Ashes 2019...

[Geoff Parkstone]

Leach to score another 90 as Bairstow goes on to 170 and England near 500?

[ramAnag]

Given that four of the top order scored less than 40 runs between them, 250+ might not be so terrible in the context of this game.
What has happened to Root, Stokes and Buttler though?

[Geoff Parkstone]

I believe they are coming in too early

[ramAnag]

I believe they are coming in too early

I agree...same is true of Roy perhaps...any other openers out there?

[macstheman]

Disappointing day, batters having to hope bowlers can do a job. Time some of them showed up!!
A few short pitched deliveries and there's wee wee all over the pitch, grow a pair some of you!!
Looks like we may be relying on the weather yet again.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I agree...same is true of Roy perhaps...any other openers out there?

Sibley would appear to be next cab of the rank.

I think by having too many of the aggressive 50 over team in the line up we are masters of our own destruction BUT there is a paucity of good "Sir Geoffreys" in County cricket due to the influence of T20, so there aren't many options.

The next generation openers Salt, Banton etc are weaned on 20:20 and lack the adhesion needed for test cricket. James Bracey may develop positively but he isn't ready yet. Maybe give Duckett a chance or Joe Clarke, but again aggressive players in the Roy mould... so may as well stick with Roy.

By chance this afternoon I revisited the scorecard of the first Ashes test I remember: Old Trafford 1964. Over 110 overs bowled each day, both sides scored 600 plus at a shade over 2 rpo. The only second innings lasted 2 overs. One aussie bowler bowled over 95 overs in an innings. Tom Cartwright bowled 32 maidens for England. Which is better?

[ramAnag]

Sibley would appear to be next cab of the rank.

I think by having too many of the aggressive 50 over team in the line up we are masters of our own destruction BUT there is a paucity of good "Sir Geoffreys" in County cricket due to the influence of T20, so there aren't many options.

The next generation openers Salt, Banton etc are weaned on 20:20 and lack the adhesion needed for test cricket. James Bracey may develop positively but he isn't ready yet. Maybe give Duckett a chance or Joe Clarke, but again aggressive players in the Roy mould... so may as well stick with Roy.

By chance this afternoon I revisited the scorecard of the first Ashes test I remember: Old Trafford 1964. Over 110 overs bowled each day, both sides scored 600 plus at a shade over 2 rpo. The only second innings lasted 2 overs. One aussie bowler bowled over 95 overs in an innings. Tom Cartwright bowled 32 maidens for England. Which is better?

By complete coincidence Geoff that was the first Test match I ever attended.
We lived about ten miles from Old Trafford and my late father took me on the train.
Got there just before Bobby Simpson was out, on the third day, for 311!

Also remember the appearance of a bespectacled and obviously young, helmet less and very nervous Geoffrey Boycott.

It’s not just the pace of play and level of application that has changed either...the crowd too.
As I remember the spectators were virtually all male and dressed in dark raincoats and trilbies. Polite clapping was the order of the day and you took your own sandwiches or went without. To this day, even though I was there, it still seems to have been played in black and white.

[MadAmster]

I believe they are coming in too early

IMO the problem is that they are going out too early

[AdiSalisbury]

Agree Amster. Root needs to lead from the front, getting out too easily IMO.

Pleased Burns still going well though, hopefully feeling confident.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Thats how to get him out..........