In an alternative universe, Ben Stokes never came to England, and we are all talking about if we are ever going to win a World Cup and Joe Root has just resigned as England captain!
Or Stokes got banged up for the punch up in Bristol to the same result.
The last two tests are during my next stint as editor of PB, I'll be able to put my feet up at the tests and not worry about what's going on in the world of politics right?
I'm currently suffering from what feels like heatstroke and dehydration* but it was bloody worth it.
Headingley 2019 was like Headingley 1981 and Edgbaston 2005 all rolled in to one.
So glad I've got tickets for the Old Trafford test. It's coming home.
But cricket is boring we really need The Hundred to make it interesting.
*It is bloody hard for a good Muslim boy to keep himself hydrated at test matches in England.
I wonder if Islam had arisen not in Arabia, where drinking alcohol or eating pork are not the most sensible of things, but in a colder climate whether the Islamic dietary laws might be somewhat different.
Drinking alcohol was quite normal in the 7th century in Arabia. What do you think the dates are for ?
Shameless plug: I am available for advice on garden design (the sort involving plants - not bloody decking and bamboo, which are even more of a crime against good sense than chocolate on one’s coffee) and the best nurseries + actual gardening work, which I adore. Very few things make me as happy as when I have my hands in earth and all I need to keep me going is a good supply of proper builders’ tea. Plus I can fit 50 or more plants in my car.
What’s not to love?
Tempting. I'm an urbanite from way back - had hay fever when young so regarded the countryside with suspicion, though it's more or less worn off now. For the first time, I've rented a place with a small garden, currently almost barren as the previous tenant wasn't into gardening. I'm still too busy to do much with it, but have plans to grow some honeysuckle on a trellis at the back, and plant some things that don't need huge amounts of care.
It's still not really a priority for me, but it's fun to learn a bit, and it will creep no doubt gradually up the list as I get older.
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
There is a God.
And Hales appears to get some of what he deserved for cowardly kicking one of them in the head..
Been really busy with a BBQ this afternoon but can I just say that God should just retire and let Ben Stokes take over. Today was way, way more incredible than bringing someone back from the dead or feeding 5000. Absolutely ridiculous and utterly brilliant.
35% back Revoke and Remain ie the LD position, 33% back Leaving with No Deal or a version of May's Deal ie the new Tory position and only 17% back a Deal which keeps the UK in the SM and Customs Union ie the Corbyn Labour position.
Under FPTP that is good news for Swinson and Boris but bad news for Corbyn, even if Corbyn arguably now holds the median Brexit position he is getting squeezed from both ends
Just a couple of observations - we don't know how many of the "loyal" 7% will pivot to No Deal or revoke/Remain once it becomes finally and irrevocably clear the WA is dead.
It's the 17% I don't understand. Even if every Conservative MP were to be replaced by a Labour-voting doppelganger overnight (England won the cricket, stranger things have happened) the new Corbyn Government would face the same EU negotiators.
The EU have agreed a WA - it can't be renegotiated. Setting an extension achieves nothing - Corbyn would have to revoke and then re-start A50 to get a new WA. If he had a 100 seat majority he could probably do that - if he led a minority administration dependent on the support of other parties, perhaps not.
As an aside, given we know some of the ERG such as Redwood will never vote for the WA and given some other Conservatives such as Hammond are adamantly opposed to a No Deal, Johnson needs more than just to win a majority - he's going to need a minimum 70 seat gap to provide headroom to see off rebels.
Should Hammond be de-selected following his letter to the Prime Minister? If Runnymede & Weybridge Conservatives re-adopt him, should the constituency association be suspended and a pro-Johnson candidate be imposed by CCHQ?
We know from the Brady amendment there is a majority in the Commons for the Withdrawal Agreement minus the backstop (Redwood even did not vote for the Brady amendment but it still passed) which Boris wants if the EU agrees an alternative technical solution. Otherwise No Deal is the default on October 31st especially as Boris will refuse further extension.
Personally I would not deselect Hammond as he did vote for Brexit with a Deal even if he opposes No Deal, however I do back deselecting Grieve and Lee and Gyimah and Greening etc who voted against the Withdrawal Agreement and also refuse to back Brexit with No Deal too
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
3rd...as in rate of the england top order batting.
