odessasteps Posted July 8, 2023 Posted July 8, 2023 From what I was hearing on the radio, some people want to see Foakes back already to alleviate the rash of drops. I guess you can change squads in between tests, but it could be too late.
The Natural Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 5 hours ago, DangerMark said: Both of England's senior Cricket teams are in Win or Bust mode: the Men need 224 in whatever play actually happens tomorrow and Monday with all ten wickets intact - Crawley and Duckett made it through five overs - whilst the Women won a rain-shortened T20 in the last over. Three more games to win each; the Women can afford a non-result, but the Men cannot. This has not be dull in the slightest bit. Hopefully the rain fucks off.
DangerMark Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 7 hours ago, SirFozzie said: Yeah, if you just looked at the score, you'd think that this is pre-BazBall, but considering there was no play today until 5 local, there was plenty of time for wickets and runs. If England fail to win this, you're going to see all the old fuddy duddies come out of the woodwork and claim "BazBall is a fad! It's over! Practice your forward defensive strokes for 9 hours a day!". Anyone bitching about the way England play is an idiot, this is great entertainment whatever happens. Unless it rains but I direct you to my esteemed colleague. 1
DangerMark Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 7 hours ago, odessasteps said: From what I was hearing on the radio, some people want to see Foakes back already to alleviate the rash of drops. I guess you can change squads in between tests, but it could be too late. Bringing Foakes in to keep wicket is not a bad shout, but Bairstow had been batting pretty well before this series so a straight swap would be difficult. Before this game, I'd have brought Foakes in instead of Moeen and just have Root as the main spinner, but it is quite clear that I don't know shit.
Goitre Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 1 hour ago, DangerMark said: Anyone bitching about the way England play is an idiot, this is great entertainment An XI of Ric Flair impersonators would be great entertainment, too. But it's not about that. If the way England play (throwing wickets away, dropping catches, leaving your crease) results in losing the Ashes, an English fan would be perfectly entitled to bitch about it, mentally defective or not. I also have no problem with 9 hours of practicing forward defense for Test Match cricketers.
DangerMark Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 I stand by what I said. I truly believe that England wouldn't be in a position to win the series - however unlikely it might be at this point - if they didn't have that Errol Flynn mentality. I do wish they'd tighten things up a little, but I also remember pretty well what the alternative looks like. 1
Goitre Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 Former England opener Nick Compton on Bazzball: "They keep talking about the entertainment factor and you think: ‘Yeah, the entertainment’s good, the aggression’s good.’ But, fundamentally, it’s not that entertaining losing. If you keep squandering good opportunities it goes from entertainment to stupidity."
The Natural Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 This is Zak Crawley's 18th Test at home and this is the first time he's scored at least 20 in both innings. Moeen All as #3 has taken people aback, myself included.
DangerMark Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 (edited) Moeen Ali is a well regarded (T20) batter and Joe Root inexplicably sucks at #3, so LFG. EDIT: he went as soon as I posted it, so we'll add it to the pile: Spoiler Edited July 9, 2023 by DangerMark 1
The Natural Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 Disaster losing Stokes just after lunch. 167-5 needing 84 to win.
The Natural Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 England win the third Test by 3 wickets despite losing Brook for 75 of 95 balls late on. Get in!
The Natural Posted July 9, 2023 Posted July 9, 2023 Player of the match Mark Wood, who took 7-100 and scored 40 runs.
SirFozzie Posted July 18, 2023 Author Posted July 18, 2023 England's women draw the series with Australia after winning the third ODI. Australia retain the Ashes as holders, but England won both the T20 and ODI parts of the series 1
The Natural Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, SirFozzie said: England's women draw the series with Australia after winning the third ODI. Australia retain the Ashes as holders, but England won both the T20 and ODI parts of the series Kudos to England's women coming back from 6-0 down losing the Test to draw 8-8 needing to win them all to reclaim the Ashes. As you note, England win the ODI series to inflict a first bilateral series defeat on Australia in 50-over cricket since 2013. That follows them handing Australia a first T20 series defeat since 2017. England won four of the seven games as well. The Test should carry the most points but maybe reduce it a tad as you are on such an uphill battle for the losing team. Edited July 19, 2023 by The Natural
The Natural Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) Ben Stokes wins the toss again, four in a row this Ashes. England will bowl. Weather forecast for this Test isn't good unfortunately. Ben Stokes is told by Mike Atherton on Sky Sports that no captain has won the toss, bowled first and won a Test at Old Trafford. Fuck. Speaking of Old Trafford, it's a scandal that neither Headingley nor Old Trafford are on the schedule for the 2027 series. Both should be mandatory especially Headingley's history. Edited July 19, 2023 by The Natural
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 What's the schedule for 2027? If Bazball is successful in India, it's a success. For the time being I'd like to think it's a game plan that is still evolving. Don't have too many issues with it but you still need twenty wickets to win.
DangerMark Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) With a bowling attack of Jack Leach, Moeen Ali, Rehan Ahmed and Joe Root, I'd back England in India. Throw in Mark Wood for when you really just have to fling hundred mile an hour bouncers at a tail ender's head and they'll be sweet. BazBall isn't so much a game plan as a state of mind. Edited July 19, 2023 by DangerMark
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 If Stokes can bowl, Wood plays. Dunno if you can use him as the sole quick. Surely no way Bairstow keeps in India either
DangerMark Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 I'm being slightly facetious but I do remember the last time England were in India, and medium pace was not rewarded so I would at least consider leaving the seamers in the hotel if they can't get over 90mph regularly.
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 Oh I agree, the quicks are generally useless but Wood bowling in four over spells first or second change occasionally is best use rather than needing him to open the bowling for one long spell. Just asking for an injury. 1
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 And I think he's about to murder Travis Head
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