It's a joke isn't it ? What makes it so frustrating is we actually have a decent bowling attack. If we were just totally **** it would be easier to take. We get ourself into a decent situation knowing we don't have a batsman who can score more than 20 runs.
None of the names you've mentioned are decent test batsman but most are fine to come in and knock a quick 50 every now and then to set pulses racing. Root hasn't become a bad batsman overnight - True. Its taken him the last couple of years. A steady decline since he was made captain. It's quite funny watching Denly try to bat at the moment. Beaten every other ball but somehow still there. He'll probably make a 100 now.
Maybe not. A lucky 12 off 49 balls. First batsman to get to 10. 45/5. Will they get to 100 which would only be a deficit of 79 runs ?
Sad but true. We followed everyone else - Smith/Aus, NZ/Williamson, India/Kohli - in thinking the best batsman should be captain. He’s just not good enough at it and should have been left to just score runs and play at No.4 (where I suspect he would have been kept at all costs under another leader). In the current line-up, I suspect Buttler is a better candidate for captain. I would argue that if people are prepared to let Roy remain but further down the order, we are accepting there is a space further down the order to be had. In recognising that, I’d rather have Morgan and have him be captain too. Denly has no business being in a Test Match, let alone an Ashes Series. As much as I’m doubtful about the others, they have all given at least a tiny glimmer of something - Denly has not.
I'm not getting alerts from Cricinfo anymore, must be feeling sorry for me. Root must go. Terrible captain. Talks like a child when being interviewed, can't imagine the ***** geeing any of them up. Concentrate on your batting or **** off.
His average has dropped from 54 to 40 since being captain. That's 14 gone in 2 years, pretty unparalleled. Any other batsman gets dropped for that.
At present we genuinely don't have a batsman good enough to play test cricket. Maybe Root could recover his form at #4 without the captaincy. But which other 5 batsmen do you pick ? Burns has at least shown a bit of fight and got that very very lucky hundred. I don't think Buttler is good enough to play test cricket though he is a good sort and I guess has no form to lose ! Otherwise I think we should be pulling 3 or 4 "next batsmen off the rank" and just throwing them in. They can't do worse.
You're right. A promising stand of 7 runs now and I'm not posting that am I ? I'm NathWFC. Have you ever seen us in the same room ?
Utter dog turd. Not many cabs on the rank either, but Roy and Denly have to go. Root is not far behind them. Stokes should be made to watch his shot on a continuous loop for about 8 hours. I have just got my bat and pads down from the loft
Yes. He looks like a timid little boy about 30 seconds away from crying whenever he's interviewed. Low energy and apologetic. Sets the tone for the team. We need someone with positive character like a Swan or a Flintoff or a Prior. Broad could maybe do it but his test place isn't assured (as we actually ahve some decent bowlers) and it would only be short term. Root should be allowed to just selfishly accumulate runs, **** everyone else's problems.
I must admit I squirmed last night when Root was eulogising about loving playing on his home ground after the day’s play. Set himself up for the fall I’m afraid. Archer has been brilliant since coming in. I fear he will need to be super-human to win us this match and keep the series alive.
7 down. Awful. Buttler should just swing for the boundaries now. He will likely get out doing it but could at least out quick runs in first rather than the likely timid shot that will eventually get him cheaply otherwise. If we can get to 100, that gives us a shot somehow with Archer’s bowling. And that’s as hopeful as I can get.
I reckon this forum could do better. Our opening bowlers are better with the bat than our opening batsmen. Come on Jofra!
67 all out. Even if somehow they conspire to turn it around and win the match, that score is disgraceful and needs serious analysis. The time has passed now to just think it’s a blip and things will click soon. The batting line-up is nowhere near right and the changes must be immediate.
Well, that goes to show how much we squandered the conditions that were in our favour yesterday. Taking their last 8 wickets for 40-odd was evidently a par score but letting them rack the amount they did before that was criminal.
On the upside, if we can bowl Australia out for 0, we only have to repeat out 1st innings performance in the 2nd innings to seal a 45 run defeat. Or, if we can convince the ICC to let us having a third innings, we might just scrape to a win!
Embarrassing stuff. Lowest England innings at Headingly (ever). With Watford and the cricket, it's starting to feel like the 90's again.
Just off an investor call and chcked the score for the first time after lunch to check on the state of our rearguard action. Ha Ha Ha.. ...and Aus 10-0 off 7 balls. Closing the ESPN page now and not looking again. OK WFC, this weekend is now all on YOU !
Burns - Not convinced he's good enough but has probably done just enough to retain his place Roy - I was wrong, I thought he would be ok. Might be better suited at 5 but we have a lot of players like that Root - Give up the captaincy and get back to being the top class batsmen you have proved you can be Denly - Not even close to being good enough Stokes - Showed in last test he build a test innings so god knows what he was doing today Bairstow/Butler - One needs to be dropped for Foakes who is by far a better keeper Anybody below 7 are fine as the bowling has been ok and that's their job. Ollie Pope to come in as at least he's on form, probably for Denly. Maybe Sibley to come in and open
If you've got tickets for tomorrow I'm not sure going to see much at this rate. What's the most number of test wickets in a day?
It would never happen due to the indignity of it - and for fear of the fallout - but I’d like to see Root simply step aside and say he’s focusing on his game. That’s the way easy thing to do and should happen. Also allows England to bring in Morgan who is a good leader whilst there’s enough movement in the batting lineup to get him in. It’s all very well saying Root shouldn’t be captain - but there’s little else in the current squads to go with. I think it has to be someone the players already know at this point.
Isn't it common for players to lose for when they become captain? Cook did too. Lots being made about Root batting at 3, instead of 4. England looking like a 2 man team at the minute. The bowlers will end up knackered at this rate! The real question is, should England be disbanded? Discuss.
Williamson, Kohli, Smith, Ponting, Cook, Strauss all largely maintained good/excellent form. Cooks form only largely dipped towards the end of his test career - and when he had a succession of different partners opening with him. A dip in form could be expected whilst learning to be captain AND being a key batsman. But his average has fallen off a cliff and it’s beyond obvious that his captaincy is a key reason.
