The International Cricket Thread

[Beard82]

But it’s execution from a strange mindset that isn't adapting to the game situation or opposition. This is in the head as much as it is in the technique.

That’s what I mean - I don’t mean technique- I mean decision making

[Villan For Life]

But it’s execution from a strange mindset that isn't adapting to the game situation or opposition. This is in the head as much as it is in the technique.

That’s what I mean - I don’t mean technique- I mean decision making

Surely that comes from the culture in the squad?

[Lsvilla]

The elephant in the room is that the captain is a passenger. Hardly bowls and doesn't score runs. Add in an ageing seam attack struggling to hit 85mph and it's manner from heaven for the Aussies. They aren't really under the cosh for sufficiently lengthy periods to feel the pressure. And when they are we're gifting wickets or can't keep the foot on the throat in the field. 5-0 beckons unless the approach changes. Which is a shame because I don't think the margins are that great.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I mean to me it’s clear they’ve lost their heads a bit. There’s a good article on the bbc highlighting something Duckett when asked about adapting to the situation. He said something like, “but that would make Australia think they’d won the battle”. Us losing all those wickets in that way was Australia winning the battle, from being dead on their feet. They’re now probably 80/20 favourites to win the war, for this Test at least.

[Villafirst]

Stokes contribution with the bat today lasted two balls and he didn't bowl a single ball when England desperately needed a wicket. A passenger....

[Rory]

Yeah I mean to me it’s clear they’ve lost their heads a bit. There’s a good article on the bbc highlighting something Duckett when asked about adapting to the situation. He said something like, “but that would make Australia think they’d won the battle”. Us losing all those wickets in that way was Australia winning the battle, from being dead on their feet. They’re now probably 80/20 favourites to win the war, for this Test at least.

I agree, that was a very forthright piece by Shemilt.

[PaulWinch again]

Stokes contribution with the bat today lasted two balls and he didn't bowl a single ball when England desperately needed a wicket. A passenger....

I don’t think he is. Anybody can get out when they come back the next morning, and it was a fine delivery. He batted well in the second innings in the last game. Writing off Stokes is daft, and he’s been an excellent captain. He’s a key player.

[tomd2103]

Smash bang Bazball and reinventing Test cricket is harder to do when you've got two fast bowlers who will be pensioned off in the not too distant and a captain with regular fitness/ injury worries.

To be fair it was also going to be a tough test against one of the best bowling attacks in recent times.  I think the frustration has come from the fact that we have been in the games, possibly ahead at times, yet have blown it. 

Had we been absolutely smoked so far then it probably been a bit more palatable.

[Rory]

Smash bang Bazball and reinventing Test cricket is harder to do when you've got two fast bowlers who will be pensioned off in the not too distant and a captain with regular fitness/ injury worries.

To be fair it was also going to be a tough test against one of the best bowling attacks in recent times.  I think the frustration has come from the fact that we have been in the games, possibly ahead at times, yet have blown it. 

Had we been absolutely smoked so far then it probably been a bit more palatable.

Yeah, I'd say we were ahead pretty much all of the Edgbaston test, and were in a position to possibly take charge of this one, but look odds on to go 2-0 down.

Australia haven't really turned up yet, and they haven't had to.

[olaftab]

West Indies 123 for 6 in a WC qualifier against the mighty Scotland.

[olaftab]

Australia haven't really turned up yet, and they haven't had to.

I wouldn't say that Rory. They have turned up and are at their very best for the Ashes except that this Australian team is not very good compared to their past great teams. England should be more than capable of  going toe to toe with this team as a minimum and some would say more imposing due to home advantage. However two issues have made this England team ineffective and those are poor player selection and terrible game strategy and on field decisions. And to add to that Stokes is like rabbit in headlights hence his decision not to review Labuschagne lbw yesterday.

[PaulWinch again]

Continues to look very grim.

[taylorsworkrate]

Australia haven't really turned up yet, and they haven't had to.

I wouldn't say that Rory. They have turned up and are at their very best for the Ashes except that this Australian team is not very good compared to their past great teams. England should be more than capable of  going toe to toe with this team as a minimum and some would say more imposing due to home advantage. However two issues have made this England team ineffective and those are poor player selection and terrible game strategy and on field decisions. And to add to that Stokes is like rabbit in headlights hence his decision not to review Labuschagne lbw yesterday.

This is an excellent Australian team. Their top 5 (now that Warner is back in some sort of form), is excellent and is proven by the world rankings they have. Same with their bowling attack, its excellent and that is also proven by the world rankings they have.

I thought we would lose the series but i thought we would so because of them being too good and playing too well. What i didnt expect was England to simply implode and play moronic braindead cricket and gift them the 1st 2 test matches. Australia must be pissing themselves lauging at the moment. They havent had to do anything and are about to be 2-0 up in an Ashes series

[PaulWinch again]

Picking Bairstow is looking like a bad call. He understandably doesn’t look match fit, but he’s making so many mistakes and has had one decent innings with the bat.

[PaulWinch again]

A wicket - just another 6 for about 30 and we might have a chance…