Bazball works against medium pacers on flat pitches. Doesn't work against the top teams. England need a rethnk
Foakes is by far a better wk and his test average is only 2 or 3 less than Bairstow. Not exactly sure why he wasn’t picked!!
In the first instance it was to ensure they could fit Brooks and Bairstow in the same team. This test was the obvious chance to rectify this, but Stokes' injury means the side was imbalanced. FWIW (and think I stated this earlier on the thread) I'd pick my best wicketkeeper and then the best 6 batters. If JB is one of those 6 then so be it, but he's no longer a competent and reliable WK
You wonder where this team goes after this series. There are a lot of lads over 30 who you'd assume won't be around at the start of the next Ashes Series: Crawley (25) - good enough? Duckett (28) Pope (25) - question marks over his fitness Root (32) - premier class batter, will he still be around at 36? Brook (24) - probably be captain and ruined by the experience by 2027 Stokes (32) - will he knee hold up much longer? Bairstow (33) - does he have 4 years left in him? Moeen (36) - will be 40 and assume this is a temporary return to test cricket Woakes (34) - doubt he'll be playing at 38 Broad (37) - surely can't go on much longer Robinson (29) - fitness worries Anderson (40) - has to be his final series surely? Wood (33) - managed a handful of tests in recent years. Doubt he'll play much more Leach (32) - feasible, but unlikely Potts (24) - not convinced he's top level standard Tongue (25) - if he can stay fit, could be the leader of the attack Archer (28) - can't imagine he'll play another test Rehan (18) - could be the future IF he doesn't get consumed by white ball cricket I don't know the County scene like I used to - are there many players bubbling under the surface that could come through?
Pathetic. Not nearly there to hit, and just got away with one. Be really lucky to get 160 -170 here. Woakes will be bounced out very soon and Stokes looks knackered with all sorts.
In my opinion, both Ali and Woakes played brain dead shots knowing they might get out. Better off in the oavilion than facing good bowlers. Cowardice by Woakes particularly. Last over before lunch and a childish swipe like that.
Good while it lasted against mediocre teams. Baz ball can **** off now. Surely they have brains to suggest they can play somewhere between bazball and cautious.
They are a better team, particularly the bowlers. But in two and a half tests they have dropped maybe two catches and missed no stumpings. We have dropped FOURTEEN including ten sitters. That's the difference.
What makes this 10 times worse is that the Aussies aren't as good or anywhere near as good as Aussie teams of the past.
It's not just bazball. It's players not being good enough. They have hardly been attacking this morning, they have just childishly fell into easy traps .
They have good bowlers especially, but they obviously practice the basics. England's catching and ground fielding has been bottom or near bottom of the rankings for years. It is unforgiveable and can only come from lack of practice.
