But learning is what it is about. I think we forget that Ahmed might, ordinarily, be making those mistakes at County U18 level or 2nd XI not on the international stage so he does need to be cut a bit more slack than the seasoned pros.
All done with one of our best ever batsmen, Root, being the most ineffective of our players with the bat. Wait 'til he starts to fire again!
We have a solid look about the batting and it will be interesting to see if and how we re-integrate Bairstow. Great position to be in but there are greater forces to come in the course of the next year
Extraordinary that it wasn’t long since England got set 250 odd to win by New Zealand and a full days cricket and shook hands and called it a day at 170-3 with overs to spare.
Stokes handing Ahmed the stump was another touch of class.
The groundsman in Barbados gave me one of the bails after the test match in March. I think Rehan Ahmed did a little more than I did to deserve the stump!
Duckett talks about the fact that he was too young when he was first called up for England but now "knows his game". And that really is what it is about and the concept of playing within yourself. Some players never actually work out what they can and can't do or are asked to play in a way that is totally foreign to them.
Really think Duckett, despite batting at 4 for Notts, could be the answer but his efforts against NZ and Australia will answer that.
I see I have been successful in The Oval ballot, but for Day 4. Lets hope there's some rain, to ensure the game is still on by then!
not heard anything for me yet
I haven't heard anything either! Currently only got Day 4 at Edgbaston. Very frustrating when i've been to at least 4 days of every England Home test match series for the last 2 years. Wish they'd bring in a loyalty points system...
Only a few months ago people were suggesting that Compton, a cautious, solid opener was exactly what England needed. With Bazball, he's the last sort of player who will get a look in...
It was interesting to hear Paul Farbrace praising the current England set up and saying that it is one thing to tell players to go out and play with freedom and another to implement an environment so quickly where they totally buy into that. Which they have done to the extent that newbies such as Brook and Ahmed haven't had that fear of failure hanging over them. It's OK for them to make mistakes.
I'm not sure whether that would really have helped someone like James Vince because I've come to the conclusion that his issue is simply a lack of concentration. We'll only find out if he is given one more chance at some point. I do wonder however whether, in hindsight, had the likes of Ramprakash and Hick been afforded the same sort of backing and encouragement as say Crawley, for example, that would have allowed them to show their true worth. Both have openly admitted how the anxiety leading up to and during matches and fear of failure totally enveloped them so they ended up on that cycle of being in and out of the side. Sadly we'll never know.
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Key, McCullum and Stokes deserve all the plaudits coming their way.
We have a solid look about the batting and it will be interesting to see if and how we re-integrate Bairstow. Great position to be in but there are greater forces to come in the course of the next year
The NZ series should be a good one too. The Kiwis will have noted how Stokes and McCullum have changed England.
Really think Duckett, despite batting at 4 for Notts, could be the answer but his efforts against NZ and Australia will answer that.
Nick Compton piling on the runs in Zimbabwe.
Only a few months ago people were suggesting that Compton, a cautious, solid opener was exactly what England needed. With Bazball, he's the last sort of player who will get a look in...
I'm not sure whether that would really have helped someone like James Vince because I've come to the conclusion that his issue is simply a lack of concentration. We'll only find out if he is given one more chance at some point. I do wonder however whether, in hindsight, had the likes of Ramprakash and Hick been afforded the same sort of backing and encouragement as say Crawley, for example, that would have allowed them to show their true worth. Both have openly admitted how the anxiety leading up to and during matches and fear of failure totally enveloped them so they ended up on that cycle of being in and out of the side. Sadly we'll never know.
https://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/95266/england-cricket-2023#latest