Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

The England captaincy effect (difference between Test batting averages as captain and non-captain. Min 10 matches as captain):
Root -10.14
Cook +1.97
Strauss -0.28
Flintoff+1.70
Vaughan-14.96
Hussain-2.06
Atherton+5.33
Gooch+22.79
Gatting+11.84
Gower-0.91

Vaughany's injury got worse after becoming skipper. Gooch was just a better player later on, but that's some improvement.

IF Silverwoord goes......whose your money on for a replacement?

I'm guessing Collingwood will be next.

Still, the limited overs side is doing ok, so no suggestion Silverwood should go from that position.

My view is the coach isn't one of the greater problems in ECB-land though.

Can't imagine who could replace Root. He's the only player guaranteed to get into the side on merit.

That is Peter Moores at 2015 World Cup on steroids. It is like Ole at United: there are bigger overarching issues than Silverwood, but there is no denying he is hopelessly out of his depth.

Sounds like Silverwood will go but Joe will stay captain.

Wonder which of the top seven will stay in the side. Don't expect many changes among the bowling, though they seem to lack confidence in any of the spinners.

Giles falls on his sword.

Right call. His position, and Silverwoods, are untenable.

Strauss takes over for now. I remember he was the ECB pick to promote limited overs over Test cricket as the way forward for international cricket.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Strauss takes over for now. I remember he was the ECB pick to promote limited overs over Test cricket as the way forward for international cricket.

Yeh, and the people he appointed to carry out the remit fulfilled it perfectly.

Silverwood's departure confirmed
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59754595

Harrison still there then.

No surprises. Let's see what the fuller reviews bring.

Reports are that Thorpe might be next, although the cricinfo piece is a bit baffling:

"Graham Thorpe's position as assistant coach had been under specific scrutiny following an early-morning incident after the fifth Test in Hobart last month, when police had to be called after he reportedly lit a cigar in an indoor space at the team hotel."

I guess it's supposed to be an insinuation that Thorpe is involved in/not put a stop to the alleged drinking culture in the squad, but frankly, who cares if he lit up? Surely his job should be under threat as he has, as batting coach, presided over the worst England batting line-up of all time?

Totally agree with that BFL. The only story I took from the night out was that both teams came together and had a friendly drink, with whatever happened on the field left at the door, which I personally think is great and reflects well on all those involved. That's how cricket should be; Lyon savaged Rory Burns with some sledging in the games, but then laughed about it over a beer later.

So a few players maybe drunk a little too much and made some noise late at night - and? And the coach was there. And? They were on duty for a long time, no harm was done, all involved complied politely with law enforcement. Move on from it.

As you say, lets focus on the job being done on the field. If Thorpe gets sacked, its the performance tragedy to blame, not accidentally lighting a cigar in a non-smoking area.