47er

There was a bonus for relegation. Posted on here at the time. Even a bonus for relegation to League 1 when we were in the Premiership at that point!

Sad.

Sorry EA, just noticed your post. Great minds think alike!

Archer? How long will the Battle of Archer's Elbow last? You've listed batters there (Root still got a few years left in him at this level I hope), I think most feel quite confident in that area but bowling looks thin, especially outside England. Saying that, we have loads of West Indians (no such country I know), Pakistanis and Indians etc living here--why doesn't the Test team reflect that? We'd have a better chance then. Take players of colour out of the England football squad and we'd look weak wouldn't we?

I very much admire the spirit and enterprise England have brought to Test Cricket. However, it needs world class players and we haven't got enough of them It also needs some common sense as I keep saying. Don't declare on the first day when you have the enemy on the run. Pick your best keeper. Doesn't matter how many runs Bairstow gets if he drops 3 or fumbles a run-out. Root saved his blushes this time, Bairstow didn't even move. So, much to look forward to but lessons must be learned.

Yes---Windies deserve that accolade alright. Absolutely unbeatable at that time.

They drew with NZ and will probably lose this Ashes Series.That's the last 2 series. On that basis your claims seem a little far-fetched. England currently are very entertaining---I've never disputed that. Some tweaking required though don't you agree? Foakes in for me, replacements for Anderson and Broad required. Accept that the batting line-up looks very settled but must attach more importance to protecting their wicket at key times.

Lets have some actual results before we make that sort of claim!

Not really, he sued for constructive dismissal and Venkys paid up. That man had no shame and would have stayed forever.

I think many managers would look at the way we are mismanaged and conclude that the job is impossible and could only damage their career. We will find it progressively harder to attract a quality manager.

Wicket! Root 91.

The problem with Bazball, and I've said it before, is that when it works out as it did today it hands the initiative to the other side in two ways. 1) we score very quickly but but taking risks means losing wickets regularly so we didn't get a big score. 2) the other side then have as much time as they could possibly wish for to make a big score for themselves taking no risks, and plenty of time to get us out a second time and bat again. If we are losing wickets we should consolidate, not take any risks and try patiently to build a score we can defend, not be all back in the pavilion well before close of play on the first day. Chaddy says the crowd wouldn't like this approach but surely, above all else, the crowd wants us to win?

Hope you are right. Total is under par as I think the Aussies will show. In that sense it was a tentative recovery.

We'd have to be disappointed with that total wouldn't we?

Yes---could save us from relegation!

Thought we lost! 😂

Think so. Bloody cold anyway!

Saw him playing for Birmingham at Ewood when he was only16 years old---the best player on the field and won it for them. Clear then he would be a real star. Anyone else on here see that game?

South Africa, New Zealand and, above all India still have enthusiasm for the long form of the game. West Indies cricket is dying if its not dead already. Tragic when you roll off the list of truly great West Indian cricketers (starting with Learie Constantine). Incredible that we saw so many playing in the Lancashire League. Great days.

Then declare!

Close to 100000 at the MCG on Boxing day Chaddy! All delighted with a score of 230 for 2 at the end of the day!

True, need to find some speedsters quickly to have any chance in Australia. Batting won't change as much ,though Stokes will probably have gone.

The mistakes of the first 2 tests coming back to haunt us. We should have won this.

We have one day's play (hopefully) to finish the job and go to The Oval level. Can't see any chance of play today at all.

If he has gone so have our hopes for the near future and maybe beyond. Don't see how we can come back from this easily. Will take years. Good to see someone standing up to the joke that is Venkys rather than collect a pay cheque for years knowing the job is impossible.