I thought the BBC commentator was very harsh
“Ben Stokes did a fantastic job. When the 9th wicket fell he had to make 73 runs with only the number 11 - who obviously isn’t very good - left as a partner”
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
I'm currently suffering from what feels like heatstroke and dehydration* but it was bloody worth it.
Headingley 2019 was like Headingley 1981 and Edgbaston 2005 all rolled in to one.
So glad I've got tickets for the Old Trafford test. It's coming home.
But cricket is boring we really need The Hundred to make it interesting.
*It is bloody hard for a good Muslim boy to keep himself hydrated at test matches in England.
I wonder if Islam had arisen not in Arabia, where drinking alcohol or eating pork are not the most sensible of things, but in a colder climate whether the Islamic dietary laws might be somewhat different.
Drinking alcohol was quite normal in the 7th century in Arabia. What do you think the dates are for ?
I wouldn't want to be crossing the desert fully refreshed with date wine.
We've already seen what happens when someone comes at him with a bottle. Imagine if the Queen comes at him with a sword!!
Umpire Wilson should get an honour as well. He and Gaffeney are the two worst umpires I have seen working in tandem. Thank God, there is DRS.
Clearly you've never seen Kumar Dharmasena umpire!
And they're supposed to be three of the 12 best umpires in the world.
Sadly there's a problem with international umpiring, the best umpires are English and Australian, I'm very certain the players would have no issues if Richard Illingworth, Paul Reiffel, Richard Kettleborough, and Rod Tucker umpired this series.
Shameless plug: I am available for advice on garden design (the sort involving plants - not bloody decking and bamboo, which are even more of a crime against good sense than chocolate on one’s coffee) and the best nurseries + actual gardening work, which I adore. Very few things make me as happy as when I have my hands in earth and all I need to keep me going is a good supply of proper builders’ tea. Plus I can fit 50 or more plants in my car.
What’s not to love?
Tempting. I'm an urbanite from way back - had hay fever when young so regarded the countryside with suspicion, though it's more or less worn off now. For the first time, I've rented a place with a small garden, currently almost barren as the previous tenant wasn't into gardening. I'm still too busy to do much with it, but have plans to grow some honeysuckle on a trellis at the back, and plant some things that don't need huge amounts of care.
It's still not really a priority for me, but it's fun to learn a bit, and it will creep no doubt gradually up the list as I get older.
V happy to give informal advice. Honeysuckle needs its roots in shade. Evergreen jasmine - trachelospermum jasminoides is an absolute must for your trellis. Gorgeous at any time of year, evergreen, magnificent scent in summer. Needs no care whatsoever. Other than some watering if very dry.
Did that really happen in the cricket or was i dreaming and England as usual collapsed to 200 all out?
All out 230 + Stokes.
Even Boycott was impressed: "I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years"...
Surely Headingley 1981 was greater. It required two heroic efforts - not one - to win the match. Even after Botham's heroics England were still destined to lose the match.
Your 2017 prediction was so far wide of the mark you should try to separate reality from wishful thinking for fear of disappointment,
I didn't make a 2017 prediction and certainly was not predicting a Tory landslide after the dementia tax disaster but even so the Tories did won most seats, 42% of the vote and May was re elected. The LDs were also polling nowhere near as high then as they are now. When the 2017 general election was called for example Yougov had the LDs on just 12% compared to 20% now and those extra LD votes are mainly coming from Labour
Did that really happen in the cricket or was i dreaming and England as usual collapsed to 200 all out?
All out 230 + Stokes.
Even Boycott was impressed: "I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years"...
Surely Headingley 1981 was greater. It required two heroic efforts - not one - to win the match. Even after Botham's heroics England were still destined to lose the match.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
Note that Johnson has some pompous crested vermilion leather dossier while everyone else makes do with the meeting pack and maybe a notepad.
Rattled.
How dare he come prepared!
I have to say as no fan of Boris, going to a meeting of the 7 leaders of the free world with a high quality stationary is surely unremarkable....as is a suit and tie. There is no way Macron doesn't have a big collection of MontBlanc pens (even if they are German).
Obviously Jezza would turn up with his ethnically sourced recycled A4 pad and a biro.
