Ashes 2013/14

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Ashes 2013/14

indiana · Tennis legend

There seem to be quite strong rumours that Flower and Cook ( 2nd top test average and 2nd top overall test run scorer of the current squad and 6th top overall test run scorer in England history ) would prefer to progress without a certain Mr Pietersen ( top test average and top overall test run scorer of the current squad and 4th top overall test run scorer in England history ).

Hmm...

Mr Pietersen himself has repeatedly indicated that he would like to continue in test cricket at least until the next Ashes series in England in 2015.

Salmon · Tennis legend

So much has gone wrong that I'm not keen on even beginning with the criticism.

It's going to get worse, I suppose, because Morgan will come back into the Test team. That crouch, followed by an edge to the first slip...

The tragedy surrounding the Test team is not limited to being blanked 5-0. They were bullied into defeat, and not merely outplayed (like, say, against Pakistan at the UAE), and you know that teams are going to attempt this over and over again, particularly in the away series. That, and the fact that England lost Swann, who'll not be replaced in the next decade, in all probability - the best that can be hoped for is someone playing the Giles role, with Stokes channeling Freddie*.

ODIs - LOL is all that I can think of. There are about 4-5 batsmen in the squad who play a game that was in fashion in the 1980s (and in the case of Bopara, suited to U19s cricket of the 1980s).

* I hope he can stay injury free, English Test cricket depends on him over the next 5 years

Salmon · Tennis legend

wolf wrote:
When are they going to give Alex Hales a go in the ODI team? Just don't get why he's not included at the moment.

That's because 80% of cricket fans in England don't want to see exciting cricket in ODIs. And the fact that most media personnel (TV/journalists) are former cricketers who bored us with the same brand of cricket in their playing days and keep promoting it to retroactively justify their shortcomings. One can almost see Cook sitting smugly in the Sky box in 2025 and saying that the next golden boy of English cricket should be made the ODI captain because he can "anchor an innings". disbelief KP will obviously have made way too much $ in the IPL and will be chilling out with his family instead of boring us with platitudes like "if you can play Tests, you can play all formats of the game".

Athers is a notable exception to this cycle. Apart from wishing that he had played with more freedom in ODIs (which to be fair, Nass admits, too), he remained adamant that Cook should be dropped from the team even when he was going through a purple patch. Of course, Cook could still have the last laugh* by having a good World Cup, but I doubt it - they're going to get the same hell from the crowds next year at the WC.

* and make Salmon eat crow, as zoological as that sounds

Salmon · Tennis legend

Ohh, I don't think I've made a single positive post in the last month. It's always been a rant, whether it's about Coxy, or the LTA not having Challengers, or the cricket.

So yeah, a successful 2014 to all of you.

paulisi · Tennis legend

To be fair to the selectors, Hales' county form was shocking, hence why he wasn't selected for ODI's

The real reason for England's lack of success is that there are too many Yorkshiremen in the squad.................

korriban · Challenger level

Very interesting chat with Swanny & Jimmy on 5live last night, still available on iPlayer. Brutally honest about their own failings as well as other members of the team. Swanny admitted that his body let him down to the point of being unable to spin the ball anymore (primarily an elbow problem that isnt going to get better) and therefore being neither a wicket-taking threat nor a containment bowler. He admitted to being almost helpless and clueless in the face of Aussie aggression (even the rabbits) with no spin or even dip (which spin also generates) to combat the threat. I was initially miffed that he'd abandoned a sinking ship midwat through the series, but he portrayed himself as a fraud/passenger, and it did really make a lot of sense.

An enjoyable listen.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks, korriban, I meant to listen to Swanny and Jimmy and totally forgot about it. I must try to vatch up.

I have really liked Swanny ( oh the creativity of cricket nicknames ! ) over tbe years after his belated proper entry into test cricket. However, I was also one who was a bit alarmed and rather miffed about him seemingly having "abandoned a sinking ship" ( an atrociously sinking ship as Salmon made clear ). And I'd also noted rather cynically that he ended his career with a test bowling average of 29.96 ( seemingly managing his test career exit rather better than Don Bradman ! )

Salmon · Tennis legend

paulisi wrote:
To be fair to the selectors, Hales' county form was shocking, hence why he wasn't selected for ODI's

The real reason for England's lack of success is that there are too many Yorkshiremen in the squad.................

I wouldn't call this "shocking".

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=7904;type=tournament

In other news.... well done on a great career, Kev, English cricket failed you.

indiana · Tennis legend

I agree, Salmon, absolute disgrace re KP.

Kevin is far from perfect and maybe difficult to get on with. But the greatest England test ( and overall international ) run scorer of this generation with the best test average ( though Cook is close on both fronts ) and more importantly a significant match changer / match winner, deserves better treatment. He had much still to offer.

But the weak have succumbed to an easy ( popular with some ) option.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Yes, there's no doubt that KP is a bit difficult to handle - he's had a fall out with all of his previous teams. But England have a backroom staff that exceeds the team size, and yet they couldn't find a solution like mature adults would have. KP did his job all right (scoring runs, i.e.) but the management didn't. So who deserves the sack, once again?

I've no doubt that quite a few English fans will be smiling with this decision, but I've always wondered why England never warmed up to Pietersen. Look at Flintoff - who had multiple breeches of discipline, was carried by the team for so long, and yet he remained the a crowd favourite till his last hour. Now I'm fine with it, because Freddie was equally fun to watch when on song, but why couldn't people extend the same love to KP?

(Ohh, and who needs enemies when you've got Piers Morgan as a friend.

)

paulisi · Tennis legend

Salmon wrote:
paulisi wrote:
To be fair to the selectors, Hales' county form was shocking, hence why he wasn't selected for ODI's

The real reason for England's lack of success is that there are too many Yorkshiremen in the squad.................

I was actually thinking first class cricket - 10 matches 251 runs average of 13.
I wouldn't call this "shocking".

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=7904;type=tournament

In other news.... well done on a great career, Kev, English cricket failed you.

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

Aussies got hammered today. Nice

Salmon · Tennis legend

As if the new garish outfit wasn't indication enough that England were there solely to entertain, they actually called up Ian Bell to a T20 squad. Marvellous.

I can just about imagine Joe Root and Sam Robson batting England out of the WC in 2019 and the coaches talking about another "new beginning".

Salmon · Tennis legend

So.... who else is loving the new era?