| Ashes 2023 16:47 - Jun 8 with 102744 views | Hoopstar |
Ah the home Ashes series is almost upon us, my personal favourite sporting event (not down under, that's just generally depressing.) I need something big sporting wise to focus on and quit my worrying about QPR for a while.
Anyone going?
I was at the first day of the World Test Championship at the Oval yesterday. The Aussies looked in depressingly good nick with the bat and their pace attack appears as terrifying as ever.
I think it's going to be an exciting, tough, tense series that'll go down to the wire. I only managed to get tickets to the very final day of the Ashes on 31st July at the Oval, you never know.
I predict...
Crawley to average less than 20 with Duckett getting closer to mid 30s
Brook to really secure his position as an outstanding talent and mainstay of the team
Pope to struggle again~
Root, in what could be his last home Ashes, proving his worth again
Bairstow - haven't a clue which version turns up post broken foot
Broad - an Ashes too far? You'd be mad to write him or Jimmy off.
Robinson to nab Smith at least four times..
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| Ashes 2023 on 17:07 - Jun 16 with 2132 views | Rangersw12 |
This is how we're gonna play so can't knock them when they get out to a poor shot |  | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:22 - Jun 16 with 2105 views | daveB |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:07 - Jun 16 by Rangersw12 |
This is how we're gonna play so can't knock them when they get out to a poor shot |
That was a stupid shot though, all for being aggressive and try and get as many as you can but hes given his wicket away. On a flat pitch I think this may come back to haunt us a bit but hard to know until the Aussies bat |  | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:38 - Jun 16 with 2081 views | Malintabuk |
Pretty disappointed in us today. I know we do play an "aggressive" game, but some of the cricketing decisions have beeb questionable so to say
The ball as been gun barrel straight and it looks like a decent wicket.
The Aussies only have 3 front line quickies, and one of them as played 3 games in 2 years
The orthodox spinner, though decent, as taken 4 wickets on the first day, we have had 2 stumping and he as taken 4 and most likely be a 5 fer
There as been on decent wicket taking ball and that was Crawley.... we should have batted all day and have made more than this | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:58 - Jun 16 with 2033 views | Rangersw12 |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:22 - Jun 16 by daveB |
That was a stupid shot though, all for being aggressive and try and get as many as you can but hes given his wicket away. On a flat pitch I think this may come back to haunt us a bit but hard to know until the Aussies bat |
It's not like we've been bowled out for 200 though we're 370/8 and well in the game
Think we will miss Wood though his pace with a reversing ball could have been devistating [Post edited 16 Jun 2023 17:59]
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| Ashes 2023 on 18:02 - Jun 16 with 2021 views | stowmarketrange |
Strange declaration.Should’ve waited for the psychological effect of 400 up. |  | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:03 - Jun 16 with 2021 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:04 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
Followed by a shocker.... but we need to get to 400 .... |
apparently, we don't. Even though we would have!
I bloody love this team and this management. This is cricket. |  |
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| Ashes 2023 on 18:03 - Jun 16 with 2021 views | Malintabuk |
Declared.... well no matter what we think this is something else this team.... Boycott would be spitting feathers.... and Brealey well be speechless.... but can't knock Stokes....unless it goes tits up | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:05 - Jun 16 with 2015 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:03 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
Declared.... well no matter what we think this is something else this team.... Boycott would be spitting feathers.... and Brealey well be speechless.... but can't knock Stokes....unless it goes tits up |
Brearley thinks it's brilliant and is in awe of Stokes.
Unlike many, he is astute enough to understand Stokes's captaincy. For far too many, they just don't get it, and never will. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 18:06 - Jun 16 with 2013 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:02 - Jun 16 by stowmarketrange |
Strange declaration.Should’ve waited for the psychological effect of 400 up. |
Not strange if you've been watching England for the last year. Sangakarra called it on TV even befiore Root started flaying Lyon. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 18:06 - Jun 16 with 2011 views | Rangersw12 |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:03 - Jun 16 by Antti_Heinola |
apparently, we don't. Even though we would have!
I bloody love this team and this management. This is cricket. |
100% agree | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:07 - Jun 16 with 2012 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 17:22 - Jun 16 by daveB |
That was a stupid shot though, all for being aggressive and try and get as many as you can but hes given his wicket away. On a flat pitch I think this may come back to haunt us a bit but hard to know until the Aussies bat |
Nope.