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
There is a God.
Ben Stokes, remember the name
Now, did you get the name? Ben Stokes. Ben STOKES.
Did that really happen in the cricket or was i dreaming and England as usual collapsed to 200 all out?
All out 230 + Stokes.
Even Boycott was impressed: "I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years"...
Surely Headingley 1981 was greater. It required two heroic efforts - not one - to win the match. Even after Botham's heroics England were still destined to lose the match.
Indeed.
You could say three heroic efforts if you include Graham Dilley's batting.
So who gets dropped for the 4th test? Roy? Buttler? Woakes?
Depends if Anderson is fit. If he is then drop Roy, and someone else, and replace him with someone else.
As you can see I'm good at selection!
We don't need 6 bowlers
I agree. So I guess replace Woakes (who I don't think deserves to be dropped, but oh well) with Anderson (if he's fit), and Roy with someone who is batting well in county cricket (no idea who, I've been too busy watching the international game to have an opinion on that).
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
So who gets dropped for the 4th test? Roy? Buttler? Woakes?
And the convicts. Smith back, Starc also in?
Also..umpires need dropping. One had 7 decisions over-turned.
Aus will drop Patto for Starc surely.
Roy for Foakes perhaps ?
Foakes isn't an opener. Right now the most successful England qualified openers in county cricket are Chris Dent (2nd division) Zak Crawley (barely out of rompers) and Dominic Sibley (who has failed in his last match but otherwise has been imperious all season).
Foakes for Butler makes more sense, although he's not been in great form this season. Pope might do better. Or Northeast perhaps.
The Italians are bloody lucky to be there if you ask me.
They also seem to get by far the least media coverage. Behind Abe, Trudeau, and even the EU rep.
Does anyone care what they have to say?
A bit mean, yes?
Not trying to be mean. It's just my assessment of the coverage.
Am I being unfair?
In one component, yes. That the Italians are lucky to be there is debatable but you are arguably correct, or at least not obviously wrong. I don't have figures for media coverage, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were correct. But the "Does anyone care what they have to say?" was gratuitous and gratuitously nasty (and rather uncharacteristic of you, if I may say), hence my rather surprised remark.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
I think Khawaja will stay. Harris will go. Khawaja will open the innings. They are rotating the quicks anyway. So Starc will be in. As the dust settles, you have to wonder what the Aussies were doing in the last 10 overs. Have they forgotten a ball called Yorker ? Yorkers are not very easy to hit for six. As well attacking Leach from round the wicket with Yorkers could have been far more productive. Anyway, Paine is also captain because what Smith and Warner were upto. Shocking review and tactics. But it has made the series more interesting !
Did that really happen in the cricket or was i dreaming and England as usual collapsed to 200 all out?
All out 230 + Stokes.
Even Boycott was impressed: "I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years"...
Surely Headingley 1981 was greater. It required two heroic efforts - not one - to win the match. Even after Botham's heroics England were still destined to lose the match.
I think not.
And in any event, there were two heroic efforts - Stokes’ bowling in Australia’s second innings, and .... Stokes innings.
And did any team in test history make over five times their score in their second innings that they made in their first ?
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
I think Khawaja will stay. Harris will go. Khawaja will open the innings. They are rotating the quicks anyway. So Starc will be in. As the dust settles, you have to wonder what the Aussies were doing in the last 10 overs. Have they forgotten a ball called Yorker ? Yorkers are not very easy to hit for six. As well attacking Leach from round the wicket with Yorkers could have been far more productive. Anyway, Paine is also captain because what Smith and Warner were upto. Shocking review and tactics. But it has made the series more interesting !
You do have to wonder a bit how long Tim Paine has as captain. He's done a very tough job for Australia at a moment they desperately needed it, but he isn't a Test number 7 and late on he just looked bewildered. I think there must be at least a chance Pat Cummins or even Head will be offered the captaincy for the Australian summer.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
I think Khawaja will stay. Harris will go. Khawaja will open the innings. They are rotating the quicks anyway. So Starc will be in. As the dust settles, you have to wonder what the Aussies were doing in the last 10 overs. Have they forgotten a ball called Yorker ? Yorkers are not very easy to hit for six. As well attacking Leach from round the wicket with Yorkers could have been far more productive. Anyway, Paine is also captain because what Smith and Warner were upto. Shocking review and tactics. But it has made the series more interesting !
