Ashes 2013/14

[tomd2103]

Only the twenty20 side, Cook is ODI captain.

Cook is the ODI captain, but should be nowhere near the upcoming series.  He needs a break from it all and should be on the first plane out of there when the tests finish.  World Cup next year so hopefully we'll use the series against the Aussies to start building towards that.  On reflection on the team I posted earlier, maybe drop Ravi, move Stokes to six and bring Bresnan in.  The original line up looked a little light in the bowling department.

[PaulWinch again]

Read an interview with Finn and it sounds like he's starting to get his bowling back in order, which would be very good for us.

[Bald Eagle]

What the hells going on out there. Swann retires from cricket.

[adrenachrome]

ABC Online

What the hells going on out there. Swann retires from cricket.

England spinner Graeme Swann has announced his retirement from cricket, only four days out from the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG.

Swann made the shock announcement this morning, bringing down the curtain on a 60-Test career in which he claimed 255 wickets at an average of 29.96.

But the 34-year-old endured a disappointing Ashes campaign, taking only seven wickets at 80 runs in the three Tests completed.

More to follow.

Sports Mole

The 34-year-old will not play for his country in the remaining two Ashes Tests against Australia, but will remain in the country with his family.

"I know people will be surprised by the suddenness of the decision and the fact that I'm making myself unavailable for the final two Tests of the Ashes series," he said.

"I'd hoped that, when we walked out for the fifth Test in Sydney on January 3, it would have been with a chance of winning or retaining the Ashes. But that has gone now."

[bertlambshank]

Bonkers.

[aj2k77]

Crumbled apart.

[OzVilla]

My immediate reaction is that it confirms he's a fair weather Cricketer, pissing off mid tour when you're 3-0 down is not a good look, even if I thought he should have been dropped.

It shows just how mentally off the pace this team has been and Im now certain he won't be the last to announce something at least atthe end of the tour. Can really see KP, Prior, and Flower follow him.

A great spinner over the years which I will come to appreciate in the next few days but right now I'm a little pissed off with him tbh.

[villan from luton]

His twitter comment was a disgrace and he has given in to that, not the fact he has been a complete waste of space in the tests. It was always going to be a tough call whether to drop him/ keep him in and show some balls, he has chosen to make the decision himself

[bertlambshank]

Maybe he was told he wasn't playing and tossed the toys out.
He seems the type.

[eastie]

Fucking hell - this tours been a disaster - wouldn't be surprised to see kp go next .

[OzVilla]

I've a horrible feeling this tour could get worse before it gets better (better being England's arrival at the Qantas departure lounge).

[lovejoy]

Either Swann has some underlying reason (eg like Trott) that we are unaware of or he is a quitter. If you agree to go on a tour you see it out simple as. Jack Russell got taken on tour and never had a look in and with typical stoicism did some painting.

[eastie]

@MichaelVaughan: I would say @MontyPanesar would have played this week anyway,.The Aussies have done a job on @Swannyg66 tactically .. right handers from 3-7

@MichaelVaughan: It won't be long before @Borthwick16 is playing for England .. 2 nd Spin Option... Top order batsman... Gun fielder..  #Justsaying

@Swannyg66: Thanks to you all for your messages and support throughout my career. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

@Swannyg66: It was always a privilege to represent my great country playing the game I love and I'll forever support the three lions #keepthefaith

@BumbleCricket: Still don't get folk piling into Swann. He's retired, finito, kaput, end of, finished , done...move on

@Aggerscricket: I understand the Swanny debate. Very difficult to judge not knowing the conversation. Suspect he was told not playing at MCG & given option

[OzVilla]

Bumble not wanted to upset another of his potential 'mates' in the commentary box I see.

Bit of a contradiction from Swann in the press conference. Mentioned letting some new blood in to take it on - well guess what Greame, we're on tour and we play this week. The player he mentioned is 12,000 miles away FFS.

Why he couldn't just see tha last 2 weeks of the tour through, unless told he was dropped so made the announcement before the team was announced, like a true professional would I don't know.

Great player for England no doubt but to just walk away at 3-0 down with 2 tests to play and notice to bring in a replacement is a bit lame IMO.

[eastie]

Bumble not wanted to upset another of his potential 'mates' in the commentary box I see.

Bit of a contradiction from Swann in the press conference. Mentioned letting some new blood in to take it on - well guess what Greame, we're on tour and we play this week. The player he mentioned is 12,000 miles away FFS.

Why he couldn't just see tha last 2 weeks of the tour through, unless told he was dropped so made the announcement before the team was announced, like a true professional would I don't know.

Great player for England no doubt but to just walk away at 3-0 down with 2 tests to play and notice to bring in a replacement is a bit lame IMO.

Suppose he was told he was being left out so decided fuck it ,might as well spend christmas at home if he felt his career was over .