From award winning writer Kevin Garside. Lots of positives in the entire article about Bazball and the Stokes methods, but a stark message that some test fundamentals never change.
Pro sport, winning is everything. Aussies cottoned on to that decades ago, a grittiness in every sport, fighting to preserve every precious test wicket in cricket, 100% concentration to the end. Occasionally we’re loaned The Ashes when the likes of Strauss masterfully match that.
Too clever...
Declaring on day one of a five day test, was brilliant. Paved the way for a going behind in a test series.
Clever strategy. I see Australia, India, SA and NZ now copying the innovative genius.
It’s the taking part and Corinthian Spirit that counts. We’d all take a great final day with a loss, over an emphatic England win.
But I’ve always had a sneaking feeling that Border, Waugh, Ponting, Smith et al think the exact opposite. An Alex Ferguson gritty win at all costs ethos.