Cricket fred

[Digby]

And only 20 years late

[Banquo]

And only 20 years late

You young uns have no heart!

They were paid eye watering money. Digger was ok, Beefy never really had a sell by date to pass.

[fivepointer]

Gower was fine. Botham has been a lumbering bore for years and is no great loss.

[Big D]

England did well enough to draw the series. Can't help but think the overall result papers over some of the cracks though.

Both batting line ups bar a handful of guys were poor (Warner historically so) and both need to have a think about how they improve that area.

For England, their bowling overall was very good. If they can get Anderson, Wood and Stone fit have a good few options for the winter but with Anderson and Broads looming retirements (surely both wont make the next ashes?) they need another one or two to come through at county level.

England can't go into NZ with the same batting line up but I fear the selectors will.

[Banquo]

England did well enough to draw the series. Can't help but think the overall result papers over some of the cracks though.

Both batting line ups bar a handful of guys were poor (Warner historically so) and both need to have a think about how they improve that area.

For England, their bowling overall was very good. If they can get Anderson, Wood and Stone fit have a good few options for the winter but with Anderson and Broads looming retirements (surely both wont make the next ashes?) they need another one or two to come through at county level.

England can't go into NZ with the same batting line up but I fear the selectors will.

IMO they have to make their minds up about Buttler/Bairstow/Foakes. Personally, I'd only play Buttler as wkt/batsman at 7, and have him try and emulate Gilchrist in a lesser version. I think Root should be batting at 5 and Stokes at 6.

Burns, Denly (stop gap), Sibley, Pope, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Curran, Leach, Archer, Broad/Anderson/Wood/Stone. Denly/Sibley/Pope doesn't fill me full of hope, but hey....

[Digby]

And only 20 years late

You young uns have no heart!

They were paid eye watering money. Digger was ok, Beefy never really had a sell by date to pass.

As with football and rugby the TV stations want famous ex-players, and don't seem fussed if they have any knowledge that'd be useful to impart or communicative skills. I do like Holding, beyond that both Dermot Reeve and Simon Hughes do some interesting work. Though I appreciate many want to hear the likes of Botham and Gower prattle on, and aren't interested in the field settings, why certain hand grips work for certain conditions, what's going right/wrong for a bowler's angle of approach to the crease...

[Banquo]

And only 20 years late

You young uns have no heart!

They were paid eye watering money. Digger was ok, Beefy never really had a sell by date to pass.

As with football and rugby the TV stations want famous ex-players, and don't seem fussed if they have any knowledge that'd be useful to impart or communicative skills. I do like Holding, beyond that both Dermot Reeve and Simon Hughes do some interesting work. Though I appreciate many want to hear the likes of Botham and Gower prattle on, and aren't interested in the field settings, why certain hand grips work for certain conditions, what's going right/wrong for a bowler's angle of approach to the crease...

Agreed on the ex players point, same also applies sometimes to ex players being parachuted into coaching. The Aussie pundits are usually the most interesting on technical aspects- Warne and Pontings masterclases we’re indeed um masterclasses. Sangakarra also excellent.
Gower was a good host and summariser and provided some insight; Beefy was pretty pants it’s true. It is good to have some character on the team though, as it’s not all about the technical aspects, interesting as they are to some.

[Digby]

Blimey, just seen the story the Sun have seen fit to publish about Ben Stokes and his family. No idea how they set about that invasion of privacy in the name of journalism. Like Trump it's that weird mix of shocking, but also not shocking given how low they've stooped before

[Stom]

Blimey, just seen the story the Sun have seen fit to publish about Ben Stokes and his family. No idea how they set about that invasion of privacy in the name of journalism. Like Trump it's that weird mix of shocking, but also not shocking given how low they've stooped before

Absolutely disgusting. He should sue the fuck out of them.

See what I mean about press being out of control in the UK?

[Digby]

I don't have a sense of the press outside the UK being reasonable.

[Big D]

You young uns have no heart!

They were paid eye watering money. Digger was ok, Beefy never really had a sell by date to pass.

