Undoubtedly the happiest people when that declaration was made were the Aussie bowlers who got to put their feet up instead of battling Root, and come back fresher for the 2nd innings too.
My issue and the one I've had since day 1 was that it might not have been the approach to win the Ashes. Didn't play out the way I thought, but 0-1 suggests it needs a bit more thought before the 2nd Test, if nothing else.
It's never just one thing. It's many things, and you have to control the controllables. Nothing is more controllable than a declaration.
Australia was never a league ahead of England.
I do know that and accept it
Good man, appreciate your support! I stand by most of my ratings at the time (well, at least of the Test/Associate/top FC players).
Declaring in the first innings on pudding pitches doesn't move the game forward. It let's the opposition off the hook by not pounding home your scoreboard pressure. It also means you often end up having to bat more in the second innings to set a target. The declaration could never have provided any benefit to England. Stupidity is entertaining to watch, that doesn't mean we can't call it out for being stupid.
I didn't say it was arrogant. He just explained his thinking and I take him at his word. But I do think it was a terrible terrible decision that basically let Australia right back into a game that England were totally dominating up to then.
as much as ol Jon boy was rubbish with the gloves - the declaration was poor. Root was ****ing cruising and you know it - Robinson can clearly hold a stick as well. It’s way more likely they would’ve continued on for atleast 50 more imo
One more-thanks for your contribution, been great chatting with you.
I ask once more do you accept what I’m posting ?
Robinson averages 20 with the ball in fc and 20 under bazball, and made 17* in the first dig. If you wanna get pedantic and try and predict a future we can't see the numbers say he goes after another 3 runs. Like I said, root nearly got out the over they declared in. It's just as likely he spoons one to a fielder after one more six as it is he hits another 50 in 4 overs.
Still think the badness of enforcing the follow-on in that game is overstated. Latham and Conway were absolute troopers to make it through the first hour, the new ball was nipping around all over the place.