This is Worse than 2013/2014

[Voice of fair play]

But our biggest Ashes defeats have been in three of the last four tours, where we used no more than c.14 players.

Throughout the nadir of the 1990's, and scattergun selection policies, we still managed to win tests in Australia.

I think the problem this time is early in the series the players who were expected to struggle the likes of Malan,Stoneman and Vince ranged from doing really well to ok,meaning they were not going to get dropped.

The ones who actually struggled early in the series, which you mentioned were Cook,Broad and Ali.

Cook and Broad have been two of the best test players we have had for many a year and Ali had been a consistent performer for the last 2 or 3 years, so inevitably them 3 were going to be given more grace.

Add Root and Anderson to that it was always unlikely under those circumstances big changes were going to be made in this series until at least the fourth possibly fifth test.

I don't agree in the same circumstances the Aussies would have dropped players like that,Hanscomb was dropped because he looked terrible and did not have performances in the bank to be given further time like some of our players, Bancroft was equally as bad as some of our players but survived the whole series because like us they don't have the depth in reserve.

Imo for what's it's worth apart from Stokes we had no other players who would have changed the course of that series.

 

[smoker]

I think the problem this time is early in the series the players who were expected to struggle the likes of Malan,Stoneman and Vince ranged from doing really well to ok,meaning they were not going to get dropped.

The ones who actually struggled early in the series, which you mentioned were Cook,Broad and Ali.

Cook and Broad have been two of the best test players we have had for many a year and Ali had been a consistent performer for the last 2 or 3 years, so inevitably them 3 were going to be given more grace.

Add Root and Anderson to that it was always unlikely under those circumstances big changes were going to be made in this series until at least the fourth possibly fifth test.

I don't agree in the same circumstances the Aussies would have dropped players like that,Hanscomb was dropped because he looked terrible and did not have performances in the bank to be given further time like some of our players, Bancroft was equally as bad as some of our players but survived the whole series because like us they don't have the depth in reserve.

Imo for what's it's worth apart from Stokes we had no other players who would have changed the course of that series.

Doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Mitchell Johnson had 200 test wickets 'in the bank', had a stinker at the Gabba in 2010 and was immediately dropped for the second test at Adelaide.

Mark Waugh was dropped from test and ODI sides in '02 after dodgy batting form for 12 months.

Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting were all told when their ODI careers were over.

Michael Clarke and Shane Watson were experienced players dropped several times throughout their careers.

Can you name an Australian test cricketer that has been persevered with through a long, poor spell like Broad? Or who has had as many bad away tours as Ali?

Handscomb averaged 115 in 16/17, against Pakistan with two centuries. He had a so-so tour of India but still averaged 47 for Australia. He had one dodgy game against us and was out on his arse. He had more 'in the bank' than James Vince.

Matthew Wade had been first choice wicket keeper since 2015 and was dropped on the back of wonky form for Western Australia.

Stoneman and Vince ranged from doing really well to ok

I am damn sure Stoneman and Vince's form would not be regarded as 'OK' by Australian supporters.

 

[Voice of fair play]

Doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Mitchell Johnson had 200 test wickets 'in the bank', had a stinker at the Gabba in 2010 and was immediately dropped for the second test at Adelaide.

Mark Waugh was dropped from test and ODI sides in '02 after dodgy batting form for 12 months.

Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting were all told when their ODI careers were over.

Michael Clarke and Shane Watson were experienced players dropped several times throughout their careers.

Can you name an Australian test cricketer that has been persevered with through a long, poor spell like Broad? Or who has had as many bad away tours as Ali?

Handscomb averaged 115 in 16/17, against Pakistan with two centuries. He had a so-so tour of India but still averaged 47 for Australia. He had one dodgy game against us and was out on his arse. He had more 'in the bank' than James Vince.

Matthew Wade had been first choice wicket keeper since 2015 and was dropped on the back of wonky form for Western Australia.



I am damn sure Stoneman and Vince's form would not be regarded as 'OK' by Australian supporters.

Or well maybe we should have dropped Cook after his stinkers in the first 3 tests and got beat 5 0 instead!!

The bottom line is we have not got the depth to be dropping players left right and centre the quality is simply not there.

Doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Mitchell Johnson had 200 test wickets 'in the bank', had a stinker at the Gabba in 2010 and was immediately dropped for the second test at Adelaide.

Mark Waugh was dropped from test and ODI sides in '02 after dodgy batting form for 12 months.

Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting were all told when their ODI careers were over.

Michael Clarke and Shane Watson were experienced players dropped several times throughout their careers.

Can you name an Australian test cricketer that has been persevered with through a long, poor spell like Broad? Or who has had as many bad away tours as Ali?

Handscomb averaged 115 in 16/17, against Pakistan with two centuries. He had a so-so tour of India but still averaged 47 for Australia. He had one dodgy game against us and was out on his arse. He had more 'in the bank' than James Vince.

Matthew Wade had been first choice wicket keeper since 2015 and was dropped on the back of wonky form for Western Australia.



I am damn sure Stoneman and Vince's form would not be regarded as 'OK' by Australian supporters.

I said ok early in the series so were not going to get dropped untol the fourth or fifth test.

But once again who are the alternatives to Stoneman?