The Ashes.

[only1billybonds]

Just been announced that Josh Hazlewood will miss the first test due to start in Perth next Friday. This is a big blow to the Australians as they will already be without their captain and no.1 pace bowler Pat Cummins.

Englands preparations for the tour has been questioned by many as they have opted to play no warm up games aside from a one off against the English lions. 

Many are saying that its crucial that we get of to a good start in Perth which basically means we cant afford to lose seeing as the 2nd test in Brisbane is a day/night game ( fucking ridiculous) where the Aussies are strongly fancied.

Looking forward to this now but really unsure of how it will play out, I guess I'd still make them slight favourites due to home advantage. Going to be a few all nighters in the coming weeks for me, let's hope it'll be worth it.

[zebthecat]

"Bash is our No 1 guy and does a fantastic job"

This is what Jeetan patel said about Bashir in his post day 3 interview.
Quite apart from how WIll Jacks will feel about this Shoaib's tour figures of 2-266 at 5.4 r/o doesn't exactly scream fantastic to me neither does his test average of 39 nor his first class average of over 50.

[goose]

Not too bad considering we've won a fair few competitions down the years off the top of my head:

Football World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Cricket World Cup
T20 World Cup 
The Ashes

And that's just the Men's Teams.

I was specifically talking cricket, but you can widen it out if you like. Winning a world cup 60 years ago is not a ringing endorsement of the mental toughness of the england footbal team.

specifically on cricket, the recent record down under is atrocious. it is not down to talent, enlgand teams seem to melt as soon as they get off the plane.

Winning the Ashes is still winning the Ashes and I did mention Cricket World Cup (amongst other Sports) wins as well. And yeah, any Nation that managed to win a World Cup does possess mental toughness, so I'll take it. Extremely proud of our history as little old England.

Little? the England football team and football clubs have the best of everything and the best facilities in world football. They have/had the players to win things but have failed.

the only world cup wins in cricket and football were on home soil. one ashes win in australia in something like 40 years? 

[Massive Attack]

What is it with England teams and mental fragility?

Not too bad considering we've won a fair few competitions down the years off the top of my head:

Football World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Cricket World Cup
T20 World Cup 
The Ashes

And that's just the Men's Teams.

I was specifically talking cricket, but you can widen it out if you like. Winning a world cup 60 years ago is not a ringing endorsement of the mental toughness of the england footbal team.

specifically on cricket, the recent record down under is atrocious. it is not down to talent, enlgand teams seem to melt as soon as they get off the plane.

Winning the Ashes is still winning the Ashes and I did mention Cricket World Cup (amongst other Sports) wins as well. And yeah, any Nation that managed to win a World Cup does possess mental toughness, so I'll take it. Extremely proud of our history as little old England.

[goose]

What is it with England teams and mental fragility?

Not too bad considering we've won a fair few competitions down the years off the top of my head:

Football World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Cricket World Cup
T20 World Cup 
The Ashes

And that's just the Men's Teams.

I was specifically talking cricket, but you can widen it out if you like. Winning a world cup 60 years ago is not a ringing endorsement of the mental toughness of the england footbal team.

specifically on cricket, the recent record down under is atrocious. it is not down to talent, enlgand teams seem to melt as soon as they get off the plane.

[Westham67]

Another stat from MgGraph 13 maidens in just over 92 overs for Australia's first innings and 3 maidens in 68 overs for Australia's second innings

One-dimensional cricket dowling short to tail enders "Taking the initiative"  and getting smashed 

[Westham67]

If England go 3 down tomorrow, it will be the fastest loss of the Ashes in 100 years, 10 days. That's TMS stats for you

[Massive Attack]

What is it with England teams and mental fragility?

Not too bad considering we've won a fair few competitions down the years off the top of my head:

Football World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Cricket World Cup
T20 World Cup 
The Ashes

And that's just the Men's Teams.

[Far Cough UKunt]

I know he's getting on a bit but someone with oversize bollocks like Lord Ian Botham?

[Come On You Irons]

Is anyone really surprised? I expected a series defeat for this England team before a ball was bowled and it'll likely be a 5-0 whitewash down under yet again.

I watched the first session of day two live and all Steven Finn and especially Graeme Swann could bang on about was how flat the wicket was and how England will make hay on it and get a massive first innings total and first innings lead. It was delusional stuff and lo and behold England ended up the day on 200 odd for 8.

Crawley and Pope should never play for England again after this series. They might as well drop them after this test.

[Eerie Decent]

SB

If Mcullum and Key are booted when they come home, who do you think are the front runners to replace them?

As for the actual cricket, its almost laughable that this tour has been three years in the planning. Ok, this Aussie attack has been exceptional in this game but a proper batting team would have made 400 minimum on that track. For me, the main difference between the two sides is game awareness and mental strength, we are lacking on both counts in spades. Guessing they'll get about 500 in front, declare then have a day and a half to bowl us out for possibly less than 250.
As SB said, get the thing over, get them home then make whatever changes are necessary.

