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Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:28 pmby Durhamfootman
bigfluffylemon wrote:Here's a wacky idea that doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone (and probably will get shot down immediately due to the almighty dollar), but from a cricketing perspective, why do we need a 5th test?
that's commie talk mister!
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:29 amby alfie
sussexpob wrote:England finally get out for a game. Lions score 220-4, and all of England's specialist frontline bowling options draw a blank for the day.
Lions batters forced to retire at 20-30 runs, save for Crawley who got out in the 40s (and is the only Ashes Squad batter in the Lions team, no doubt to give him a chance to play), and England giving a shared distribution of the bowling with a couple of Lions pacers who got thrown the ball while England's actual pace options were given very limited overs.
I cant really get the thinking with that. With England's batting woes in full swing, it makes more sense to allow the top Lions prospects to bat as long as possible and stake a claim on some form and quality, because they will be needed if the batting line gets shredded in the first few games..... and surely from a bowling perspective, you (a) want your seamers having a decent go rather than just one long spell/two short ones.... and you also want them bowing at batsman playing well as a challenge, because they are going to have to get used to facing set batsman on these pitches and working out how to bowl to them.
If you didnt want a challenge or the Lions getting a decent go, nor the bowlers bowling anything worthwhile, why didnt they just get the England batting line up play vs the Lions bowlers, with a few spells thrown in for the frontline test players?
Its not like the way they have done it has any FC integrity or mimicks the pressure of a proper match.... if you are forcing people to retire after 20 runs and one team uses 8 bowlers, it aint anything more than a glorified net session anyway
All valid queries , SP ; but with only two days left of a hoped for seven of warm up stuff there really isn't any "good" way to do this. All they can do is get the bowlers a few match simulation overs in their legs and hopefully most of the bats some time in the middle - but it really doesn't amount to much.
Possible reason for having the teams close to expected first XI v Spares is to get the fielding positions for the various bowlers all sorted. Not certain they are that sure who will be their bowling group for the first match though ; and to be honest there might not be much between the two bowling attacks anyway.
Glorified net session isn't far off it , I guess. Hardly ideal ; but the Aussies have totally ditched their warm up squad game for nets so it cuts both ways...
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:05 amby sussexpob
I guess in the modern day, warm up games are looked upon as an invitation to pick up injuries or fatigue, rather than an opportunity to get in the groove, which is an annoying attitude considering it mirrors a total fall in away teams competing in tough series. In theory, an A v B side warm up is a decent/good secondary option - but diluting the game into a comical affair takes all the needle out of it. These types of matches where FC rules arent followed (And therefore dont apply on records) are a waste of time.
To have any value, you want the B team champing at the bit to prove they should be in the main squad, and giving you a hard game.... asking them to stop batting when they make 20 is hardly that. What was the point of giving everyone including lower order players a go from the B team? The only conclusion I can think of is, not having someone wrack up runs vs the A team might appear better for their ego.
The Aussies preparation seems ridiculous too, as you pointed out - they have shield games going on, why bring the squad together to do nothing ( I read they have been given 11 days off before the test) when they could be playing in the FC game? Again it seems a modern day obsession that having your international coaching team messing around with players off the pitch is better than them actually playing. Never understand that....
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:06 amby sussexpob
Meanwhile Day 3 is a total washout
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:31 pmby bigfluffylemon
Carey and Head get the nod for Aus.
Looks like the safe option.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Mon Dec 06, 2021 12:11 amby Durhamfootman
I suppose, understandably, they feel that's all they need to do.
I tend to agree. Just turn up and wait for England to throw the game/series away
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:24 amby GarlicJam
James Anderson has been ruled out of the first test, with a calf strain.
Not going to make the camp happy, but no doubt it will make the selectors' job a bit easier - Wood, Woakes AND Broad.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:02 amby Arthur Crabtree
Wood turns up in more squads than he's fit to be in. My guess is that Broad would have missed out. And Woakes did so badly in Australia last time that he owes a good one just to be equal. So I guess Anderson feels a bit of a loss. At least he'd keep the RR down.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:19 amby bigfluffylemon
Surely Robinson plays after the summer he had? And you've got to have a spinner?
So you have three quicks out of Robinson, Broad, Wood, Overton and Woakes, and one spinner out of Leach and Bess.
I'd go with Robinson, Broad, Wood, Stokes and Leach. Neither Overton nor Woakes did well last time out. Neither did Broad, but he has the track record in Australia in 2013 (one of the only players to come out with his reputation intact) and 2010 (although he got injured). Wood at least offers variety, and if he's going to do well anywhere, surely it's Australia. A four man attack of Broad, Woakes, Overton and Stokes is just too samey - four right handed 82 mph bowlers with a similar delivery angle. That said, Overton has allegedly added a yard of pace since last time out in Australia.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:56 amby alfie
GarlicJam wrote:James Anderson has been ruled out of the first test, with a calf strain.
Not going to make the camp happy, but no doubt it will make the selectors' job a bit easier - Wood, Woakes AND Broad.
I do not think Anderson is injured : the reference to the calf stain in the news report refers to the last series , no ? This is a management issue as they want him fresh for Adelaide - and probably MCG a few days later. They think the likes of those mentioned above (plus Robinson , surely ? ) will be just as effective in Brisbane.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 7:35 amby GarlicJam
Possibly Alfie. I'm going on what ABC sport reported.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:28 amby sussexpob
GarlicJam wrote:Possibly Alfie. I'm going on what ABC sport reported.
Jos Buttler is quoted in the English press saying Anderson is rested, and that he is not injured.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:30 amby sussexpob
In fact it seems to have been indicated that he's being kept back for pitches they expect to help him more in the later series.
Which is bizarre, because all I am reading is this Brisbane pitch is apparently a green belt, and a few guys like Ian Healy are saying its the same track they used for a low scoring shield game this year which seamed and swung around everywhere.
England have done their research then.... rest their best bowler on a pitch sounding like its been designed for him.
Only England would rest a bowler after 4 months off
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:31 amby bigfluffylemon
Earlier in the day the Aussie press was reporting Anderson was injured, but the latest does seem to be as sussex says - a tactical resting.
Re: Ashes 2021-22.
Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 9:33 amby sussexpob
Going to be amusing when Anderson is playing at the end of the series with it already decided, but was rested for the key opener to save him for the dead ones.