England's Tour of Australia - Ashes, ODIs and T20s 13/14

Quote:Jack, I never said Cook should rip into his team publicly I'm sure that can be done behind closed doors one way or another.

Babelover I am sorry if I miss understood what you were saying about Cook. I assumed you were implying it should be done publically as were are not privy to what has already been said in private.

In the last innings not one of England's wickets fell to a ball which would have hit the stumps.

Of the 40 wickets which England have lost in this series 21 have been caught on the leg side.

(09-12-2013 22:36 )Jack Bishop Wrote:  Babelover I am sorry if I miss understood what you were saying about Cook. I assumed you were implying it should be done publically as were are not privy to what has already been said in private.

it's OK mate, I know Cook wouldn't be one to do it in public. All England needs is one of Sir Alex's infamous hairdryer treatments I reckon but turn it round is looking like mission impossible at the moment./ I've hardly watched the highlights to be honest as I feel it would be too painful to watch!! But how we have fallen, from being a team many felt could dominate to a team like Australia did to one that probably has look of disarray about it. One thing I will say is Strauss knew how to get the team fired up for a game and Cook probably doesn't quite know how to do it. I'm not saying that Cook is a bad captain I think he could be a great captain in time, but it does seem to me that we are being beaten by what seems to be an average looking Australian side and almost certainly one individual. England just haven't been able to find that replacement for Freddie (Flintoff) and I would say we need someone to become a modern day version of Beefy (Botham) and start a spark to turn this round. I think had we not rested certain players last summer (as someone has previously mentioned), and sent them back to their counties to get a few good innings behind them we probably would be in the position we are now.

Totally agree about the all rounder. When Beefy retired we waiting ages for somebody like Freddie to show and since he has finished we seem to be waiting again. It would fill the problem no 6 slot and allow us to have either a 4th seemer or 2nd spinner. May be Stokes is that man but very early in his career and remains to be seen.
Also yes we have been beaten mainly by one man. Johnson has been the difference. To me take him out of the equation and little between the 2 sides. However had we had a "Johnson type bowler" on England side instead I don't think the Aussie batsmen would have crumbled the way our guys have done.

England coach Andy Flower - Quote "We have taken some serious hits,but we do have a squad full of people who are determined to turn the ship around,& that's what we must do.I'm absolutely ready to make tough decisions,There will obviously be changes in Perth "

Wonder if he is hinting that he will be dropping one or more of the under-performing senior players.

(10-12-2013 22:47 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Wonder if he is hinting that he will be dropping one or more of the under-performing senior players.

No, nothing like that. By obvious changes he means that 2 spinners won't be needed in Perth and that reverting to a 4 man attack also means that Stokes won't be required.

Dropping the spinners on that track makes sense to me. So the question is who the 4 man attack will be Anderson, Broad and 2 from Tremlett, Finn, Bresnan? with Balance slotting in at 6 may be.
Personally I would not be unhappy with that although Stokes at 6 as an extra seem bowler would also be an option I would consider. I would not tinker with the top 5 batsmen and Prior has made some runs at last.

Temperatures are in the high 80's in Perth,,hard work for a 4 man seam attack,Root would have to bowl some overs.This is England's last chance to get something out of this series,they need no worse than a draw on their most unsucessful ground in Australia.Really nothing to lose by having a gamble.

^ I agree it is high workload Boomer which I why I would consider Stokes at 6. I am sure Balance will get his chance in the future. As you say Root can bowl some and add a little variety to the attack as well.

Ballance makes 89 for EPP in a 3 day match,nudging the selectors.