Off Topic The Ashes

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Astoundingly bad.

Insightful point made by Steve Finn in that article, BB:

However, Steven Finn, who has played in three Ashes-winning series, questioned whether Silverwood's role as head coach and chief selector was the right model going forward.

"It is an interesting position," Finn said on BBC Test Match Special. "It is a lot of responsibility for one person to take.

"From a player's perspective too I think when you're looking at a coach you want to see him as a confidant and be able to approach him if you're not in the greatest of form and say 'coach I'm in a hole, and I want to get out of it, can you help me?'."
 
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SAFCDRUM said:
Should have gone all out to get Gillespie. Proven we do better under foreign coach, Fletcher, Flower...
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Gillespie would have taken the job at the time Bayliss took it, but I think he wanted to go home by the time it came up.

As for being foreign, I'm not fussed. As long as they are independent in mind and will stand up to the ECB and others when necessary, a la Fletcher.

Silverwood got the job on attendance, as did his boss, Giles. Blazers looking after Blazers. The old guard looking after the old guard.
 
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rowley said:
Gillespie would have taken the job at the time Bayliss took it, but I think he wanted to go home by the time it came up.

As for being foreign, I'm not fussed. As long as they are independent in mind and will stand up to the ECB and others when necessary, a la Fletcher.

Silverwood got the job on attendance, as did his boss, Giles. Blazers looking after Blazers. The old guard looking after the old guard.
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About effective as the F.A. are in football
 
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There is one saving grace in this sinful abomination.

Thousands of fans will have saved thousands of pounds not following cricketers, who mostly look as if they would rather be anywhere else in the world.

There is more spine in an amoeba. The worse team in my memory, going back to the sixties, and the most reluctant looking team of any nation ever to take the field.

They should be sent home now and finish the tour with a scratch LIONS team.

There really is nothing wrong with getting beat by a better team. Especially away and especially given the complete lack of prep, matches and prior cricket, ( which of course should have had the ECB insist on a delay to the tour anyway, but of course that would hit their personal pockets).

But this weak and feeble surrender will live in the memory and will end some test and international careers .

Most of them clearly didn't want to go , and it showed through with blinding clarity.
 
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I still think that the way that central contracts work actually works against us. We give you a central contract and then we don't let you play for your county, certainly not in the 4 day games - you play test cricket but arrive undercooked because you haven't played for your county. Rinse and repeat.

When was the last time Jos Buttler played red ball cricket for Lancashire? I'm fairly sure that he didn't play last season at all.
 
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Riever said:
I still think that the way that central contracts work actually works against us. We give you a central contract and then we don't let you play for your county, certainly not in the 4 day games - you play test cricket but arrive undercooked because you haven't played for your county. Rinse and repeat.

When was the last time Jos Buttler played red ball cricket for Lancashire? I'm fairly sure that he didn't play last season at all.
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Yes. I think you're right. It was a good idea and still is, but way too much control is exercised. The batsmen particularly can afford to play much more than they do, and even some of the quicker bowlers should be playing more.

That said, the IPL is there, and the players want their cash.This terrible time has been coming, and just at the time we needed strong and decisive keadership, we have Giles and Silverwood

A perfect storm of failure.
 
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Riever said:
I still think that the way that central contracts work actually works against us. We give you a central contract and then we don't let you play for your county, certainly not in the 4 day games - you play test cricket but arrive undercooked because you haven't played for your county. Rinse and repeat.

When was the last time Jos Buttler played red ball cricket for Lancashire? I'm fairly sure that he didn't play last season at all.
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If used correctly, central contracts work for the team rather than against it. Before they were brought in players would play a 5 day test, then appear the next day for their counties. There was no rest or recuperation. Problem is that it's gone too far the other way and test players almost never play County Championship - the schedule doesn't help like, neither does the ECB's obsession with this ridiculous "100" competition
 
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Just a little note to calm the fury of us cricket lovers, as we have watched the meekest and most pathetic surrender in test cricket history:

The England and Wales Cricket Board's main executive staff collected a £2.1m bonus this year.

