The Ashes thread.

[Bombers right foot]

Nice to see a bit of sensible batting for a change, makes all the difference as anyone who has played the game will understand

[Stevil81]

That is the idea of having a forum though is it not?

There hasn't been a lot of positives to come out form a team perspective as we have literally thrown away the first two tests, apologies for thinking we might do it again.

You have to be honest though, we have not been anywhere as professional with any of the tests so far as we could have been. It doesn't seem long ago that Bairstow and Root were on amazing form and looked unstoppable, but for whatever reason they just aren't performing.

I admit I do not play a sport for a living, but for those of us watching it seems like they are making things much more difficult than it should be.

I think that saying we should hang our heads in shame is a ridiculous comment.

We are capable of achieving so much more than we are getting at the moment is all most of us are saying

[TipperaryBaggie]

Would have been even more satisfying if Cummins and Starc had floored each other when taking that Brook catch!

[mickd1961]

That is the idea of having a forum though is it not?

There hasn't been a lot of positives to come out form a team perspective as we have literally thrown away the first two tests, apologies for thinking we might do it again.

You have to be honest though, we have not been anywhere as professional with any of the tests so far as we could have been. It doesn't seem long ago that Bairstow and Root were on amazing form and looked unstoppable, but for whatever reason they just aren't performing.

I admit I do not play a sport for a living, but for those of us watching it seems like they are making things much more difficult than it should be.

I think that saying we should hang our heads in shame is a ridiculous comment.

We are capable of achieving so much more than we are getting at the moment is all most of us are saying

A well thought out post Steve.

I wouldn’t dream of asking someone to hang their head in shame for being positive about stuff all the time.

I actually find that trait extremely annoying but I wouldn’t think of trying to shame someone for that opinion.

Most of us are a product of our lives and upbringing…….I certainly am, not that I’d want to wash all that dirty linen in public.

[Dubbag]

not that I’d want to wash all that dirty linen in public.

GO on Mick, there's nobody here....not the one about the piles.

[mickd1961]

GO on Mick, there's nobody here....not the one about the piles.

Piles are the least of my personal issues mate!🤣

Some days, I’d swop the old piles for what I am coping with! 😩🤣

[Dubbag]

Piles are the least of my personal issues mate!🤣

Some days, I’d swop the old piles for what I am coping with! 😩🤣

I knew you would take it in jest....but take care of yourself..

[mickd1961]

I knew you would take it in jest....but take care of yourself..

Thanks Dubs.

I dish out the pee taking but I always take it back and deservedly so.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Nice to see a bit of sensible batting for a change, makes all the difference as anyone who has played the game will understand

Can you explain when the 'bit of sensible batting' started for you. I'm assuming it's the bit that won the game for England ie The Brook, Woakes, Wood partnerships which was the very epitome of Bazball. Before they got together England were going at around 4.75 and over. 'Sensible bit' all but 6 an over.

From someone who played many year at the dizzy heights of The Cuckmere Valley League usually as a No6 bat and first change bowler.

Actually I don't think anyone of us of any idea what it is like at this level. I watched but didn't see the side on camera angle of a Cummins (I think) delivery in the nets on Sky. When I say I didn't see it I literally did not see the ball go past.

[Bombers right foot]

The sensible batting started from ball one, very few rash shots, Crawley was actually leaving the ball really well, the run rate came about because of numerous bad balls that were rightly punished, I enjoyed the way England went about the chase, common sense batting, Brook again looked the class player he his, ‘Baz ball’ was played by Wood and latterly by Woakes who I thought batted with care and intelligence.
I played against paid professionals, one allowed per team, bowling against Pakistans Ramzan was an eye opener, a tiny bit offline and the ball went to the boundary, the class difference was huge, I remember bowling against an Aussie pro ( can’t remember his name) in the 80’s, nearly bowled him first ball, after that wow you just couldn’t bowl to him, far too good for us