Ashes 2013/14

[cdbearsfan]

Looks like South Africa are settling for a draw, boring bastards.

[dave.woodhall]

Brings a new meaning to anti-climax.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Swann has been an outstanding cricketer for England and deserves to be remembered in that way. It's a pity he didn't get in the team earlier in his career, but overall he was excellent. Well done Graeme and I think it's a good time to go, I think he knew he wasn't playing and we need to see these last two tests as a new start for a new England team.

[olaftab]

Looks like South Africa are settling for a draw, boring bastards.

Brings a new meaning to anti-climax.

What do you expect from perennial  chokers?

[taylorsworkrate]

Surely the chance to create history should have been enough for SA to risk losing the match?

They are the best team in the world, by a distance, but it's hard to respect the way they played the last 3 overs.

[paul_e]

that's is pretty unbelieveable, if they'd been another wicket or 2 down I could understand it but to not go after one of the bowlers a little and try to force the win seems stupid in that situation, if they'd done it in the over after they lost du plessis they'd have forced India on the defensive so I don't really understand why you'd just try to hang on.

[dave.woodhall]

India didn't exactly seem to want to make a go of it either. There must have been about four balls on target in the last three overs.

[eastie]

India didn't exactly seem to want to make a go of it either. There must have been about four balls on target in the last three overs.

A run rate of 5 an over with 3 overs left I would have thought they would at least have a go until losing the 8th wicket - the crowd rightly seemed perplexed by it all - really odd to get so close and then take a draw.

[paul_e]

India didn't exactly seem to want to make a go of it either. There must have been about four balls on target in the last three overs.

I think their main incentive was not to the be the side who lost having set such a big target, SA really should have been underlining their credentials as best in the world by winning in as close to impossible fashion as they could.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd say Swann's immediate departure suggests to me that Flower might be staying and he's said 'this is the way I'm going moving forward and it starts now'.

[eastie]

I'd say Swann's immediate departure suggests to me that Flower might be staying and he's said 'this is the way I'm going moving forward and it starts now'.

I don't share that view , I'd be very surprised if flower stayed on and I think from his comments in the summer he had probably already made his mind up on the future whatever happens on this tour .

[PaulWinch again]

Well we'll see, but I'd suggest conversations have gone on in the background about how this team is moving forward and that'd be difficult without a coach who is staying.

[eastie]

Well we'll see, but I'd suggest conversations have gone on in the background about how this team is moving forward and that'd be difficult without a coach who is staying.

Hopefully he will clarify the situation either way sooner rather than later .

[PaulWinch again]

I agree, we need to get moving in a new direction.

[olaftab]

I would suggest that Swann has made a very selfish decision and it's nothing to do with future strategy of the team etc etc.
Whilst he has been good for England he has always performed when the team was in ascendency.  He now realises that with the team suffering his personal currency will be down rated unless he gets out as soon as he can and secure himself a lucrative contract by other than playing.