England Lions tour of UAE, 2016.

[sussexpob]

I remember after the Oval test in 2012 that I wrote a post stating that England had lost focus, that the team was clearly knackered, and that it was clearly evident that the performances under Flower were heading South and that he had reached his sell by date.

Against SA?

This was before KP was left out for Lord's, when discontent became more widespread. But there was building suspicion of Flower by then, partly fuelled by he, and the press, refusing to acknowledge England's slump in UAE and SL and a rather lacklustre showing v WI. And then the huge defeat by SA. Some were annoyed by a Test v SA being cut to allow (I think) another five match ODI series v Australia.

I cant find the article as there are 1500 pages of posts in my history. But yes, after the first South Africa test. It was supposed to best v best but the Windies tailenders twice gave us a bloody nose in 2012 early tests ( Best at 11, and a number 8 I cant remember scored a hundred in back to back tests). This came after England couldnt get bat on a ball in the UAE, and were KP away from losing to Sri Lanka, both at which were poor sides at the time.

I think I merely hinted at the time that England were way under par and lacking edge/focus. It was clear the team was struggling with something, and I believe I compared it to Fletchers Ashes, that there was a hint that things were about to turn sour. Most people thought it was merely a case of not having a number 6 come in and do well.

But that test in 2012. One team was highly skilled and had come prepared. The other had turned up lacking preparation and looked half cut. And it was a slaughter.

[sussexpob]

Mind you I accept the point. I think at the time my opinion was that England had considered their job done, and that they were taking weaker opposition for granted after the away Ashes win. Now it seems the opposite,that the team were struggling under the weight of huge pressures put on them.

[braveneutral]

Yes I remember how you stood ardently behind the ECB in those dark days. Your faith was unwavering.

Still no knighthood.

Yet.

Do what you can for the new year list. Maybe you can hack their files and add my name (any, Mildred, Arthur, whatever). I'll refuse it of course.

I shall do my utmost best.

I obviously wouldn't expect anything different from you in response.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mind you I accept the point. I think at the time my opinion was that England had considered their job done, and that they were taking weaker opposition for granted after the away Ashes win. Now it seems the opposite,that the team were struggling under the weight of huge pressures put on them.

I found the match thread, but couldn't find the discussion. There were 82 pages though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes I remember how you stood ardently behind the ECB in those dark days. Your faith was unwavering.

Still no knighthood.

Yet.

Do what you can for the new year list. Maybe you can hack their files and add my name (any, Mildred, Arthur, whatever). I'll refuse it of course.

I shall do my utmost best.

I obviously wouldn't expect anything different from you in response.

There'll be a little taste for you. Tax free.

[sussexpob]

Mind you I accept the point. I think at the time my opinion was that England had considered their job done, and that they were taking weaker opposition for granted after the away Ashes win. Now it seems the opposite,that the team were struggling under the weight of huge pressures put on them.

I found the match thread, but couldn't find the discussion. There were 82 pages though.

It was a seperate thread

[Making_Splinters]

Flower's continued influence on England selection is a disgrace. He was sacked as a Coach after squandering a good side and made poor selection decisions throughout his stint.

[rich1uk]

for me flower was the right man at the right time when he took over as coach

the team needed the change to become more professional and have a better structure around fitness, diet and discipline

the problem was that once flower had installed that change he couldn't adapt his ways and continued to be a control freak when it was no longer needed

maybe not explaining this very well but from afar it looked like a parent continuing to treat their kid like a 5 year old after they had grown up

[braveneutral]

I suppose the size of the taste depends on the size of the prize that you will be offered to turn down.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Apart from a partnership between Westley and Foakes, not much on the board for England.

On another thread, 365 mentions Rashid Khan, with four wickets today. Well done to him. But according to the cricinfo page he's 18!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/ ... 93463.html

England's batting doesn't look that strong, compared with the bowling. The scorecard.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/m ... 69646.html

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good start for the Afghanis, but no spin as yet today. England without many to play with.

[sussexpob]

That guy is not 18........

[Durhamfootman]

5-fer for Roly Tobeland

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bettered for an 8-fer for the mature looking teenager, Rashid Khan. Afgh chasing 217 are three down to the Curran bros for only 18.

Earlier, a second good knock of the match for Foakes.

Close game.

[andy]

Can't be long before Ben Foakes gets some sort of international recognition surely..? Very good batsman, and a real class act with the gloves...Highly thought of when at Essex, was considered a better gloveman than Foster, but Foster stayed in the side, because he is Mr.Chelsmford