If you go through my cricket posts, it would seem I've been sensationalist for about 3 years ;-) My opinion hasn't changed, because the evidence hasn't changed. We've had some good wins here and there and some awful defeats. the consistent has been flatter to deceive, and when pressure is on, crumble. I don't think that's sensational. That seems fair comment based on how we've tried to play test cricket under Bayliss. As older players have stepped aside, the newcomers have generally failed and we've gone onto the next. Run through the openers we've tried. Think of Balance. Westley, Vince et al. All jettisoned because they clearly weren't good enough. The current crop aren't good enough in my view and are hugely overrated. They fail to deliver in this generation. Comparison to greats would seem them have a lesser perception still. My view, if we were to keep persisting with these players, we'd lose 5-0 (weather dependant). We may well change the players and still lose 5-0. But I see little point allowing this woeful drift to continue, particular as our head coach only has 4 games until his contract isn't renewed.
It's apparently said that all Yorkshire folk are totally passionate and in love with cricket. Not this one. I always want our national sides to do well and win, but I simply cannot get excited about cricket.
I'm far more passionate about the english cricket and rugby union teams than i am about the english football team. I love cricket but it's all about personal preference. Not bothered about rugby league, motor racing, horse racing, tennis or golf. Doubt if i'd come on a thread specifically about any of the above that i have no interest in and point that out though.
Not a lot we can do about a player in that good form. There's nothing there in the rest of that side. 2 below average sides and 1 outstanding player. However looking at England I think there's no better time to start building for the future. Why play 32 year olds and one day players who look useless at this level when you could play a young lad who might look equally poor but has the time and potential to improve. Pick a side for the remaining games along the lines: Burns Sibley Root Pope Stokes Butter Bairstow Woakes Curran Leach Archer They might not win but they'll learn a huge amount and we'll be in a much better place going forward.
Just been announced that Moeen has been dropped and replaced with Leach. Decent and necessary switch IMO.