Never ever thought I'd see anything like this, at Lords too! Stokes really is something else.............
The Aussies don't do themselves any favours. If the boot had been on the other foot there'd have been a letter to Rishi Sunak saying 'only one side out there is playing cricket and it's not England'. David Frith's book 'Bodyline Autopsy' is a good read and though he denigrates Jardine he does put in perspective the Bodyline Series versus the sort of short paced bowling that especially England faced in the mid'70s from Roberts, Holding etc.. He mentions that while the Aussies could only whinge in '32-33 the English batsmen took it again and again. I like Australians and they're good company... if things are going their way BUt if they're up against it the don't like it much. Bring back Harold Larwood for Headinngly I say.
Yes, Bustino, but it’s all a question of perspective. Stokes’ comment that he “wouldn’t like to win that way” re.Bairstow’s dismissal looks a bit rich when you think of the 2019 Limited Overs win against New Zealand. The blacks had to face an extra run given by the umpire; Stokes getting an extra four runs by deflecting the ball to the boundary; and then the ignominy of losing the one over shoot out with a stupid dreamt up rule of the most boundaries wins the match. Without doubt the most ridiculous and unluckiest defeat in history. I didn’t hear Stokes or anybody ruing that verdict. If grace and fair play had anything to do with it, the trophy should have been given to New Zealand. In fact, if that had happened say in Peter May’s days as England’s captain, he would have been embarrassed to accept the win. Personally I feel that a ‘shared trophy’ would have shown real grace and character. But we live in different times now, don’t we? Just a ‘win at all costs’ s-ite of a society!
The difference is that one was an accident and the other wasn’t. Comparing the two for me is very unfair and not constructive. Yesterday showed two things, Australia have a win at all cost mentality (who knew) and that England need to get closer to that mentality if they are going to salvage anything from the series. I just hope we don’t get any washouts in the final three tests. I think it’s going to get very aggressive and compelling as a result.
Totally agree. Yesterday’s nonsense should not mask the fact that England have had very good opportunities in both Tests to hammer home their advantage. They have failed to do so through a combination of poor selection (no proper wicketkeeper) and one dimensional kamikaze approach to batting when a change of gear would have sufficed and snuffed out any chance of an Aussie win.
Nass, no, I’m not buying that. I was just highlighting that, when England do it, it’s OK. And that Stokes lives in a glass house. Imagine the uproar if the boot had been on the other foot in that New Zealand match! Also, I remember Strauss sending drinks out three times to run the clock down and prevent India getting the required target. For me to say that England have that same ‘mentality of winning at all costs’ is a fact. Being constructive has nothing to do with it. ‘Gentlemen are a rarity in sport ‘ is another way of putting it. I find it sickening that gamesmanship is the name of the game.
Might as well forget BBC1 and BBC2 for a few days. Tennis - tennis - tennis, and more flipping tennis. Will have to see what the ITV channels have to offer for a while, they have a few decent programmes. The advert pauses are sometimes irritating, but one at least has time to go for a 'jimmy widdle', and then replenish the old coffee cup.
This is utterly ridiculous. Yes, the rule about boundaries is ridiculous, but both teams knew them going into the tournament. To try and use that as leverage against England not playing fair is totally disingenuous. Ben Stokes was not trying to gain any advantage when the ball hit his bat and raced to the boundary. He didnt move his bat towards the ball, the fielding team should have taken more care with their throw. However, it was an unfortunate incident and that's it. It happens occasionally. What Australia done goes against the spirit of Cricket. Bairstow left his foot in the crease for a second to show he believed the ball was dead and the umpire was ready to hand the bowlers clothing back to him. For Carey to then hrow the bell at the stumps was a blatant attempts at playing dirty to win at any cost. I've played and watched cricket for 30 years, it's the first time I've seen an incident like that. Cummings should have withdrawn the appeal. I believe Stokes would have done in the same position. Are you Scottish, by any chance?
Its not the first time Australia have shown that they have the "win at all costs" and by "fair means or foul" mentality in sport
Scottish? Nae, I’m a fun loving, lovely Lancastrian of part Irish descent. Yes, I can be outspoken and cynical. My overall point was that the “spirit of the game” has mostly disappeared in sport and that England aren’t whiter than white in that aspect. Full stop. By the way, Saff, the excessive bouncer bowling by both sides was utterly boring.
Why are they carrying out these, often boring, interviews on the the court after every match. It is extremely tiresome.
Because I'm a sad old git. Not watching much (flipping between Tdf and tennis mid-afternoon) but noticed they've introduced something that only used to take place at the Singles Finals.
Just seen England's squad for the third Test. Immediate reaction was "what on earth has Harry Brook done to bat at No.3, let alone be in the batting lineup at all? He was just awful in the second Test. Enlighten me, oh cricket experts. Thank you!
We definitely aren’t whiter than white, but, I don’t see us crossing that line, like the Aussies. I fully agree about the short bowling. Thankfully the next game is at Headingley. It’s the one wicket where you need to bowling on a full length or you’ll be clobbered all over the ground.
