The Ashes

I actually think the rot started when they brought in central contracts. Those players get hardly any cricket now between internationals save for a couple of warm up games in April or May when it’s either damp, freezing or both. Time was you could pitch up to a county game at Dean Park in June/July and watch the big names playing proper cricket so that when they joined up with the Test team they were honed and ready to compete.
 
They are a National Disgrace.
Lily - livered pussies.
Pelt 'em with rotten eggs at the airport when they get back!

Let's face it up... blinkin' Aussies were on the beach...they couldn't get the Whitewash but had 3 in the bag and the Ashes stowed away in record time.... then went into a more relaxed mode during the 4th Test- the ' Drawn Game' ...so they were there for the taking. ..so what do England do ?. Oh my Fridays ...they only went and followed the buggers To the Beach...metaphorically speaking....know whut ah mean innit ?

When they assemble again for any other Tests...they need Botham and Boycott running some periods in the Nets...sitting in close proximity in Directors Chairs with clipboards and megaphones...intense scrutiny and regular bollickings....bring em up to scratch enough to at least 'compete' with the cock- sure Aussies and to keep pace with the likes of India and Pakistan..
...if not we will slip down further to the level of Scotland and Ireland...and even Holland and Denmark..

This is No Joke..We are who we are. ... England !
 
I've always maintained that the county game should be FIVE DAY games to replicate test cricket. We have two divisions of 9 counties build the whole cricket season around the counties playing 8 x 5 day games, 4 each home and away as best can be managed allowing for promotions and relegations between the two divisions.
The rest of the white ball showtime can bloody well fit in around these 40 days of proper cricket.
 
zigger zaggar said:
I've always maintained that the county game should be FIVE DAY games to replicate test cricket. We have two divisions of 9 counties build the whole cricket season around the counties playing 8 x 5 day games, 4 each home and away as best can be managed allowing for promotions and relegations between the two divisions.
The rest of the white ball showtime can bloody well fit in around these 40 days of proper cricket.
Click to expand...
Good idea.
Fit the white ball stuff around it as you say.
Keep the 50 over comp and reinstate final at Lords.
I still don't get why we have the 100 and 20/20. Surely it should be either/or ?
 
zigger zaggar said:
I've always maintained that the county game should be FIVE DAY games to replicate test cricket. We have two divisions of 9 counties build the whole cricket season around the counties playing 8 x 5 day games, 4 each home and away as best can be managed allowing for promotions and relegations between the two divisions.
The rest of the white ball showtime can bloody well fit in around these 40 days of proper cricket.
Click to expand...

The Aussies don't appear to need to increase their domestic game to five days.
 
Expecting England to knock over Ireland today and wrapping things up in three days.

Plenty of questions on the walking wounded Stokes yet to bat or bowl, Bairstow yet to bat and is he the right choice of wicketkeeper.

Will Bazball work against the Aussie’s who are getting a great warm up game against India?

All this with the Blast in full swing too. Glorious.
 
Re; Is Bairstow the right choice of wicketkeeper, I would say categorically, no.
You should always play your best wicketkeeper as keeper and Foakes is the best wicketkeeper and is no mug with the bat either. In fact currently Foakes is averaging way more than Bairstow with the bat. There is room for Bairstow as a batter though, possibly as an opener if Crawley doesn't excel.
 
If we can show the the ozzy bowling the amount of respect it deserves and still play with attacking intent then I think we will do ok. I suspect old frailties might pop up again, can we see the new ball off with out being 3 down?
Shaping up with the potential to be a good contest I would say.
 
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