pasty
A different kind of pasty
Struggling here, but Ben Stokes is one. Anything/anyone else?
cricket Any positives from this Ashes series debacle?
massive kick up the arse.
To be honest not a lot. It's shown us up and I guess the only positive is the chance to rebuild. 3 new caps in one test though seems a bit extreme especially with Bairstow and Stokes also only just in. However tonight will tell us a bit.
The dropping of Root was a strange one (although I know his average and runs to balls faced ratio was worst than Carberry). Root has at least looked pissed off during this series and got annoyed at himself and others when he or they have screwed up. He has also looked at his mistakes and tried to improve himself (unfortunately with limited success to date). However in the summer he was the golden child and I think we needed to persevere with him for a while.
Cook is still a class player but is he captain material still? We need him to find his form again and is he going to do this while still being captain. His fielding positions have been strange to put it mildly and his own performance in terms of catches has also been poor (thank goodness he juggled and held one today). Should the selectors let him concentrate on his batting again?
Back to the initial question then the only positive as per above has been Stokes and the kick up the backside we needed
I think the dropping of Root was more down to his attitude (being a bit cocky I read somewhere). Maybe it was done to teach him a lesson, so I can sort of support that. Long term gain hopefully. Be cocky, but be able to back it up with performances.
Only positives for me are the emergence of Stokes and the fact that it may make us think about our schedule going forward, and rebuild.
Contrary to some of the comments on here, I do think we had a good team, however, they are tired, out of form, and in some cases past their best. It's a tough call as to when does stability lead to complacency. I remember the bad years when players were given 1 or 2 tests and then dropped. Luckily, in recent times, we've allowed players to play through a drop in form and I think thus, overall, has been a positive.
Stokes.
The selectors will have learned to not pick such an arrogant/stupid/ill-prepared squad.
And i've got much more sleep than I thought i would as it's been too boring/depressing to stay up and watch
We'll get Prior back for Sussex.