Gness, Chill, Sunny Dave Or Whoever - Views On Today?

[DTCwordfan]

This is the e-mail that I have sent a mate, modified.....How much do you agree?

"Well, how much of that Oval fiasco did you see/hear then? Congrats to Cookie and the boys and some tremendous performances and champagne moments, that on-slaught this morning by Root and Broad and then that incredible catch by Ballance this afternoon - fantastic.

However, what abject batting we have witnessed, closed bats, wrong feet positions, waves outside off-stump, second only to when England blasted Pakistan for 46 all out.

I loved our Geoffrey's comment on TMS, "They are awful, truly awful. My pub side could bat better than that, even after a couple of pints...." A couple of seconds pondering and then, "That's what they need, a couple of pints before battin'."

However, I have my doubts - firstly for the future of test cricket when it comes to India. They are clearly not into it and prefer 20-20, Gavasker suggesting that they need to stand up and say whether they are in or not for the 5 day game as this has been a national embarrassment.

Secondly, as to English cricket, finishing two tests in three days, however commendable that is for a win, it's not good for Test cricket audiences and finances in this country, Durham and Southampton, to some extent Old Trafford, have shown the fragility of the game in the regions, pricing perhaps - or plain enthusiasm for the longer game?

Thirdly, if the English think we have cured our problems, then that is delusional. Robson has to be looked at and I don't think that much of Woakes - bring back Finn/a second yet unknown spinner...Jordan has improved and Ali, well one of the finds but he wasn't bowling grenades à la Deadly Derek, was he?

We also have to go 5 months now without any test cricket with this 1 day W-Cup to play out....that's a long time for the pure game to degenerate.

So here opines the Michael Vaughan of Cornwall - don't know what your views are - however, a bloody good win for the team though and I'm going to relish watching the summary on C5+1 after the AR Show, now on."

Your views......?

[Cloverjo]

I'm not any of the named people in your title, so I must be a whoever, but anyway. What a great result. I didn't see the final destruction as I was half watching the European athletics while working.
I'm not sure what's happened to the Indians, they don't seem to like playing away from home. They had some silly runouts, and didn't seem all that interested in sticking around. Perhaps that is because of the 20 over game. Shame anyway.

[jim360]

I think it's overstating it to say that it's "delusional" to think England's problems have been fixed. Wrong yes but there is plenty to feel encouraged about. India fell away but we put tuem to the sword rather than letting them off the hook for example. Also the middle order looks very promising, apart from Ali, but if he continues to take wickets then it won't matter too much.

[Sqad]

England have improved since the Shes disaster........but there are still problems to be solved.

Robson and Cook still a problem as openers......OK Cook got back into some form, but was dropped three times in making 90 odd...the Ausies won't do that.

Ballance, Buttler Ali all good batsmen for the future and i am glad that Root has settled in in the middle order......I never rated him as an opener.

Bowlers? no problems as far a s i can see.

India were just AWFUL.

[ChillDoubt]

I think it's just peaks and troughs.
They lack fight and character IMHO because of their captain. He is NEVER a wicket keeper/batsman, certainly not Test standard(keeping). He is good with the willow at home, average over here but when it comes to donning the gloves he is a poor excuse for a keeper.
Ghambir can only play on sub-continent pitches and he's been found out over here.
This has led to instability in their top order.
Their bowling has been ok-ish but they don't have somone who would strike a bit of fear or mop up a tail end in short order. They inexplicably left out Pankaj for the last Test, his figures didn't show just how unlucky he had been and how much endeavour he'd put into his spells in the previous one. He also displayed a keen attitude, especially when it wasn't going for him.
With the likes of Sachin, VVS, Dravid etc having retired they're at a loss and have struggled to find a batsman or two who can play in any continent/hemisphere.
They are in a similar position to Australia a couple of years ago, when Lee, McGrath, Hayden, Warne and Gilchrist all left within 18-24 months, leaving a huge chasm in selection.
For a Duncan Fletcher side too they certainly seem to be lacking a bit of grit, which is surprising, given what a touch, uncompromising character he is.

There is also the 20/20, ODI and IPL mentality i.e. some have got to learn to change their mindset completely when playing the different formats of each game and have to tailor their game accordingly. Too many look to keep the scoreboard ticking when playing a Test when what they really need to do is drop anchor for 30-40 minutes, but that's a symptom of all cricketers of late, not just the Indians. KP, Prior and on the odd rare occasion Bell have gone for the big hoik when the match situation required a shoulder of arms.

That's my two pennorth worth anyway!

[DTCwordfan]

Interesting comments all.....I agree about the captaincy; at least Cookie has found his form again on that front, by hook or crook - or via his 'trouble and strife'.....

[jim360]

We've had a lot of practice.

[DTCwordfan]

Wait til you see the 15th of September over here........

[ChillDoubt]

You english are such gracious winners
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Who are you calling English?

[anneasquith]

welsh ?

[DaisyNonna]

Smiling Broadly on Balance, Rooting for the team, And 'er son, they're Cooking!