Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[alfie]

Mark wood has been ruled out of the whole summer after knee surgery

It was not smart to include him in the Champions Trophy squad. They were never likely to compete and if there was any point in keeping Wood contracted it was surely to have him preserved for the red ball stuff. Bit like the mistake of having Stokes play the last ODI WC. Priorities...or there should be.

Still time to have him back by Ashes Tour but I probably wouldn't be putting money on it.

[andy]

Jon Lewis has left his post as England coach...no suprise there and a much needed move I feel

[Durhamfootman]

agreed, a coach shouldn't be able to survive a debacle like that

[Durhamfootman]

in other news, Shakib has had his action cleared as has Matt Kuhnemann

[andy]

Heather knight has also stood down as captain..again no suprise there...just hope sciver brunt isn't named as new captain

[Durhamfootman]

agreed, a coach captain shouldn't be able to survive a debacle like that

[alfie]

agreed, a coach captain shouldn't be able to survive a debacle like that

Well anyway after what , 9 years ? in charge I imagine her message might have been wearing out in the dressing room. Not to have a go at Knight but moving on to a new leader makes a lot of sense.

Just the tricky question as to who will take over ...

[Durhamfootman]

well, that's the hard bit, of course

there really is only NSB, but she's had to stand in for Knight in the past and got an absolute pasting, so it might have to be a wild card brought in from outside this group.... in fact the way England have been hammered every time they face good opposition in the last 2 or 3 years, it probably should be an outsider. I couldn't tell you who, though

I have no problem with England losing to this Australia side, they are streets ahead of anyone else and they are staying there despite gradually transitioning to younger players, a model for how it should be done, but it was the way coach and captain (and indeed some of the players) refused to acknowledge that they were getting battered, wouldn't tolerate any criticism and lost control of the very basics. They were living in cloud cuckoo land, where they were just losing in the key moments, but were not really that far behind Australia. While they were in place it was hard to see where change was going to come from

[Durhamfootman]

Crikey, it took weeks for them to go, when they should have gone straight away

it's like the ECB were prevaricating over whether to sack them or not......... Lambs led by lemmings

[sussexpob]

I have no problem with England losing to this Australia side, they are streets ahead of anyone else and they are staying there despite gradually transitioning to younger players, a model for how it should be done, but it was the way coach and captain (and indeed some of the players) refused to acknowledge that they were getting battered, wouldn't tolerate any criticism and lost control of the very basics. They were living in cloud cuckoo land, where they were just losing in the key moments, but were not really that far behind Australia. While they were in place it was hard to see where change was going to come from

Walking into a political minefield here, but the amateurism of the side can be seen from a mile off in the form of how many of the girls look unfit or have put on weight in recent times, along with a loss of fundamental skills like fielding which are a simple question of working hard and practicing away from the game. If England want to bridge the gap between the amateur and professional eras, then they have to be willing to sacrifice good players for the culture of the team. If someone like Sophie Ecclestone thinks she is above criticism but adds an inch onto her waist size every series, then sack her off. The team don't need players like that influencing the dressing room with zero accountability or low professionalism.

I mean, you only have to look at Nat Sciver Brunt now bowling spinner pace to see key players in the side are just not fit enough. There was a stage 3-4 years ago she was bowling regularly over 70mph, and yet spells this Ashes she was bowling floaty pedestrian pace at 55mph. Its not good enough, key players have to be fit enough to reach their best level, this is not it - and someone needs to tell her dropping 15mph and still thinking she is tear away bowling 3 slow motion short balls an over is not a good idea.

Looking at England's bowlers in this last series especially, does MacDonald-Gay, Capsey, NSB or Sophie Ecclestone look remotely fit? MDG seemingly doubled in size in no time at all. You cannot have players who are 20 years old not being fit, there is no excuse for it. Even Heather Knight is huge in comparison to what she used to be 10 year ago - she was a tiny beanpole, she's built like a tank now.

They need someone to come in and be willing to read the riot act. They all need to work harder on their games.

[Durhamfootman]

they need to get Gatting in to read them the riot act

on the subject of weight, I saw Atherton on the telly the other week and I was shocked at how thin he looked. A man his age shouldn't be that thin..... just makes you look ill

[sussexpob]

on the subject of weight, I saw Atherton on the telly the other week and I was shocked at how thin he looked. A man his age shouldn't be that thin..... just makes you look ill

He has a rare degenerative medical condition that was diagnosed early in his playing career after he got chronic back pain, this is the reason why he is so thin, as the disease is linked to digestive problems/weight loss also.

Pub Quiz fact for you - He also has no sense of smell.

[Durhamfootman]

good info, thanks for that SP

[Durhamfootman]

Wisden have had a right old go at the ICC, the BCCI .........."India already had the monopoly, now they have hotels on Park Lane and Mayfair"

and the world test championship..............."A shambles masquerading as a showpiece event"


How to make friends and influence people?

[sussexpob]

Wisden have had a right old go at the ICC, the BCCI .........."India already had the monopoly, now they have hotels on Park Lane and Mayfair"

Let's be honest, its a poor tournament with imbalanced scheduling, because no one wants to commit an away/home series of 3 test matches to make it proper. The big sides don't want to waste available schedule slots on tournaments that don't make money, and the more powerful the board, the more it applies. England aren't going to schedule home series against the worst sides for 3 tests, when 6 tests a summer are possible, and August is becoming their time to promote franchise cricket. The format will most likely just die out, and the Big three will play tests amongst themselves, but rarely matches elsewhere or against others.

I think we have more chance of the IPL becoming a football league type tournament lasting 6 plus months, than radical changes to an international based game. It feels inevitable that is the future of the game - parallel franchise leagues running long term, small international slots inbetween, off season major tournaments, ceremonial tours to preserve the Ashes or major test cricket, but a yearly affair no long takes place.