The Ashes 2019

[ignatious]

A bit frustrating because this Aussie team has some glaring weaknesses, but they’ve had probably the two best bowlers and probably the two best batsmen and that’s been enough. Fair play although they do seem a particularly odious bunch of cunts.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

A now familiar sight:

(Source: as stated in image)

Old Trafford, 2nd innings: Roy b Cummins 31​

Not a good look. As was mentioned on commentary, he should at least be getting out lbw to those balls. Just bowl straight and fast at him. Like he's a tailender.

 

[Cerberus]

A bit frustrating because this Aussie team has some glaring weaknesses, but they’ve had probably the two best bowlers and probably the two best batsmen and that’s been enough. Fair play although they do seem a particularly odious bunch of cunts.

Yes. I think that’s right - re: best two batsmen/bowlers.

I’m genuinely interested in the odiousness of the Aussie team. Warner (who really is an odious little cunt) aside, they don’t really seem to bother me that much. More to the point, they don’t seem to bother the England team that much. Might have been different had Jimmeh lasted the series!

On a personal level, perhaps it’s an age thing. From Border onwards, through Taylor, Waugh, McGrath, Hayden (esp that horribly self satisfied smug prick) I always found something odious in them. Now I’m older and a lot older than the current players I just see them as a bit harmless and any posturing quite laughable.

With regard to the nature of ‘global cricket’ I also perceive IPL’s, big bashes, World Cup’s etc as increasing the familiarity of players to the point where natural enmity disappears.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

It's been a weird old series alright. Five batsmen averaging over 30, and five specialist batsmen averaging under 20. Steven Smith basically represents the entire difference between the sides. England would probably be winning 3-0 were it not for Smith.

 

[ignatious]

I’m genuinely interested in the odiousness of the Aussie team. Warner (who really is an odious little cunt) aside, they don’t really seem to bother me that much.

I don’t know how accurate it is but my general impression of them is a bunch of no-mark pricks who chirp away while riding on the ability of a few world class players.

The sledging of Archer was pathetic and their collective reaction of mock-disbelief at almost every decision that went against them was embarrassing.

They just grate.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

The sledging of Archer was pathetic and their collective reaction of mock-disbelief at almost every decision that went against them was embarrassing.
.

This is true. However, it's not like England are above that. We're biased here. I'm sure both Broad and Anderson get right up the noses of opposition supporters. It's one thing I like very much about Archer - none of that, he just lets his bowling do the talking.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Unchanged squad for the Oval. Clown selection.

In descending order, I would say that Roy, Bairstow, Buttler and Denly are all fortunate to still be there. Medium-term, I could see England starting next season without any of those four in the team.

 

[ignatious]

Yes, all 4 under huge pressure. Roy just hasn’t got the game, Denly is 33 and Buttler is one of those who continually flatters to deceive. Bairstow might work as a specialist batsman. His hands seem completely wrecked from ‘keeping and the return of Foakes would help in that respect.

 

[Casual Observer]

I'd have gone with:

Burns
Sibley
Denly
Root (captain)
Bairstow
Pope
Foakes (keeper)
Overton
Archer
Broad
Leach

Ed Smith and his sidekick need to be given the boot after this test. Smith can have another crack at journalism, preferably writing his own stuff this time (he has form for plagiarism).

The captaincy is affecting Root's game so that should go to Stokes for the NZ tour. Root averaged 52 with the bat (pre-captaincy) and 40 with the bat (as captain). His over-bowling of Archer isn't great either, nor giving him orders from the slips to bowl around the wicket when he (Archer) is about to start his run in. And then there's the 'mates first' Bairstow> Foakes policy with the gloves.

Buttler, a man of enormous natural talent, has been given too many chances at test level. In the age of big bats and short boundaries, a single 100 from nearly 40 tests is a sub-Ramprakash return.

Bairstow plays too much across all forms and is cricketed out. There was a period when he was producing the goods at test level so he deserves another chance on that basis. Giving up the gloves could be the saving of him.

Denly's on borrowed time. A tryer but not really up to it at this level. Zak Crawley keeps getting mentioned as a possible replacement but it's too early to say. Maybe one for the future.

I thought Roy could work in the middle order but there are fundamental problems with his defensive work that need to be addressed.

EDIT: And well done to the Aussies.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Unchanged squad for the Oval.

Even if say Roy, Bairstow and Buttler all do well the final test all that will tell us is that they can play well but just not reliably or when under pressure which is not really helpful information. In fact Roy scoring a cenutry would be maybe the worst thing that could happen as it could well mean we're stuck with him going forward. I had similar fears about Keaton Jennings who also clung on longer than any kind of sense should have allowed.

 

[ferrelhadley]

There is a counter claim he was pretending to be Chris Rogers. Because yes that makes sense.

It seems that deep inside every Australian cricketer is a Dave Warner trying to escape.

 

[Pink Panther]

There is a counter claim he was pretending to be Chris Rogers. Because yes that makes sense.

It seems that deep inside every Australian cricketer is a Dave Warner trying to escape.

Perhaps Leach could reciprocate by cheating, then bursting into tears at a press conference when he gets caught out and forced to apologise?

 

[Casual Observer]

There is a counter claim he was pretending to be Chris Rogers. Because yes that makes sense.

