Is there any consolation in this 2-2 draw though. When we really could and perhaps should have won this Ashes series more comfortably.
Could’ve yes. But to come back from 2-0 down to draw, and without weather win the series is some achievement. The lads deserve full credit. I’ve enjoyed every moment of this series.
Just wish there was now a 6th Test instead of the goddawful pantomime that has been prioritised for August.
Starc deserves his award too. Now he can put his feet up and come to Headingley to watch his Mrs play for the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred.
To be fair, at the start of last year this side looked doomed to losing this series 5-0. We've come a long way and, without inclement weather, we would have won the series. Not to mention that both Tests the Aussies won were extremely tight. This has been an all time great Ashes series. Credit to everyone involved.
To come back from 0-2 down is a wonderful achievement by the whole group and it's a testament to the belief that Stokes and Bazz have shown in all of the playing group. Such a fitting way for Broad to finish up too. Just a shame the Manchester weather deprived us of winning the 4th test but at least our home record against the Aussies remains in tact.
Main spinner injured before the series and calling Moeen out of retirement who has been injured himself. Stokes not being able to bowl. Pope injured, Robinson injured and Jimmy out of form and they’ve managed to come back from 2-0 down against the best team in the world. Unbelievable effort from where they were 14 months ago. Brilliant to watch as well.
trying to compare the previous home series since we won in 05, that was an unbelievable summer that will never be beaten for me, but this series runs it a very close 2nd, never a dull day in any days play, apart from the rain affected soon as i got home today, play to restart at 4-20 i knew we had 3hrs and win it, even tms read out a comment sent in "carey stumped/run out bairstow" to win it, it was almost correct truly amazing series and now let the circus begin tomorrow to ruin all the hard graft well done us & the aussies on a thoroughly brilliant series, imagine the yanks fans thinking when looking up scores when the world cup is held there "5 games over 6 weeks and nobody won" ;-)
Wait, I don't follow cricket, so after the past couple of months of knocking a ball around a field, they've actually drawn? What's the point in that?
guess you gotta really like the game to understand it, technically we didn't lose but they won just to frazzle your brain more ;-)
Pure theatre almost every day of the series. Pantomime villains, super heroes and plenty of laugh out loud comedy moments. Broad turning around the bails and getting a wicket the next ball and then, incredibly, doing it again today - just brilliant comedy gold.! It was just a joy to watch those final stages. We were far enough ahead that I never really worried that we wouldn't wrap up the win but it looked like Broad was going to miss out until he blew the last two away. I know plenty of non-believers will say "what's the point - nobody won" but that's actually NOT the point. I'm as keen to see a winner as the next cricket fan but sometimes, in this long game, a battling draw can be just as entertaining. We should have won the series - of course we should - but it was a superb effort to finish it at 2-2. I have a sneaky feeling that Broad might change his mind, or maybe that would be too embarrassing to do that after all the circus surrounding his going. He really should but, on the other hand, maybe his body is taking too much punishment at the ripe old age of 37. Still what a great way to bow out if he really has gone. Last ball faced - hit a six. Last ball bowled - win the match. As the saying goes - "you couldn't make it up"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66336512 You're right. I had missed that. Phoebe Litchfield is a brilliant replacement though and the best young player there is. Rodrigues is an upgrade on Heather Graham too and I was surprised she wasn't retained in the first place after playing the first two seasons. Overall the replacements might be ever so slightly better than the original picks. Not much in it.