The Ashes 2023

[chrismpw]

I wonder if the men will adopt the women’s format of a points based system to still include 5 tests but add in a few T20s and an ODI or two?
Rubbish that the tests have to be shoehorned to finish before August so that the ECB can run their Hundred format

Test match cricket is the only cricket that interests me as a format. Less for-the-children-baseball (not Bazball) and more chess.

The hundred can get in the bin. Cricket for those without an attention span.

 

[chrismpw]

It’s not about just helping England. It’s about making Test cricket better. It’s in desperate need of getting more people into it. Draws because of the weather is something that can be changed that would improve the format.

Extra weather days. It's not rocket science.

 

[roydo]

Not literally at the stadium with a ticket. In the forums, at the bars, in front of their own TVs.

I hope they stay though, and look past the short sighted critiques that many seem to have fallen into and see what England are trying to achieve long term. There is a far better chance of keeping them in the sport beyond a home ashes series because of Stokes and McCullan

Get what you mean. But The Ashes will always get more interest than Sri Lanka next summer. Just the way it is.

 

[bcblue1878]

Changes for the Oval?

I can see Green being dropped for Murphy and possibly Starc for Nesser

Will England stick with Jimmy? 4 wickets from 3.5 tests is no return
Can Broad do 5 back to back?
Is Woakes &/or Robinson fit?

Think Wood will be ok as didn’t bowl much at OT and the top 7 pick themselves atm

Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Josh Tongue come back in for Jimmy Anderson as England’s only change!

 

[chrismpw]

Really doesn’t take much to look at the forecast and realise you’re going to lose a lot of time so start earlier and finish later. Just an hour each side is enough.

Also, do something about the over rates.

We’re as bad as anyone for it but so much time gets lost when you can play.

Oh and it’s 2023. Get some roofs built on these grounds.

An earlier start isn't feasible as the dew and conditions aren't stable early on in the day. And a roof? You know how big a cricket ground is?? Again not feasible.

Extra days however ... like they had for the cricket World final - eminently sensible.

 

[Walken]

Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Josh Tongue come back in for Jimmy Anderson as England’s only change!

I think you want as many fresh bowlers as possible in the last test, without picking bowlers below test standard. Could see Tongue and Robinson come in, for the first time Broad looked a bit leggy and though I actually think Jimmy bowled far better than his wickets column suggested I would rather see Tongue get another go.

 

[ToffeeTim]

England lost the series at Edgbaston unfortunately. They were by far the better side but made far too many poor decisions and dropped too many catches. They've clearly learned from that which makes it even more frustrating, because without the weather, England were going to win the series 3-2, I've no doubt about it. But it just shows that you have to be really well prepared from game 1 of a long series and I don't believe England were well enough prepared

The better team has lost, but that is how sport goes sometimes.

 

[ToffeeTim]

An earlier start isn't feasible as the dew and conditions aren't stable early on in the day. And a roof? You know how big a cricket ground is?? Again not feasible.

Extra days however ... like they had for the cricket World final - eminently sensible.

In June and July they could definitely start at 10 or 10.30am rather than 11. In fact they should always start at 10.30 at the latest and they shouldn't be leaving the field until all the overs are bowled. It's absolutely ludicrous that they go off early in bright conditions when overs are still remaining.

 

[cronullasharks]

Hugely anti-climatic but England can be extremely proud of their performance. They've made the aussies cower and grovel to the weather, and the Australian cricketing public should be ashamed of their performance. Be interesting to see how Cummins squeezes another batter in for the last test.


Well played Ben Stokes and England, a great effort Played for the good of test cricket. Warney must be rolling in his grave at these cowardly aussies. Shame, shame on the Australian cricket team.

I'm not 1 to gloat normally but reading this from you ad nauseum over the last few weeks makes me glad we retained the ashes in this manner. Congratulations on your moral victory though mate and saving test cricket.

 

[Walken]

England lost the series at Edgbaston unfortunately. They were by far the better side but made far too many poor decisions and dropped too many catches. They've clearly learned from that which makes it even more frustrating, because without the weather, England were going to win the series 3-2, I've no doubt about it. But it just shows that you have to be really well prepared from game 1 of a long series and I don't believe England were well enough prepared

The better team has lost, but that is how sport goes sometimes.

Same, I went in to this game certain we would win and would have felt the same the net test, now who knows how they will react. A couple of days weather have cost them the very real opportunity of achieving something special in overturning a 2 nil defeat, that must be hard to pick yourself up from.

I still think the journey this side is on is a fantastic one, think back to 18 months ago. As usual, Kumar says it best

Kumar Sangakkara: Winning is important, but England’s vision is worthy of failure

Kumar Sangakkara says that winning is important, but believes England’s vision of making Test cricket more watchable to the younger generation is worthy enough to accept some failures.

www.skysports.com

 

[chrismpw]

In June and July they could definitely start at 10 or 10.30am rather than 11. In fact they should always start at 10.30 at the latest and they shouldn't be leaving the field until all the overs are bowled. It's absolutely ludicrous that they go off early in bright conditions when overs are still remaining.

Fair point.

 

[roydo]

In June and July they could definitely start at 10 or 10.30am rather than 11. In fact they should always start at 10.30 at the latest and they shouldn't be leaving the field until all the overs are bowled. It's absolutely ludicrous that they go off early in bright conditions when overs are still remaining.

It is the broadcasters mate. They insist on start and finish times, with little leeway. The reason the 2005 series on C4 started at 10.30 was to ensure Hollyokes was broadcast as per normal. As mad as that sounds.

 

[Walken]

I'm not 1 to gloat normally but reading this from you ad nauseum over the last few weeks makes me glad we retained the ashes in this manner. Congratulations on your moral victory though mate and saving test cricket.

No problem with anyone gloating, enjoy your win in health.

 

[bcblue1878]

I think you want as many fresh bowlers as possible in the last test, without picking bowlers below test standard. Could see Tongue and Robinson come in, for the first time Broad looked a bit leggy and though I actually think Jimmy bowled far better than his wickets column suggested I would rather see Tongue get another go.

Quite possibly, Broad has bowled well throughout the series and I think they may stick with him over Robinson who hasn’t really impressed. Jimmy bowled well but without any real luck!
I thought Josh Tongue took his chance well at Lords bowled well, and was unlucky to be left out at Headingley!

 

[cronullasharks]

No problem with anyone gloating, enjoy your win in health.

Thankyou, good luck in the next test.