You do have to wonder a bit how long Tim Paine has as captain. He's done a very tough job for Australia at a moment they desperately needed it, but he isn't a Test number 7 and late on he just looked bewildered. I think there must be at least a chance Pat Cummins or even Head will be offered the captaincy for the Australian summer.
Smith and Warner can never be captain again. That is a small price to pay for them. The Aussies have started the rotation policy for the quicks - so unlikely Cummins will get it. The only other pretty secure player is Lyon. I have no idea what his tactical knowledge is like. Then again I thought Root was totally hapless. Stokes and Leach have saved him and one or two others.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
I think Khawaja will stay. Harris will go. Khawaja will open the innings. They are rotating the quicks anyway. So Starc will be in. ...review and tactics. But it has made the series more interesting !
You do have to wonder a bit how long Tim Paine has as captain. He's done a very tough job for Australia at a moment they desperately needed it, but he isn't a Test number 7 and late on he just looked bewildered. I think there must be at least a chance Pat Cummins or even Head will be offered the captaincy for the Australian summer.
Smith and Warner can never be captain again. That is a small price to pay for them. The Aussies have started the rotation policy for the quicks - so unlikely Cummins will get it. The only other pretty secure player is Lyon. I have no idea what his tactical knowledge is like. Then again I thought Root was totally hapless. Stokes and Leach have saved him and one or two others.
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
Ummmm - if you really want to then why not start by typing 'Graham Gooch West Indies' into YouTube.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
I saw him score 123 against the West Indies at Lords in 1980. Believe me he was good. He was facing Roberts, Holding , Garner and Croft.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
I saw him score 123 against the West Indies at Lords in 1980. Believe me he was good. He was facing Roberts, Holding , Garner and Croft.
I saw his Headingley innings. It was way beyond good.
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
A Root relieved of the captaincy scoring big runs at no.3 would make that much less important.
Smith has six more months to go on his captaincy ban, but does Tim Paine have six months of goodwill ahead of the greater skill of Alex Carey? That's why I'm wondering if Dummins might step up for a short stint.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
Ummmm - if you really want to then why not start by typing 'Graham Gooch West Indies' into YouTube.
What England would give for a Gooch - Atherton opening partnership.
"The pair opened in 44 Test matches from 1990 to 1995 and totalled 2501 runs in their partnerships, at an excellent average of 56.84. Atherton and Gooch put on opening stands in excess of hundred on 7 occasions and crossed fifty 12 times."
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
I think Smith's form will dip if/when he captains again
Root is not as bad a captain as everyone makes out I think, certainly better on DRS than Tim Paine. Someone needs to tell him that quick bowling is bloody hard work though.
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
A Root relieved of the captaincy scoring big runs at no.3 would make that much less important.
Smith has six more months to go on his captaincy ban, but does Tim Paine have six months of goodwill ahead of the greater skill of Alex Carey? That's why I'm wondering if Dummins might step up for a short stint.
Sadly, I do not think Root is a number three. Particularly in an England team without genuine test openers.
Come that pre Brexit election - which I fear won't - Labour WILL be Remain. It's how they can win it. The only way really.
Except they won't, the LDs can always out Remain Corbyn Labour now, especially as Corbyn has refused to rule out campaigning for a Labour Brexit Deal even if he does back EUref2 while the LDs have always committed to back Remain in all circumstances
Corbyns gonna do worse than Foot
200 Majority for Tories
Just like in 2017
On voteshare Corbyn will likely do worse than Foot but it won't be a 200 Tory majority, 30 to 50 more like.
While Boris has won back most Leavers who have defected to the Brexit Party, Corbyn has not won back most Remainers who have defected to the LDs
Your 2017 prediction was so far wide of the mark you should try to separate reality from wishful thinking for fear of disappointment,
I didn't make a 2017 prediction and certainly was not predicting a Tory landslide after the dementia tax disaster but even so the Tories did won most seats, 42% of the vote and May was re elected.
