The International Cricket Thread

[OzVilla]

showing some application again but you just know that whatever we do there’s a 50/5 horror session incoming.

As has been said, the truly galling part of this is that this is a fairly ordinary Aussie side. I think 2006/7, 10/11 and 13/14 England sides would’ve battered this lot.

[PaulWinch again]

Root injured as well.

[UK Redsox]

Blame Burns’ dismissal on me. I’d just sat down to watch 

[UK Redsox]

Tough end to the day for Root 

[UK Redsox]

……and now he’s out in the last over of the day

That’s just about that for any chance of saving the game

[Gareth]

Stick by original prediction that England will not get a 300+ innings all series without a Root century

[PaulWinch again]

Root’s dismissal is kind of emblematic of one of our main problems. We always seem to lose the key moments in games. In this case ultimately it would probably make no difference, but that wicket snuffs out even the 1% chance we had of saving the game.

[Proposition Joe]

I'd maybe be more upset if it was a level playing field.

But as usual, the typical Aussies are using sneaky underhand tactics like batting and bowling well, and taking their catches.

How's England supposed to compete with that?

[OzVilla]

We’ve had some poor series out here but for lack of preparation, planning and general ability on and off the field this has to be the worst.

[tomd2103]

I agree on the vision for Test cricket. Silverwood’s, “we need big runs in the first innings” at a principle level is fine, but without a clear strategy it’s meaningless. Again not all his fault, but we’ve not looked like a team with a clear vision for a good while. I also get the impression we’re less than the sum of our parts. Pope is a great example - he has all the talent in the world, but who is working with him on game psychology? He looks incredibly frenetic and on edge. They either aren’t working with him, or they’re doing the wrong stuff, but either way he just doesn’t look supported.

The test set up just hasn't seemed right for a number of years now, probably dating back to the problems with Pietersen under Cook.  I still have a theory that, although they have both been tremendous bowlers, Broad and Anderson are a problem in the set up and in turn Cook, Root and now Silverwood have been reluctant to challenge them. 

I've always found it interesting that despite them being our best two bowlers, Morgan soon got rid of them from the ODI set up when he took over and those sides have always seemed harmonious under him.  In contrast, our test team has looked a pretty unhappy camp for some time and seems to be an environment in which new players seem to struggle to settle in to. 

[tony scott]

Interesting theory on the influence of Broad and Anderson, however some common sense wouldn’t come amiss, no one can deny Roots courage, but surely he should have been replaced with a night watchman, and to compound that, Stokes didn’t ensure The Lyons over was the last of the day, that’s the captain and vice captain agh!!!!!!!

[Villafirst]

Pope gone cheaply, again. This will be over by lunch....

[PaulWinch again]

Buttler and Woakes battling. It’ll be in vain, but at least they’re showing fight.

[PaulWinch again]

That’s the game.

[Gareth]

Woakes batted excellently - Pope, Hameed & Burns could all take note of how he played