A quick thanks to the England batters. At 60odd for 0, I was starting to feel almost hopeful. Fortunately they quickly reverted to type and everything is back to normal.
EDIT: 107-7. That'll do. Eurosport for some skiing instead. Stick a fork in this game. Its done.
A quick thanks to the England batters. At 60odd for 0, I was starting to feel almost hopeful. Fortunately they quickly reverted to type and everything is back to normal.
EDIT: 107-7. That'll do. Eurosport for some skiing instead. Stick a fork in this game. Its done.
I looked at the score at 8am and thought "this could be on" checked just now and saw it was all over!
I can forgive (slightly at least) two of todays wickets. Malan's head is probably else where at the moment as his OH has just dropped 6 weeks early, and Root received a ball that just didn't bounce.
The rest? From 68-0 to 124 All Out. Poor. Very, very poor.
The two bowled and the caught behind off Green that I saw were just good balls. He was getting it moving brilliantly and late, just the right amount to get an edge.
Once Stokes went while trying to increase the run rate in a T20 innings, I went out to walk the dogs, fully expecting what happened.
So did anyone come away from that tour with any credit? It's a struggle to offer any names. I guess today's finish was a fitting end to the whole sorry saga.
So did anyone come away from that tour with any credit? It's a struggle to offer any names. I guess today's finish was a fitting end to the whole sorry saga.
So did anyone come away from that tour with any credit? It's a struggle to offer any names. I guess today's finish was a fitting end to the whole sorry saga.
Wood and Broad?
Anderson and Robinson both had good figures
Crawley did better than expected so could be described as coming away with credit
How in God's name can players be in the control of the ECB for 7 weeks and put on weight???
Giles, Silverwood and Root should have the decency to stand down
They were hoping to play 25 days of test cricket, but in reality managed about 12. Presumably they sat around feeling sorry for themselves in their semi-quarantined state the rest of the time, ordering room service.
I find it odd to think that the only reason England didn't win was that the tactics/team selection was wrong. England were not going to win with any team selection.
I find it odd to think that the only reason England didn't win was that the tactics/team selection was wrong. England were not going to win with any team selection.
Not sure anyone is saying it was the only reason.
I'll stand by my original statement before the first test that you pick your best squad. Leaving out Anderson and Broad wasn't playing the best team. That said, the batting was far more of an issue than the bowling. Who could of been picked instead? Honestly no clue. Don't follow the County Champs enough to know who's who.
I find it odd to think that the only reason England didn't win was that the tactics/team selection was wrong. England were not going to win with any team selection.
I (and I assume others) think that with better leadership/tactics/selection they would have performed to their abilities and returned home with their pride and dignity intact
Pity the optimism only lasted briefly. Rather good batting from the Aussies utterly negated the England bowling attack. It was looking quite good after the first few overs as well. Then it went horribly wrong.
Bad day for cricket lovers, particularly Aussies with the death of Shane Warne and Rodney Marsh. Warne was a bit of a shock, only a few years older than me.
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EDIT: 107-7. That'll do. Eurosport for some skiing instead. Stick a fork in this game. Its done.
The rest? From 68-0 to 124 All Out. Poor. Very, very poor.
Once Stokes went while trying to increase the run rate in a T20 innings, I went out to walk the dogs, fully expecting what happened.
Crawley did better than expected so could be described as coming away with credit
Bairstow.
Other than that Archer, Foakes and Crane
Giles, Silverwood and Root should have the decency to stand down
Presumably they sat around feeling sorry for themselves in their semi-quarantined state the rest of the time, ordering room service.
I'll stand by my original statement before the first test that you pick your best squad. Leaving out Anderson and Broad wasn't playing the best team.
That said, the batting was far more of an issue than the bowling. Who could of been picked instead? Honestly no clue. Don't follow the County Champs enough to know who's who.
We'd still have lost because the batters failed, but would have been more fun.
Warnie was proof positive that a pack of Benson & Hedges and a can of baked beans is indeed the breakfeast of champions.
England batting collapse pretty spectacular today.
Pakistan managed a far more impressive collapse yesterday.
After cruising along at 248 for 3, they lost their last 7 wickets for just 20.