The Cricket Thread

[Arthur Wedge]

Embarrassing tbh

This should be the end of McCullum first

Then Crawley
Pope
Smith


England getting destroyed by Scott Boland

 

[Norrin Radd]

They think it's all over .it is now .
Not quite the right quote but the last six words of it are correct

 

[Neilds]

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.

 

[Billysboots]

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.

 

[Billysboots]

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.

 

[Captainron]

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.

 

[Norrin Radd]

One word
Embarrassing

 

[3offTheTee]

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.

 

[Neilds]

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.

Who’s money?

 

[fenwayrich]

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.

 

[The Squirrel]

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.

 

[Piece]

I have mentioned this a few times on this thread ahout Eng cricket - brainless.

Another 20k England fans coming over to watch in the coming weeks. I reckon some may cancel that and save the £££.

 

[Billysboots]

The Ashes 2025: 'England in battle to avoid worst Australia tour in modern times'

England are 2-0 down after just six days of the Ashes in Australia - careers and reputations are on the line for the remainder of the series, says Stephan Shemilt.

www.bbc.co.uk

Pretty damning.

 

[Neilds]

So, Mark Wood has been ruled out of the Ashes after breaking down again with his bad knee. Is it time for him to call it a day - or maybe re-invent himself as a spin bowler?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

So, Mark Wood has been ruled out of the Ashes after breaking down again with his bad knee. Is it time for him to call it a day - or maybe re-invent himself as a spin bowler?

Some bowlers can take a yard off, go line and length. Wood won't be able to do that, he's an all or nothing guy. I'm not sure England can keep giving him a central contract with his injury record, only getting worse at this stage, and so life in the media may beckon.

A really cracking and dangerous bowler on his day.

He's local to me, visits a local cafe (owner is a lovely lady). You only hear good things about him, he's a decent guy.

 

[The Squirrel]

Some bowlers can take a yard off, go line and length. Wood won't be able to do that, he's an all or nothing guy. I'm not sure England can keep giving him a central contract with his injury record, only getting worse at this stage, and so life in the media may beckon.

A really cracking and dangerous bowler on his day.

He's local to me, visits a local cafe (owner is a lovely lady). You only hear good things about him, he's a decent guy.

I’m a big fan of 4/5 day cricket as the sport’s ultimate test, and admire Wood for sticking with it so long despite his fragile body, but at 35, Wood needs to become a T20 only player to maximise what he can of his remaining career (not least in earnings) … and really should have done this a couple of years ago.

 

[Neilds]

I’m a big fan of 4/5 day cricket as the sport’s ultimate test, and admire Wood for sticking with it so long despite his fragile body, but at 35, Wood needs to become a T20 only player to maximise what he can of his remaining career (not least in earnings) … and really should have done this a couple of years ago.

I'm not sure his body will stand up to the quick turn around in T20 franchise matches. Teams will be wary of signing someone who would potentially only play in 25% of the matches. Bets he gives up now whilst at the (sort of) top of his game and not go on for too long and ruin both his reputation and body.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I’m a big fan of 4/5 day cricket as the sport’s ultimate test, and admire Wood for sticking with it so long despite his fragile body, but at 35, Wood needs to become a T20 only player to maximise what he can of his remaining career (not least in earnings) … and really should have done this a couple of years ago.

It’s a shame that his body just kept breaking down , cracking bowler and great guy

Think he will end up playing some of the T20 franchises

 

[irip]

I'm not sure his body will stand up to the quick turn around in T20 franchise matches. Teams will be wary of signing someone who would potentially only play in 25% of the matches. Bets he gives up now whilst at the (sort of) top of his game and not go on for too long and ruin both his reputation and body.

It’s for this reason I think a franchise will pick him up, they always have players going away to play for their country so have back up players which I think would suit Wood, he also wouldn’t cost them a lot so it could be a win-win situation if they rotate and use him correctly, especially if your a team whose home pitch suits quick bowling, pick him for home matches rest him for away ones.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1998285491989291133

Not sure he is the right choice

Would have gone with Hull