Australia v England, 2nd Test, 4th December 0400

[scotch]

I think the problem is that they invested time in players that have been left wanting so far in this series.

Crawley (no big score), Pope, Smith (form), Bashir

Duckett out of form, Brook (mental, though at least he did try last innings to actually bat).

That's half the team and an unselectable spinner

 

[Aidan11]

71 for Bethell in the Lions game today.

 

[willo]

Can McCullum be sacked yet?

 

[Mr Redknapp]

Needs to be gone ASAP.!!

My expanding gut tells me, he'll get this series and be pensioned off

 

[scotch]

You must be logged on to see media items

No chance, if anything they underprepared for this test as should have been a warm up game.

The class of Joe Root man, to apologise to Stokes after the 1st test and tell him he was going to score runs

 

[smoker]

Pope should be dropped simply to reinforce the principle of selection on merit. Bring in Emilio. He might get a pair but at least you've said to fringe players if you work hard, you're getting an opportunity.

 

[SuperSub]

I think the problem is that they invested time in players that have been left wanting so far in this series.

This, the performances of players like Crawley and Pope shouldn't be a surprise as it's the same pattern they have shown throughout their test career - i.e. struggle under pressure and fail to step up with hard runs when needed.

 

[Liverpool Beachball]

Pope should be dropped simply to reinforce the principle of selection on merit. Bring in Emilio. He might get a pair but at least you've said to fringe players if you work hard, you're getting an opportunity.

Gay should be nowhere near test cricket after how many ducks he got this year tbh. He’d be another Rory burns

 

[DonaldDownTheWing]

Pope should be dropped simply to reinforce the principle of selection on merit. Bring in Emilio. He might get a pair but at least you've said to fringe players if you work hard, you're getting an opportunity.

I agree with this. Start selecting players based on their performances, but also dropping them.

I’d like our number 3 to have a solid defence and be happy scoring at 1 an over. Anything that protects the middle order.

Id have Rew in personally.

 

[GordonMuchallNo1Fan]

First decision I'd make tonight is get Matt Prior in the dressing room.

 

[Liverpool Beachball]

This, the performances of players like Crawley and Pope shouldn't be a surprise as it's the same pattern they have shown throughout their test career - i.e. struggle under pressure and fail to step up with hard runs when needed.

Neither of them have improved in the time they’ve been in the side tbh

 

[Ongo Baglogian]

71 for Bethell in the Lions game today.

There’s a lad scored a century in that game for the Lions- Asa Tribe. Can’t say I’ve ever heard of him.

 

[Mr Redknapp]

This, the performances of players like Crawley and Pope shouldn't be a surprise as it's the same pattern they have shown throughout their test career - i.e. struggle under pressure and fail to step up with hard runs when needed.

Or they play well and get their eyes in and throw it away after doing the hard work.

 

[scotch]

I agree with this. Start selecting players based on their performances, but also dropping them.

I’d like our number 3 to have a solid defence and be happy scoring at 1 an over. Anything that protects the middle order.

Id have Rew in personally.

Stokes at 3 for me, no one jumps out from the A Team.
A few choices like Bethell, Cox, Rew could come in at 6.
Vaughan suggesting Stokes at 3, Jacks maybe at 6 with Pope out

 

[Mr Redknapp]

Stokes at 3 for me, no one jumps out from the A Team.
A few choices like Bethell, Cox, Rew could come in at 6.

Logon or register to see this image

 

[DonaldDownTheWing]

Judging from what Stokes said in that interview, I think he’s absolutely raging with Brook. Brook is his vice captain and supposed to back him up, but so far brook has been a liability.

Yes he’s got some runs but the way he plays doesn’t help the team. When he comes in it means the Aussies have taken a wicket and their tails are up, Brook needs to tire them out again.

Duckett’s got no runs either.

Stokes at 3 for me, no one jumps out from the A Team.
A few choices like Bethell, Cox, Rew could come in at 6.
Vaughan suggesting Stokes at 3, Jacks maybe at 6 with Pope out

It’s probably the best idea tbh. Stokes has a fairly solid defence and can bat time when it’s required.

 

[scotch]

Mccullum has genuinely said they overtrained on TMS.... we had nearly 3 weeks with no cricket.

 

[Mr Redknapp]

Mccullum has genuinely said they overtrained on TMS.... we had nearly 3 weeks with no cricket.

He mean't golf man

 

[Safc1987]

Archer going at smith when the game was over is absolutely ridiculous
Horse has bolted pal

 

[scotch]

First decision I'd make tonight is get Matt Prior in the dressing room.

I was thinking along the same lines.
Look at the talent we have in Australia right now - Prior, Cook, Vaughan, Hussain, Broad - all former captains or Ashes winners