You either play that way or don't. That's what it's all about. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 18:08 - Jun 16 with 2012 views | Malintabuk |
Well the proof will be in the pudding as my granny always told me is in the eating........ there is no doubting they are rewriting the rule books .... and if we win then hats off.... but if we loose by 20 odd... be interesting | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:20 - Jun 16 with 1995 views | MrSheen |
Has Khawaja always been so chubby? |  | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:00 - Jun 16 with 1920 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:08 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
Well the proof will be in the pudding as my granny always told me is in the eating........ there is no doubting they are rewriting the rule books .... and if we win then hats off.... but if we loose by 20 odd... be interesting |
If we lose by that few, it’s justified.
For too long test match cricket has been too cautious. Same with football. You get idiots going ‘it’s a results business!’ But it’s not. It’s the entertainment business. Stokes gets it. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 19:00 - Jun 16 with 1920 views | westy |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:06 - Jun 16 by Antti_Heinola |
Not strange if you've been watching England for the last year. Sangakarra called it on TV even befiore Root started flaying Lyon. |
Understand that’s how Stokes wants us to play and in essence totally agree but surely on that wicket in those conditions we are 80/ 100 runs shy. Root for another 25 mins could well have got us nearly at that point.
Certainly not worth booking day 5 of any future tests with Stokes in charge
Win or bust. | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:08 - Jun 16 with 1889 views | flynnbo |
Declaring against the Aussies is a rather cheeky move and could be a mentally clever tactic. Only time will tell. |  | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:16 - Jun 16 with 1871 views | Malintabuk |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:00 - Jun 16 by Antti_Heinola |
If we lose by that few, it’s justified.
For too long test match cricket has been too cautious. Same with football. You get idiots going ‘it’s a results business!’ But it’s not. It’s the entertainment business. Stokes gets it. |
If you lose you can never justify it....
Different if you were bowled out, that is the game. To declare may have been the right thing, it was a brave thing no doubt.
But when you get players of the calibre of Peterson questioning it then you have to also wonder if it may come back to bite.
I hope it don't and if we win the game then it was the correct decision. But if we lose then he will get pelters, and Stokes being the man he is, he will take the responsibility. Just for me staying out there for another few overs and perhaps getting another 20 or 30 might prove vital. | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:17 - Jun 16 with 1871 views | numptydumpty |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:08 - Jun 16 by flynnbo |
Declaring against the Aussies is a rather cheeky move and could be a mentally clever tactic. Only time will tell. |
Declarations near the close of play.
They have done this consistently.
I understand when wicket tricky.
It has worked though more often than not.
It won't work every time though. [Post edited 16 Jun 2023 19:17]
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| Ashes 2023 on 19:43 - Jun 16 with 1833 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:16 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
If you lose you can never justify it....
Different if you were bowled out, that is the game. To declare may have been the right thing, it was a brave thing no doubt.
But when you get players of the calibre of Peterson questioning it then you have to also wonder if it may come back to bite.
I hope it don't and if we win the game then it was the correct decision. But if we lose then he will get pelters, and Stokes being the man he is, he will take the responsibility. Just for me staying out there for another few overs and perhaps getting another 20 or 30 might prove vital. |
Pietersen was a good player, but in terms of a cricket mind was and is very limited. He's absolutely awful on comms, which says a lot. Certainly not in Stokes' league.
'if you lose you can never justify it'
This sentence shows you don't really understand what Stokes is doing. To make it really clear: they believe attacking, exciting cricket and tactics brings results. Not every time, but often enough for it to be worth it, and to make the sport more enjoyable for players, coaches and fans. If people still don't get it, they never will. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 20:27 - Jun 16 with 1757 views | Malintabuk |
| Ashes 2023 on 19:43 - Jun 16 by Antti_Heinola |
Pietersen was a good player, but in terms of a cricket mind was and is very limited. He's absolutely awful on comms, which says a lot. Certainly not in Stokes' league.
'if you lose you can never justify it'
This sentence shows you don't really understand what Stokes is doing. To make it really clear: they believe attacking, exciting cricket and tactics brings results. Not every time, but often enough for it to be worth it, and to make the sport more enjoyable for players, coaches and fans. If people still don't get it, they never will. |
Are you trying to say that Stokes is more interested in entertainment than winning a game?
There's nothing wrong in both and if you can achieve a win and be entertaining then you have everything.
I'm not saying the declaration is wrong, all I'm saying was it necessary at this time. It is different to declare when there is a time limitation, or you are losing a series and need a win, you take the chance.
What did this declaration achieve? 4 overs at the end of the day, if a wicket was taken then you could have said it was genius. If Australia bat the next 2 days and get 200 in front it will look pretty strange.