The LDs were also polling nowhere near as high then as they are now. When the 2017 general election was called for example Yougov had the LDs on just 12% compared to 20% now and those extra LD votes are mainly coming from Labour
Yougov now has them on 19% . Opinium gives them 15%. They fell back by circa 5% in 2017 and I expect something similar again with them ending up at circa 12%.
What would be saying if...Stokes had holed out with only 8 needed, or Leach was run out with 2 required, or the LBW was given / Australia hadn't wasted an earlier review with 2 needed*.
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
We would have said Jason Roy in test matches is as useful as tits on a fish.
That's the problem. He still is and should be replaced by Dominic Sibley. Just as Root is a hapless captain who can't separate the role from his batting and should resign. And Woakes isn't pulling his weight as he should and needs to be dropped for Anderson, if fit, or Curran. And Butler needs to be dropped and replaced, perhaps by Ollie Pope, or Ben Foakes, or Ryan Higgins.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
After Headingley 1981 Dilley didn't play again in the series. After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series. After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
And after almost 40 years, selection policies have changed.
In fairness, Gooch probably couldn’t make it as an England opener these days.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
I'd take an opener who could average 35. Even if he didn't put in the really mountainous innings until late on in his career.
I’d enjoy watching Gooch face some 90mph bouncers....
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
I saw him score 123 against the West Indies at Lords in 1980. Believe me he was good. He was facing Roberts, Holding , Garner and Croft.
Gooch was great against the fast stuff.
But weaker against medium-fast swing bowlers like Terry Alderman.
Talking of great against fast bowler. A cricketing hero of mine growing up, I missed this interview.
Fearless against the West Indies pace attack, the former England batsman says playing was ‘easy’ but retirement left him drinking heavily and close to taking his own life
What England would give for a Gooch - Atherton opening partnership.
"The pair opened in 44 Test matches from 1990 to 1995 and totalled 2501 runs in their partnerships, at an excellent average of 56.84. Atherton and Gooch put on opening stands in excess of hundred on 7 occasions and crossed fifty 12 times."
The truth is for thirty years we've been spoiled for openers. Since 1989 we've had Atherton and Gooch, Stewart, Trescothick, Vaughan, Strauss and Cook. There has almost never been a series where there hasn't been one pretty bankable opener with an average north of 40 at one end. OK, so some of the dense selection policies meant very often the other end was a walking wicket - why oh why was Stewart forced to keep wicket when as a specialist opener he averaged 46, exposing Knight, Lathwell, Ramprakash and Maddy? - but given the middle order was rubbish and the bowling was barely club standard at times nobody bothered about the top spot. You could even go further back and talk about the solidity of Broad.
But with Cook's retirement that run is ended and now we're baffled and bereft.
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
A Root relieved of the captaincy scoring big runs at no.3 would make that much less important.
Smith has six more months to go on his captaincy ban, but does Tim Paine have six months of goodwill ahead of the greater skill of Alex Carey? That's why I'm wondering if Dummins might step up for a short stint.
Sadly, I do not think Root is a number three. Particularly in an England team without genuine test openers.
But the person who IS a Test number three and England qualified is...?
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
I think Smith's form will dip if/when he captains again
Root is not as bad a captain as everyone makes out I think, certainly better on DRS than Tim Paine. Someone needs to tell him that quick bowling is bloody hard work though.
He made his fastest bowler bowl uphill, for a long spell.
That's just silly. That's not even a schoolboy howler because a schoolboy wouldn't make the error.
Before commenting on Smith's likely dip in form, please check his average as captain. You might be surprised. Australians (Taylor apart) don't suffer form dips as captain the way the English do.
Come that pre Brexit election - which I fear won't - Labour WILL be Remain. It's how they can win it. The only way really.
Except they won't, the LDs can always out Remain Corbyn Labour now, especially as Corbyn has refused to rule out campaigning for a Labour Brexit Deal even if he does back EUref2 while the LDs have always committed to back Remain in all circumstances
Corbyns gonna do worse than Foot
200 Majority for Tories
Just like in 2017
On voteshare Corbyn will likely do worse than Foot but it won't be a 200 Tory majority, 30 to 50 more like.
