***Official*** 3rd Test at the WACA

[oblongballs]

I don't have a strong opinion on his captaincy, but do wonder about the strategy of just picking the best batsman as Captain. My guess is it is having some impact on his form. There doesn't seem an obvious alternative anyway. He's relatively young and I'm not sure he should have been burdened with it quite when it did.

It's more than simply picking the best bat. The ECB clearly highlighted something in him, maybe some tactical nous or locker room respect had bred him for the role for almost 2 years. The problem is, the moment he became captain there was a certain level of negativity visible. Most pertinent was dropping him to four to "shield him" or some such. Was that his want or the ECB? The field settings and utilisation of players that followed was also quite defensive, much like a Cook Mark II.

However, it would be pretty brutal to drop him as captain after only one series loss and he is learning on the job. Plus we also have to put his lack of batting form in context. He was very good in the home summer but like a lot of these players, he has failed to play well in Australia, which isnt exactly unusual for an Englishman.

 

[TNT]

The biggest difference between the two sides has been Steven Smith. Where Root has been dire, Smith has been unbelievable. Taking Smith out of the picture and looking at the rest of the batting, England's top 5 have been collectively better than, or at least on a par with Australia's top 5. But Smith is like an extra batsman right now. He's so unbelievably good and it must be so soul crushing to try and bowl to him, wondering how you can possibly get him out.

Sort of stretching a bit there. Warner 49.....Bancroft 31.....Khawaja 33......SMarsh 74.....Stoneman 32.....Cook 14.....Vince 30.....Root 29......Malan 50......England have 4 of the lowest 5 averages.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Swann was the only one who said a Root captaincy was a mistake. He said he didn't want his form to suffer, and wanted him to remain ''the cheeky chappy''. He might be a colossal prat but Swann has been somewhat vindicated here.

 

[Woodster]

Swann was the only one who said a Root captaincy was a mistake. He said he didn't want his form to suffer, and wanted him to remain ''the cheeky chappy''. He might be a colossal prat but Swann has been somewhat vindicated here.

It's very early days to say Root should never have been handed the captaincy! Our options have been highlighted above, there are very few, almost no alternatives other than Root. That said, he is our best batsmen and one of the last players we should sacrifice, but I don't personally think that's the case. He has been earmarked for quite a while and his batting may have suffered short-term but I'm sure he'll overcome this setback and manage to balance everything that comes with captaincy.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Root's batting has shown no signs of declining due to captaincy, come on. He's having a bad series but he had an excellent home summer.

 

[TNT]

Root although a bit of a pansy is always compared to the best two batsmen in the game, he is the third or fourth or fifth best batsman in the world. Thats not bad really.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

I think we all knew this was going to happen...even the most loyal English supporter would have had the realistic notion at the back of their minds that England were going to get smashed. England beating a useless WI side and a absolutely out-of form depleted saffer team prior to the tour to OZ was not going to be an indication of things to come. Some things have to change....Against quality fast bowling Cook has lost his touch and should rather be moved down the batting order to face the older ball and tired bowlers, Ginger Bairstow must give up the gloves and move up the order, a young gloveman should be given the chance for the long term,the Mo Ali selection must be re evaluated is he a batsmen or a bowler? with it rather be wiser to play a specialist spinner who can bat, maybe a Rashid or anyone else,Mark Wood must be taken care of and given some backing,English scouts have to find a young tear away fast bowler with pace(there has to be a young lad somewhere) and give him a go. As for Aus at home they look invincible and its hard to see anyone beating them in the near future

 

[Woodster]

Root although a bit of a pansy is always compared to the best two batsmen in the game, he is the third or fourth or fifth best batsman in the world. Thats not bad really.

A bit of a pansy ??

 

[S.Kennedy]

A bit of a pansy ??

Not a ''gimlet-eyed Aussie sledger'' he means.

 

[TNT]

A bit of a pansy ??

Alright a massive pansy.

 

[TNT]

Not a ''gimlet-eyed Aussie sledger'' he means.

I dont think he sledges the Aussies, not with Warner in the side anyway.

 

[Woodster]

Alright a massive pansy.

I dont think he sledges the Aussies, not with Warner in the side anyway.

Back to the playground stuff then.

 

[TNT]

Back to the playground stuff then.

Lighten up

 

[Woodster]

Lighten up

You lose a series 3-0 then try and lighten up! It isn't easy!

 

[Anil]

well done aussies, that was a comprehensive thrashing indeed! congrats on taking back the urn!

 

[ImpatientLime]

Alright a massive pansy.

lel you've got a literal skinnyfat, 4chan poster leading the team you follow ffs.

 

[TNT]

lel you've got a literal skinnyfat, 4chan poster leading the team you follow ffs.

No fricken idea what this means but just in case you asking me if I want a beer the answer is yes.

 

[GIMH]

I agree with Pothas, least deflated I've ever felt about an Ashes loss. In 06-07 I had delusions that we could retain, and last time out I think everyone thought we had least had a chance.

Would be nice to grab a win in one of the last two, like we used to in the old days.

 

[Gob]

I agree with Pothas, least deflated I've ever felt about an Ashes loss. In 06-07 I had delusions that we could retain, and last time out I think everyone thought we had least had a chance.

Would be nice to grab a win in one of the last two, like we used to in the old days.

Why on earth would you have that? That was arguably the greatest Aust side ever

 

[andruid]

I agree with Pothas, least deflated I've ever felt about an Ashes loss. In 06-07 I had delusions that we could retain, and last time out I think everyone thought we had least had a chance.

Would be nice to grab a win in one of the last two, like we used to in the old days.

I on the other hand have never ever been so fascinated by how comprehensive a beat down 06-07 turned out to be. I mean revenge was in the air but that was epic