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3rd test - Headingley

vinegar hill said:
I’m astonished that Tongue is dropped.
So we’ve got Wood but there had to be a compromise.
What is it with England and the reluctance to go with pace?
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Tongue made himself undroppable, but the Bazball mentality means doing the unexpected, thinking outside the box and keeping the under-performers as that’s the last thing the Aussies will expect.
 

mackembhoy said:
Cos Bazball ain't scared of nothing and nobody. We look after our own house and only that.

Or we've spent the last 4 days moaning about a fair dismissal when we played like morons throughout the test and are 2-0 down.
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Hway mate, you have been on a right downer lately regarding England.

We have made some bad decisions in the first two tests, think most would say that.

But we have also went toe to toe with the best side in the world in two very close test matches that could have gone either way
 
Voice of fair play said:
Hway mate, you have been on a right downer lately regarding England.

We have made some bad decisions in the first two tests, think most would say that.

But we have also went toe to toe with the best side in the world in two very close test matches that could have gone either way
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Hard not to be when we had both games in the palm of our hands and we pissed it away.

I was right up for the approach as the series began. But I had faith that this new approach would involve playing smart cricket alas it hasn't.

So they've knocked all pre series optimism out of me i'm afraid.

The result is what matters in Ashes cricket, as great as moments have been at the time. They ultimately mean nowt.
 
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mackembhoy said:
Hard not to be when we had both games in the palm of our hands and we pissed it away.

I was right up for the approach as the series began. But I had faith that this new approach would involve playing smart cricket alas it hasn't.

So they've knocked all pre series optimism out of me i'm afraid.
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It’s looks it mate, you seem very frustrated and passionate and can see and understand that.

However the tests have been very close and not much between the sides, we have shown enough that we can very much compete with them and no reason why we can’t win this test.

This whole thread could do with a bit more positivity imo
 
Voice of fair play said:
It’s looks it mate, you seem very frustrated and passionate and can see and understand that.

However the tests have been very close and not much between the sides, we have shown enough that we can very much compete with them and no reason why we can’t win this test.

This whole thread could do with a bit more positivity imo
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The only way for that to happen will be England playing well and at the end of the day winning. A gallant failure is not good enough to restore moral. The fate of the Ashes rests on this match, draw or loose then Ashes stay with Aus.
 
Voice of fair play said:
It’s looks it mate, you seem very frustrated and passionate and can see and understand that.

However the tests have been very close and not much between the sides, we have shown enough that we can very much compete with them and no reason why we can’t win this test.

This whole thread could do with a bit more positivity imo
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I'm generally a glass half full person. Was previously involved with journalism, I'm also autistic. So it comes a bit more naturally to me to go down a critical road I think.

I was the polar opposite after hearing Ben and Brendon talk during the Ireland game, like a switch had flicked. I went in a bit with full on blinkers and uber positive into the Edgbaston test.

As I had been somewhat downplaying our chances prior to the Ireland test. I've really wanted to get a 4 or 5 nil for a longtime now after our performances over in Aus.

Naively I thought we could do this if we played smart cricket alongside our new found freedom as a side.

I was travelling to Glasto on day 5 of Edgbaston so was following via TMS, so perhaps tempered my reaction to that defeat.

Nonetheless came back off an amazing week fully behind us getting back to 1-1 despite being somewhat peeved at some goings on in first test.

But yeah I lost it at the two sessions after we were 184/1 and it's just sent me back to how I was prior to the Ireland test. As that's why we've likely lost the Ashes, not some red herring involving Bairstow.

I can't see us using our heads when we need it in the 3 remaining tests and I'm so gutted we've let slip a chance of us being 2-0 up. Instead I can only see more defeats.

But perhaps defeatism isn't needed at the same time. But hard for me to change my mindset once I'm set on it.
 
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Voice of fair play said:
It’s looks it mate, you seem very frustrated and passionate and can see and understand that.

However the tests have been very close and not much between the sides, we have shown enough that we can very much compete with them and no reason why we can’t win this test.

This whole thread could do with a bit more positivity imo
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Would have liked to see Tongue in, but I still think we can win the next test.

As you say, they’re the best side in the world and we have come out 2nd best in two tight tests. Whilst frustrating, we’ve been in really good positions before losing.

Few adjustments and adding a little bit of calmness in big moments and we could have won both.

