littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
This captaincy ruining form thing does seem a peculiarly English malaise. The averages of Williamson, Kohli and Smith all went up after taking on the captaincy (while batting at 3).
This captaincy ruining form thing does seem a peculiarly English malaise. The averages of Williamson, Kohli and Smith all went up after taking on the captaincy (while batting at 3).
Yeah, compare and contrast with Kohli, who clearly sees it as his destiny to be captain. How could he possibly not be?Agreed. Though Root's white ball game is still pretty bloody good so its not really a form thing as such. The thing about Root when he first came into the set up was that he was always joking around and laughing, you still see a bit of that in white ball cricket but rarely in tests. I just don't think he enjoys captaining.
Yes he is.Yeah, compare and contrast with Kohli, who clearly sees it as his destiny to be captain. How could he possibly not be?
But who does it then? Buttler's the only one, I'd think, but is he guaranteed selection?
And Denly to 4:Root up to 3
Isn't it the opposition that's supposed to play those on you?Mind games.
That's what I mean, we're playing mind games with the Oz.Isn't it the opposition that's supposed to play those on you?
They'll be in a kerfuffle as to who exactly is going to stride out to the middle next.That's what I mean, we're playing mind games with the Oz.
The wee urn is ours
The Ashes creates stars. That's my hope here. But I do think someone from the batting department is going to have to step up and become a star. I don't care who it is, but it has to be someone beyond the usual suspect.Their hubris shall be their downfall, as it has been in countless series before.
He always talks them up. His metronomic bowling was far more impressive than his metronomic punditry.They'll be in a kerfuffle as to who exactly is going to stride out to the middle next.
Glenn McGrath was quoted the other day saying he would have been quietly confident if he'd still been playing coming into this series given the England batting, the Duke's ball in hand, the wickets and the weather. He's a great big liar. He would have been very loudly confident.
There's certainly logic in getting the most experienced batsman a bit higher rather than having a top three with about ten Test caps between them. What really gets me is the constant tinkering and chopping and changing, never really persevering with something before giving up on it. If we still have the same top four in the Fifth Test we'll have won the series, because if we're behind at any stage you can bet there will be another change of tack.It doesn't really matter that much in the end. It's the personnel that's the problem, not the order. I just wish all four of them the very best of luck. They might need it.
Well given he's (vice-)captain sensible nowadays, there's even a case for Stokes at 3. Or shove Roy down to six and bump Stokes and Buttler up one. Who knows?There's certainly logic in getting the most experienced batsman a bit higher rather than having a top three with about ten Test caps between them. What really gets me is the constant tinkering and chopping and changing, never really persevering with something before giving up on it. If we still have the same top four in the Fifth Test we'll have won the series, because if we're behind at any stage you can bet there will be another change of tack.
Stokes was tried at 3, but not persevered with at 3. Bairstow was tried at 3 and scored a century there at the first attempt, but the decision was reversed after one further match. If something doesn't produce instant results it's abandoned, and if it does someone still finds a reason to change again.Well given he's (vice-)captain sensible nowadays, there's even a case for Stokes at 3. Or shove Roy down to six and bump Stokes and Buttler up one. Who knows?
Ok, optimist's head on. Both teams have excellent bowling options and strong people to come in if there are one or two injuries. So it's going to come down to who can piece together something with the bat.Stokes was tried at 3, but not persevered with at 3. Bairstow was tried at 3 and scored a century there at the first attempt, but the decision was reversed after one further match. If something doesn't produce instant results it's abandoned, and if it does someone still finds a reason to change again.
Saves the bowler having to shout his name to the scorers when he first comes on?Why?
They're pointless enough in white ball cricket but at least that is the format to fuck around around in. What is to be gained from this?
They've had It in Championship matches for years. I'm surprised it's taken this long to have it for Tests. As a traditionalist I can do without, but it can be useful for identifying fielders when you're actually at the ground.Why?
They're pointless enough in white ball cricket but at least that is the format to fuck around around in. What is to be gained from this?
Burns has a technique that looks as though he is trying to bat using the edge of the bat as the face