2015 Ashes series - Eng V Aus

[mousemat]

Protest about what, England & Australia are the prime custodians of test cricket & like it or not the sub-continent is the moolah behind the shorter version. Forget ICC what is the respective cricket boards of WI or SA doing to promote test cricket. SA is now playing a winter ODI series against NZ.

 

Although you have a pertinent point about test cricket my main concern is the level of corruption surrounding India and its growing influence over the game.  Just look how 2 franchises were expelled from the IPL for 2 years and the ICC current chairman Srinivason’s company India Cement owns one of the teams. His son-in-law was also part of the same franchise and was banned from any involvement in cricket for illegal betting.  How can a chairman with such links remain the chairman of the ICC?  I believe that the other nations are scared to propose change and ask for a new chairman as he will use his political power to crush them.

 

The West Indies will always struggle with test cricket as there have been disagreements between the board and players, which has resulted in several players not being selected for 5 day games. 

 

An ICC test world championship was proposed in England but it was cancelled - if this takes place then it will be the first step in rebuilding attendances and interest int he longer format of the game.

[mikeyboy]

Although you have a pertinent point about test cricket my main concern is the level of corruption surrounding India and its growing influence over the game.  Just look how 2 franchises were expelled from the IPL for 2 years and the ICC current chairman Srinivason’s company India Cement owns one of the teams. His son-in-law was also part of the same franchise and was banned from any involvement in cricket for illegal betting.  How can a chairman with such links remain the chairman of the ICC?  I believe that the other nations are scared to propose change and ask for a new chairman as he will use his political power to crush them.

 

The West Indies will always struggle with test cricket as there have been disagreements between the board and players, which has resulted in several players not being selected for 5 day games. 

 

An ICC test world championship was proposed in England but it was cancelled - if this takes place then it will be the first step in rebuilding attendances and interest int he longer format of the game.

 

Understand your concerns .

 

India don't seem that interested in test Cricket anymore , not enough money in it for their liking .   Much easier to have an in house tournament  ( IPL )  where they can rake in the easy rupee  .

 

West Indies are in an even worse state  ,  their Cricket board are totally incompetent ,  not even holding enough money to pay their players .    No wonder they rebelled and quit the tour of India. 

 

Add the internal fighting between the islands ( countries )  and you wonder how much longer they will keep going .  Englands last tour to the Windies was only 3 tests ,  and because of disputes they did not play a test in either Jamaica or Trinidad . 

 

Something needs to be done , to halt the decline of a great sport . Test match cricket .    A clean ICC chairman would be a good start .

 

Mikeyboy

 

Australia    481

 

England    107 - 8          Funny old game .

[Mick Pattaya]

Ceaser's wife should be above suspicion, not a sentiment shared at ICC & cronies.

[mikeyboy]

A truly weird series comes to an end  .   England beat Australia  3 - 2  and not one of the test matches was close .

 

It will be interesting to see where the teams progress from here .     Australia need to find permanent replacements for Chris Rogers , Michael Clarke , Shane Watson and Brad Haddin .

 

England need to try another opening bat , Adam Lyth isn't the solution . Gary Ballance could well be when he finds form .    Also , the spinners place needs to be filled by a specialist .   Moeen Ali is not the long term answer , although he does quite well .

 

Ian Bell will continue to be backed by his big mate Alistair Cook , but he is becoming more inconsistent . 

 

Pakistan in the middle east is next up for England , Adil Rashid should tour and play every game .      South Africa in December will be a different challenge .

 

Mikeyboy

[mousemat]

What a strange series – both teams failing to recover once they fell behind in each test.

 

The positives from the series can he highlighted as:

• Massive improvement on our fielding since the NZ series
• Ali having a batting average of 36 despite batting at number 7 or 8
• Roots continued form – only English player to score 100+
• Our bowlers taking turns to dominate an innings with a great test changing spell

The negatives:

• Continued problem with the opening partnership – tried several players but they have not worked. I’d like to see Alex Hales open as his form has been good this summer
• Only 3 players averaged over 30 with the bat
• Lack of a specialist spinner – should have played Rashid in the final test

[mikeyboy]

 

What a strange series – both teams failing to recover once they fell behind in each test.

 

The positives from the series can he highlighted as:

• Massive improvement on our fielding since the NZ series
• Ali having a batting average of 36 despite batting at number 7 or 8
• Roots continued form – only English player to score 100+
• Our bowlers taking turns to dominate an innings with a great test changing spell

The negatives:

• Continued problem with the opening partnership – tried several players but they have not worked. I’d like to see Alex Hales open as his form has been good this summer
• Only 3 players averaged over 30 with the bat
• Lack of a specialist spinner – should have played Rashid in the final test

 

 

One possibility being touted is that for Pakistan tour at least , Moeen Ali be promoted to opener , a position he is familiar with in 50 over stuff .   This would allow another spinner into the side , Adil Rashid or whoever .

 

Alex Hales would certainly fit in with Englands positive batting outlook ,  but i think he would be more effective against the South Africans than the Pakistan spinners on turning tracks .

 

Mikeyboy

[mousemat]

One possibility being touted is that for Pakistan tour at least , Moeen Ali be promoted to opener , a position he is familiar with in 50 over stuff .   This would allow another spinner into the side , Adil Rashid or whoever .

 

Alex Hales would certainly fit in with Englands positive batting outlook ,  but i think he would be more effective against the South Africans than the Pakistan spinners on turning tracks .

 

Mikeyboy

 

It would be difficult to have Ali open in the UAE as it would only be a stop gap solution and offer no structure for the squad. It’s been a problem position for a few years and whoever is selected needs to be given time to settle and build some confidence. If Hales is picked then he will eventually bat in Sri Lanka or India so the previous test match experience will benefit him.

[mikeyboy]

It would be difficult to have Ali open in the UAE as it would only be a stop gap solution and offer no structure for the squad. It’s been a problem position for a few years and whoever is selected needs to be given time to settle and build some confidence. If Hales is picked then he will eventually bat in Sri Lanka or India so the previous test match experience will benefit him.

 

I think people are beginning to realise how good Andrew Strauss was when opening for England .  Have not found a replacement yet .  

 

You are right in that if Alex Hales is considered good enough , he should be given a decent run at opening regardless of where the test matches are being played . 

 

However i remember that one day specialist Eion Morgan playing in the Emirates for England a few years ago and , basically not having a clue .   We'll see .   

 

Mikeyboy