Ashes down under

[tomytony]

It was interesting listening to swanny the other day he's always maintained joe shouldn't be captain,he thinks it makes our best player not as good cos he has it all to do instead of just concentrating on his game,he says we always seem to just pick the best player as captain which shouldn't be the case,I kind of agree with him on that but then who do you pick he said broad but I can't agree on that we'd use our reviews up in the 1st over !

Can't see Cooky carrying on after this tour,there have been a few chinks of light stoneman ,vince and Malan have all shown us glimpses of why they were taken and are worth persevering with unfortunately it's the experienced batsmen joe included who haven't turned up,we've got another month or so of misery before it's goin to get any better

I was delighted for Joe when he was appointed but also very fearful Bully, knowing that an away Ashes tour was looming. I think Cook's resignation was also skewed by knowing this.

Going to Oz without ammunition and then without a world class fighter of an all rounder was always going to be trouble and, as you say, making Joe captain because he's the best player, is not a valid reason.

Before England he's captained Yorkshire TWICE, once at Lords when he set over 400 and they got them and then at Trent Bridge when Gale was banned and we were champions elect.

Previous tactical captains,eg Brearley, Illingworth were wily hardened pro's or great motivators ( or both) and trying to get the best out of an increasingly petulant Broad, an out of form, disinterested Cook , a bits and pieces spinner/batsman, a few rookies ( a couple of which did well) , an ageing leader of the attack and a few medium pacers picked off easily was always going to be difficult.

Joe will fight through it and will have learnt so much but will have to take a lot of stick in the coming months.Just as long as it does not erode his magnificent batsmanship he will come good.

[BlockD]

To cheer myself up,I am re-reading my Bodyline book,that's how to win in Australia ,a fantastic ruthless Skipper,fearsome fast bowler backed up by 3 other speed merchants,one of the greatest ever left arm spinners of all time,and batsmen who scored loads of runs,and with the added bonus that the tactics we used to win the Ashes,had them squealing and crying,Douglas Jardine,Harold Larwood and Hedley Verity should be awarded posthumously knighthoods

[tomytony]

To cheer myself up,I am re-reading my Bodyline book,that's how to win in Australia ,a fantastic ruthless Skipper,fearsome fast bowler backed up by 3 other speed merchants,one of the greatest ever left arm spinners of all time,and batsmen who scored loads of runs,and with the added bonus that the tactics we used to win the Ashes,had them squealing and crying,Douglas Jardine,Harold Larwood and Hedley Verity should be awarded posthumously knighthoods

I've read that too. a different era but what a plan which not only beat the Aussies but riled them too.

Not sure it's cheering me up but I've just about finished Jonny B's book about his dad, bought for my birthday.

Very poignant particularly as I knew Bluey and, when flicking through, the first photo I settled on was of Bluey and Phil Carrick on the Lords balcony after the 1987 B&H win.

Jonny says he celebrated like it was Christmas Day, NYE and the Queen's Jubilee all in one. Too true as i know, less than half an hour later I was in the Tavern when the team came in and he ran in and gave me a bear hug which still twinges a bit today.

Happy days- so why have I got a tear in my eye?

[BlockD]

I've read that too. a different era but what a plan which not only beat the Aussies but riled them too.

Not sure it's cheering me up but I've just about finished Jonny B's book about his dad, bought for my birthday.

Very poignant particularly as I knew Bluey and, when flicking through, the first photo I settled on was of Bluey and Phil Carrick on the Lords balcony after the 1987 B&H win.

Jonny says he celebrated like it was Christmas Day, NYE and the Queen's Jubilee all in one. Too true as i know, less than half an hour later I was in the Tavern when the team came in and he ran in and gave me a bear hug which still twinges a bit today.

Happy days- so why have I got a tear in my eye?

I have dropped heavy hints regarding JBs book

[tomytony]

I have dropped heavy hints regarding JBs book

Good luck,it worked for me.

Much better than the normal list of stats you get these days, very poignant.

[BlockD]

Good luck,it worked for me.

Much better than the normal list of stats you get these days, very poignant.

Have you read Harold Larwoods autobiography TT?,I can recommend it,what would we give for a bowler with such extreme pace,makes the 3 Australians,look like medium paced trundlers

[tomytony]

Have you read Harold Larwoods autobiography TT?,I can recommend it,what would we give for a bowler with such extreme pace,makes the 3 Australians,look like medium paced trundlers

I have and i have a recall of a film, or was it a TV series called Bodyline?

From the days you shouted down the pit and got a good 'un to take the wickets!

[BlockD]

I have and i have a recall of a film, or was it a TV series called Bodyline?

From the days you shouted down the pit and got a good 'un to take the wickets!

Ha ha the Bodyline tv series,made in and by Australia TV,those nasty Englishmen bullying the poor gallant home side,a load of cobblers

There was talk of David Puttnam making a film about Bodyline,but it appears to have died a death

[tomytony]

Ha ha the Bodyline tv series,made in and by Australia TV,those nasty Englishmen bullying the poor gallant home side,a load of cobblers

There was talk of David Puttnam making a film about Bodyline,but it appears to have died a death

Of course, I remeber it now, just a tad biased.

Can you recall a documentary about Larwood or am I imagining that?

[rodcurrie]

Aussies 244-3 at close,does another hammerin on the way? Good job some of the England players dunt think there's a gap in class between the sides. UTCB