While Boris has won back most Leavers who have defected to the Brexit Party, Corbyn has not won back most Remainers who have defected to the LDs
Your 2017 prediction was so far wide of the mark you should try to separate reality from wishful thinking for fear of disappointment,
I didn't make a 2017 prediction and certainly was not predicting a Tory landslide after the dementia tax disaster but even so the Tories did won most seats, 42% of the vote and May was re elected.
The LDs were also polling nowhere near as high then as they are now. When the 2017 general election was called for example Yougov had the LDs on just 12% compared to 20% now and those extra LD votes are mainly coming from Labour
Yougov now has them on 19% . Opinium gives them 15%. They fell back by circa 5% in 2017 and I expect something similar again with them ending up at circa 12%.
Do not underestimate Remain voters. They will vote Labour or Lib Dem according to which seat they are voting in. Very few seats are Lib-Lab or 3 pronged. Remainers are more politically astute.
**.... runs and hides, while laughing uproariously ...... **
Of course.
But games are an important part of life*, and cricket is one of the best.
*Watch a family of crows, if you don’t believe me.
Games are great.
Cricket is the most boring thing I have ever encountered. In the summer of 1981 I was in hospital for nearly 7 weeks. Apart from a royal wedding the only thing the tv was tuned to was cricket - Botham was doing something marvellous I'm told - and even after 6 weeks of it I could not make head or tail of it or find it remotely interesting.
Anyway, my son is teaching himself cooking from The Art of French Cooking. So tonight it is coq au vin, eaten outside, with the scent of my jasmine and pelargonium attar of roses. Bliss!
I suspect Smith will captain again. However we might feel about it.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit. The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
A Root relieved of the captaincy scoring big runs at no.3 would make that much less important.
Smith has six more months to go on his captaincy ban, but does Tim Paine have six months of goodwill ahead of the greater skill of Alex Carey? That's why I'm wondering if Dummins might step up for a short stint.
Sadly, I do not think Root is a number three. Particularly in an England team without genuine test openers.
But the person who IS a Test number three and England qualified is...?
Therein is the problem.
Of course.
If Hameed hadn’t blown up, we’d have one opener...
Number 3 is a seriously tough problem, though. We just don’t have anyone there... but better even Denly than Root, IMO.
Yougov now has them on 19% . Opinium gives them 15%. They fell back by circa 5% in 2017 and I expect something similar again with them ending up at circa 12%.
As you aren't exactly the LD's biggest fan you'll forgive me if I don't take your pessimistic ramblings too seriously. A year ago we'd have given anything for 15-19% and it's impossible to know for sure how the next two months will play.
I'm far from convinced Boris's coalition is anything other than a mile wide and an inch deep and with Corbyn's Labour Party struggling to shake off the torrent of negative coverage, there's still plenty of upside for the LDs.
Once No Deal becomes the only game in town, Corbyn's two-faced fence sitting will be brutally exposed and that will leave the LDs as the leading anti-No Deal Party and for many the key is stopping the catastrophe of a No Deal exit. Once that is stopped, we can have a sensible conversation about where we go from here and that may mean a second vote or it may not.
**.... runs and hides, while laughing uproariously ...... **
Of course.
But games are an important part of life*, and cricket is one of the best.
*Watch a family of crows, if you don’t believe me.
Games are great.
Cricket is the most boring thing I have ever encountered. In the summer of 1981 I was in hospital for nearly 7 weeks. Apart from a royal wedding the only thing the tv was tuned to was cricket - Botham was doing something marvellous I'm told - and even after 6 weeks of it I could not make head or tail of it or find it remotely interesting.
Anyway, my son is teaching himself cooking from The Art of French Cooking. So tonight it is coq au vin, eaten outside, with the scent of my jasmine and pelargonium attar of roses. Bliss!
You don’t have to like cricket, but it is a great game. I have friends who are colourblind, but we both appreciate B&W prints.
Cannelloni stuffed with spinach, nutmeg and cheese in a red wine, tomato, aubergine and caperberry sauce (plus various herbs) this evening....
So who gets dropped for the 4th test? Roy? Buttler? Woakes?
Depends if Anderson is fit. If he is then drop Roy, and someone else, and replace him with someone else.
As you can see I'm good at selection!
