cricket: England sent packing

[Dayvo]

As the world's no. 1 Test team, England were thoroughly outplayed by a determined Pakistan side. It was all over inside 3 days.

The confidence in becoming the 'best' has morphed, IMO, into arrogance and complacency.

However, there is hope, er, a little beyond the horizon.

From Essex ( ), here is Charlie:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sp...-fans-bowled-over-by-six-year-olds-skill.html

He bats well in a helmet, instead of batting like one (Pietersen, Bell-end).

 

[172traindriver]

That is the problem with our sports teams in this country, they do quite well, the media build us up to be world beaters then we get beaten! The media then do the about turn. Remember after we beat the Aussies a few years ago when it all turned at the Edgbaston test. That winter the team were sent off in a blaze of glory down under and came back rather humilliated. You have to admire the Aussies, the worst thing you can do to them is wound them as they then become very dangerous.
This present crop are obviously a lot better and have done really well but they need to keep doing it consistently for a number of years before they can be thought of alongside the great West Indian team or more recently the Aussies.
Let's hope this is a minor setback and we can refocus and get back to winning ways.

 

[rich p]

As the world's no. 1 Test team, England were thoroughly outplayed by a determined Pakistan side. It was all over inside 3 days.

The confidence in becoming the 'best' has morphed, IMO, into arrogance and complacency.

However, there is hope, er, a little beyond the horizon.

From Essex ( ), here is Charlie:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sp...-fans-bowled-over-by-six-year-olds-skill.html

He bats well in a helmet, instead of batting like one (Pietersen, Bell-end).

Caught out by the conditions of playing where there's no swing or seam. Should have played 2 spinners and I agree that complacency may have been a factor.

re Charlie - wow, but I'm not sure about the reverse sweep/drive. Looks like a larger version of Eoin Morgan to me!

 

[Noodley]

...arrogance and complacency.

From the English? Shurely shum mishtake.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Second, not too bad, could've been worse...

 

[Archie_tect]

The lads must have made a killing at BetFred.

 

[ianrauk]

woeful, woeful performance from the whole team. (maybe apart from Trott at a stretch, a silly cut to give away his wicket like that)

 

[the snail]

Caught out by the conditions of playing where there's no swing or seam.

Pakistan didn't have any problems bowling though did they

 

[Dayvo]

re Charlie - wow, but I'm not sure about the reverse sweep/drive. Looks like a larger version of Eoin Morgan to me!

Oi, careful. Charlie's dad won't like that comparison.

The on-drive was immaculate!

I remember a match (in July '84, my first of the season as I'd just got back from 9 months travelling) playing in the 3rd X1. I'd taken 4 wickets opening the bowling and I was replaced: the stubborn last wicket pair had stayed at the wicket a long time and the captain brought me back on.

The no. 11 was about 12 or something, so feeling generous I bowled a slowish first ball, which he cow-cornered for four, much to the delight of his team-mates (and mine). I said to my mate fielding at mid on, 'Right, I'll bounce 'im for that', to which my mate said I wouldn't dare.

I did, and it was fast and straight and fortunately just missed his chin by inches (this was before helmets). His team-mates booed and mine pissed themselves laughing. Feeling bad, the next ball was slow and bounced about three times, but the batsman was nearly by the umpire at square leg and was bowled. We won the match and I had 5 wickets, but felt very guilty!

 

[Dayvo]

woeful, woeful performance from the whole team. (maybe apart from Trott at a stretch, a silly cut to give away his wicket like that)

He was a silly cu*t indeed!

 

[rich p]

Pakistan didn't have any problems bowling though did they

The point I was making was that our seamers rely on swing, reverse swing or seam which didn't happen and had no plan B. The Pakistanis won because they had better spinners - Ajmal in particular and Hafeez.

Panesar should have played especially as he did so well in the warm-up game - outbowling Swann.

The selectors try to be consistent and loyal but at some point it can become intransigence.

 

[Maz]

You wait and see; Pakistan blow hot and cold - I wouldn't be surprised if England comfortably win the next game (and the series, with any luck).

 

[Dayvo]

Anyone else fed up with the Barmy Army? I like a laugh and a joke, but having monotonous chanting and a lone trumpeter echoing around an all but empty stadium is a bit of an annoyance.

Football fans on holiday, I think.

 

[HLaB]

There's barely been a mention of it on tv did they get beat

 

[Moodyman]

Pakistan have been in very good form recently and have much to prove. But, I think it's too early to write-off England. Like Maz says, the Pakistan are unpredictable.