Ashes Down Under 2013/14

[Navman]

I haven't engaged with this series at all

 

Has it been of a really poor standard?

 

England look spent - are there any good players they can call on?

[stringvest]

Didn't listen to the interviews - couldn't bring myself to listen to his crap. Truly shocking effort against a very ordinary (but better than us) side. I've seen more backbone in a Slayers Steak and Kidney pie.

 

[Navman]

Australia are impressive but having said that they were thrashed by India recently

 

I only rate SA at the moment in test cricket as all the other teams can't do much away from home

[Jairzinho]

Cook's voice makes me want to behead a swan. Or Graeme Swann.

[Jairzinho]

I haven't engaged with this series at all

 

Has it been of a really poor standard?

 

England look spent - are there any good players they can call on?

 

Well, from us, yeah.

 

As for players we can call on, no, not really. The make up of our squad screams of arrogance. They thought we'd batter the Aussies and have no need to change things at any point, maybe even blood some youngsters if we had the series sewn up after three or four tests.

[Hades]

What the fuck has happened to Graeme Swann? From brilliant combination of strike rate and economy to pie chucker in 6 months.

[Jairzinho]

People are taking him on.

 

I think that has been the single biggest change. Batsman have suddenly thought, "he only turns the ball one way, and if I hit a couple of boundaries Cook will put everyone on the fence".

[Navman]

Well, from us, yeah.

 

As for players we can call on, no, not really. The make up of our squad screams of arrogance. They thought we'd batter the Aussies and have no need to change things at any point, maybe even blood some youngsters if we had the series sewn up after three or four tests.

Cheers

 

Well it will be 5 - 0

 

I think Flower will move on (IPL) and England will get a more progressive coach like Stephen Fleming (and a better bowling coach than Saker)

 

I met Cook once. He is a very nice bloke, although he did mention that if he got an offer he would off to the IPL in a flash

 

I think it would good to shake up the bowling for England - perhaps Rankin and Finn for Perth

[Jairzinho]

Cheers

 

Well it will be 5 - 0

 

I think Flower will move on (IPL) and England will get a more progressive coach like Stephen Fleming (and a better bowling coach than Saker)

 

I met Cook once. He is a very nice bloke, although he did mention that if he got an offer he would off to the IPL in a flash

 

I think it would good to shake up the bowling for England - perhaps Rankin and Finn for Perth

 

I'd love Stephen Fleming (best cricket autobiography bar none...Brearley and Atherton's are close) to be in charge, but it'll be Ashley fucking Giles, the king of contain.

 

Was Cook a really boring cunt? He certainly seems like one.

 

I could see the sense in picking Rankin and Finn. I'd drop Swann and Anderson. Swann needs a kick up the arse, and if the pitch isn't green and its overcast, there isn't any point picking Anderson. Don't rate Rankin much though. Ah well.

[A_S]

I'd love Stephen Fleming (best cricket autobiography bar none...Brearley and Atherton's are close) to be in charge, but it'll be Ashley fucking Giles, the king of contain.

 

Was Cook a really boring cunt? He certainly seems like one.

 

I could see the sense in picking Rankin and Finn. I'd drop Swann and Anderson. Swann needs a kick up the arse, and if the pitch isn't green and its overcast, there isn't any point picking Anderson. Don't rate Rankin much though. Ah well.

 

I'd have thought Finn is an absolute must for Perth.

[Stickman]

This must be bringing tears to Onions eyes....tears of laughter and that is for the way the selectors have treated him....not saying he would have changed things but he was the bowler in form and as Jairziinho mentioned it smacked of the arrogance of the way this squad was put together.

And what the fuck is it with all these hook shots? That just gives the impression that they don't like the short stuff, you're trying to save the game then that is the last shot you should be trying to do when your in deep shit.

[Like it Is]

Prior and Root were better in this test but some of the senior players have got to find their mojo quick.Gonna be interesting to see if Bresnan or Finn play in Perth.

[Guest LFD]

Why were the England batsman so aggressive on that final day when it had been raining and the only chance England had of saving the match was batting time and hoping it would rain again.

 

Broad hooking two balls in the first over - the second one getting him out.

 

Prior being really aggressive -getting out!

 

Stupid.

[The Golden Eel]

Prior and Broad can't really occupy without scoring, it's not their game.  While England have a strong lower order generally (less so without Bresnan obviously), it's an attacking lower order.  Bresnan is the most patient lower order player who can be considered to have batting

[Jairzinho]

The whole lower order are just a gang of sloggers really. Infact, ironically, it's probably only 10 and 11 (in this game anyway) that tried to stick out. That were willing to wear one for the team, rather than edge a few fours and then chip one to square leg.

 

The application from Broad and Swann, especially, with the bat, has been fairly pathetic for a while. Shame with Broad as technically he's a pretty good bat.

 

Its a shithouse tactic when you're scared of the short ball.

 

It isn't a strong lower order at all. I've no idea where that myth has come from, or why we've allowed it to continue.

[Yozzer]

Let's be honest, Broad is a bit of a twat; it shows in his batting. Instead of applying himself he'd rather just have a bit of a slog. It's pure arrogance.

[The Golden Eel]

I'd say most of them are twats and that English cricketers in general always have had a bit of that about them

[Jairzinho]

Very few people in the side I like.

 

Carberry and Bresnan (when he's back). Maybe Bell.

 

Broad is a twat no doubt, and I fear that he'll be the next test captain (the options are so depressing). In his defence, he's taken the stick from the Aussies quite well in this series. I expected him to either burst into tears or channel his aggression towards bowling a load of short rubbish.

[Guest LFD]

Very few people in the side I like.

 

Carberry and Bresnan (when he's back). Maybe Bell.

 

Agreed, although I'd add Cook and Root.

[The Golden Eel]

I don't mind Cook, he's just dull.  Root though, can't warm to him at all

[Jairzinho]

 Root though, can't warm to him at all

 

Looks the sort that would gob off at school then hide behind his bigger mates when someone took him to task. Snivelling.

[Yozzer]

Just realised LFD has negged my Ron Swanson GIF.

 

Shit just got serious. That's Ron motherfucking Swanson you've insulted.

[A_S]

I'd say part of Root handling the short stuff well is the fact that he doesn't get sucked into responding to the chat, which is exactly what Johnson and co want him to do. Regardless of the result, this tour will be invaluable for him and he looks to be learning quickly. Carberry has actually been solid so far too, yet these were the two with the biggest question marks hanging over them coming into this tour.

[Yozzer]

I'd say part of Root handling the short stuff well is the fact that he doesn't get sucked into responding to the chat, which is exactly what Johnson and co want him to do. Regardless of the result, this tour will be invaluable for him and he looks to be learning quickly. Carberry has actually been solid so far too, yet these were the two with the biggest question marks hanging over them coming into this tour.

 

The bit where Root smiled after a short one and then Johnson gave an exaggerated smile back was great.

[Guest LFD]

Just realised LFD has negged my Ron Swanson GIF.

 

Shit just got serious. That's Ron motherfucking Swanson you've insulted.

 

Everyone keeps posting gifs of him on here.