Ashes 2023
-
England were kissed on the dick with the conditions this whole series. It always seemed they go to bowl at the best times. That first hour last night was like the first hour of day 1, there was swing and excessive seam movement. Throw in a bit of variable bounce and it looked a fucking nightmare to bat on.
-
if you are a box score guy then England can lay claim to being short changed. They have the better stats across the series. Their batsmen scored more, their bowlers took more for less. But that's test cricket, sometimes the "when" matters even more than the "how many".
Going forward they can say they are in a better spot as well. There are a few guys in that Aus lineup coming to the end. And some of the guys who will stay need to re-evaluate their game a bit (loose bus change i am looking square at you).
Flat decks and shit balls have certainly helped England. Lets see how it looks when/if the Duke balls return to their old quality.
-
-
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2023:
Given how close the margins were throughout the series, it's tempting to think England might have won if their former wicketkeeper Coach had picked Ben Foakes instead of Ron Weasley.
Agree. For me it all went wrong in that first test match.
Like @mariner4life said the stats stack up in the Poms favour in all the key areas. But the dropped catches at critical moments in the first test was where this series was lost for England.
Also I’m all for the ‘no one wins the Ashes unless they win’ category. Let the urn sit there until it is actually won. Would welcome that for the Bledisloe too. Brings something extra to the contest I reckon.
-
@MajorPom said in Ashes 2023:
Occasional Excellent offensive and defensive play across the series between the best team and the form team in global cricket.
but a collapse was always on the cards whoever was batting despite the bowling in the main being a bit meh.
Some good performances but despite the quality of the contest I still maintain the quality oif the cricket wqs below par especially for the best team and the form team in global cricket.
It was almost akin to a contest to see who could throw away the urn.
No batsman managed more than one century and / or 3 50's. That suggests a collectively awesome bowling performance except it wasn't.
I love the Ashes but I think this was one of the poorer series from a quality performance perspective
-
I'd agree with that. I don't know how many people walk away with their reputations improved - maybe Harry Brook, Mitch Marsh, Ben Duckett?
But the overall performance of the great players was unimpressive. Root, Stokes, Smith, Marnus, Cummins and Broad all had moments but the series was crying out for one of them to stand up and stamp their credentials as Smith did in 2019.
-
@barbarian said in Ashes 2023:
I'd agree with that. I don't know how many people walk away with their reputations improved - maybe Harry Brook, Mitch Marsh, Ben Duckett?
But the overall performance of the great players was unimpressive. Root, Stokes, Smith, Marnus, Cummins and Broad all had moments but the series was crying out for one of them to stand up and stamp their credentials as Smith did in 2019.
On the other side of the coin, the pressure to perform, the wanting to win at all costs can get to any player no matter their record/past exploits - and I love that. It not only makes for enthralling watching but it makes those moments - the century, the big spell, the fast RR - even more important.
I reckon the likes of Woakes and Wood made a real impact and with the way cricket is these days with the various forms and packed schedule, the pinch hitter(s) being bought into a side mid-series will become more important
-
@barbarian said in Ashes 2023:
I'd agree with that. I don't know how many people walk away with their reputations improved - maybe Harry Brook, Mitch Marsh, Ben Duckett?
But the overall performance of the great players was unimpressive. Root, Stokes, Smith, Marnus, Cummins and Broad all had moments but the series was crying out for one of them to stand up and stamp their credentials as Smith did in 2019.
You’ve gotta mention Crawley, he had a terrific series !
-
it's funny how no one talks about Khawaja despite him scoring the most runs in the series and averaging 50, while opening the batting in England.
I think, given all the chat about "bazball" a strikerate of 39 is seen as failing. But he faced damn near 1,300 balls, which you love your opener to do, let alone top your run scoring. I would say he exceeded his KPIs
-
@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2023:
Given how close the margins were throughout the series, it's tempting to think England might have won if their former wicketkeeper Coach had picked Ben Foakes instead of Ron Weasley.
Dropped Catches
The Root of all problems
-
SEN Cricket expert Bharat Sundaresan, who was at The Oval on Monday night, said the Australians did ask England on multiple occasions for a drink, but were met with deaf ears.
“Didn’t look like the Australian and English teams had their customary post-series drinks tonight at The Oval. Did notice the Aussies hanging around for quite a while waiting & Steve Smith even peering into the English rooms a couple of times before giving up,” Sundaresan tweeted.
“Now hearing that the Aussie players did ask the England team about getting together half a dozen times but didn’t get a response and that allegedly the home team stayed behind locked doors.”Sundaresan later added the English perspective.
“Some clarification from the English camp now that their wrap up was extended because of the retirees & presentations & that they were keen on drinking with the Aussies & surprised that the visitors left early. Multiple misunderstandings at the end of a great #Ashes?” -
Very sad
Get over yourselves you precious twats
Both sides
-
-
@sparky said in Ashes 2023:
Both sides were out last night having drinks together at Cirque Le Soir in Soho.
The series was fantastic entertainment.
Storm in a tea cup!
Great to read that
-
@KiwiMurph didn’t stop many trying to make hay with it today…
-
There seems to have been a concerted effort by the media to inflame this Ashes series almost from day 1. Yeah there have been a few contentious moments but that is par for the course. Reading the media beat ups though, you'd think the two teams were constantly at fisticuffs.
Report: English team snubs Aussie advances for a traditional post Ashes drink
