O/T:- The Ashes 2023

[The_Don_ORiordan]

Firstly, I was responding to Granthams post about how the Ozzies style seemed to be the dominant one. What today has shown is that both styles can be exposed.

And I agreed with you, but was concerned, rightly, that Smith was on 16 and would put on a score.

Secondly, with regards to Ali, who would you have bought in? It’s easy to say such n such shouldn’t be playing. However, the queue of spinners capable of playing for England is extremely short.

Rehan as I previously said, it was a stupid decision.
Why take a young spinner on tour, let him out bowl your main spinner, with a 5fer then when your main spinner gets injured you get him carrying drinks whilst you drag a guy who hasn’t bowled more than a few overs a day in anger in 2 years out of retirement. Who then isn’t up to playing more than a couple of tests…..

It’s no surprise we don’t have many spinners coming through with that attitude.

[Notts78]

And I agreed with you, but was concerned, rightly, that Smith was on 16 and would put on a score.



Rehan as I previously said, it was a stupid decision.
Why take a young spinner on tour, let him out bowl your main spinner, with a 5fer then when your main spinner gets injured you get him carrying drinks whilst you drag a guy who hasn’t bowled more than a few overs a day in anger in 2 years out of retirement. Who then isn’t up to playing more than a couple of tests…..

It’s no surprise we don’t have many spinners coming through with that attitude.

I actually think England are looking after Rehan Ahmed. The kid has hardly played cricket and is still learning his craft. He may well have bowled well on a spin friendly deck in Pakistan. That would hardly have given confidence that he could bowl well against the best test team in the world, who boast 3 of the the top 10 batters in the world. All on wickets that have hardly turned.
In all probability he would have got bullied out of the attack and probably never to play for England again. I fully expect he will tour India, but this series is way too early to risk his career.
The reality is that we have coped and had it not rained in Manchester, would still be in with a chance of winning the Ashes, all without a proper front line spinner.

[Elite_Pie]

It's a pity that the Manchester weather has made this an interesting game rather than the absolutely epic game this series deserved. Two pretty equal teams with very contrasting styles. Watching Australia bat was like watching paint dry for much of the day. Whatever happens over the next three days Bazball is worth persevering with, maybe with a bit more brain if that's not contradictory. The Aussies will go home with the ashes, but I'm sure they will realise it was very close to going the other way.

[Magpies1959]

Have to agree there 78. There is a world of difference bowling on sin friendly wickets in the sub continent, to facing the No.1 team in the world on tracks prepared for seamers. No doubt Rehan is a great talent, but young bowlers, especially spin bowlers, can be ruined before they have begun. As regards Moeen, anyone can tweek a groin, at any age, and was played as much for his bating as his bowling ability. Without the rain at Old Trafford, it was probably him standing up to be counted and batting No.3, thus allowing Brook to stay at his preferred No.5, that put us in the winning position.

Interesting to see today and the last session yesterday, that Test cricket played the 'proper' way and Bazball can and will probably produce similar scores. As it happens, in the end the Shackle Draggers only nosed in front when resorting to Bazball tactics though.

All to play for now, and I think it will come down to who holds their nerve the best.

[countygump]

Eng 213-3 @ 40 overs.


What do you reckon we need?


350+?

[bule1]

Would have said bat the day out then decide but the weather could change that

[countygump]

Would have said bat the day out then decide but the weather could change that

@350 ish in front now. Bat the rest of the day and try to get to 400ish in front, and have a bowl tomoz looks like being the plan.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

When is a run out not a run out !!!..?

[bule1]

When is a run out not a run out !!!..?

Not watching, what happened?

[The_Don_ORiordan]

I actually think England are looking after Rehan Ahmed. The kid has hardly played cricket and is still learning his craft. He may well have bowled well on a spin friendly deck in Pakistan. That would hardly have given confidence that he could bowl well against the best test team in the world, who boast 3 of the the top 10 batters in the world. All on wickets that have hardly turned.
In all probability he would have got bullied out of the attack and probably never to play for England again. I fully expect he will tour India, but this series is way too early to risk his career.
The reality is that we have coped and had it not rained in Manchester, would still be in with a chance of winning the Ashes, all without a proper front line spinner.

We’ll never know whether he would have done well or not.

The success story from this ashes for England is giving a young player who has let’s face has not started his career so well (in Crawley), a chance against the best in world and it has succeeded.

The failure was picking an average spin bowler two years retired who has injured himself twice (both injuries more likely due to not bowling a lot for years) bowled poorly and batted poorly.

When do we pick Rehan? Only in spin friendly conditions against players who are used to playing spin?

It’s no wonder we never have any decent spinners if they spend more time carrying drinks than bowling. I don’t buy this argument with “ruining” young spinners? How many has that actually happened to?