We don't need 6 bowlers
I agree. So I guess replace Woakes (who I don't think deserves to be dropped, but oh well) with Anderson (if he's fit), and Roy with someone who is batting well in county cricket (no idea who, I've been too busy watching the international game to have an opinion on that).
The trouble is there is so little red ball cricket in August it's impossible to say for sure who is in form. Sibley certainly has claims but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept the same team. I know it's hard to pick Roy again, but there's no obvious replacement and he has the potential to win a match on his own.
Come that pre Brexit election - which I fear won't - Labour WILL be Remain. It's how they can win it. The only way really.
Except they won't, the LDs can always out Remain Corbyn Labour now, especially as Corbyn has refused to rule out campaigning for a Labour Brexit Deal even if he does back EUref2 while the LDs have always committed to back Remain in all circumstances
Corbyns gonna do worse than Foot
200 Majority for Tories
Just like in 2017
On voteshare Corbyn will likely do worse than Foot but it won't be a 200 Tory majority, 30 to 50 more like.
While Boris has won back most Leavers who have defected to the Brexit Party, Corbyn has not won back most Remainers who have defected to the LDs
Your 2017 prediction was so far wide of the mark you should try to separate reality from wishful thinking for fear of disappointment,
I didn't make a 2017 prediction and certainly was not predicting a Tory landslide after the dementia tax disaster but even so the Tories did won most seats, 42% of the vote and May was re elected.
The LDs were also polling nowhere near as high then as they are now. When the 2017 general election was called for example Yougov had the LDs on just 12% compared to 20% now and those extra LD votes are mainly coming from Labour
Yougov now has them on 19% . Opinium gives them 15%. They fell back by circa 5% in 2017 and I expect something similar again with them ending up at circa 12%.
Do not underestimate Remain voters. They will vote Labour or Lib Dem according to which seat they are voting in. Very few seats are Lib-Lab or 3 pronged. Remainers are more politically astute.
The problem is that in may seats it can be hard to know who the challenger is:
For example, in Maidenhead the LDs are the traditional challenger but Labour came second last time 5k votes ahead of the LDs
Comments
And the convicts. Smith back, Starc also in?
Also..umpires need dropping. One had 7 decisions over-turned.
I wish I’d taken you upon your offer.
It's still not really a priority for me, but it's fun to learn a bit, and it will creep no doubt gradually up the list as I get older.
This summer is Stokes' good karma for missing an Ashes tour due to a pair of drunk, homophobic neanderthals abusing innocent, gay drinkers, headbutting Ben's fist and then complaining to the police.
There is a God.
We've already seen what happens when someone comes at him with a bottle. Imagine if the Queen comes at him with a sword!!
As you can see I'm good at selection!
Personally I would not deselect Hammond as he did vote for Brexit with a Deal even if he opposes No Deal, however I do back deselecting Grieve and Lee and Gyimah and Greening etc who voted against the Withdrawal Agreement and also refuse to back Brexit with No Deal too
“Ben Stokes did a fantastic job. When the 9th wicket fell he had to make 73 runs with only the number 11 - who obviously isn’t very good - left as a partner”
🤭😂😂
Am I being unfair?
As in the attached - https://twitter.com/Cyclefree2/status/1144855040210980864?s=20
* Obviously there were earlier let off, but with still a lot of runs required.
4th Test
On field umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Marais Erasmus.
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
5th Test
On field umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Marais Erasmus
TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge
Obviously Jezza would turn up with his ethnically sourced recycled A4 pad and a biro.
You could say three heroic efforts if you include Graham Dilley's batting.
And Chris Old chipped in nicely as well.
But because thanks almost entirely to Stokes something highly improbable happened, the necessary changes will not be made. Meanwhile Australia will surely bring in Starc and Smith for the next match in place of Pattinson and Khawaja. They could easily have been leading 3-0 and they're about to be strengthened. They are still hot favourites to win the series.
Roy for Foakes perhaps ?
The advantage of people who can't bat much but who have patience is that they don't get themselves out by playing overly aggressive shots.
Foakes for Butler makes more sense, although he's not been in great form this season. Pope might do better. Or Northeast perhaps.
After Edgbaston 1981, Willey, Old and Taylor didn't play again in the series.
