In reply to Post #150
In reply to Post #151
Looks like sandpaper Steve will be skippering aus for the ashes!
Looks like sandpaper Steve will be skippering aus for the ashes!
In reply to Post #152
Be interesting as Cummings is vc
Be interesting as Cummings is vc
In reply to Post #139
See BT sports have dropped him as well i thought you were innocent until proven guilty.
See BT sports have dropped him as well i thought you were innocent until proven guilty.
In reply to Post #154
Trial by media, not on really.
I don't like the circumstances around it but I'm not upset he won't be on any coverage, the constant negative sound bites he spouts do my nut in. I don't know if it's just a Yorkshire thing or whether he consciously thought "geoffrey made a career out of being a negative ****, I'll use that as the blueprint"
Only a week to go
Trial by media, not on really.
I don't like the circumstances around it but I'm not upset he won't be on any coverage, the constant negative sound bites he spouts do my nut in. I don't know if it's just a Yorkshire thing or whether he consciously thought "geoffrey made a career out of being a negative ****, I'll use that as the blueprint"
Only a week to go
In reply to Post #155
Not exactly had the best prep for an Ashes series just hope it doesn't take until the 3rd test to get the rust away.
With Stokes back i imagine Leach will be back in and his role could be crucial depending on the fields he has to bowl to.
Still the Aussies not had the best prep but at least they have been playing.
Not exactly had the best prep for an Ashes series just hope it doesn't take until the 3rd test to get the rust away.
With Stokes back i imagine Leach will be back in and his role could be crucial depending on the fields he has to bowl to.
Still the Aussies not had the best prep but at least they have been playing.
In reply to Post #156
I'll be watching Cummins with interest, I don't remember many front line seamers captaining at test level.
I'd be worried about stokes as the 4th seamer tbh, even more so if broad or wood are in the side. If it's a toss up between leach or woakes I'm going with woakes all day long, particularly with root as skipper.
Although his red ball record is pretty ordinary I would probably have livingstone at 6 just for the spin option.
I'd be worried if they went with a seam attack of Anderson strokes broad wood
I'll be watching Cummins with interest, I don't remember many front line seamers captaining at test level.
I'd be worried about stokes as the 4th seamer tbh, even more so if broad or wood are in the side. If it's a toss up between leach or woakes I'm going with woakes all day long, particularly with root as skipper.
Although his red ball record is pretty ordinary I would probably have livingstone at 6 just for the spin option.
I'd be worried if they went with a seam attack of Anderson strokes broad wood
In reply to Post #157
Bob Willis and then Ian Botham were England Captains.
Maybe right about Stokes fitness to be another seamer trouble is we expect so much from him as he has set the mantle
so high.
Don't think Livingstone is in the squad.
Bob Willis and then Ian Botham were England Captains.
Maybe right about Stokes fitness to be another seamer trouble is we expect so much from him as he has set the mantle
so high.
Don't think Livingstone is in the squad.
In reply to Post #158
Yeh I'm just thinking he would have been an option to balance the side, where 3 of the seamers available are fitness worries, and one is nearly 50
Yeh I'm just thinking he would have been an option to balance the side, where 3 of the seamers available are fitness worries, and one is nearly 50
In reply to Post #159
I think they're bowling attack is better for the conditions and ball and can't see where our runs are coming from to put them under pressure. 450+ and even then Root is conservative with his field.
As for Cummings i liked the look of him when he first played Test cricket then he had the stress fracture in his back
but his run up and action appears effortless very good bowler time will tell if Captaincy is for him. For me Keeper, Slips
and Mid On/Off are the best positions for a skipper and if he's bowling one end then going down to Third man for a breather that is not ideal.
I think they're bowling attack is better for the conditions and ball and can't see where our runs are coming from to put them under pressure. 450+ and even then Root is conservative with his field.
As for Cummings i liked the look of him when he first played Test cricket then he had the stress fracture in his back
but his run up and action appears effortless very good bowler time will tell if Captaincy is for him. For me Keeper, Slips
and Mid On/Off are the best positions for a skipper and if he's bowling one end then going down to Third man for a breather that is not ideal.
In reply to Post #160
Apart from being too similar I think we've got a decent attack.
Anderson, Robinson, wood and woakes would be a decent start, add a few overs from stokes and root, then either Overton or a spinner. I suspect Overton would actually get the nod over woakes, but I'd have him in the side, and batting 7 ahead of buttler.
The aussies have only got 2 batsmen worth a toss anyway, getting runs will be harder than getting wickets I think.
The willis/Botham eras were before my time, I only remember Freddies stint
Apart from being too similar I think we've got a decent attack.
Anderson, Robinson, wood and woakes would be a decent start, add a few overs from stokes and root, then either Overton or a spinner. I suspect Overton would actually get the nod over woakes, but I'd have him in the side, and batting 7 ahead of buttler.
The aussies have only got 2 batsmen worth a toss anyway, getting runs will be harder than getting wickets I think.
The willis/Botham eras were before my time, I only remember Freddies stint
In reply to Post #161
We do have a decent attack but their fitness levels have been a problem over the last couple of years which is a worry.
And the last time we won a series there take a look at the top 6 we had. Huge amount of experience.
Saw Lillee and Thomson bowl at The Oval in '75 they were quick.
We do have a decent attack but their fitness levels have been a problem over the last couple of years which is a worry.
And the last time we won a series there take a look at the top 6 we had. Huge amount of experience.
Saw Lillee and Thomson bowl at The Oval in '75 they were quick.
No Jimmy for the 1st test, and probably leach carrying the drinks.
Pope in over bairstow, big series for him
Pope in over bairstow, big series for him
In reply to Post #163
Yeah Pope needs runs now hope he can fulfil his promise and prove he has got it at this level.
Hope Woods can stay fit and Robinson keeps bowling the way he been. Woakes brings a bit more depth to the batting as well as being a decent bowler who makes way far too often.
Bring on midnight.
Yeah Pope needs runs now hope he can fulfil his promise and prove he has got it at this level.
Hope Woods can stay fit and Robinson keeps bowling the way he been. Woakes brings a bit more depth to the batting as well as being a decent bowler who makes way far too often.
Bring on midnight.
In reply to Post #164
Hopefully woakes bats 7 and joss is told to go hard at the bowlers, he looks lost trying to play like a proper test batsman, I'd rather see him hole out after a 5 ball 20 than go into his shell and get out after a dentury
Hopefully woakes bats 7 and joss is told to go hard at the bowlers, he looks lost trying to play like a proper test batsman, I'd rather see him hole out after a 5 ball 20 than go into his shell and get out after a dentury