. India beat them comfortably.
Only COVID or extraordinary weather can prevent a 5 nil evisceration. The margins will be record breaking. Outside of the "leadership" (ha!) group the England squad must know they've been thrown under the bus by halfwits, they'll try and try, flog themselves to a standstill in the face of insurmountable odds but they'll all know their plight is hopeless.
There's been a campaign for years in Aussie that England doesn't warrant 5 match series. This tour will cement that.
England finish the day 300-2
I'm going between 246 & 262.
Good batting conditions, but scoreboard pressure and the rested and fired up Aussie bowlers mean I'm expecting another collapse when we bat again
Starc holes out in the deep off Woakes. Australia lead sits at 244.
Rory Burns takes a catch. I was expecting him to somehow shovel it back over his head for 6
Oh well, looks like even I wasn't being pessimistic enough.