As with football and rugby the TV stations want famous ex-players, and don't seem fussed if they have any knowledge that'd be useful to impart or communicative skills. I do like Holding, beyond that both Dermot Reeve and Simon Hughes do some interesting work. Though I appreciate many want to hear the likes of Botham and Gower prattle on, and aren't interested in the field settings, why certain hand grips work for certain conditions, what's going right/wrong for a bowler's angle of approach to the crease...

Agreed on the ex players point, same also applies sometimes to ex players being parachuted into coaching. The Aussie pundits are usually the most interesting on technical aspects- Warne and Pontings masterclases we’re indeed um masterclasses. Sangakarra also excellent.
Gower was a good host and summariser and provided some insight; Beefy was pretty pants it’s true. It is good to have some character on the team though, as it’s not all about the technical aspects, interesting as they are to some.

I think with Gower and Botham they were carry overs from the "olden days" when the cricket was on the Beeb, as with any sport the analysis side is becoming more important and the newer commentators are passing the older guys. In a way it is a bit like a county releasing the older players because the new guys are coming through with a wider range of shots.

[Big D]

Blimey, just seen the story the Sun have seen fit to publish about Ben Stokes and his family. No idea how they set about that invasion of privacy in the name of journalism. Like Trump it's that weird mix of shocking, but also not shocking given how low they've stooped before

Absolutely disgusting. He should sue the fuck out of them.

See what I mean about press being out of control in the UK?

It is pathetic journalism but not sure he can sue sadly.

I wonder what John Ethridge has made of this. He seems a respected cricket journo and has been stitched up a bit here by his employers ahead of winter tours where he may want to interview the current golden boy of English cricket.

[WaspInWales]

Shocking 'journalism'. It's not in the public interest at all, plus the way they have treated Gareth Thomas is absolutely shocking.

I hope the scrum behind the stories, editors too, lose their fucking jobs. This isn't about stories that can be explained as a poor judgement call, they're utter crass and lacking in any human decency.

I get that celebrities and famous people are in the public eye, but that shouldn't mean every aspect of their lives should be broadcast to the world.

Fuck the Sun. They've always been cunts.

[Galfon]

Archer, Burns & Denley now in the big tent.
Moeen white-balled.Plunkett maybe unlucky to lose his deal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49766373

[Big D]

Archer, Burns & Denley now in the big tent.
Moeen white-balled.Plunkett maybe unlucky to lose his deal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49766373

At 34 Plunkett may have expected it.

[Banquo]

Archer, Burns & Denley now in the big tent.
Moeen white-balled.Plunkett maybe unlucky to lose his deal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49766373

denly only has a one day contract, quite rightly.

[Galfon]

Phook me - it just keeps giving..!
Wuss get last ball win in the semi's of the T20 Blast final at Edgy, then lose to Essex on the last ball of the final - Harmer living up to his name with the killer blows at the end of the match.Sell out crowd, great late summer weather.Bravo doods.

[Big D]

No Anderson or Bairstow in test side. Roy understandably left out. Suspect he will go play the big bash.

[Stom]

No Anderson or Bairstow in test side. Roy understandably left out. Suspect he will go play the big bash.

Interesting. Surprises there in the Lancashire pair and Crawley.

Could mean a spot in the XI for both Sibley and Pope, though. At least one of them, which is good.

[Galfon]

Some good calls - Buttler with the gloves
( Bairstow had a great opportunity there ), Pope, Sibley.
T20: Morgan back, both Currans and exciting young talent Banton & Brown in the mix.

[Banquo]

Is this au revoir for Jimmy, or is he being saved for SA?

[Mellsblue]

Ed Smith has said he is not rested.

Bloody hell, ignore this. Read it as Jonny not Jimmy!!

[Big D]

Is this au revoir for Jimmy, or is he being saved for SA?

Not quite recovered from the calf injury. Which makes the 1st test inclusion all the more baffling.

[Mellsblue]

Trescothick plays his final first class match this weekend. What a career. Probably my favourite batsman and the last player (I think) from that Ashes series to retire. It might just be me but it’s one of those sporting retirements that marks the end of a special/iconic sporting team/occasion.

[Big D]

Trescothick plays his final first class match this weekend. What a career. Probably my favourite batsman and the last player (I think) from that Ashes series to retire. It might just be me but it’s one of those sporting retirements that marks the end of a special/iconic sporting team/occasion.

Although injured, I think Ian Bell is still going?