Road to the Ashes 2021/22

[GIMH]

Stokes keeps finding reasons to not tour here.

Hmm, not sure this is a great take in relation to this time round mate.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

He missed the last Ashes tour due to being wrongly accused of a crime.

 

[stephen]

Hmm, not sure this is a great take in relation to this time round mate.

There's a reason I chose the term "reasons" and not "excuses". I wasn't attacking his character, just pointing out that he will be the most prolific Englishman in recent years to have barely played a test in Australia.

 

[stephen]

He missed the last Ashes tour due to being wrongly accused of a crime.

Being acquitted doesn't mean he was wrongly accused. We all saw the footage.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I think Lillian Thomson was joking

 

[GIMH]

There's a reason I chose the term "reasons" and not "excuses". I wasn't attacking his character, just pointing out that he will be the most prolific Englishman in recent years to have barely played a test in Australia.

He played a few in 13-14 minutes though

 

[TheJediBrah]

Remarkable WACA ton in only his second Test IIRC. Knew from then he would be special




and also good cricket

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Remarkable WACA ton in only his second Test IIRC. Knew from then he would be special

I didn't really appreciate that innings at the time. Partly because it was overshadowed by the complete unravelling of the team (& whole Flower regime) happening around him, partly because I was still pretty annoyed that Chris Woakes didn't get the allrounder spot for that tour.

But yeah, Stokes turned out to be pretty good.

 

[Starfighter]

Stokes' absence doesn't do wonders for England's bowling balance. Increased risk of Moeen playing as 'spinner' 'who can bat' now.

 

[Starfighter]

Seen one article on Channel 9 / MSN advocating a Shaun Marsh recall. Suspect others to follow.

 

[Spark]

I mean... it wouldn't be a good idea but it's not like we're stocked with alternatives at #5 right now (given that the actual best option is probably, in all honestly, an all-rounder who has played four Tests). Though I think it's honestly a much lower priority than figuring out who's going to open long term.

 

[Gob]

Seen one article on Channel 9 / MSN advocating a Shaun Marsh recall. Suspect others to follow.

Wont be the worst call tbh. Sometimes you've got to take leaf of faith with young players

 

[GIMH]

Is this on BT in the UK again?

 

[Shady Slim]

I mean... it wouldn't be a good idea but it's not like we're stocked with alternatives at #5 right now (given that the actual best option is probably, in all honestly, an all-rounder who has played four Tests). Though I think it's honestly a much lower priority than figuring out who's going to open long term.

that is the future australian captain you're talking about

 

[GoodAreasShane]

that is the future australian captain you're talking about

He said all-rounder. So nope


Seriously though I like Moises, but his bowling is a nonentity and has been for years

 

[TheJediBrah]

Seen one article on Channel 9 / MSN advocating a Shaun Marsh recall. Suspect others to follow.

If it's to open the batting, fine. Wouldn't be the worst idea to forget trying to find Test openers (because that has been a miserable failure) and just use some good middle-order batsmen who can adapt. Essentially what they tried to do with Pucovski before he got gently bumped and had to take a year off.

 

[morgieb]

As much as I don't like going back to Darsh, it's a pretty dry well. I think I'd give Head another crack out of the options, but if he's the best 5/6 (other than Green) standing then you know you've got dodgy batting stocks.

 

[Spark]

Head is a perfectly reasonable Test number 6 imo (5 might be a bit high). It's the openers that are the issue.

 

[Nintendo]

Yeah a 3,4,5,6 of marnus, smith, green, head is more than passable in australian conditions. Issue is the fact that warner seems way past it and or other opener is a cardboard cutout.

Slightly different note, but anyone else a bit concerned about marnus's form? Had a fairly lean patch in the county stuff and he's struggling to find any runs at all in the QLD grade competition now. Not good signs at all. If he's shot and smith's elbow is still ****ing him up the ashes could be rough.

 

[Shady Slim]

Head is a perfectly reasonable Test number 6 imo (5 might be a bit high). It's the openers that are the issue.

maybe if you're playing late 2010's sri lanka then sure but against real teams an enormous no

in fairness no the english attack that will come out is likely to rival late 2010's sri lanka so i wouldn't be surprised if he cashes in on them lmao