Why would changing ball help England to play Bazball?We are going to get the useless Dukes ball we had last year, that had to be changed at least 7 times an innings, which enabled England to play baz-ball cricket. Australian bowlers will get a surprise it's not the usual Dukes.
The old "you're only as good as your three weakest players" approach.After reading last 3 pages , I have come to conclusion that 3 key players in this Ashes are : Head, Crawley and Woakes
Dermo Sabba Abbott is also a Duke Ball God.Michael Neser's ascendency came during this period.
Far easier to throw the bat around to a ball that isn't moving off the straight. Thought that was pretty obvious myselfHowever, I don't see how that favours England
England regularly turn up in Australia ready to go home before the 1st test has started.To be fair, Zak Crawley can do that too, it's just he hasn't made it to 20 balls for flippin' ages!
I'm not using the Sussex Experience as a guarantee he's going to fail, but at the same time, what happened in Hobart is no guarantee to success either.
I know he'd played well elsewhere (and I think the double ton in the 50 over game was perhaps the turning point for him in terms of confidence), but Hobart was a dead rubber Test against a team frankly ready to go home (even more so than usual with all the Covid protocols). He obviously got a ton at the Gabba, but even then he came to the wicket with Aus already 40 runs ahead and only 3 down.
Will he score runs if he comes in at say 30-3 at Edgbaston? What happened at Hobart has zero bearing at this point.
Australia regularly leave England without a series win after the 5th Test has finishedEngland regularly turn up in Australia ready to go home before the 1st test has started.
Once in 45 years counts as regularly?Australia regularly leave England without a series win after the 5th Test has finished
2019, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2005, 1981Once in 45 years counts as regularly?
News to me
This may well be the case in the upcoming Ashes tbfHe obviously got a ton at the Gabba, but even then he came to the wicket with Aus already 40 runs ahead and only 3 down.
Sure, but at least we compete. We were generous enough to let you draw with us last time.Australia regularly leave England without a series win after the 5th Test has finished
852019, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2005, 1981
6 if you want to go back 45 years like..,.
Misread the post as saying match wins as opposed to series wins2019, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2005, 1981
6 if you want to go back 45 years like..,.
Misread the post as saying match wins as opposed to series wins
Australia only failed to win a game once in that time (2013), England have failed to win an Ashes Test six times in that time period (1989, 1990-91, 2006-07, 2013-14, 2017-18, 2021-22)
You have been blessed with some incredible talent during the last 35 years and that just is what it is, but aside from that I'd say mental approach has been the biggest difference between the sides during that period?Sure, but at least we compete. We were generous enough to let you draw with us last time.
England spend far too much time designing their menu and far too little time designing their techniques.
We were bowling with the same balls which by your logic would mean India, S.Africa and NZ should have piled up the runs.Far easier to throw the bat around to a ball that isn't moving off the straight. Thought that was pretty obvious myself
It wasn't just the Tests where run rates were super high, county cricket had one of its most batting friendly seasons in many years too.We were bowling with the same balls which by your logic would mean India, S.Africa and NZ should have piled up the runs.
And of course if the ball didn't move as much, how would our seamers, who rely entirely on the moving ball to take wickets because they have no abilty, dismiss the opposition.
Thought that was pretty obvious myself.
The Dukes balls last year were very poor, disgracefully so, but it was the same for both sides.It wasn't just the Tests where run rates were super high, county cricket had one of its most batting friendly seasons in many years too.
Clearly the state of that years batch of Duke balls contributed to that
Or New Zealand? They make a decent game of it sometimes.If the Aussies don't beat us this summer, by the time they tour again, it will be 26 years since they won a series in England. 26 ****ing years.
To be honest I think there's a serious case for making the 2026 Ashes a 3 test series and give Pakistan the 5 test series.