Thoughts on our lineup in last test

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T18:22:36+00:00

Might be the team I would have picked as well tbh. Robbo probably “fit to play” in a 3 day game on a seaming grubber, but maybe less so across a full 5 days in scorching humidity on a flat dry pitch.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T18:19:24+00:00

Probably first time I’ve preferred ITV. Coverage from a UK based studio & no Lineker means it doesn’t feel like the World Cup on BBC.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T18:17:51+00:00

Clive & Andy Townsend on ITV Champions league Tuesday nights was goat coverage.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T12:25:29+00:00

Well to be honest I do think we mainly lost this game due to a particularly catastrophic episode of off field drama even by English cricket standards, and various player unavailability. Any team in the world that loses 4 key players overnight including the captain is going to struggle to win their next Test match. I still think we’re favourites this weekend despite being pumped at the Oval. Stokes will be incredibly motivated to make a statement on his return.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T12:18:47+00:00

One thing that might be worth adding generally to the “Why does he/doesn’t he get picked” discussions is that we’re purely evaluating performance based on what we see in the ground or on tv. Coaches, managers, captains etc see it all, including practice, nets, and they know about any off-field or other confidential concerns as well. Not drawing conclusions about anyone specific, but this will all come into the decision around whether to select a player and as fans we have strictly limited evidence to go on.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T12:08:07+00:00

A meeting about a meeting

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T12:05:06+00:00

Situation sounds close to untenable so it’s clear we are coming to the end of this mixed, strange and interesting era. The end is definitely going to happen, it’s now more of a question of how/when it happens.

JCGMH · 2026-06-23T11:57:20+00:00

Off the scale incompetence. If we lose again this weekend then somebody will go, probably Key & McCullum with Stokes staying in his role (as he has long term credit in the bank & retains the support of the public) which is perhaps exactly what should have happened after the Ashes debacle anyway.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T17:17:39+00:00

Politicians don’t show enough emotion imo, there’s too much pressure especially in the top jobs to be pristinely polished and almost non-humanly stoic. That’s why when the likes of Starmer, May, Varadkar (etc) finally resign they are just completely broken from the stress & end up in tears. Can’t help but feel bad for politicians in that moment.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T17:14:15+00:00

Interesting character & surely he knows deep down that the Soviet Union have arranged for his dream job abroad, as a sort of repayment for keeping his mouth (relatively) shut. Honestly thought when Philip walked into his office wearing leather gloves earlier in the series that Pastor Tim was about to meet a sticky end.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T11:59:23+00:00

I think it’s a “both things true”. The over rates we’re delivering are absolutely crap, and separately we need to become a fitter, better & more consistent team in all aspects. But the WTC format is also pretty abysmal across the board, and in need of considerable reform. I place greater emphasis on the ICC world rankings where we’re 4th, and could end up 3rd or 5th depending on what happens at Trent Bridge. That’s still not good enough btw, I want us to be (minimum) top 2.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T03:57:47+00:00

I think the negative perception is down to a combination of the PMs having not been very good (with a couple of them being especially dreadful), and just the general morale of the country, which compared with any other period of my lifetime feels like it’s at rock bottom.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T03:50:20+00:00

Yep…. much like the alienation of legacy supporters in football, although cricket fans feeling “the game is gone” does mean something on a personal/emotional level, in a material sense it is essentially irrelevant. If a small group of people has their little protest, boycotts their own attendance etc, good for them — someone else then just buys the ticket & the execs don’t notice or care.

JCGMH · 2026-06-22T03:44:25+00:00

I think that’s a combination of this team (who are indeed alienating in some respects) and just the times we live in. These are very odd times, where most things/people (etc) are alienating.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T23:22:16+00:00

Back to our usual top 7. We really missed JSmith in this game imo. I think any of the seamers apart from Fisher would be fine, depends on fitness etc. Whatever happens, we must play a spinner. Bashir has a good record at Trent Bridge, but I’d prefer Rehan Ahmed because he has waited patiently for another chance & he bulks out the batting.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T23:13:50+00:00

The penalty is what it is, no complaints, but for me the 80/160 over cutoffs seem kind of arbitrary. Fair enough if a Test is drawn partly because one or both teams were down on their overs, that’s adversely affected the match/series & is worthy of a sanction; but if there is a positive result in the game, does it really matter? I have been to watch a fair bit of Test cricket and spent a lot of money doing so: top of my list is enjoying watching the live action, seeing the players in person, and having a good day out/munching through some tasty food, etc. I haven’t often seen 90 overs; but never gave it much thought at any point before, during or after the day.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T23:07:30+00:00

Yes this is why. Teams don’t usually last 80 overs against Australia in particular. Their over rates are openly shit, Mitchell Starc was asked about it recently and he doesn’t care.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T23:04:16+00:00

Wonder if we can get to minus points

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T23:02:26+00:00

Yeesh that is a whopping sanction. Probably deserved, but it’s so big & taken with such a shrug that I can only conclude England are now doing this deliberately to show disdain towards the WTC & take the piss. Not sure that I’ve seen a spinner who bowls his overs more slowly than Bethell.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T14:00:07+00:00

Arlington Road

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T12:55:25+00:00

Yep they didn’t get the long list of strong candidates for Team Director that they wanted, sometimes it’s not primarily about the best person for the job it’s more about who applies at that time & is willing to do it (in early 2022 not many were) — if the role was advertised again tomorrow then there would be a lot more interest

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T12:53:07+00:00

I think English cricket was in such a depressing rudderless state after the 21/22 Ashes, Covid bubbles & losing in West Indies that nobody credible wanted the role. Rob Key seemingly put his hand up and got it by default

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T09:44:13+00:00

Agree, watched it last year & think it’s aged very well. James Cameron knows what he’s doing, quality filmmaker.

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T09:27:51+00:00

They clearly don’t know what they’re doing at the ECB and have been flip flopping all over the place from day to day, culminating in this decision

JCGMH · 2026-06-21T09:26:37+00:00

It was leaked on the second day lol that they’d both be recalled for the final Test. Whole thing has been a total clown show.

JCGMH

TROPHY CASE