The Ashes 2023

[cronullasharks]

I think the Aussie openers are pretty weak compared with previous ones over the years but it only takes a couple of batsman to hit top form to win the whole thing.
Can’t help escape the feeing that the best years of test cricket are now long gone though.

Only a matter of time before the whole sport is swallowed up by the IPL and a few other garbage t20 competitions.

 

[Walken]

Only a matter of time before the whole sport is swallowed up by the IPL and a few other garbage t20 competitions.

Capitalism claims another sport

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Capitalism claims another sport

I think the Ashes will still carry on as it’s a huge event, but for other many nations can’t really see it.
Pretty sad to see so many West Indians in the IPL but they can’t put together a half decent test side.

 

[cronullasharks]

Capitalism claims another sport

We'll get told the short form of the game is what we actually want to watch as well.

 

[cronullasharks]

I think the Ashes will still carry on as it’s a huge event, but for other many nations can’t really see it.
Pretty sad to see so many West Indians in the IPL but they can’t put together a half decent test side.

South Africa's test side looks like it's going downhill as rapidly as West Indies did.

 

[Walken]

We'll get told the short form of the game is what we actually want to watch as well.

T20 world cups are fun, but I think back on moments in cricket that make it special to me and not even our t20 world cup wins are among them. All of them in the longer form or odi

 

[JimmyJeffers]

South Africa's test side looks like it's going downhill as rapidly as West Indies did.

It’s unbelievable how quickly they’ve deteriorated. I knew a few South African lads who were all very good cricketers. Maybe more kids there are taking up football now I dunno.

 

[woomy]

I do think the ashes will always remain.
However I think we will get to a stage where we have a 5 nations tournament every 12-18 months.
With the ashes then being squeezed in somewhere.

 

[Walken]

A shame Stokes and Baz didn't come along a few years earlier. But it is a great attempt to save test cricket

 

[summerisle]

It’s unbelievable how quickly they’ve deteriorated. I knew a few South African lads who were all very good cricketers. Maybe more kids there are taking up football now I dunno.

The South African board's skint, they lose money hosting test matches against most countries. They've put all their eggs in the South African T20 competition, with teams sponsored by Indian money.

An interesting perspective :

'Test cricket is dying for nations outside the Big Three of England, India and Australia'

T20 franchises, unprofitability and too-short tours are threats to the longest form of the game

inews.co.uk

 

[Connor]

 

[summerisle]

Certainly will be eventful if he plays.

 

[summerisle]

 

[Walken]

Wish it was Rashid, but Stokes has my approval no matter what basically

 

[ToffeeTim]

Wish it was Rashid, but Stokes has my approval no matter what basically

Rashid is out injured for at least a couple of the matches I think. Ali is the right decision for me, both in terms of talent and to balance the side. But I do get why some of the younger spin bowlers would be a bit annoyed about this decision.