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comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
As an aside, just so it's not all LAE...

Wtf happened with Steve Smith? Not that long ago it would take England blood, sweat and tears to get him out. These Ashes he's had maybe two semi-decent innings out of ten.
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Karma for the ball tampering catching up with him? Thought I heard a commentator or pundit say he had missed a lot of test cricket in the last year as well.

Finally, England probably singled him out as the dangerman so maybe one thing they did do some decent preparation for was how to get him out.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)

As an aside, just so it's not all LAE...

Wtf happened with Steve Smith? Not that long ago it would take England blood, sweat and tears to get him out. These Ashes he's had maybe two semi-decent innings out of ten.
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I think he was just due a couple of quiet series. He was pretty much in GOAT mode in Tests from 2014-19 (South Africa tour and subsequent ban aside).

It would have been almost impossible to continue in that type of form. This Ashes and their last series (at home vs India) was him having an inevitable drop in form.

Hard to see us improving much in the near future. The talent just isn't there atm. I'm sure we'll pick up some series wins vs the lower ranked nations but this England side is the worst I've ever seen (and it's not that close).

Most of the criticism is rightly directed at the batters, but the bowling is poor as well. Two fast bowlers near 40-years old still playing regular test matches is an indictment of the bowling options available. No top spinner in sight either.

Lastly, I've literally never come across a more overrated cricketer than Ben Stokes. The fact that this guy is probably England's 2nd best batsman shows exactly why the batting has been doomed.

He's one of the best short order players we've ever had

Can see an argument he shouldnt be in the test sides on current form

People going way OTT on Stokes, guy had a long break for mental wellness and was rushed back into the Ashes team out of form and has been carrying physical injuries through a fair bit of the series.

He produced one of the greatest ever performances in test batting history to ensure we didn't lose the last series.

In 140 test innings for England he averages over 36, with 10 hundreds and 26 fifties. High score of 258. His bowling can be a bit expensive at times averaging 32 but he has produced a lot of key wickets when we've been struggling to get someone out, he has often been the man to do it quite quickly after being tossed the ball.

Yeah he's had a crap series - like everyone else as well - but blame the selectors and setup for rushing him back, failing to get him into form and having such a poor squad they are desperately relying on him to produce magic all the time.

Get some perspective.

I have never rated Stokes. this isnt a new thing.. Hes always gotten out to stupid shots.got way more ability than that. Then the stupid kick of the turf when hes out. Cut down the errors its simple has that.

He should be batting at 6 not 5. always said that as well..

Stokes is the KP of this gen

Dividing fans to rather extreme opinions

After a long break for Stokes and a horrendous series for the side and himself included, I'm predicting he's going to do very well in the next couple of years. Strikes me as his personality to buckle down and make the most of his career now. It's long been documented that he trains and works harder on his game and fitness than anyone else in the setup.

Stokes has been averaging 40 with the bat pretty much every year for about 5 years now, and as others have said, clearly wasn't yet ready for this series so giving him grief is a bit harsh.

I do agree though that he shouldn't be the second best bat in the team given he's the all rounder, and also should bat 6 because of that, but again that's hardly his fault that everyone else bar Root are sh!te.

In this lineup Stokes should be batting 3 because he's the only one bar root with a solid and orthodox defensive game technique.

In a good side, though, he'd be at 5 (he actually averages 40 there vs 36 batting at 6) and with runs on the board when he comes in he'd likely do a lot better.

Root* with a capital R

Defensive technique* (ignore game)

FFS, stupid thumbs

Yeah would agree about him batting 3, and that's the big gap we need filling in my opinion, more important than the openers.

Malan has done ok since his recall but I don't think he's a natural number 3, more a 5/6.

Bohannon looks the business but probably needs another year at FC, and given this current setup seems to keep making new players worse, then I don't want him anywhere near it until a change happens.

I wouldn't have Stokes at 3 particularly with the fitness/health issues he's been having, maybe some day. Various folk should be given another go in the West Indies, partly due to a lack of alternatives. Burns and Crawley should open (not sure who would be back-up opener as I think Hameed needs to work on his game but it's only 3 Tests anyway). Malan had a couple of good scores in Oz so he should go again. Give Lawrence a chance. Pope has had a lot of opportunities and might be another one who needs a break to work on his game, maybe the mental side.

the women are just as bad

'Giles sacked as England managing director after Ashes defeat'

https://www.skysports.com/Cricket/12531322'Giles sacked as England managing director after Ashes defeat'

https://www.skysports.com/Cricket/12531322

Good facking riddance, Giles OUT

comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 34 minutes ago
Good facking riddance, Giles OUT
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Just him...?

I love the fact that Giles flew out to Oz... Wrote a report all about his own failings and got himself sacked

The chat in the papers is that Silverwood will go too....

good, most of the playing squad need to go as well. Not test standard

Any news on whos going in?

We just going to hit and hope with someone like Strauss?

Don't know what the answer is here...but clearly, this isn't going to get better overnight with the dismissal of Giles.

We need to be looking at what the Aussies are doing from grass roots up to see what we can learn.

We also need to be a bit more left field with coaching staff...just because players were good as players. doesn't say they'll be as good coaching.

What's the phrase...those who can - do those who can't - teach




those who can't teach - teach PE....