maltaseagull
Well-known member
If only we didn’t give them 30 to 40 runs due to dropped catches and missed stumpings!
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[Cricket] The Ashes- England v Australia- 1st Test, Birmingham, June 16 - 20, 2023
- Thread starter Eeyore
- Start date
Weststander
Well-known member
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.
What a great test match. Positive, exciting cricket by England. I almost don't mind we lost (although obviously its gutting). A lot of doom merchants on here as usual.
um bongo molongo
Well-known member
I thought it was odd that we suddenly seemed to go very defensive with the fields towards the end. I know we didn’t have loads of runs to play with but felt like with that, and not taking the new ball, it was the first time we’d taken a backwards step in the game.
Sheebo
Well-known member
- Jul 13, 2003
- 29,319
That declaration seemed silly at the time and priced to be. Missed chances and very fine margins though - should have won that. I think NSC should collectively agree not to make predictions on here so boldly as most have been totally wrong - a classic but gutting to see them knobs celebrating.
Weststander
Well-known member
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 by half on day one. Test cricket simply doesn’t require a silly hasty decision when less than 20% of a game has passed. Always bat opponents into the ground in the first innings of a test.
Loadicus Trux
Active member
- Jan 12, 2012
- 197
I found it enthralling and it's only the first test. Lots of cricket to be played yet.
vegster
Sanity Clause
- May 5, 2008
- 28,262
It's gutting to lose like this and not good now for the rest of the series. In order to reclaim the Ashes we now need to win 2 of the next 4 Tests and close out the other two for draws.. going to be hard as Anderson and Broad are starting to lose their edge, Stokes can't bowl much and our main spinner is out and his replacement has worn his finger away having bowled too much in too short a time. The Aussie batting machine never really got going in this Test and it will be miraculous to contain them all series, they will bat us out of the game if they get going.
It's looking grim unless we can unearth a bowler or two that the Aussies have not sussed already.
It's looking grim unless we can unearth a bowler or two that the Aussies have not sussed already.
Weststander
Well-known member
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.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Frustrating to be largely the better team, but mistakes in the field, injury to Moeen and Stoke’s knee, but what a fantastic match. In 2019 I thought we were very lucky to win that one and today the tables turned.
Love to see Foakes back in the gloves for Lords.
Love to see Foakes back in the gloves for Lords.
Quite
How did Bozza let you in ?Because I'm an Aussie
vegster
Sanity Clause
- May 5, 2008
- 28,262
Win all four ? Are you new to this Ashes business ?
nwgull
Well-known member
Don’t be so negative. We got absolutely pummelled in the first test in 2005, and look what happened. We lost this one by fine margins, and that was with only having 3 full-time bowlers in the 2nd innings. Back at full strength and the series is still there to win.
- Apr 5, 2014
- 25,840
- Thread starter
- #796
It looks silly losing a match after an unforced first innings declaration on the first day, but a match is won and lost over the duration.
Stokes has convinced me he is our best captain since Brearley, in fact in many ways I'd make a case for him being better if he could weigh the more obvious odds in 'Bazball' that go against the team. An example was when Cummins field was so poorly spread England could have comfortably kept five an over in singles and twos. There was no need to keep attacking when runs were freely offered at low risk.
That does frustrate me so, because his tactical intelligence is as such that he could do even better. It's just a reckless 10% that needs to be cut out of the current batting approach. It cost some decent and set batsman big runs during easy periods.
Stokes has convinced me he is our best captain since Brearley, in fact in many ways I'd make a case for him being better if he could weigh the more obvious odds in 'Bazball' that go against the team. An example was when Cummins field was so poorly spread England could have comfortably kept five an over in singles and twos. There was no need to keep attacking when runs were freely offered at low risk.
That does frustrate me so, because his tactical intelligence is as such that he could do even better. It's just a reckless 10% that needs to be cut out of the current batting approach. It cost some decent and set batsman big runs during easy periods.
Lifelong Supporter
Well-known member
Yes the declaration was an unforced error and one I don't believe he will repeat again for a while. Foolish arrogance.
Second Test starts next Wednesday......
Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,361
England played irresponsible cricket all through this Test. Two stumpings and an arrogant and unnecessary declaration suggested an attempt at rubbing Aussie noses in it. It was too loose and too cavalier. Bairstow's inept wicketkeeping ensured that a first innings lead of 70 -80 was only 7. Despite all this, England still had control today until Stokes decided to persevere with Moeen and Root. A series of long hops and slow half volleys encouraged the Aussies back in. By the time the new ball was taken the momentum had swung.
England had a huge chance to get their noses in front but chucking this game away suggests an uphill battle from now on. Bazball is effective against the lesser teams but trying to live by the fire v the top Test team in the world will mean we die by the fire more.
England had a huge chance to get their noses in front but chucking this game away suggests an uphill battle from now on. Bazball is effective against the lesser teams but trying to live by the fire v the top Test team in the world will mean we die by the fire more.
Trouble is - Smith, Labushchagne and Warner ain't all going to have as bad a match next time around.