I've not said anything to the lads at work who have been giving it the big 'un after the first 2 tests. Suffice to say it's been very quiet at work and with South African walloping the Wallies as well it's fair to say it's been good for a Monday!
There has been little between the sides but we do have to factor in those three tosses and the fact that, apart from that 20 minute period in the First Test during which Crawley and Duckett were dismissed, we have had the best of the conditions in all three Tests. Would the differential have been as close had Australia won the toss? We could reasonably argue that had we taken all our chances in the field we would be ahead but those were within our own control. The toss isn't. We need to improve the former if we going to counteract the latter unless, of course, Cummins turns out to be one of the worst tossers in Ashes' history and calls wrong in both the remaining matches.
As expected, but it's a shame they are doubling down on the mistake of giving Bairstow the gloves over Foakes.
We could well have won more than one test if it wasn't for Bairstow dropping catches, and it looks like he's losing confidence more as the series goes on rather than his form improving.
Plus he's averaging 20 odd with the bat, he's not in the batting form of last year either.
I reckon the england leadership think they've been justified in sticking with crawley - having made some quite handy knocks this series, so i think they'll stick with the same for bairstow, at least for the rest of the series.
But keeping and batting and opening the batting are very different roles. Wicketkeeping you're in the game the entire time in the field. I can't help but feel bairstow's batting will suffer more and more.
no changes ? .. this, does not surprise me, there is a good team spirit and they have just won a very important test .. I just hope that the lack of a 'proper' keeper doesn't come to bite them on the collective bum .. more heresy .. I'd go for Tongue over Anderson .. pace please not nostalgia .. NOW, if he's selected, I hope St Jimmy takes 15 wickets in the match and scores a farewell half ton to stick my opinion right up my jumper
I reckon the england leadership think they've been justified in sticking with crawley - having made some quite handy knocks this series, so i think they'll stick with the same for bairstow, at least for the rest of the series.
But keeping and batting and opening the batting are very different roles. Wicketkeeping you're in the game the entire time in the field. I can't help but feel bairstow's batting will suffer more and more.
Bairstow will be under even more pressure in the next match, which will hardly help with the necessary "soft hands"
Anderson at Lord's; his pace was OK and his lines and lengths were good. He got a wicket with the worst ball he bowled all test.
It was his lack of movement in the air and off the pitch that were lacking.
I think I would be more concerned, that it was terminal, if it was his pace and accuracy that were down.
With no tests this winter I do wonder if this will be his last test match though. I can see Broad playing on, given his form this summer especially after a nice long rest.
Bairstow gets a big score , they’re playing the numbers game keeping him in … he’s due one ! Jimmys drops were as bad if not worse than anything bairstows spilled .
Broad is 4 years younger than Anderson, so no reason why they would depart at the same time.
He is, but he also very old by fast bowler standards. The only reason they would depart at the same time is because, for both of them, every test could be their last.
Broad is 4 years younger than Anderson, so no reason why they would depart at the same time.
True but not many go on until 40!
And a lot of players can tend to go in Ashes cycles so who knows if Broad will want to do another 2.5 years?
For what it's worth, I don't think Broad will retire yet.
I think Broad will want to continue to have his period as the legend. There must be a side of him slightly irritated that someone with 598 wickets is still "the other" one, rather than the main man everyone talks about.
he's being touted by all the media as 'the next big thing' .. Alastair Cook type run scoring at an early age .. AND a left hander/wicket keeper .. be interesting to see how he goes against top class bowlers
Talk of Maxwell being called into the Aus squad and side as the spinner. Suspect it'll just to be to give them another option in the squad and he's already in the country so it's convenient. But he would certainly strengthen their lower middle order. Runs today against Kent.
Talk of Maxwell being called into the Aus squad and side as the spinner. Suspect it'll just to be to give them another option in the squad and he's already in the country so it's convenient. But he would certainly strengthen their lower middle order. Runs today against Kent.
FFS couldn't the useless Aussies have called him up before he scored 81 against Kent today?
Comments
We could well have won more than one test if it wasn't for Bairstow dropping catches, and it looks like he's losing confidence more as the series goes on rather than his form improving.
Plus he's averaging 20 odd with the bat, he's not in the batting form of last year either.
But keeping and batting and opening the batting are very different roles. Wicketkeeping you're in the game the entire time in the field. I can't help but feel bairstow's batting will suffer more and more.
NOW, if he's selected, I hope St Jimmy takes 15 wickets in the match and scores a farewell half ton to stick my opinion right up my jumper
It was his lack of movement in the air and off the pitch that were lacking.
I think I would be more concerned, that it was terminal, if it was his pace and accuracy that were down.
With no tests this winter I do wonder if this will be his last test match though. I can see Broad playing on, given his form this summer especially after a nice long rest.
Jimmys drops were as bad if not worse than anything bairstows spilled .
And a lot of players can tend to go in Ashes cycles so who knows if Broad will want to do another 2.5 years?
For what it's worth, I don't think Broad will retire yet.
Another English spinner who'd career has stuttered, but still only 25
Was also thinking of the hype that was around the last wicketkeeper batsman out of Somerset that's never quite kicked on in Tom Banton.