Ashes 2023

Two things about this.

1. We had the chance to do better in the first two tests but the Aussies were superior.
2. In the magical 2005 series we were delighted when the weather prevented an Aussie comeback at the Oval.

So chins up, congratulate Australia, and let's get the win in the final test to show we are their equals.

 

It's the one that got away, even Glenn McGrath has said England could have been 3-0 up at this point.

Hopefully we win at the Oval and draw the series. The record books will show the Aussies retained the ashes but deep down everyone will know we were the best team.

I don't think they are going to change course for the last test, even though he's not had any real impact before I think Anderson will be picked again. Shame Tongue only got the one test in which he took 5 wickets. Stokes has complete loyalty and the faith in those selected is unwavering which is great as a player as when you're in you're in - but has it cost us?

 

During the relatively short time under Stokes/Baz we’ve revolutionised test cricket, hauled it back into the mainstream and undoubtedly brought it to a wider audience who’d either been disenchanted or dismissed it as inferior to the shorter formats.

It’s still a work in progress but the optimism it brings is fantastic for the game.

I watched The Edge again yesterday morning and I feel like we’re on a similar upwards trajectory. Every player knows his role and how they’re required to play for the betterment of the team. I can only see good things for this England side going forward, particularly when you consider the strength in depth.

It’s never nice to see Australia retain the Ashes, particularly under such circumstances, but we go into the final test with a very real chance of levelling the series.

Onwards and upwards.

 

That's where I am. We're whinging about the weather, but we had the luck of winning all 4 tosses so far. Let's win the last test and stop the Aussies from winning the series!

 

Right oh, thats why in the Test where we've played something approaching conventional cricket we've been on the way to beating them by an innings.

 

If Ben Stokes had been fit enough to bowl in the first 2 tests it would have given much more firepower to the attack. .

 

I think the time is right now for Jimmy to pack in, he has been a true great in the modern era. Time catches up with everyone so well done on a fantastic career Jimmy lad and retire to the commentry box now old son!

 

We scored 592 in 107 overs. Which part of that is conventional? Bazball has moved the dial so much you’re now confusing the remarkable with something more ordinary.

 

I've always thought in these test series a "reserve" extra day could be added. But you're quite right we don't complain when I works in our favour.

 

Just regarding point 2, Australia also benefitted from the weather that series, had it not been for rain at Old Trafford England would have won the 3rd test.

 

I think Old Trafford in 2013 would be a better comparison to this year. We were 2-0 up, then at Old Trafford we defended our way to avoiding the follow on, so the rain would end any chance australia had of winning, so we ultimately retained the ashes.

 

Australia also cried off in the dark at The Oval to avoid 4-0 that series. 2013 was a weird series though.

 

Oval test begins Thursday.

 

Yes, it was odd. The cracks started to show in the side that Strauss & Flower built, and then inherited by Cook. And then we were completely blown away in the follow up series in Australia. Think that was another whitewash.

 

This series is the most disappointed I've been at not winning the Ashes since 1997. I reckon we've had too many decent moments and wasted opportunities to just say "well done Australia best team won".

 

Definitely a series we could and should have had won by now.
Really disappointing.....

 

The 10 games in a row was absolutely bonkers. The 2013 series covered the cracks which were then exposed badly in 13/14.

 

As I thought, same squad again for the Oval.

 

lots of criticism about tactics,
1st test when we declared early i thought was a bold and aggressive move, had we taken a wicket or even 2 it would have been a brilliant decision, the aussies did it to us regularly in the late 90's early 00's, we lacked the killer instinct and also well done to them for getting over the line
2nd test could have gone either way if stokes stayed in, once he went it was game over, probably the only deserved win by them
3rd test went perfect
4th test, i think it was a good call to let yjb loose, it took away a chance of them gaining a lead and meant they had to dig in, ultimately the weather beat us, only fault i can find was stokes/brook not going for it late on when they played to start the next day essentially that took around 2hrs out of the game

overall we have won more sessions but the key moments they won when it was 50/50
i blame starting tests on a weds and not having a sun rest day ;-)

 

Nice one