Some arrogance is good for individual Sportsmen. But Stokes and McCallum are totally intransigent. They will not admit they are wrong. Not playing a couple of competitive games before the Test was ridiculous. Playing shots that get you out in Australian conditions is just pig headed.
What an unlikeable, arrogant bunch the management are. Not just McCullum, who’s a real tosser, but Key, Stokes & Brook all come across as very much up themselves. English cricket has funded a very expensive 3.5 year campaign that all led to a way to an away win the Ashes. These players / management have had the best of everything- huge contracts, first class travel & hotels, the lot. If we can’t expect humility, the least we can expect is the great game not being treated like 2 days of baseball.
Both Stokes and Mc Callum are really irritating me now. They will not bend or agree that they got it wrong. Their answer to our problem is to go harder in the same vein. Key is big mates with Zac Crawley’s Dad. It explains why he keeps on getting picked. Stokes at the start of the Test calling out Vaughan as a has been was disrespectful and wrong. England seem to be digging themselves into a hole. I can only see them losing 5-0.
McCullum’s post match comments suggest to me he’s more interested in “building his brand” for the lucrative franchise contracts that will follow when he’s fired. I have thought for some time now - since the New Zealand away series - that he’s doing enormous damage to England Test cricket. Under Baz ball we only bully the minnows at home - his record against the big boys incl away is poor.
Golf clubs. I don't put much store by things posted on social media. But if true (and I wouldn't mind seeing a video to verify) that is a disgrace.
Former England coach Paul Farbrace was interesting on the radio yesterday. Although I disagree with him, he said “Team Baz” are now all in on this strategy & won’t change come what may . He also thought Crawley would get all 5 Tests regardless of scores In his opinion it’s death or glory for this lot now - either they bring home the Ashes urn, or their P45s
The cynic in me …and I could be wrong here …suggests that you are not necessarily a fan of cricket, but are you casting your net further afield in the search of arguments
There is going to be a big outcry in the Press and by England fans if we get walloped in the 2nd Test.
