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The Ashes 2017/18

4-0 and not as bad as it sounds? Really. Bowlers incapable of bowling a team out twice and yet more than capable of being skittled out cheaply. Surely not playing the short ball as per the Aussie wickets is a flaw in technique and it isn't like the selectors wouldn't have known what the conditions would be like. We simply didn't play well enough

Its also the amount of times (the last 2 winters) that England have won the toss, batted first and lost by an innings that is concerning. They're not losing close games, they are getting battered. Australia may well lose over here in 2019 but they will be competitive. Look at the last few series over here: 3-2, 3-0 (and that flattered England), 2-1 and 2-1.
 
Its also the amount of times (the last 2 winters) that England have won the toss, batted first and lost by an innings that is concerning. They're not losing close games, they are getting battered. Australia may well lose over here in 2019 but they will be competitive. Look at the last few series over here: 3-2, 3-0 (and that flattered England), 2-1 and 2-1.

On current form they'd come over here be competitive and retain
 
Not so sure Homer. English green tops, wobbling ball, their quicks neutralized by our slower wickets. Different game over here, as it is for our lads over there.
 
Not so sure Homer. English green tops, wobbling ball, their quicks neutralized by our slower wickets. Different game over here, as it is for our lads over there.

Exactly - when we went down there in the previous Ashes we were proper mullered and all the talk was about the Aussies domination but then they arrived and were beaten again - the same two teams this winter would produce a different result if it was in England
 
Not so sure Homer. English green tops, wobbling ball, their quicks neutralized by our slower wickets. Different game over here, as it is for our lads over there.

Very true but in three of the last four there were very competitive and you could argue that for a bit of good fortune could have nicked at least one series. What would concern me is that we could be in a state of transition with a number of current players perhaps out or on the way out and new blood trying to find their way. The Aussies look like they'll have a more experienced and rounded squad
 
Very true but in three of the last four there were very competitive and you could argue that for a bit of good fortune could have nicked at least one series. What would concern me is that we could be in a state of transition with a number of current players perhaps out or on the way out and new blood trying to find their way. The Aussies look like they'll have a more experienced and rounded squad

The green tops isnt really the case though is it as the Ashes are always played in the latter half of the summer on pitches rolled to within an inch of their life so as to last 5 days, i.e. the dreaded chairman's pitch to maximise revenue. Thus decent pace could prove crucial.
 
The green tops isnt really the case though is it as the Ashes are always played in the latter half of the summer on pitches rolled to within an inch of their life so as to last 5 days, i.e. the dreaded chairman's pitch to maximise revenue. Thus decent pace could prove crucial.

Wasn't me that mentioned the green tops but I agree, especially places like the Oval. I think England need to be bold and start looking towards the next Ashes and start planning and replacing accordingly
 
I fess up, it was me. Lazy writing as I know we don't do green tops any more. There is usually something to help Jimmy and Stu to move it around though. Broad is more seam than swing and he needs something to help him out. Either way we get naff all movement down under yet move it all over back in Blighty. It's not all atmospheric.
 
Still no Leach though and Crane again

Would have sent Ali and Woakes Home as well and kept Curran
 
Still no Leach though and Crane again

Would have sent Ali and Woakes Home as well and kept Curran

wouldve been harsh to be picked away to NZ as a spinner where gonna bowl very few overs, of all the places it makes sense to pick ali as the part time spinner its NZ. conditions likely to suit woakes too if hes fully fit

see theyre still happy to pick Stokes, just emphasises how unfair Ducketts treatment was

this article a decent opinion piece on the ecb for me

https://beingoutsidecricket.com/2018/01/10/the-four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse/
 
Best part for me about the last ashes series was its wasn't on Sky, i rarely see the sport pages of a newspaper that will report it... so it never happened as far as i'm concerned;)
 
wouldve been harsh to be picked away to NZ as a spinner where gonna bowl very few overs, of all the places it makes sense to pick ali as the part time spinner its NZ. conditions likely to suit woakes too if hes fully fit

see theyre still happy to pick Stokes, just emphasises how unfair Ducketts treatment was

this article a decent opinion piece on the ecb for me

https://beingoutsidecricket.com/2018/01/10/the-four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse/

That article is a brilliant read.
 
I surprised after all the doom and gloom of the Ashes more wasn’t said about the great victory in the ODI - superb performance from Roy and great support from Root

In other news Stokes has been charged with affray
 
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