The same year that the test team has had the worst run in it's very long history, broke numerous records of shame on a tour that should not have taken place, and found itself apologising to a known racist, ex Yorkshire cricketer, for something he said had happened.

Nice work if you can get it. I assume other, similar rewards were handed out to the rest of the useless, wage stealing ranks of the biggest , ( and clearly the worst) cricket organisation in the world.
 
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Just found out one of my mates drove over 2000 miles across Australia to watch the game. Had tickets for days 3 & 4 at the MCG! Spent £2k he’s saved for 2 years since moving over there to watch an hour of cricket!! I feel bad for staying up to watch that ****e with minimal hope!!!
 
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marcusblackcat said:
Just found out one of my mates drove over 2000 miles across Australia to watch the game. Had tickets for days 3 & 4 at the MCG! Spent £2k he’s saved for 2 years since moving over there to watch an hour of cricket!! I feel bad for staying up to watch that ****e with minimal hope!!!
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2k, i hope that's aussie dollars not pounds or he got ripped off or stayed in fancy digs. Where was he travelling from?

Have to ask as well who would travel 2000 miles for days 3 and 4 of a test match given the way this series has gone
 
Ozzymac said:
2k, i hope that's aussie dollars not pounds or he got ripped off or stayed in fancy digs. Where was he travelling from?

Have to ask as well who would travel 2000 miles for days 3 and 4 of a test match given the way this series has gone
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Perth mate. Drove it but is staying in Melbourne for the week. £2k English he spent on it (so he told me anyhow). Probably is staying in fancy digs too as he likes his luxuries!!

He’s been in Aus for a couple of years and it’s always been a dream of his to watch an Ashes test at the MCG. Could only get time off for the last 3 days and thought most tests don’t last 5!! He’s seemingly enjoying himself in Melbourne now mind
 
marcusblackcat said:
Perth mate. Drove it but is staying in Melbourne for the week. £2k English he spent on it (so he told me anyhow). Probably is staying in fancy digs too as he likes his luxuries!!

He’s been in Aus for a couple of years and it’s always been a dream of his to watch an Ashes test at the MCG. Could only get time off for the last 3 days and thought most tests don’t last 5!! He’s seemingly enjoying himself in Melbourne now mind
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Jesus, drove it? I got the train from Sydney to Perth and that took 4 days.
 
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marcusblackcat said:
Perth mate. Drove it but is staying in Melbourne for the week. £2k English he spent on it (so he told me anyhow). Probably is staying in fancy digs too as he likes his luxuries!!

He’s been in Aus for a couple of years and it’s always been a dream of his to watch an Ashes test at the MCG. Could only get time off for the last 3 days and thought most tests don’t last 5!! He’s seemingly enjoying himself in Melbourne now mind
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Glad he's enjoying himself. Wonder if he'll need to quarantine for 14 days once he crosses back over the border as Victoria is considered extreme risk by the WA government
 
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marcusblackcat said:
No idea mate. Likely though all things considered!
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Bloody confusing border restrictions going back to WA. The way it reads he'll have to self quantine for 14 days at his own expense (government approved facility) no more than 200km from his entry point. ****ing hope not as there's bugger all aroung Eucla and 200km west
 
Ozzymac said:
Bloody confusing border restrictions going back to WA. The way it reads he'll have to self quantine for 14 days at his own expense (government approved facility) no more than 200km from his entry point. ****ing hope not as there's bugger all aroung Eucla and 200km west
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Wonder if that’s why it cost so much!! My brother in law lives 9 minutes drive from theMCG! I’m determined toget over there one year for the test!!
 
marcusblackcat said:
Wonder if that’s why it cost so much!! My brother in law lives 9 minutes drive from theMCG! I’m determined toget over there one year for the test!!
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Great experience for sure.

Interesting that the WA thing applies to returning residents as well.

Cost of fuel for him would have been around 300 pound each way, accommodation xmas period wouldn't have been cheap add tickets and meals etc.

If he has to fund his own 14 day quarantine then that's going to add a fair whack on top of the overall cost
 
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