Looking forward to tomorrow, I’ll have it on at work and can’t wait.
 
Heritage hampers said:
Be all over in 2 days
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There is positivity and positivity mate.

Personally I think it will take us a bit longer to win:D:D
mackembhoy said:
I'm generally a glass half full person. Was previously involved with journalism, I'm also autistic. So it comes a bit more naturally to me to go down a critical road I think.

I was the polar opposite after hearing Ben and Brendon talk during the Ireland game, like a switch had flicked. I went in a bit with full on blinkers and uber positive into the Edgbaston test.

As I had been somewhat downplaying our chances prior to the Ireland test. I've really wanted to get a 4 or 5 nil for a longtime now after our performances over in Aus.

Naively I thought we could do this if we played smart cricket alongside our new found freedom as a side.

I was travelling to Glasto on day 5 of Edgbaston so was following via TMS, so perhaps tempered my reaction to that defeat.

Nonetheless came back off an amazing week fully behind us getting back to 1-1 despite being somewhat peeved at some goings on in first test.

But yeah I lost it at the two sessions after we were 184/1 and it's just sent me back to how I was prior to the Ireland test. As that's why we've likely lost the Ashes, not some red herring involving Bairstow.

I can't see us using our heads when we need it in the 3 remaining tests and I'm so gutted we've let slip a chance of us being 2-0 up. Instead I can only see more defeats.

But perhaps defeatism isn't needed at the same time. But hard for me to change my mindset once I'm set on it.
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Yeah good post mate, no doubt it been disappointing at times.

But we were never going to win 4 0 or 5 0 as they far too good in a side.

Then again on the prediction thread I predicted 4-1 to us, so maybe I look too much on the positives:D
 
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McGregor said:
Really really fortunate . Aussies would have been fearful of woakes, broad, wood and tongue as a bowling attack. 77mph balls just won't cut it. Before this Ashes series I really rated Robinson, have no idea what's happened to the lad but he won't be in the England fold for much longer if he bowls like that for the next 3 tests
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He gets wickets so he will be
 
Hmmm.

Feels like they’ve lost the plot a bit

Brook at 3 is worrying.
Ali, even considering his injury, was a poor pick in hindsight. And his batting has gone to shit
Woakes didnt play against Ireland, and yet they’ve gone to him over Potts
Tongue looked very handy, Robinson looked injured. Bizarre choice

It feels a little like England of old where they don’t know their best team
 
chunkyshitehawk53 said:
Hmmm.

Feels like they’ve lost the plot a bit

Brook at 3 is worrying.
Ali, even considering his injury, was a poor pick in hindsight. And his batting has gone to shit
Woakes didnt play against Ireland, and yet they’ve gone to him over Potts
Tongue looked very handy, Robinson looked injured. Bizarre choice

It feels a little like England of old where they don’t know their best team
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Tbf there is not a natural number 3, and if we not moving Root there, one of the more middle order attacking batsmen was always going to move there.

If we went Lawrence don’t think that would have been greeted well, somebody has to bat at 3.

I hoping ( maybe because I am too positive) that the bowlers coming in will be more fresh than their bowlers.

And Lyon a massive miss.
 
chunkyshitehawk53 said:
Hmmm.

Feels like they’ve lost the plot a bit

Brook at 3 is worrying.
Ali, even considering his injury, was a poor pick in hindsight. And his batting has gone to shit
Woakes didnt play against Ireland, and yet they’ve gone to him over Potts
Tongue looked very handy, Robinson looked injured. Bizarre choice

It feels a little like England of old where they don’t know their best team
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Agree with all of this, good summary.

Brook's skill is hand/eye co-ordination and power, he doesn't have the technique to bat 3. He's a bit Pietersen-esque.
Woakes has barely played red ball in ages, averages nearly 47 with the ball against Australia and has been picked ahead of Potts who at one point was the leading wicket taker in the country earlier in the season.
Tongue was by far our best bowler at Lords and has been dropped whilst we continue with a 75% fit Robinson and Woakes.
There's no one crying out to replace Ali but we are playing the extra bowler in this test, and still picking him. They say they are bolstering the batting line-up, I don't think they are. Woakes 7, Ali 8 and then Wood/Robinson/Broad isn't a stronger batting line-up, it's weaker.
 
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