It seems that deep inside every Australian cricketer is a Dave Warner trying to escape.

Good of the 'Snake's David Coverdale to bring us the scoop. Looks like Siddle's about to brown up his whites too.

 

[planetgeli]

There is a counter claim he was pretending to be Chris Rogers. Because yes that makes sense.

It seems that deep inside every Australian cricketer is a Dave Warner trying to escape.

Hope Archer gives him something to wear around his head at the Oval.

 

[GarveyLives]

England legend Kevin Pietersen brands Jack Leach a ‘laughing stock’ after Ashes struggles

'England legend' Kevin Pietersen with a copy of the book he has written about the only person he considers good enough to play for England. In summer 2012, Pietersen was dropped after sending defamatory text messages to players on the rival South African team referring to the then England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.

 

[GarveyLives]

Meanwhile, a more sinister development:

ECB ‘disturbed’ by allegations of racist chanting during fourth Test at Old Trafford

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Speaking of racists, Boycott gets a knighthood.

News is all about his conviction for assault, but nary a mention of his support for Apartheid South Africa.

 

[kabbes]

Also the awkward misogyny exposed by his commentary with ERB

 

[mhendo]

Speaking of racists, Boycott gets a knighthood.

News is all about his conviction for assault, but nary a mention of his support for Apartheid South Africa.

Yeah, but if support for apartheid South Africa were a disqualifier, half the peers in the Commonwealth would have to have their titles revoked.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Yeah, but if support for apartheid South Africa were a disqualifier, half the peers in the Commonwealth would have to have their titles revoked.

Oh sure. Fuck knighthoods. But it is telling to me that the activities of the 'rebels' have been so conveniently forgiven an fogotten. Not just Boycott. Gooch and Gatting as well.

 

[mhendo]

Oh sure. Fuck knighthoods. But it is telling to me that the activities of the 'rebels' have been so conveniently forgiven an fogotten. Not just Boycott. Gooch and Gatting as well.

Same in Australia. Our "rebels" went later than the first English tour (86-88), and only included a few players who were national team regulars, but despite a lot of criticism at the time, there's been little or no long-term consequences and it's all largely forgotten. Kim Hughes, who captained the team, has since served as chairman of selectors for the Western Australian Cricket Association (1999-2000) and done some commentary for the ABC.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Same in Australia. Our "rebels" went later than the first English tour (86-88), and only included a few players who were national team regulars, but despite a lot of criticism at the time, there's been little or no long-term consequences and it's all largely forgotten. Kim Hughes, who captained the team, has since served as chairman of selectors for the Western Australian Cricket Association (1999-2000) and done some commentary for the ABC.

This for Boycott. Gatting president of MCC. Gooch a venerated wise old head who even heads up anti-racism stuff for Essex. Like it never happened.

 

[GarveyLives]

Although it is nothing to do with the test series between England and Australia, since the issue has been raised:

1982: Boycott leaves England's tour if India ... to join a mercerary tour of apartheid South Africa:

(© Daily Express)​

Two years ago:

Cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott in racism storm after claiming he needs to ‘black up’ to get a knighthood

 

[Pink Panther]

I think it would be quite appropriate if the Duke of Edinburgh "does the honours" on behalf of The Queen at Sir Geoffrey's knighthood ceremony.

 

[strung out]

Roy (at last) dropped for the final test.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

If that's it for his test career, it's a slightly odd way to go out, dropped cos Stokes can't bowl. And on his home ground as well.

Rough on Overton to suddenly fall behind both Woakes and Curran in the pecking order.

Really, I don't think England know what their best team is at all. It's a massive shame Mark Wood ended up missing the whole series. Would have loved to have seen him at least once.

 

[Pink Panther]

Rough on Overton to suddenly fall behind both Woakes and Curran in the pecking order.

Really, I don't think England know what their best team is at all. It's a massive shame Mark Wood ended up missing the whole series. Would have loved to have seen him at least once.

It's not just rough, it's illogical. How has Woakes justified a recall without playing? Unless he wasn't fit last week, which wasn't stated as far as I'm aware.

I get Curran being picked as a fifth bowler if Stokes can't bowl. (Although if Stokes isn't fit to bowl I'd question whether he's fit to bat and field.)

It looks like they've picked Woakes as third seamer (ahead of Overton) for his batting, which I don't like. I'd always pick the best four bowlers (and best wicketkeeper) even if it meant Broad/Leach batting at 8. If that's not good enough the problem is the top 6.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Broad/Leach at 8? That would make me nervous.

But usually out of your four best bowlers at least one and often two can bat a bit. Overton can bat, of course.

Stokes just as a batter I don't like much. Rarely works, that ploy. Botham's batting got worse if anything after his bowling declined to gentle dobbers and his batting became his main justification for playing. Stokes is a better batsman than Botham ever was, mind you, and I'd definitely still play him in this team.

 

[planetgeli]

And Stokes will be at number 4.

Selection is all over the place. Just for a change like.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

And Stokes will be at number 4.

Selection is all over the place. Just for a change like.

I'd put Buttler there. If he's going to make it as a specialist bat in test cricket, he can't be hiding down the order.

Right that Roy should be dropped, although a crap way to actually do it. But also right to put the pressure on Buttler now. Sink or swim time.