Test India v England (5 Tests) + Ind A v Eng Lions (1 Tour Match and 3 FC games)

[PhatBoy]

So isn't it an obvious case that you need not be either tortoise or hare? That there is a compromise? That one can attack when the opportunity offers and be defensive when the situation requires? England seem to have just the two gears. Great teams and their players can shift between both modes and have a couple of gears inbetween...

To me that’s just it.

They haven’t played especially frenetically and their dismissals have for the most part reflected that. There have been some that have been bad yes but it’s not just been a roll call of erratic strokeplay and if they showed a highlight package of each players dismissals from the whole series I think it would back that up

I’d say all of them have had some real bad ones, no denying that. But I reckon you could say that of any team if you showed them across a five test series.

Their opening stands have been good. That’s probably one unarguable takeaway. Root has to go back to playing his natural game BUT I think he plays better when he’s being positive, just not ‘scooping over slip’ positive

Stokes is batting like a man who is thinking about the criticism.

He is the one olayer out of all of them who shouldn’t be thinking about it too much.

His best batting is when he goes out there, takes 20-30 balls max to get his eye in, and then takes the bowling on. I suppose you could argue that his problem has been that he hasn’t survived long enough to do that. He’s had an awful series.

They are ripe for the picking for the West Indies if the Windies are smart.

If Kevin Wickham continues to make runs in the domestic comp we HAVE to pick him. He makes hundreds.

We need to go over there prepared to absorb their attacking approach and give it back to them - set a deep point and a deep third and bowl fast and aggressive and let them take it on. Who cares if it looks defensive.

 

[Fudge Nuggets]

Who cares if it looks defensive.

Your idiotic fan base and media for starters.

 

[PhatBoy]

Your idiotic fan base and media for starters.

??

The West Indies fan base and media?

 

[NYRB]

Wow in that record:

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

They did it.

Managed to win a five test series whilst losing four of the tests.

A job well done.

 

[augie]

I did.

Do you think they could have or would have fared any better changing their selection or playing differently.

In other words, do you think they have players who did not play, who could have impacted the outcome, or do you think the players they picked, are capable of playing a different way, which could have impacted the outcome.

Because the bare truth is: they dont

That is a ridiculous question. You know it can't be answered because it didn't happen. But I'll have a go at it anyway. I think if Root had batted like the world class test player he us, and they had picked even one other batsman with a protect wicket attitude they would have done better, which obviously would have impacted the outcome.

 

[PhatBoy]

That is a ridiculous question. You know it can't be answered because it didn't happen. But I'll have a go at it anyway. I think if Root had batted like the world class test player he us, and they had picked even one other batsman with a protect wicket attitude they would have done better, which obviously would have impacted the outcome.

‘It can’t be answered because it didn’t happen.’

Right so 90 per cent of sports discussion should just be shitcanned then. Because that’s all it is.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

England will be telling anyone who wants to believe them that they taught India how to play in the 1st Test and take all the credit for the way India plays the game.

 

[augie]

‘It can’t be answered because it didn’t happen.’

Right so 90 per cent of sports discussion should just be shitcanned then. Because that’s all it is.

Not what I was saying and you know it. You have a defend bazball agenda and you ask "questiions" designed to support that agenda.

And you didn't respond to the discussion point. So maybe start there.

 

[PhatBoy]

Not what I was saying and you know it. You have a defend bazball agenda and you ask "questiions" designed to support that agenda.

And you didn't respond to the discussion point. So maybe start there.

Oh f**ken hell hahahahaha

‘Agenda.’

Mate it’s a sport: what agenda. I don’t go for them and they are among a triumvirate of 3 sides I detest.

What ‘agenda’ is it exactly to think that the method they had previously was shit, the method other teams try in India is shit, and that they may as well have gone all in on the method they had been using which up until now had been working.

#agendas

 

[sydney_gws]

India averaged about 40, England 25 for the series.
They are a better team than England in those conditions, probably in neutral conditions as well.
It looks like India vs Aus in 2025 test championship, but if NZ beat us tomorrow and India beat us comfortably next summer, it is probably India vs NZ again.

 

[PhatBoy]

India averaged about 40, England 25 for the series.
They are a better team than England in those conditions, probably in neutral conditions as well.
It looks like India vs Aus in 2025 test championship, but if NZ beat us tomorrow and India beat us comfortably next summer, it is probably India vs NZ again.

I haven’t looked closely at the table or any future tours aside from the WI - is there any other realistic possibility of any team outside those three pushing their way in, given that SA even at full strength have forgotten how to bat?