Winning the toss, putting us in, bowling us out in les than three sessions - Australia are making us look awful.

I haven't watched a minute of it. Knew it was a mismatch before it started. England need a total rethink. They should knock it all down and start all over again. Would keep Root as a batsman and that's about it. Stokes can play some county cricket before coming back. Genuinely, wouldn't be sure about anyone else. Personally, would have dropped Broad years ago, and Anderson is just not the danger he was. If you don't use youngsters, then what is the future? Australia aren't even a patch on past teams either, yet still able to thrash England. Learning how to field wouldn't go astray, but obviously the batting is the main issue.

Edited by ASCPFC (27 Dec 2021 2.30pm)

Red and Blue Army!

I think that the preparation has much to do with our appalling batting too as half of the squad has only been playing 20/20 cricket recently whilst the other half haven't played any cricket at all as the warm up matches were rained off

The worsening of English cricket is down to both mentalities.

What I mean by 'woke choke' is seen in the lack of toughness of English batsman in the intense periods....the inability to be in the zone rather than be anxious and uncertain. That's related to the society from which they come from. Talking too much about that would take us away from cricket though and I don't really want to do that.

I don't think English cricket's problems can be cured by a clear out and/or just by different selections....though I'd like to be wrong on that and it's true that the simple rule of merit should see others given a look.

Edited by Stirlingsays (27 Dec 2021 5.02pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I fully agree.

Perhaps now that the important cricket has passed some players will perform better but the prospect of 5-0 looks more likely.

I doubt that anything like what's necessary will be done within English cricket to address the large gulf that exists, which to be honest has been apparent for years...it would take time to address..and what's even more embarrassing is that this isn't even a great Australian side but rather a reasonably good one.

Still, if you're a batsman/bowler in county cricket this summer then now is your opportunity to break into the side. If anything I predict that Foakes will now become the wicketkeeper.

Edited by Stirlingsays (28 Dec 2021 7.50am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I think the bowling has been ok on the whole and we’ve had some good sessions with the ball, but we have no one like Cummins who bowls consistent line and length at pace. Anderson is our best bowler which is worrying, seeing as he’s 40. Root is still the bollocks with the bat and Stokes and Malan have enough credit in the bank. The rest, apart form Woakes, are all under serious threat.

It feels like too much emphasis is on white ball cricket, but sadly that will always be the case as that’s where the money is.

Agree with Sterling that Foakes will probably (and should) come in. Although they have all been abysmal this series, Pope, Hameed and Crawley are all young and will hopefully improve. We have Archer to come back from injury, but I’m not his biggest fan. We’re in a dark place and the headline word of ‘reset’ is apt. Silverwood has to go, but I’d keep Root as captain - simply because there’s no other candidates.