Ashes 2013/14

[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.

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 .

Apparently he's staying in Australia for the duration - the media world beckons.

[Villan For Life]

Strikes me that all is not well in the dressing room. Team England seems to be disintegrating.

[bertlambshank]

He has always been a media whore.Anderson next,then they can have the radio show they always wanted.

[olaftab]

When the going gets tough the not so tough quit. FFS this man should be leading a fight back and setting an example for youngsters in the team.
The way Nasser has defended him points to ...well we will see him on TV as the latest pundit. I also expect Pietersen to fake an injury for the next two tests and than return for one dayers.

[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 .

Apparently he's staying in Australia for the duration - the media world beckons.

If he's staying on Australia then it all seems a bit pointless - why not complete the tour and then announce it during the last test match .

[Chris Smith]

You can understand, to an extent, a man wanting to appear master of his own destiny and jump before he is pushed.

This has been a good English team but Test cricket is constantly moving on and I think we'll see a bit of chopping and changing over the next year as they establish who is going to be good enough for the step up. 

[eastie]

We may have to take a step backwards for a couple of years as we blood the next crop of players  for the future in a similar way to the Aussies - the likes of cook, root , bell, still have plenty of time left but for quite a few the golden era is now over - they will be fondly remembered as 3 times ashes winners and the best team in world cricket for a spell .

[aj2k77]

Yeah I think we've all had a mostly enjoyable last 6 years or so and the main protagonists during that time should leave with their heads held high and be remembered for the many highs and not the few lows.

However I think there maybe should have been more attention paid to the evolution of the side and players bedded in 1 by 1 with a look to the future because I can see now we are going to lose a few all at once.

There have been signs of decline now for over a year and we've rested on our laurels a bit.

[tomd2103]

We may have to take a step backwards for a couple of years as we blood the next crop of players  for the future in a similar way to the Aussies - the likes of cook, root , bell, still have plenty of time left but for quite a few the golden era is now over - they will be fondly remembered as 3 times ashes winners and the best team in world cricket for a spell .

Don't know about that.  I think there is enough quality in the team to manage the transition without struggling too badly.  Finding a new number three is probably going to be one of the biggest challenges.

[Dante Lavelli]

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

I was told from a good source that he was going to quit before the ashes started so I don't think the decision itself was taken lightly (it was known in cricket circles) however he has clearly brought the date forward.

Shame.  I like the bloke.

[Proposition Joe]

Anyone watching SA vs India? India's seamers look like they'll do really well in English conditions.

[PGW]

Well i happen to think he is a complete 'arsewipe'......he should have waited till end of the tour....thousands of people have paid thousands to go over there to watch the best England team available to the selectors from that squad....what must they all be thinking now that he has jumped ship. He may not have been playing in the game in Melbourne but at least that is down to Flower & Cook to decide.
I know i wouldn't have been happy if i was over there. I suffered enough in 2006/7 when over there but we didn't have to put up with tossers like him throwing his toys out the pram.

Nob!!!!

[cdbearsfan]

South Africa v India looks like being an exciting finish. South Africa need 45 to win with the highest successful run-chase of all time, India need four wickets.

[pooligan]

I am with you PGW ,  i also think he is a complete arsewipe. Saw a lot of him in the nets at Edgbaston in the summer before the one day game and was amazed how full of himself he was .He spent the whole net session messing about with the other loudmouth Anderson ,so not really  surprised he has decided to walk out halfway through the series because he is having a tough time

[dave.woodhall]

South Africa v India looks like being an exciting finish. South Africa need 45 to win with the highest successful run-chase of all time, India need four wickets.

16 with three wickets to go.