Of course I get what Stokes is trying to achieve and I applaud his take on the game, but the bottom line is success, and why make a decision that could go wrong when there was little need of it. But I guess that is why he is England's captain and not me and he will be judged on that declaration. | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 21:03 - Jun 16 with 1725 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Ashes 2023 on 20:27 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
Are you trying to say that Stokes is more interested in entertainment than winning a game?
There's nothing wrong in both and if you can achieve a win and be entertaining then you have everything.
I'm not saying the declaration is wrong, all I'm saying was it necessary at this time. It is different to declare when there is a time limitation, or you are losing a series and need a win, you take the chance.
What did this declaration achieve? 4 overs at the end of the day, if a wicket was taken then you could have said it was genius. If Australia bat the next 2 days and get 200 in front it will look pretty strange.
Of course I get what Stokes is trying to achieve and I applaud his take on the game, but the bottom line is success, and why make a decision that could go wrong when there was little need of it. But I guess that is why he is England's captain and not me and he will be judged on that declaration. |
I'm not trying to say it, I am saying it. And so is Stokes in every single interview. They literally said to Moeen don't worry about his performances.
Of course the declaration wasn't 'necessary' but that's not the point.
Again, by saying 'what did this declaration achieve?' you're not getting it. The point is it *MIGHT* have achieved a wicket. And then you get three new batters in one evening and then two fresh batters starting again the next morning. On this occasion, they didn't get the wicket, but nothing is ever guaranteed. Looking at it in hindsight and saying 'you didn't get the wicket, therefore it didn't achieve anything' fails to grasp the point.
He might be judged on the declaration, but he doesn't give a sh!t about what Ramprakash or Boycott or all the other closed minds think. And rightly so. Boycott was a profoundly selfish cricketer, completely at odds to how Stokes and McCullum work, where everything is for the team. That's why he tells bowlers not to worry about runs conceded and your figures: just get wickets. That's why he has attacking fields with Leach and why Leach blossomed as a cricketer. If we lose this by 15 runs, he'll get asked: 'did you declare too soon?' and he'll answer that he'd do the same over and over and over again. | |
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| Ashes 2023 on 21:07 - Jun 16 with 1712 views | Rangersw12 |
| Ashes 2023 on 20:27 - Jun 16 by Malintabuk |
Are you trying to say that Stokes is more interested in entertainment than winning a game?
There's nothing wrong in both and if you can achieve a win and be entertaining then you have everything.
I'm not saying the declaration is wrong, all I'm saying was it necessary at this time. It is different to declare when there is a time limitation, or you are losing a series and need a win, you take the chance.
What did this declaration achieve? 4 overs at the end of the day, if a wicket was taken then you could have said it was genius. If Australia bat the next 2 days and get 200 in front it will look pretty strange.
Of course I get what Stokes is trying to achieve and I applaud his take on the game, but the bottom line is success, and why make a decision that could go wrong when there was little need of it. But I guess that is why he is England's captain and not me and he will be judged on that declaration. |
If the Aussies get a 200 lead then the declaration won't matter anyway as we would have probably only got another 30/40 runs
Like I've said previously not picking Wood is more of an issue than the declaration imo | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 21:21 - Jun 16 with 1707 views | Hooparoo |
| Ashes 2023 on 21:07 - Jun 16 by Rangersw12 |
If the Aussies get a 200 lead then the declaration won't matter anyway as we would have probably only got another 30/40 runs
Like I've said previously not picking Wood is more of an issue than the declaration imo |
Bloody hell. Went to bed with England 3-126 and wake up to see 393. Strange declaration but I suppose you have to give Stokes some credit for being unorthodox. |  |
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| Ashes 2023 on 22:55 - Jun 16 with 1621 views | daveB |
| Ashes 2023 on 18:07 - Jun 16 by Antti_Heinola |
Nope.
You either play that way or don't. That's what it's all about. |
has to be a balance, that just seems insane as did the declaration, hope it works though | | | |
| Ashes 2023 on 07:32 - Jun 17 with 2882 views | Malintabuk |
| Ashes 2023 on 21:07 - Jun 16 by Rangersw12 |
If the Aussies get a 200 lead then the declaration won't matter anyway as we would have probably only got another 30/40 runs
Like I've said previously not picking Wood is more of an issue than the declaration imo |
Totall agree with that I would have played Woods as well.
The point for me is if they were bowled out for 420 say and lost then you hold your hands up and say move on... if we lose now by a few runs then it won't go down well. Just think by declaring when he did he as left himself open. But another great day in store hopefully | | | |
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