Ashes 2013/14

[PaulWinch again]

This is worse, we actually had a chance of winning a game in 06/07 and we were playing a legendary team.

[aj2k77]

Good job they had the 82 page dietary plans otherwise it could have been a disastrous series.

Maybe they should give all the batsmen a 1 line plan on how to deal with a straight ball

'' DO NOT LEAVE IT, YOU WILL BE BOWLED OR LBW''

[PaulWinch again]

Flower needs to take note from Lehmann's approach, we need our dressing room to be a lot more relaxed with less of a fear of failure. The best player has been Stokes and he hasn't been exposed to the dressing room for too long, that's telling. Look at Root in India, he came in a played well with little fear of failure. However after a year in the dressing room he's tentative and nervous. It has to stop and the players need to enjoy playing again.

[paul_e]

The bigger issue for me is this pitch seems to be similar to Durham where, eventually, the pitch is going to do for you.  In that situation you have to bat with some intent.  Quite often just trying to dig in is the worst approach but it's our only tactic, we need to start trusting people to go for it more.  The main issue is the one player who regularly tries to it for us get slagged off for it and called irresponsible, so it's no shock that we have lots of batsmen who are are scared of getting out from trying to play to expansively.

[PaulWinch again]

The bigger issue for me is this pitch seems to be similar to Durham where, eventually, the pitch is going to do for you.  In that situation you have to bat with some intent.  Quite often just trying to dig in is the worst approach but it's our only tactic, we need to start trusting people to go for it more.  The main issue is the one player who regularly tries to it for us get slagged off for it and called irresponsible, so it's no shock that we have lots of batsmen who are are scared of getting out from trying to play to expansively.

I think the whole approach from the coaching staff down is negative. It was something I complained about when we were winning, our run rates dropped to around 2.5 an over and we never put pressure on the opposition. However it was rationalised away, because we were winning. It's becoming very apparent now you can't just trundle along, you need to pressurise the opposition bowlers. If we can address that whole mindset it'll go along way towards solving our problems, we need to look at Australia's approach.

[PaulWinch again]

2.   Five times England's top five batsmen have been out for a combined total of fewer than 20 runs.

That stat is absolutely fucking horrendous.

[taylorsworkrate]

The bigger issue for me is this pitch seems to be similar to Durham where, eventually, the pitch is going to do for you.  In that situation you have to bat with some intent.  Quite often just trying to dig in is the worst approach but it's our only tactic, we need to start trusting people to go for it more.  The main issue is the one player who regularly tries to it for us get slagged off for it and called irresponsible, so it's no shock that we have lots of batsmen who are are scared of getting out from trying to play to expansively.

Pietersen backs himself into a corner as much as the other players these days. Most of his innings now he plays so negatively that the pressure builds and he then feels he has to play a ridiculous shot.

[eastie]

I think I will give this a miss tonight - I've had enough sporting fiascos for today

[paul_e]

The bigger issue for me is this pitch seems to be similar to Durham where, eventually, the pitch is going to do for you.  In that situation you have to bat with some intent.  Quite often just trying to dig in is the worst approach but it's our only tactic, we need to start trusting people to go for it more.  The main issue is the one player who regularly tries to it for us get slagged off for it and called irresponsible, so it's no shock that we have lots of batsmen who are are scared of getting out from trying to play to expansively.

Pietersen backs himself into a corner as much as the other players these days. Most of his innings now he plays so negatively that the pressure builds and he then feels he has to play a ridiculous shot.

I agree, but that's on the back of being slagged off in the press and on twitter, etc every time he gave away his wicket trying to add some impetuous into the side.  I'm convinced he's nothing like as arrogant as he's made out to be but he dares to play with an intent which has all but disappeared from English Test cricket.

[aj2k77]

Kp bowling oh fuck off sport today.

[taylorsworkrate]

I like Stokes, and along with Broad he's been the only player to emerge with any sort of respect in this series.

However, it seems a little odd that he tried to give Johnson a bit of a send off when he got him out today. We are losing 4-0 Ben, after being humiliated 4 times and in the process of a 5th humiliation.

The time to try to get in their faces is long gone.

[The Left Side]

266 for 9

[OzVilla]

57-3.

This series we've played like an old, blind, arthritic dog that's doesn't enjoy life and needs to be put out of its misery.

I believe the Australians have us booked in for a trip to the vets later today.

[willywombat]

I will try the first post with vitriol. As long as we beat the dirty convict bastards again I dont care who we pick.

Sorry mate

[OzVilla]

Congratulations Wilywombat and all my fellow  Australians.

Can't imagine there's ever been a more comprehensive defeat in a 5 Test series in history.

England surrendered today, no other word for it. Only batted for 31 overs. Cook admitted the team had "nothing left to give". Very telling words and heads absolutely must roll.

It's almost inconcievable that the same management team, Captain and team can move forward without significant changes to personnel and mindset.

I know this is only one series loss in however many but the manner and deficit of the losses are too great for the current set up to sustain.

At least it's over now and I still have the Villa in my life to bring me sporting joy. Oh wait.........