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[Cricket] England v Sri Lanka - Second Test - Headingley
- Thread starter Titanic
- Start date
England - after a relatively brief renaissance in the Flintoff, Swann, Pieterson, Strauss era - now back to the normality of the bulk of the last 25 years:
Grabbing defeats from the jaws of victory.
Record batting partnerships being set against us.
An inability to take 20 wickets over 5 days.
Allowing teams that aren't even that hot these-days or bothered about Test Cricket, to get results against us, even in our home conditions.
It was always a dangerous thing to say, but 2 years ago, the England management or captain were mouthy that the aim was to beat South Africa home and away in Test Series to prove we are the best, then hold that position for many years to come, as Australia had for 15 years. South Africa visited in 2012, defeated us easily, despite English conditions and wickets. Overall, we have declined alarmingly ever since. There's a difference between well founded quiet confidence (think Dave Brailsford, Clive Woodward and Martin Johnson), and unfounded comments that only serve to fire up the opposition.
Grabbing defeats from the jaws of victory.
Record batting partnerships being set against us.
An inability to take 20 wickets over 5 days.
Allowing teams that aren't even that hot these-days or bothered about Test Cricket, to get results against us, even in our home conditions.
It was always a dangerous thing to say, but 2 years ago, the England management or captain were mouthy that the aim was to beat South Africa home and away in Test Series to prove we are the best, then hold that position for many years to come, as Australia had for 15 years. South Africa visited in 2012, defeated us easily, despite English conditions and wickets. Overall, we have declined alarmingly ever since. There's a difference between well founded quiet confidence (think Dave Brailsford, Clive Woodward and Martin Johnson), and unfounded comments that only serve to fire up the opposition.
banjo
GOSBTS
Here we go again England rolling over without a fight. 
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,398
What a freaking shambles.
jakarta
Well-known member
Cook should be writing his resignation letter around now I would have thought.....
Basil Fawlty
Don't Mention The War
He isn't anywhere near that Bowden, you blind idiot! How can you give that?!
He will have to consult with Anderson, Prior and Broad on what to write....Maybe he should ask KP.
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,089
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,398
Plunkett really understanding the idea of being a night watchman 
banjo
GOSBTS
Can we invent another game cause we're shit at cricket, oh and football.
jakarta
Well-known member
Don't forget rugby, we have just been spanked for the 3rd consecutive time at that as well.....
crodonilson
He/Him
Even with a load of Johnny Foreigners playing for us. I shudder to think where we'd be with a full English XI. Probably down there with Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
spring hall convert
Well-known member
No comparison - we had one bad half in six against a team that hasn't lost at home for 5 years. We did very well on that tour.
Anyone get the feeling that Plunkett was a reluctant nightwatchman?
brightonmark1234
Well-known member
Need matt prior to save England again
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,089
England for years have failed with the nightwatchman. The players chosen invariably get out before the close, the management fail to communicate what is required, the wrong person is chosen, it's a total disaster.
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,089
I'll go for England all out for 207 in the 10 minutes before tea. I fancy Broad might play a gutsy "captains innings in waiting" to delay the inevitable but the new ball will do for us.
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JJ McClure
Go Jags
I expect the usual glimmer of competence, just enough to make you think "hang on we could do this" before the inevitable embarrassing collapse.