And a last bit on the cricket. I had TMS on the radio today and Freddie Flintoff was being interviewed during tea. Fair play to him, when asked about Steve Smith, as well paying a fine tribute to his batting talent he said he'd carried the can (sandpaper gate) for many members of his team which made him the real leader. He pointed out the rather obvious fact (but mostly overlooked by cricket pundits) that it is not possible for a Captain (non bowler) and the 2 opening batsmen (also non bowlers) to be altering the condition of the ball without the bowlers knowledge/agreement.
As ive said previously Chan, I am of the opinion that Smiffy is the Captain of this side in all but name, I just feel that the Aussie board couldn't give it to him because of sandpaper-gate. I sort of feel for the bloke as I think he was still a bit young in his head at that time but boy he's definitely grown up now hasn't he...!?!?
Yes he is the de facto skipper Red. Interesting that Paine and the the team fell apart at Headingley when he wasn't on the pitch. Incredible batsmen although the coaching manual would tell you he does it all wrong. I remember reading that the great Sir Viv was dismissed in his early years by an MCC coaching report because he hit across the line too much. He wasn't bad either.
At the risk of going on Ben Foakes has a better test match batting technique than Bairstow too which makes his omission all the more baffling. Rearranged deckchairs on the Titanic not working too well. But we still have Stokes. 12.20 edit: not anymore.
Great composure from Sterling there to seize on the mistake and set up Kane. He is light years in front of the player he was (and I slated) a few years back.
Annual rant so apologies. The Great North Run. Done it twice, the worst of it's kind by a country mile.
Well done Cyc. Aussies deserved to retain the Ashes. Headingley was thrilling but one man's brilliance temporarily papered over some huge cracks in the home test team. I'm not sure Jack Leach is test standard but unlike some of the alleged England batters he doesn't lack in the cojones department.
Yep well done Australia, utterly dominant in this test. Many English batsmen missing experience, not playing enough county cricket where you learn the longer game mentality. Cricket unfortunately driven increasingly by the 50 and 20 over format.
Agree regarding the mental side but the shorter formats just don't breed the batting technique required of a test batter either. Roy the obvious example. He goes far too hard at the ball because he's used to thrashing the ball all over the park and getting value for thick edges. A quality test match batter doesnt get bowled that often.
Root and Bairstow have hardly played for Yorkshire the last 3-5 years. Seriously lacking match practice in the 2-innings arena.
A sporting acknowledgement from the forum. To be frank, I don't think there was too much of a difference between the teams. Maybe Australia has a slight edge in the speed department, but if we're going to fair about this, Steve Smith was the deciding factor in this Ashes series. If he'd been playing for England, the shoe would have been on the other foot.
Brexit no longer the big story of the day. The Cowley's have gone to Huddersfield. Sacre blue Marlene . They turned down Sheff Wed and West Brom apparently but succumbed to the lure of the Terriers and their parachute payments. Bastards! (Terriers not the Cowley's). Very sad day for Imps fans but was only a matter of time. Good guys and have done a huge amount for Lincoln City in 3 and a bit years: promotion back to the Football league, reached 1/4 final of the FA Cup as non league team, Checkatrade Trophy winners (a truly magic day that was), League 2 Champs and have started well in League 1. The last time we had it this good was 1977 under a certain Graham Taylor. His head was turned by Elton John and bloody Watford. We sunk without trace once he left. Looking forward to another decent run in the 2060s. I'll be 90 odd plus a fair bit of change.
Chan, I just hope that they make good on their obvious talent for managing a football team and don't get swamped by this constant need to sack a manager after 10minutes in the job. Fair to say some deserve to be sacked when they are but quite a few that are haven't even settled in and got their feet under the table... Good luck to them I say...
After a nurse working at Georges Pompidou Hospital leaked information that Michael Schumacher has been revived from his coma after stem cell therapy, FIA President Jean Todt has since confirmed the news. Fingers crossed for the champ's recovery.
Solheim Cup viewing spoiled by totally contrived 'atmosphere' on first tee. Just let the lasses play. If it's a close game the crowd will provide the atmosphere. No need for all the bullshit. #miserableolgit
Just returned from the Solheim Cup - this time as a spectator rather than volunteer. It was a nail biting finish but Team Europe pulled it out of the bag on the last put of the match.
Must be some sort of record in the Yorkshire v Kent cricket match. Yorkshire had Kent on the ropes at 39 for 5 and then Kent put on 346 for the sixth wicket.
