The Ashes 5th Test. The Oval. August 20-24.

[GarlicJam]

Well spoken Clarke, great cricketer.

Yes, he handles himself pretty well.

Channel Nine had an interview between Marks Taylor and Nicholas and Clarke which took up most of the lunch break on Day 3.

Clarke was extremely impressive: candid, honest, thoughtful, respectful, funny. Couldn't fault him.

[captaincolly]

Always liked Michael Clarke, good for him that he leaves the game with a win after a fairly traumatic series.

[captaincolly]

https://twitter.com/joeroot05/status/635566312622804992

[braveneutral]

Solution should be that Sky and BT both give me money to allow Aunty or C4 to show it on FTA.

[rich1uk]

the BT sports thing probably deserves its own thread but I don't get people saying why its a good thing for cricket fans like I have seen elsewhere and seen on things like twitter and below the line comments

this just means people need to take out 2 subscriptions so don't really see how that can be a good thing

think it would be unlikely BT would put together their own team to cover the series so we will end up having to watch the CH9 coverage

[sussexpob]

the BT sports thing probably deserves its own thread but I don't get people saying why its a good thing for cricket fans like I have seen elsewhere and seen on things like twitter and below the line comments

this just means people need to take out 2 subscriptions so don't really see how that can be a good thing

think it would be unlikely BT would put together their own team to cover the series so we will end up having to watch the CH9 coverage

Indeed. I have never understood why the UK Competition board decided to award football rights to another company. Its hardly like the competition means anything for the consumer, it provides the same product split into two separate pay for view fees, you get less for your money, but then as both sides compete for the actual product, costs go through the roof, and these are only passed on to the subscriber.

The only benefit of more money in the system is the players, but they earn enough already. And even then, despite them earning more they seem to give less of a toss about the sport because they gravitate to other areas where even more money is.

Hard to stomach that several amazing cricketers in years gone by probably retired crippled and destitute, but Shane Watson will retire to a mansion.

[GarlicJam]

for some strange reason, Watson has been (I think) THE highest earning Australian cricketer these past few years.

some VERY strange reason

[dan08]

http://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/medi ... 2015-08-24

Deal confirmed. BT will show Australia's home matches and BBL from next winter. Some of BBL will be on their free-to-air channel.

[Aidan11]

I reckon Sky will be fuming about the amount of sport that they are losing to BT. They'll want to get back at them and they only way they can do it is by offering more money for the sports.


Cue a massive subscription hike. It was bad enough last year. I think it went from its usual £2 to £4. Its going to get worse.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The press seems to be running with this Bell retirement story. He could at least do with a rest, even if he doesn't retire, though the team does tend to move on quickly and that's risky for a player.

[rich1uk]

The press seems to be running with this Bell retirement story. He could at least do with a rest, even if he doesn't retire, though the team does tend to move on quickly and that's risky for a player.

most players with the sort of record he has for the last 24 months wouldn't really be given the option to retire

the decision would be made for them

[dan08]

I reckon Sky will be fuming about the amount of sport that they are losing to BT. They'll want to get back at them and they only way they can do it is by offering more money for the sports.


Cue a massive subscription hike. It was bad enough last year. I think it went from its usual £2 to £4. Its going to get worse.

Don't think Sky can afford to up their subscription even more when they have just lost the Ashes and Champions League. They're already losing customers due to their current package not being worth the price. They'll probably just have to wait a bit until they get some money in or when that huge PL deal ends in 2018/19.

[Arthur Crabtree]

People are saying, England need Bell's experience. Which is something I've never really gone along with. Since his heroic summer against the Aussies two years ago he averages 29.2 with two tons in 22 matches (34.4 since the start of 2012, that's 3.5 years). And that includes some propitious series. I tend to think I'd sooner have someone that just scores more runs, ahead of experience. How does experience matter more than taking runs and wickets? If it doesn't, it won't win you a match. It's sport, it's played by the young. Root is already an experienced international.

Of course, that doesn't mean a player coming through will definitely do better. But England won't be replacing a high functioning player, whatever his reputation.

[sussexpob]

The press seems to be running with this Bell retirement story. He could at least do with a rest, even if he doesn't retire, though the team does tend to move on quickly and that's risky for a player.

most players with the sort of record he has for the last 24 months wouldn't really be given the option to retire

the decision would be made for them

It is laughable reading some of the press, some of the comments about his possible retirement. In two articles I have seen...

"He is irreplacable"

"Concerns of his future are certainly not immediate"....

He averaged 24 this year in 10 tests, and in nearly 50 tests since 2012 has a low 30's average. To put that in context, are we (a) saying a player averaging that of a number 7 or 8 cant be replaced and (b) that long levels of sustained poor form dont question your place in the team??

[Aidan11]

I hope Bell doesn't retire.

He still has a couple of good years left in him.

People shouldn't feel they are forced into going just because they reach a certain age.