I am starting to wonder if Stokes will retire at the end of this Series especially if we lose and he doesn't contribute in a meaningful way. It has to be accepted that he probably will never be able to bowl any meaningful spell again - he's taken 4-243 in his last six Tests and is averaging 28.67 with the bat. He's too proud to accept that he is a bit part player in a team and there just to skipper the side.
I am starting to wonder if Stokes will retire at the end of this Series especially if we lose and he doesn't contribute in a meaningful way. It has to be accepted that he probably will never be able to bowl any meaningful spell again - he's taken 4-243 in his last six Tests and is averaging 28.67 with the bat. He's too proud to accept that he is a bit part player in a team and there just to skipper the side.
I can see him retiring from Tests at the very least.
That knee definitely seems like it needs a significant operation.
If Australia go home with the Ashes and after England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the first test then 'Baz ball' have been a failure in this series.
For Ben and Baz, entertainment might come before the result BUT the Australians will do anything to gain an advantage, and we all know their list of crimes.
The third lesser known Chappel even bowling underarm to the Kiwis so they couldn't hit a six and win !
Yesterday we had our foot on their throats and then the 'cult' took over and we released the Aussies from their shackles.
So the main advantage will be this Test, we need to take advantage while we can!
Bowled well in India but nowhere near the control of Lyon
That might be the case so far as wicket taking is concerned and if we get after him but I've not seen much evidence of that when I've watched him. His ER in Test cricket against India was 2.56 and his ER in First Class cricket is 2.63. He was also one of the finds of last year's Big Bash in going for only 5.90 an over. By comparison Lyon is 2.93, 2.95 and 7.34 respectively.
That said he is a rookie and we don't know how he will react if he is put under scoreboard pressure on a pitch that doesn't aid him.
You lot are a cheery bunch lol its literally depressing how it swings on this thread sometimes. Ok i am not really a massive cricket fan but i do enjoy the Ashes/England, literally every seems overly critical and just constant negativity on here.
Lets get it up them, 292/5 is fairly decent so we cant really blame baz ball but the early bowling so far, still if we can get near to the total all to play for.
The first test was very close and this is going the similar way, better than some of the results we have had in the past against the Aussies, equally IRRC recently we were struggling to get over 200 in tests, maybe a few years back i forget? so to go from that, it still doesn't feel like a settled side too so it's going to be hard to be consistent.
Also take what i put with a pinch of salt as i am not as into cricket as most of you, so no doubt you know what you are talking about just comes across a bit negative.
You lot are a cheery bunch lol its literally depressing how it swings on this thread sometimes. Ok i am not really a massive cricket fan but i do enjoy the Ashes/England, literally every seems overly critical and just constant negativity on here.
Lets get it up them, 292/5 is fairly decent so we cant really blame baz ball but the early bowling so far, still if we can get near to the total all to play for.
The first test was very close and this is going the similar way, better than some of the results we have had in the past against the Aussies, equally IRRC recently we were struggling to get over 200 in tests, maybe a few years back i forget? so to go from that, it still doesn't feel like a settled side too so it's going to be hard to be consistent.
Come on England!
That is the problem - we were never going to get anywhere near the Aussie total playing reckless cricket. This is not Ireland we are playing. This is the best Test playing team in the world. You have to adapt according to the opposition.
Also take what i put with a pinch of salt as i am not as into cricket as most of you, so no doubt you know what you are talking about just comes across a bit negative.
I've nothing against spicing things up but this is just cricket without brains. They are called 'Tests' for a reason. And against the best in the business, this hybrid 20/20 approach will fail miserably.
Also take what i put with a pinch of salt as i am not as into cricket as most of you, so no doubt you know what you are talking about just comes across a bit negative.
Comments
That knee definitely seems like it needs a significant operation.
Half his wickets came on debut against India: 124/7.
For Ben and Baz, entertainment might come before the result BUT the Australians will do anything to gain an advantage, and we all know their list of crimes.
The third lesser known Chappel even bowling underarm to the Kiwis so they couldn't hit a six and win !
Yesterday we had our foot on their throats and then the 'cult' took over and we released the Aussies from their shackles.
That said he is a rookie and we don't know how he will react if he is put under scoreboard pressure on a pitch that doesn't aid him.
And how easy it's been undone!
Lets get it up them, 292/5 is fairly decent so we cant really blame baz ball but the early bowling so far, still if we can get near to the total all to play for.
The first test was very close and this is going the similar way, better than some of the results we have had in the past against the Aussies, equally IRRC recently we were struggling to get over 200 in tests, maybe a few years back i forget? so to go from that, it still doesn't feel like a settled side too so it's going to be hard to be consistent.
Come on England!
Someone please try to justify that because I really do not understand it or how a class player like Root can get sucked into doing it.
Threw away the first one, throwing away any chance at this one now.
They are called 'Tests' for a reason. And against the best in the business, this hybrid 20/20 approach will fail miserably.
They probably won't need to bowl for too many more overs. The bowlers can then put their feet up for a while.