After Old Trafford 1981 Gooch, Gower and Allott didn't play again in the series.
England 5.00 2.00 Back 23-Aug-19 14:09 8.00
England 2.94 2.00 Back 23-Aug-19 12:53 3.88
If the weather stays good then we'll get two results.
As the dust settles, you have to wonder what the Aussies were doing in the last 10 overs. Have they forgotten a ball called Yorker ? Yorkers are not very easy to hit for six. As well attacking Leach from round the wicket with Yorkers could have been far more productive.
Anyway, Paine is also captain because what Smith and Warner were upto. Shocking review and tactics.
But it has made the series more interesting !
And in any event, there were two heroic efforts - Stokes’ bowling in Australia’s second innings, and .... Stokes innings.
And did any team in test history make over five times their score in their second innings that they made in their first ?
I vaguely remember Italy once demanding to be part of the G5 by claiming they had the a bigger GDP than the UK.
When they were told no they then refused to go to the G7 as a protest.
Though that’s by no means a certainty.
https://twitter.com/NickMiller79/status/1165708711903604736?s=20
(As, no doubt, would KP....)
Then again I thought Root was totally hapless. Stokes and Leach have saved him and one or two others.
Root batted pretty well in the second innings... but agreed, his captaincy is more than a bit shit.
The danger is they give it to Stokes, and his form craters....
It's just a game.
**.... runs and hides, while laughing uproariously ...... **
Should be plenty of footage there...
But as an England coach, he was a dick.
Smith has six more months to go on his captaincy ban, but does Tim Paine have six months of goodwill ahead of the greater skill of Alex Carey? That's why I'm wondering if Dummins might step up for a short stint.
"The pair opened in 44 Test matches from 1990 to 1995 and totalled 2501 runs in their partnerships, at an excellent average of 56.84. Atherton and Gooch put on opening stands in excess of hundred on 7 occasions and crossed fifty 12 times."
Root is not as bad a captain as everyone makes out I think, certainly better on DRS than Tim Paine. Someone needs to tell him that quick bowling is bloody hard work though.
Particularly in an England team without genuine test openers.
But weaker against medium-fast swing bowlers like Terry Alderman.
Fearless against the West Indies pace attack, the former England batsman says playing was ‘easy’ but retirement left him drinking heavily and close to taking his own life
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/14/robin-smith-cricket-england-interview-donald-mcrae
But with Cook's retirement that run is ended and now we're baffled and bereft.
Therein is the problem.
That's just silly. That's not even a schoolboy howler because a schoolboy wouldn't make the error.
Before commenting on Smith's likely dip in form, please check his average as captain. You might be surprised. Australians (Taylor apart) don't suffer form dips as captain the way the English do.
But games are an important part of life*, and cricket is one of the best.
*Watch a family of crows, if you don’t believe me.
Cricket is the most boring thing I have ever encountered. In the summer of 1981 I was in hospital for nearly 7 weeks. Apart from a royal wedding the only thing the tv was tuned to was cricket - Botham was doing something marvellous I'm told - and even after 6 weeks of it I could not make head or tail of it or find it remotely interesting.
Anyway, my son is teaching himself cooking from The Art of French Cooking. So tonight it is coq au vin, eaten outside, with the scent of my jasmine and pelargonium attar of roses. Bliss!
If Hameed hadn’t blown up, we’d have one opener...
Number 3 is a seriously tough problem, though. We just don’t have anyone there... but better even Denly than Root, IMO.
I'm far from convinced Boris's coalition is anything other than a mile wide and an inch deep and with Corbyn's Labour Party struggling to shake off the torrent of negative coverage, there's still plenty of upside for the LDs.
Once No Deal becomes the only game in town, Corbyn's two-faced fence sitting will be brutally exposed and that will leave the LDs as the leading anti-No Deal Party and for many the key is stopping the catastrophe of a No Deal exit. Once that is stopped, we can have a sensible conversation about where we go from here and that may mean a second vote or it may not.
Cannelloni stuffed with spinach, nutmeg and cheese in a red wine, tomato, aubergine and caperberry sauce (plus various herbs) this evening....
For example, in Maidenhead the LDs are the traditional challenger but Labour came second last time 5k votes ahead of the LDs