England 2021-22 Ashes Tour

I’d like to see Eoin Morgan used by England. Not to play test cricket but to work with whoever is the new captain and to help them shape the team and follow a plan. Morgan is a wonderful captain and cricketing brain, why not use it? A role as advisor to the captain, or a selector role

(28-12-2021 17:48 )SecretAgent Wrote:  This calendar year Root has scored 1708 runs. The next nearest is Burns on 530.

This calendar year the average England score when Root has come in to bat is 35/2 (35.21/2 to be exact).

Ex-England & Surrey batsman Mark Butcher has been calling for Silverwood to be sacked, wonder if it's got anything to do with his mate Alex Stewart, who has been linked with the job for some time.
South Africa's Gary Kirsten's name has also been mentioned, again, I can't see that many queuing up for this job tbh.

I see the easy 'out' of attacking and scapegoating the county championship is being well utilized again!! Same old story!!. Still the same structure (save for the intro of the 100 - maybe a reason right there??) that got England to number one in the world, when the CC received NO recognition as being a contributory factor for that achievement, yet England fall back however, and it is almost soley to blame.

No word of the players - instead of getting their heads down to play for their county clubs - even when the pitches may be at their 'best' (apparently that is when batsmen can 'fill their boots) - swanning off to the pocket filling IPL etc. No, not a reason to be considered at all apparently.

I have never subscribed to this notion that a batman learns how to play at test level better on batting tracks (how do you learn to cope with the moving ball when it doesn't on flat surfaces??). Look at the best players in the world?? They either play on pitches similar to English tracks (NZ and K Williamson) or they play on slow turning tracks. To be fair, that may just be a legitimate concern - the lack of spin friendly pitches!

Could another be the culling of overseas players in the game?? (it will assist home talent to come through don't you know') Not playing consistently against players above your grade - but equal to it at best - will of course improve you as a player...........oh wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One final point. Players rarely playing County Championship cricket...........Hmmmm??? maybe???? unless you can hone your skills on Playstation Test match cricket?? This is to quote 'look after them' apparently!! So if they are to be pulled out, it hardly matters what pitches are prepared!

Different names being touted now - Alec Stewart, Stephen Fleming and even Ricky Ponting!

England will be without their current manager Chris Silverwood for the next test as he's currently in isolation because a family member has come down with covid

^^ Even if he's isolating in Melbourne I'm sure he can help fuck up the selection for the Sydney Test.

I actually like the bloke, & he's a black belt in Karate, so maybe people better be careful what they say.

Adam Hollioake is to help out with England's coaching with Silverwood, Jon Lewis & Jeetan Patel isolating.

Travis Head has tested positive for Covid 19 & Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddingson, & Josh Inglis have been added to the squad. Usman Khawaja was already the reserve batsman, & would be the most likely replacement.

Stuart Broad has been recalled to the team for the 4th test replacing Ollie Robinson who has a shoulder problem.

Usman Khawaja replaces Travis Head for Australia.

Rain may well be added to the England squad for this match in Sydney.
Always good to have an extra player

Australia won toss and bat