Off topic - Ashes

[macstheman]

There’s a lot to agree with in that...but let’s not forget that the Aussies have recently become Champions at the ‘short game’ too.

Honestly I think much of the batting problem lies with the dearth of genuine openers. The grinding reliability of those such as Gooch, Atherton, Trescothick, Strauss and Cook has never looked like being replaced, so that numbers 3 & 4 might as well often be ‘openers’ anyway and the middle order seldom has the opportunity to benefit from facing a tiring attack.

Obviously the faster/harder wickets in Aussie land are a factor but to me their psyche always seems to involve Ramshank's mention of a desire to 'not lose my wicket at all costs'! We seem to have spells when that dictum goes AWOL, I'm sure the likes of Boycott must despair! However, I maintain there is a close link between technique and concentration, chuck in Ramshank's sheer bloody mindedness and you have Gooch and co!

Let's hope we take a note out of the Aussie manual under the heading 'grind the buggers down'!