Bad planning from me! I write this as day 4 of the 4th test is looking like a washout and tomorrow I find myself on a flight for a family holiday, missing both the conclusion of this test and the final round of The Open.
The fact that we are praying to the weather gods to give us a chance of staying in this Ashes series is hugely frustrating. No one can deny the entertainment provided across the first 3 and a half tests, but I can’t shake the feeling that we should never have been two nil down.
The role this team is playing in the resurgence of test cricket is an important one, no question that we do want entertainment, but it needs to have substance too. Test cricket needs to be underpinned by quality something that is severely lacking in T20 cricket (including The Hundred).
Test cricket is your must watch TV drama that is written, produced, and acted to the highest of standards, T20 is reality TV – Love Island or Ex on the Beach. It produces the odd moment of quality such as Sam Cook’s outstanding slower ball on finals day and a couple of good catches, but it is littered with idiotic shots and nonsense bowling.
Test cricket could really help itself with some common sense.
- Start at 10 am
- Have 2 breaks of 30min each
- Ensure 90 overs are completed each day (provided it is safe). As opposed to an arbitrary 30 mins.
- No drinks etc. on the field outside of official drinks breaks.
- No sub fielders unless injury/illness confirmed by umpires.
- No changing the ball (unless instigated by umpires)
Back to the Ashes, Jonny Bairstow is one of my favourite cricketers and what he said is spot on:
“Keeping after not keeping [for a long period], it’s one of those things that takes a bit of time, [regardless] of the ankle. It would be like you guys taking a three-year sabbatical and then coming back and writing to the same level which you do, day-in day-out. I’m sure you wouldn’t necessarily find it easy.”
There is no question that Bairstow should be in the text XI but not as keeper, this is a serious selection error by England and the reasons Jonny states ironically highlight that fact perfectly. They won’t ever admit it and won’t need to if they go on to win the series. However, Foakes should’ve played and we would possibly not be praying for the weather today. The catching in general has been poor and the no balls unforgivable. The sheer number of extra’s conceded is a poor reflection on an otherwise very good team.
Should the weather play ball I do expect England to win this match. Both Wood and Woakes have been exception since belatedly being selected and we have to hope that both remain fir enough to play the 5th test (assuming it is a decider).
The momentum seems to be with England and sort of has been since the infamous stumping. For the record I have no problem with what Australia did. I also have no problem with the way England have responded. I’ve heard some Aussie’s whinging about how they are being treated but that’s laughable. The abuse the Broad and co get in Australia is every bit as bad and Nathan Lyon said before an Ashes series that he wanted to “end players careers”. If you give it, you gotta take it.
Jimmy has underwhelmed by his own high standards and may struggle to play at the Oval, I’d have been tempted to pick Josh Tongue for this game. Broad has been incredible all series and it is a well stated fact this is one of the oldest seam attacks in test history.
There is a job to be done first but come the end of the summer we already know that Moeen Ali will re-retire. Chris Woakes has said he’s not likely to tour overseas and Mark Wood will be wrapped up in cotton wool for the white ball team. I can’t help but think that Anderson and Broad may be ready to say goodbye.
Then we have to consider that Jack Leach is on the injured list, Ollie Robinson is an injury worry and there are questions over both the captain (knee) and vice-captain (shoulder) that need to be answered before the test team travel to India.
The 2024 home assignment is very winnable and then we travel back to Australia. We need to close the gap over there just as they have done here. That will need big runs but also a lead spin bowler and seam bowlers who are not reliant on swing.
I suspect it is the tour that will define Stokes as captain and Joe Root is missing a century in Australia and victories from his otherwise impressive CV.
The challenge is that county cricket tends not to be a good measure of who is ready to step up. There are a handful of players who I think will be integrated in the next 12 months alongside Stokes, Root, Crawley, Pope, Brook and Tongue.
Tom Haines – the Sussex opener plays well both straight and square of the wicket. He has a Lions century to his name and has embraced the idea of putting pressure back on the bowler. He is a good fielder and even brings some partnership breaking medium pace. He is a long-term partner for Crawley.
Ollie Robinson – The Durham keeper batsman has been outstanding for the last couple of years. He is a proper keeper with excellent technique and is used to fulfilling that role day in day out. His batting has always been good but he has now gone up several levels and is able to play destructive innings. Batting at no5 for Durham has allowed him to kick on. Also aged 24 he is a positive selection to move on from the Foakes/Bairstow/Buttler era.
Dan Moriarty – the Surry left arm spinner is tall and accurate. He has a very good record in a short period of time. Rob Key is a big fan too. He has the ability to attack and hold an end, in a team that won’t have Stokes bowling he can be a key asset to allow the seamers to rotate at the other end. He is a good fielder too.
Matty Potts – already capped at test level Potts has fallen a little down the pecking order. He is still only 24 and has a brilliant first-class record and a fantastic engine. A young English seam bowler who hits the deck hard and has a robust body! He can bat too, he played age group cricket as a batsman and has the potential to be a useful no8 or 9.
Matt Fisher – another to be capped already but plagued by injuries. When fully fit he is tall and quick, he looks more robust and at age 25 you’d hope he’s coming into his prime.
Gus Atkinson – the Surry quick is 25 years old and developed a little later than Pope, S Curran and Jacks. He is 6’2 but generates alarming bounce and regularly bowls at 87-92mph. He has not played much first class cricket but the signs are very good, he even has a first class 91 to his name with the bat.