Ashes 2021-22.

[Durhamfootman]

My interest took a fatal blow back in the Fletcher v KP wars. But if international cricket returned to terrestrial tv, I think could be drawn back in.

that has to be the very first step

[Arthur Crabtree]

My interest took a fatal blow back in the Fletcher v KP wars. But if international cricket returned to terrestrial tv, I think could be drawn back in.

that has to be the very first step

Flower v KP!

History has been rewritten.

[Durhamfootman]

written by the winners and re-written by the losers

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wood describes the defeat in terms of a bit of a wake up call for England. I know it's impossible to explain a defeat positively within the frame of how you are going to turn it around when you are being totally outclassed. But if he thinks this is a much needed stimulant that will give England the impetus to go on and compete more equally, then he is deluded. And if they needed one then maybe they are not the stuff of international cricketers.

I guess to be a top sportsperson, you have to be an optimist. But even so, it's hard to swallow.

[yuppie]

It seems to me that England really dont seem to take the ashes as seriously as Australia do now.

Their focus is elsewhere.

[Durhamfootman]

I guess to be a top sportsperson, you have to be an optimist. But even so, it's hard to swallow.

they have to believe it, I think. If they don't, then they're already beaten and might as well go home

[Arthur Crabtree]

Even in the dark days of Ponting or Waugh's Aussies, England used to win the odd game. Even live ones. And that was against maybe the second or third best side ever. It should be possible for England to win in this series, but it's hard to imagine.

[bigfluffylemon]

I guess to be a top sportsperson, you have to be an optimist. But even so, it's hard to swallow.

they have to believe it, I think. If they don't, then they're already beaten and might as well go home

Exactly. What else is Wood going to say? We're totally outclassed and have no chance?

[Slipstream]

Hameed
Crawley
Malan
Root
Stokes
Bairstow
Buttler
Robinson
Wood
Leach
Anderson

[Slipstream]

Double post
I would have had Lawrence or Crawley at 6 and Broad in for Leach. Root and Malan to bowl spin.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nowhere to go with the batting. Sensible to drop Woakes and play Leach, I think. Wood for Broad is fair enough, though it sounds like Broad was unlucky in Adelaide.

Are A&B going to retire?

[Durhamfootman]

Might do a 'Swann' precisely when their mates need them the most

[Arthur Crabtree]

Scott Boland and Cummins come in for Richardson and Neser.

Often feels like it's worth bowing first at the MCG. Maybe the stats don't back this, but my impression is it's hard to bat early door, but flattens out.

[bigfluffylemon]

Pat Cummins agrees with you AC

[bigfluffylemon]

Why no Richardson?