Sadly, there are no Englishmen about capable of doing the job that's needed imo. Sadly, I think it's going to have to be an Aussie, as the older lot are proper men still, ideally Punter but he won't take it, I'd go for Langer personally. I know he fell out with a few of the woke lot in the team, but we need a root and branch change in attitude, and he's the sort of character that would do it.

Or Darren Lehmann. Outside of those two, fuck knows.

[goose]

What is it with England teams and mental fragility?

[Westside]

What's Freddie up to these days, still dicking around with Bullseye? Someone of his wealth of knowledge should be in and around England ans actually think it would do him the world of good after what he's been through. Just a throw away thought. I certainly think he'd do a lot better than the naivety of Spazball.

Freddie's experience would have helped on this tour.  His  5 - 0 whitewash as captain in the 2006/07 Ashes tour, would have been priceless. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

When the humiliations ends I hope they take apart the whole bazbollocks apparatus and never talk about it again.

[zebthecat]

Oh well,it is almost done.
It is the hope that kills but England have no hope now.

[Massive Attack]

Credit where it's due ...the Jamaican has stepped up .


 

Bajan

Bless you

[zebthecat]

Credit where it's due ...the Jamaican has stepped up .

 

Bajan

[Fauxstralian]

Stokes & Archer showed some fight turning what should have been a 150 deficit into 80 odd
Still in with a chance when Green failed again (surely will be replaced by Beau Webster of Snug, Tasmania at Melbourne) but Travis & Carey took it away again
Imagine if they can they will want to bat til tea and give England 550 to chase in 4 sessions 
 

[southbankbornnbred]

SB

If Mcullum and Key are booted when they come home, who do you think are the front runners to replace them?

As for the actual cricket, its almost laughable that this tour has been three years in the planning. Ok, this Aussie attack has been exceptional in this game but a proper batting team would have made 400 minimum on that track. For me, the main difference between the two sides is game awareness and mental strength, we are lacking on both counts in spades. Guessing they'll get about 500 in front, declare then have a day and a half to bowl us out for possibly less than 250.
As SB said, get the thing over, get them home then make whatever changes are necessary.

I should add, there are a few players I’d not even bring back!

[Massive Attack]

What's Freddie up to these days, still dicking around with Bullseye? Someone of his wealth of knowledge should be in and around England ans actually think it would do him the world of good after what he's been through. Just a throw away thought. I certainly think he'd do a lot better than the naivety of Spazball.

[only1billybonds]

SB

If Mcullum and Key are booted when they come home, who do you think are the front runners to replace them?

As for the actual cricket, its almost laughable that this tour has been three years in the planning. Ok, this Aussie attack has been exceptional in this game but a proper batting team would have made 400 minimum on that track. For me, the main difference between the two sides is game awareness and mental strength, we are lacking on both counts in spades. Guessing they'll get about 500 in front, declare then have a day and a half to bowl us out for possibly less than 250.
As SB said, get the thing over, get them home then make whatever changes are necessary.

[southbankbornnbred]

Its bad enough that performances have been so spineless (less than 300 on that pitch is poor: look at how easy Australia have played on it), but the sheer arrogance and misplaced pride of this England team also make it difficult (impossible, for me) to like them.

Yet another day where they refused to speak to the press and answer any questions. They’re like spoilt kids - they go rushing towards the cameras if they’re playing slogball well. But there is absolutely no accountability, responsibility and discipline in this leadership group, or among players.

They just come across as arrogant, spoilt cunts who can’t take constructive criticism or defeat. They know that their Baaazball magic beans have been exposed as a fraud. And they don’t want to face up to it. It’s childish.

Even Stokes, a uniquely talented cricketer, comes across as a prickly, stubborn and arrogant man who throws his toys out of his pram when he’s not the only voice in the room.

The sooner this tour is over, the better. And fair play to an Aussie side that, a year ago, was disorganised. They got it together when it mattered.

[Massive Attack]

Capitulation - Far too weak mentally to cope with all this. Many players are young by comparison to the Aussies and it shows. Must use it as a steep learning curve in future and develop a pair of bollocks, as well as a gob communicating and chirping at them out there as this is all far too easy for the convicts.

As for Spazball, fucking launch it for 6..  

[Fauxstralian]

Good gritty batting by Stokes & Archer
If two or three had shown that application & intelligence after lunch on the second day at Perth for a couple of hours England would have won the Test match.
Have always said there is enough talent in this group but they have been poorly managed and a few players have been indulged & retained when they should have been ditched.

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Credit where it's due ...the Jamaican has stepped up .
A few non eye contacts and bowed heads in that English dressing room I reckon at lunch.
Roooooot found lacking again  when needed ...what stokes did is what is required of this so called all time great batsman.
He's FLIMSY

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Trescothick is no leader of men that's for sure .
Weak as piss...I'm surprised he travelled considering his arsehole issues