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Now that the World Cup’s done and dusted we can turn our attention to the next major event. For me the most interesting questions about team selection are; 1) Do we open with Jason Roy? For me it’s a no brainer. I know all the arguments against- he doesn’t even open for Surrey, he struggles against the moving ball etc- but I feel that he’s in such good form and the alternatives are so mediocre that it would be silly not to. If he does come off he could give us control of the game in the first couple of hours. Him and Rory Burns for me. 2) Now that Jofra Archer has to have a place in the side, who are the other two quick bowlers going to be. If fit I guess Anderson has to play and I would give the third spot to Woakes but this means no place for Stuart Broad and the 90 mph+ Mark Wood. 3) Which spinner to go with - Ali or Rashid? Ali’s batting form seems to have dipped but it’s still not an easy decision to make. Any thoughts?
I’ve seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I’ve seen in over 50 years. @benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance. Well done @ECB_cricket
Amazing drama. Have to feel sorry for anybody who's missed out on an appreciation for cricket. Imagine going through a life on planet Earth and not becoming at least slightly fond of cricket?Incomprehensible.
And not to forget that a South African saved the Lords test for Australia and top scored in both innings for them at Headingley. Take a bow Marnus Labuschagne
I was watching it on sky go sitting in the pool in Spain.I couldn’t take my eyes off of it for the last 2 hours. I hope we’ve turned the corner and will give them a proper game in the last 2 tests.So I guess they aren’t for sale yet.
I remember the Botham Ashes match where we came back from the dead to win. Unbelievable.
I remember when England won the Rugby World Cup in the last minute against the Aussies, unbelievable too
Todays Ashes match is every bit as memorable as those two and I’ve been lucky enough to watch all three of them live.
As a cricket-mad youngster in 1981, I never thought I would see a better all-round performance in a series than Botham's. I was proved wrong with Flintoff and I never thought that would be beaten. Half-way through this series, I think that Stokes has surpassed both of them.
4 down at lunch I actually thought we were favourites but then batsmen threw their wickets away (Bairstow, Woakes, Archer) when they should have been holding an end for Stokes and we were gone.
Some luck and some disastrous stuff from the Aussies, but that was out of this world.
Bit like the world cup final when stepped on boundary rope when caught and deflection of the bat for more overthrows and winning by a run out - the last few moments of this test were similar
Firstly ridiculous review ie there was only eight needed but it was plainly not out - so ok they probably did not think they would get close to using another review but I felt at the time they did that they could regret it.
My god though if we were australian how peeved would we be over one of the poorest umpire decisions ever - lbw hitting the middle of middle stump - not given and no reviews for australia and even then there was also a simple run out messed up and a tough dropped catch also.
And every six stokes hit seemed to just be hit hard enough to clear the ropes and the fielders.
Also take a bow Jack Leach - not many cricketers wear spectacles on the field - only guptil of New Zealand comes to mind - and the fact he was dripping sweat every ball - and the greatest ever one not out innings in the history of test cricket.
Was pleased for Leach - I almost felt as much tension when he was on strike near the end as was imagining how bad I would feel if I played a crap shot to get out after the heroics Stokes doing at the other end.
But yes if there is a betting market on BBC Sports Personality of the Year - lump on Stokes - its inevitable winner already am sure...
The world cup was incredible - have to say this was more amazing !!!
And against backdrop of the night club incident and the criticism he took - cant say I found all that particularly great but to come back from such scenarios and create what Ben has suddenly achieved in last few months is outstanding
If only our politicians could imitate the passion and patriotic fervour that our very top sportsman seem to be able to ignite - then well sadly that one ain't going to happen
But this was beyond amazing - sublime to the ridiculous
Sir Ben Stokes MBE OBE CBE and whatever else
An unbelievable competitor - Ben Stokes probably the only person in the ground that believed England could win this at times - am sure.
England got away with one. Stokes dropped on 33 and again later. Both difficult. Stokes was out LBW with 2 required and Lyon fluffed a simple run out.
Stokes' heroics should not be allowed to gloss over England's batting troubles. Roy is not a Test batsman, and Buttler can't buy a run. Bairstow's weaknesses have been exposed for most of the first 3 tests. There needs to be some changes to the batting line up but don't ask me who.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky
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