The Cricket Thread

Maybe now the England management team will admit the players are not properly prepared for test match cricket. Most (all?) of the Australian team were playing Sheffield Shield matches a few weeks ago, proper red ball cricket and we were doing nothing. Sort out the summer schedule so the players can play county cricket and relearn how to build an innings and occupy the crease.
 
It’s infuriating. A mere three days into the second Test and this series is done and dusted and, with it, my interest.

The really sad aspect of all this is that, with anything approaching proper preparation, planning and in-match application, England have more than enough talent in their ranks to match this Australian side.

Instead, Mitchell Starc in particular only has to turn his arm over in full knowledge of the fact that we will gift him wickets. He isn’t even having to work for them for pity’s sake.

Shocking. There have been some woeful Ashes tours in Australia in the last 30/40 years. This is as bad as the worst of them. Arrogant, ill prepared, poorly managed and dreadfully led.
 
See Marcus Trescothick has said England will stick to their principles, and not abandon their philosophy of driving the ball on the up, despite events in the first two Test matches.

Well, if that’s the case, not only do we deserve to lose, but Mr Trescothick should abandon the “Tresco” letters from his surname and just go with what is left.

A really odd interview, if I’m honest. On the one hand he says England will stick with their style of play, and then in the next breath he suggests that there is a need to adapt and play the conditions;

“You want to adapt and be conditions dependent, but we have built the way we want to build the team and trust the guys we have. We are always trying to respect the situation and respect the game: learn and be better next time we get that chance."

That paragraph sends mixed messages. And if that’s the sort of muddled thinking which emanates from the coaching staff, what is going on out in the middle can surely come as no surprise.
 
Another spanking down under. England just don’t look up to the fight at all. Glad it went to day 4 at least so the public got some cricket to watch unlike Perth.

Well done to the Aussies who are doing this with 3 of their main attack not playing.
 
Notice Notice Atherton and Hussain are doing a pod cast for down under. Why?

Are they doing anything else? If not money down the drain.

Michael Atherton has been the Chief Cricket Correspondent for The Times for around 20 years. Not sure if Nasser Hussain has any newspaper alliengance these days, but he appears on Sky Sports News a lot offering his insight.
 
Yep, Atherton is the best cricket writer in the UK and has been for over a decade. Hussain isn’t, but he does have a contract covering the Ashes for The Athletic.
 
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