English cricket thread

zing

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Do Ashes run at a net loss for admin? I don't think so. Problem for the test format is that for a routine cricketer, vying for T20 spots is a much better career choice since hitting it big there is going to translate into bigger bucks and more importantly the number of opportunities to make it in T20 format are 10x more than tests where only consistent international run will make your career.
Am guessing Ashes makes money - probably most England home series, most Aus home series, and any India match makes money. Was a general comment about all countries.

Agree with what you say
 

zing

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Made me laugh - would be both amusing and interesting to watch
 

LDUred

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I think we have to be realistic. Cummins and Starc alone are both world class bowlers who average 21s, and they're bowling at guys most of whom barely average 40 in county cricket. A left/right hand combination like that at pace looks lethal, and they are constantly asking questions.

Added to that, the wickets are green and suit how they bowl, so they have plenty going in their favour. They are also buoyed by two comfortable wins and have members of winning Ashes teams throughout their side, which breeds confidence.

I can't really blame the batsmen too much for yesterday. They got blown away in that final hour's play when they faced rested up quicks who could go all out for five overs with a new cherry.

If we want to compete with Australia we have to overhaul our system and have a clear division between red and white ball cricket. It could take a very long time, but if we don't do it, we're not going to see us win the ashes anytime soon.
 
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zing

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Who is the last good batsman to come out of England's county system?

Did Joe Root play enough first class before he made his debut, or is it a player before him?

Been a long time.
 

ArmchairCritic

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Who is the last good batsman to come out of England's county system?

Did Joe Root play enough first class before he made his debut, or is it a player before him?

Been a long time.
First class debut in 2010, test debut in 2012 under Andy Flower. I think coming into a successful team helped, his first test was a draw to secure a series win in India!

Stokes made his debut in 2010, test debut in 2013. Bairstow was world class for a period of time but then he changed his game for white ball cricket and it went to shit in tests. Also made his first-class debut in 2009.

So since 2010, first class cricket in England has produced nothing in terms of test match batting, was a pretty handy finishing school for Marnus Labuschange though.
 
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AshRK

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Made me laugh - would be both amusing and interesting to watch
Never thought I would say this but he actually turned out to be a decent coach/manager for us. Kohli/shastri era may not have yielded any ICC tournament win but the way we have transformed our test cricket is amazing.
 

Abraxas

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Always thought coaches are a bit overrated in cricket.

It's like the opposite of football - the captain is extremely important because onfield tactics and feel are so crucial, whereas in football it's far more limited in scope.

Then the manager is crucial in football as they decide everything tactically, spend bucket loads, whereas in cricket a bunch of other blokes have a massive say in the composition of the squad and there aren't that many big decisions, most of a side pick themselves and the captain massively steers the ethos of a side.

To me they're glorified video analysts and cheerleaders. Yes they have to foster a team spirit etc but it's not miracle work, I don't think anybody can help these blokes bat in Australia. Just lacking plain ability. Could be Silverwood, could be Jesus in that locker room, there's no coincidence they look bloody good in limited overs but useless in tests, that's the player type and quality we are producing.
 

ArmchairCritic

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Always thought coaches are a bit overrated in cricket.

It's like the opposite of football - the captain is extremely important because onfield tactics and feel are so crucial, whereas in football it's far more limited in scope.

Then the manager is crucial in football as they decide everything tactically, spend bucket loads, whereas in cricket a bunch of other blokes have a massive say in the composition of the squad and there aren't that many big decisions, most of a side pick themselves and the captain massively steers the ethos of a side.

To me they're glorified video analysts and cheerleaders. Yes they have to foster a team spirit etc but it's not miracle work, I don't think anybody can help these blokes bat in Australia. Just lacking plain ability. Could be Silverwood, could be Jesus in that locker room, there's no coincidence they look bloody good in limited overs but useless in tests, that's the player type and quality we are producing.
It’s true to an extent. I think the very top players basically manage themselves technically, at test level it’s about knowing your own game, putting yourself in a position to utilise the strengths and working on or finding ways to stop your weaknesses being exploited. England’s problem is they are choosing technically complicated/flawed players for test cricket e.g. Burns and Sibley and young players who still don’t quite ‘know’ their game e.g. Crawley, Hameed, Pope and Lawrence.

The coaches are critical for the 2nd group of players because have to work with them to develop their game plans and approach to the game, instead they are being constantly put into high pressure situations against top bowlers, failing and losing confidence. A coach needs to step in and get Hameed’s feet moving, get rhythm back into his game, he needs to work with Pope on his approach vs Lyon and simplify the game for him. I think every batsman who comes into the England setup, gets progressively worse the more they play for England, similar to new signings for United really. The environment around the team is not correct for player development and whilst I think it’s entirely fair to suggest that there might be much more to get out of some of the batsmen we have, I think the way we’ve regressed with Ollie Pope is a sign that things are not right.

I think the contrast between shorter formats and tests speaks just as much to the culture Morgan has developed and the belief players have in him and his style of cricket. Forget batting and bowling, the fielding is night and day between the two formats.
 

ArmchairCritic

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The other vital aspect of the coach is he’s the guy who stops Root going all funky. Helps with reading the pitch, selecting the right team and adjusting plans when things are not going right. Silverwood is bad at all of these. Four seamers at Ahmedabad, no Broad at Brisbane and no spinner at Adelaide? Woeful.
 

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Really confident the lads can do it tonight.

That's break the record of 54 ducks in a calendar year to be clear.
 

Fts 74

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It really does feel like a throwback to the 90s the constant batting collapses are just comical at this stage.

I really hope at least 2 of root/stokes/bairstow and buttler can get Big scores and at least give the Aussies something to think about.

I'm usually quite optimistic but even with day 3 usually the best day for batting, I fear another collapse.
 

Dan_F

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Well I saw two boundaries before seeing a wicket today, that’s an improvement.
 

Cloud7

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That was a huge wicket. Starc is doing some serious damage.
He's looked back to his destructive best this tour. He's been not at his best for a while now, but this looks like prime Starc
 

AshRK

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He's looked back to his destructive best this tour. He's been not at his best for a while now, but this looks like prime Starc
Yes, in fact this has been the best I have seen him bowl. Hope he stays injury free, one of my favorite modern day bowlers.
 

ArmchairCritic

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Stokes’ trigger changed midway through that over, back foot not as far back and just not aligned to play straight, the shot before for 4 was the same and it was all hands.
 

ArmchairCritic

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Stokes’ trigger changed midway through that over, back foot not as far back and just not aligned to play straight, the shot before for 4 was the same and it was all hands.
Did the leg slip spook him a bit? Anticipating more shorter stuff?
 

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Credit to England for getting me to bed at a potentially decent time here.
 

NM

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FFS England. Ashes are on at a great time in the US and they are robbing me of two days of entertainment. Put up a fight FFS
 

SinNombre

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Anything that comes from England, will have to come from Root, Stokes, Bairstow or Buttler, as it invariably does.
Bairstow averages 22 since the world test championship began, and 33 in his entire career.

Buttler has a problem against Australia (averaging 20 after 15 tests) but is otherwise passable as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Neither of them is anywhere near good enough to play as a specialist batsman in red ball cricket.

England’s problem is that they keep going back to proven failures as the solution.
 

SinNombre

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Made me laugh - would be both amusing and interesting to watch
If you were to take anything from the Indian series’ in Australia, it is that you need to be willing to cop a lot of hits to your body (as Joe Root has) and need to tire out bowlers to win, and need to stay mentally resilient even if you have bad sessions.
 

Zen

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Would 267 be the lowest ever score to win by an innings with?

Let's go there....