Ashes 2013/14

[paul_e]

The key thing is that, at times, they've clearly let those divisions affect the team, largely by ostracising KP, that lack of professionalism worries me.

He should've been the talent that we built the side around around for the 7-8 years but instead he's constantly painted as a bit of a villain which to me has always had a hint of jealousy about it.

[PGW]

The subject of KP quite simply divides opinion - only on SSN today you have Willis who is saying get rid immediately and in the opposite corner you have Mark Butcher, talking in regard to KP's influence at Surrey being a great positive particularly in terms of talking / coaching the younger players. One of the younger England players was saying exactly the same thing. So maybe his influence in the dressing room is divisive in terms of the younger players respect / idolise and the older ones in particular Anderson / Swann clique quite simply don't.

I look forward to reading the Swann, Flower & KP autobiographies - Swann's i daresay won't be too long in coming out!!!

[eastie]

When all this has been sorted we need to see cook asserting himself a bit more too - as a captain he needs to offer strong leadership into this new era for english cricket.

I expect there will be beatings along the way but hopefully we will rebuild around the likes of cook, bell, root, stokes, broad and be in a better state for the next ashes battle.

[PaulWinch again]

The key thing is that, at times, they've clearly let those divisions affect the team, largely by ostracising KP, that lack of professionalism worries me.

He should've been the talent that we built the side around around for the 7-8 years but instead he's constantly painted as a bit of a villain which to me has always had a hint of jealousy about it.

Precisely!

[tomd2103]

When all this has been sorted we need to see cook asserting himself a bit more too - as a captain he needs to offer strong leadership into this new era for english cricket.

I expect there will be beatings along the way but hopefully we will rebuild around the likes of cook, bell, root, stokes, broad and be in a better state for the next ashes battle.

Still not sure he is the man for the job really.  He seems very conservative and runs out of ideas very quickly when the team are under pressure. 

[Ads]

I think Flower should go and I would suggest go as Captain to, but I a damned if I can think of anybody capable of replacing him.

The infuriating way England are so naval gazing in their approach baffles me.

[paul_e]

I think Flower should go and I would suggest go as Captain to, but I a damned if I can think of anybody capable of replacing him.

The infuriating way England are so naval gazing in their approach baffles me.

I said this a while back, I think we need 1 of Cook or Flower to go so we can get some fresh impetus and there isn't a replacement for Cook at the minute (Broad is the only option and I hate bowlers as captain).

[OCD]

Why in general, wouldn't a bowler make a good Captain?

[Monty]

Why in general, wouldn't a bowler make a good Captain?

Often what happens is bowlers either bowl themselves too much or too little. Also, it can be a distraction from that tunnel vision which is quite good for a bowler to have to keep thinking about the general situation of the fielding.

[eastie]

I think Flower should go and I would suggest go as Captain to, but I a damned if I can think of anybody capable of replacing him.

The infuriating way England are so naval gazing in their approach baffles me.

Flower has been at the helm of England's best team for decades - 3 ashes wins and  taken us to world number one - give him a chance to rebuild the England side - he still seems to have the hunger for the job and regards cook - one series defeat in 6 is hardly a reason to axe him - they will both be hurting and will have learnt a lot in this tour - give them at least the summer before calling for their heads .

[Villan For Life]

I am very biased because he's a Bear and fellow Villa fan but Ian Bell may be worth consideration.

He lead the Bears in the CB40 final in 2010 against Somerset. He outfoxed Trescothick in the field and then played a captain's innings to win the match. His field placings were imaginative and bowling changes measured and perfectly timed. I've always rated Tresco as a county captain but Bell ran rings around him in all areas that day.

He's never been considered as captaincy material before and you can't select a test captain based upon one game, but Cook and Vaughan had no captaincy experience when they were appointed and they did OK to a point.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think Flower should go and I would suggest go as Captain to, but I a damned if I can think of anybody capable of replacing him.

The infuriating way England are so naval gazing in their approach baffles me.

Flower has been at the helm of England's best team for decades - 3 ashes wins and  taken us to world number one - give him a chance to rebuild the England side - he still seems to have the hunger for the job and regards cook - one series defeat in 6 is hardly a reason to axe him - they will both be hurting and will have learnt a lot in this tour - give them at least the summer before calling for their heads .

The thing is though, if Flower and Cook were to both stay on, then regardless of how successful their methods have been in the past, they now both need to be willing to change their outlook quite drastically. If they realise, and are willing to do this then yes, stay on. If not, they have to go.

[eastie]

I think Flower should go and I would suggest go as Captain to, but I a damned if I can think of anybody capable of replacing him.

The infuriating way England are so naval gazing in their approach baffles me.

Flower has been at the helm of England's best team for decades - 3 ashes wins and  taken us to world number one - give him a chance to rebuild the England side - he still seems to have the hunger for the job and regards cook - one series defeat in 6 is hardly a reason to axe him - they will both be hurting and will have learnt a lot in this tour - give them at least the summer before calling for their heads .

The thing is though, if Flower and Cook were to both stay on, then regardless of how successful their methods have been in the past, they now both need to be willing to change their outlook quite drastically. If they realise, and are willing to do this then yes, stay on. If not, they have to go.

I believe they realise they must change and adapt - I would give them the chance to do so .

[PaulWinch again]

They deserve the chance, but it's got to become apparent pretty quickly that their philosophy has changed.

[eastie]

They deserve the chance, but it's got to become apparent pretty quickly that their philosophy has changed.

I think they realise that - however i don't think we will see kp play test cricket again if Flower stays .