O/T:- Unofficial NCM Ashes thread

[Elite_Pie]

In addition to all the other problems mentioned here, I think this has to be Joe Root's last series as Test captain. Captaincy matters more in the longer format of the game and is by all accounts a very difficult job, more so than in many other team sports. Unfortunately his captaincy has mostly hindered rather than helped England. It certainly has so far in Australia, where any England team hoping to win needs to get everything right.

He has occasionally managed to look adequate when things have gone well but he's consistently been worse than useless when the team is up against it. His bowling and fielding tactics are woeful, he behaves more like a mate of the senior players than a leader of them, and his head visibly drops along with everyone else's when things go wrong, just when you need a leader to demand you keep going.

He also gets far too caught up in the emotions of the game when an objective cool head is needed, a weakness particularly exposed when England's horrible short pitched bowling let India's tailenders bat them back into the game at Lords earlier this year. All of these shortcomings have been as present throughout his captaincy as they have during this Ashes series so far.

It goes without saying that Root should remain in the team as a batsman and be allowed to focus on what he's good at - batting, with occasional cameos as a spinner. There is a big question about who would replace him, a factor I think is not unrelated to having had as long as he has had. I'd make Ben Stokes captain.

Very interesting post Slocky, and I agree with pretty much all of it. I've always thought that captaincy in cricket is way more important than captaincy in football. Probably way before your time, but Mike Brearley is a perfect example. I've just googled his stats, and he was played solely as a batsman but never scored a century in 66 test innings and averaged a pathetic 23. His strength was captaincy, he was in charge for 31 tests, winning 17, drawing 10 and losing 4. His strengths were that he made the right decisions at the right time and got the best from his team. Ian Botham was around at the same time. He was way, way more gifted than Brearley and one of the best players in the world. He was England captain for 12 games - no wins, 8 draws and 4 defeats. There is no more obvious replacement for Root than Stokes, it would be interesting to see whether the responsibility made him better or worse.

[Notts78]

In addition to all the other problems mentioned here, I think this has to be Joe Root's last series as Test captain. Captaincy matters more in the longer format of the game and is by all accounts a very difficult job, more so than in many other team sports. Unfortunately his captaincy has mostly hindered rather than helped England. It certainly has so far in Australia, where any England team hoping to win needs to get everything right.

He has occasionally managed to look adequate when things have gone well but he's consistently been worse than useless when the team is up against it. His bowling and fielding tactics are woeful, he behaves more like a mate of the senior players than a leader of them, and his head visibly drops along with everyone else's when things go wrong, just when you need a leader to demand you keep going.

He also gets far too caught up in the emotions of the game when an objective cool head is needed, a weakness particularly exposed when England's horrible short pitched bowling let India's tailenders bat them back into the game at Lords earlier this year. All of these shortcomings have been as present throughout his captaincy as they have during this Ashes series so far.

It goes without saying that Root should remain in the team as a batsman and be allowed to focus on what he's good at - batting, with occasional cameos as a spinner. There is a big question about who would replace him, a factor I think is not unrelated to having had as long as he has had. I'd make Ben Stokes captain.

Great. So Root, the one truly decent batsman should stay in the side.
Question, you have said why Root shouldn’t be captain, who should be? I’m intrigued as just about every player in the side, apart from the one you mention, is either not good enough or is near the end of there career. There are 3 players I see in the test squad for the next Ashes. Root, Stokes and Robinson. Which one is your captain?

[i961pie]

Great. So Root, the one truly decent batsman should stay in the side.
Question, you have said why Root shouldn’t be captain, who should be? I’m intrigued as just about every player in the side, apart from the one you mention, is either not good enough or is near the end of there career. There are 3 players I see in the test squad for the next Ashes. Root, Stokes and Robinson. Which one is your captain?

I think his last line answers your question?

[Notts78]

I think his last line answers your question?

It does. Though a very talented player would you make a bloke who has literally just come back from a self imposed break due to his mental health the captain?
Stokes has pressure on him because of how good he is in a bang average team, I’m not convinced he would cope with the captaincy. Root in this respect is a good foil.
What I would also add, despite being an average team, Root has been the standout player. He has continued to perform at the highest level. What Root needs is others to contribute. Particularly with bat.
It’s good to see that Malan is showing some good form along with our talisman. Hope it continues long in to the Adelaide evening.

[ForeignLegion]

Currently a batting masterclass going on....another innings or 9/10 wicket defeat coming up.

[Notts78]

Currently a batting masterclass going on....another innings or 9/10 wicket defeat coming up.

I would say it’s unbelievable, but it seems inevitable with this group. Complete control in the first session to a complete collapse in the second.

[ForeignLegion]

I think they should declare Covid is rife in camp and hop on a plane home. 2-0 loss doesn’t sound too bad.

[ForeignLegion]

Have t heard the thoughts of the Eumundi Barmy Army yet.

[i961pie]

Apart from two new openers, a decent wicketkeeper, a new captain a good spin bowler and a couple of younger fast bowlers we are a decent side imo.

[queenslandpie]

Have t heard the thoughts of the Eumundi Barmy Army yet.

Been away for the last week mate bush walking up in Lamington and now on the Goldie for a few days of cheesy fun, booze and spotting drug dealers. Caught a couple of hours yesterday whilst teaching my 9 year old daughter the rules. My lord we are bad and its so predictable. Doubtless I will tune in later on to watch Australia pile on a quick 300 declare and have us out by lunch tomorrow for an innings and something victory. Pathetic.