AmandaJR
Money List Winner
So frustrating but look how far we've come and how we've progressed. Bring on the next Ashes down under.
The Cricket Thread
- Thread starter fundy
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So frustrating but look how far we've come and how we've progressed. Bring on the next Ashes down under.
I think they’ll have a new captain by then.
I have to say, when England have cut loose and put Australia under pressure, Pat Cummins has looked absolutely lost.
ColchesterFC
Journeyman Pro
Probably a good thing that Australia retained the trophy. If we'd won and been presented with the urn Bairstow would've dropped it.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
We would have won the Ashes back with Foakes behind the stumps. We have to start playing the best player for that position, not your best mate.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Prove it
He wasn't the only person to drop catches, we shelled loads over the 4 matches - Up to the 2nd day of the 3rd test Root had dropped 6 of the 18 chances that went begging. England also bowled loads of no balls (some which would/should have been wickets) so a lot of others could be 'blamed' for the results
3offTheTee
Tour Rookie
Not the scoring but this Test is such an anti climax after last weekend.
Other members may feel different but not too excited. There are however worse sports programmes on at present.
Other members may feel different but not too excited. There are however worse sports programmes on at present.
My word, this Australia side are dull to watch. Just over 50 runs in a session at a shade over 2 an over makes Test cricket mind numbingly boring.
Beezerk
Money List Winner
An alternative view could be they are playing very smart cricket to win a series 2-1. That’s the difference between the two teams for me, England quite often play brainless cricket whereas OZ often know when to row it back to get the result.
I didn’t say they weren’t playing smart cricket. I said they were dull to watch. And they are everything so many people hate about the red ball game.
GB72
Money List Winner
I think that there is a good argument to be had across all sports about where the line is between it being entertainment and playing for a result. In my slightly advancing years I am becoming less worried about the teams I support winning and am more interested in getting good value entertainment for the price of my entry ticket or TV subscription.
You and me both.
I’ve said for years I would far rather watch my chosen football team lose 1-0 whilst playing fast flowing, attacking football than grind out a dull 1-0 win.
I pay to go to football games to be entertained, not bored to death. And the same goes for cricket.
I understand the view that Australia are playing smart cricket, but if it was England scoring at a snail’s pace I absolutely would not watch.
RichA
Well-known member
From Harry Brook's interview in Wednesday's Daily Torygraph...
Captain Ben Stokes addressed the England side after the disappointment of the draw at Old Trafford, stressing their aims went beyond the Ashes.
“It was a great speech,” Brook said. “He was just saying it’s not about all the trophies, it’s about making sure everybody’s enjoying watching cricket; and I feel like we’re going to be a team to be remembered.
“I think we’re bringing different crowds coming to watch the game, more people are getting into Test cricket and we’re almost trying to get it back alive again. I think we’ve done a decent job of that over the last 12 months and it’s been exciting to watch and it’s definitely been exciting to play.”
I can't remember enjoying watching a national team as much as I do this current England cricket team.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
It's livened up a bit now 
GB72
Money List Winner
Aside from some clearly stupid shot selections at times, I actually think that the England approach is smart cricket. Again, my knowledge is a bit limited but to my mind, we have not been producing players who can consistently grind out a good test innings for years but we have been producing world beating 1 day and T20 players. The obvious answer, let them go out and play to those strengths rather than try and reign them in and play a style of cricket that does not suit them.
Piece
Tour Winner
Totally agree. I was asked earlier in this thread whether I was still a BazBall fan even though we went 0-2 down. Absolutely, I said, never return to stodgy days of Silverwood, etc.!
GB72
Money List Winner
It's livened up a bit now
This is always the risk when you go out to play for time. Fingers crossed for a good, old fashiond collapse then England going absolutely gung ho to put a score on the board with plenty of time to bowl them out. Wishful thinking I know.
Beezerk
Money List Winner
It was me who asked
For me as someone who only watches highlights on an evening I’m one for results over style of play.
Again I agree.
The old England so often got bogged down in a slow run rate, which heaped the pressure on them and invariably saw them throw wickets away.
Yes, they still have a tendency to throw wickets away, but they do it whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking over. That’s a key difference and it allows for positive results. It’s why we rarely draw games now and it’s great to watch.
In fact, Australia are doing a bit of an “old” England here - scoring at a snail’s pace but losing wickets. Maybe not so smart after all.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Ben Stokes - take a bow 
