It's Cricket Season Again.

[Paul]

We spend all winter waiting for the cricket season to begin, sunny days and the age old sound of leather on willow and trust the England Cricket Team to have us praying for rain after only two days. After a truly shocking winter overseas this two match mini series against Pakistan was supposed to exorcise the demons and get us back in shape for the main event, five tests against India. These generally young and inexperienced Pakistan players were supposed to turn up, roll over and restore England's confidence. I don't think they read the script. In fairness, Hoveton Old Boys 3rd XI would be causing this England team major problems. I remember England of the 70's and 80's when with the exception of the odd burst of brilliance they were truly woeful, mediocre on a good day. This shower of charlatans is probably the worst I have ever seen. I include the vast array of coaches, management etc in that too. They have become obdurate to the point of pigheadedness.

So, whilst I watch the latest capitulation I shall dispense my damming opinion on the great and good of English Cricket. 

Andrew Strauss, Director of England Cricket. The man who has, or should have the sign on his desk, "The Buck Stops Here". A fine player and captain but living proof that just being good at something does not necessarily mean you can manage it. Obviously distracted with personal issues for which I wish him and his family the very, very best. Stepping away temporarily to concentrate on those issues. As the man at the top he has to take responsibility. Verdict: Has to go. Gardening leave then quietly out the back door. 

Trevor Bayliss, Head Coach. Began his tenure with an ashes series win over his native Australia but under his leadership a great England test side has gone rapidly down hill. Seems hell bent on adapting an aggressive style of T20 like test match play despite countless demonstrations that it does not work. Seems incapable of (or unwilling to) develop a proper test match ethos amongst England players. Has announced he will leave his post when his current contract expires in 2019. Verdict. Has to go immediately . Pay his contract off and escort his from the ground this afternoon. 

Mark Ramprakash, Batting Coach. Played 52 tests for England averaging a meagre 27. Would not have got near the England side as a player had he played for one of the shire counties or west country country teams rather than Middlesex. Repeatedly demonstrated he was not good enough as a test player and seems no different in the role of batting coach. Lack of discipline in our batting has been the largest single cause in England's recent demise and this is where the responsibility lies. Verdict. Has to go immediately . Pay his contract off and escort his from the ground this afternoon.

Chris Silverwood, Bowling Coach. New to the role after England lost Ottis Gibson to South Africa in 2017. Led Essex to the County Championship last season and on paper at least has all the requirements but must get a grip on Englands failing attack very rapidly. Needs to iron out technical deficiencies which ave crept into both Anderson and Broad's actions over the last couple of years if they are to continue as a threat in test cricket. Must have more input into bowler selection and vitally has to get our bowlers pitching the ball in the right place. Verdict: Too early to tell.

Joe Root, Captain, Middle Order Batsmen and Occasional Off Spin Bowler. England brightest batting talent since the emergence of Cook twelve tears ago Played 67 tests already and averages over 50 but despite starting his career as an opening batsmen is best suited to number four. Must bat there for England. Not suited to captaincy and seems to have been appointed following a long running and usually disastrous England policy of appointing your best player to the role. Verdict: Relieve him of the captaincy and return to number four. 

Alastair Cook. Opening Batsman. The mainstay of England's batting for the last decade and still the linchpin. If he fails England fail. Has played over 150 tests averaging better than 45 but has suffered a dip in form is recent years which coincides with a technical issue with his footwork. A batsman that has built his career on technique and timing rather than strength he could play on for several years but needs better coaching to sort his footwork. Verdict: Still England's best (and perhaps only true) opening bat but needs better support from the middle order to reduce the pressure on him.

Mark Stoneman. Opening Batsman. The latest in a long line of opening partners for Cook since the retirement on Andrew Strauss. Has neither the technique nor mentality to open the batting in test cricket and at 30 is unlikely to develop into the role.  Verdict: Not good enough, this should be his last test. 

Dawid Malan. Middle Order Batsman. Root has moved to three to accommodate Malan at four. Has shown some ability with six fifties and one hundred in his first 11 tests but like Stoneman demonstrates technical issues especially outside off stump. Could develop but the number four slot he needs is not available. Verdict: Might stay around the England camp but no place for him.

Jonny Bairstow. Wicket Keeper and Lower Middle Order Batsman. Has developed well with the gloves and now easily first choice keeper offering useful runs at number six. Moved up to number five to plug the gap in this test but must go back to six. Has been England's saviour on a number of occasions following top order flops but needs stronger batsman around him. 

Ben Stokes. All Rounder. Accomplished all rounder his feisty character is valuable on the field. Provides valuable lower order runs as well as important wickets. Has the knack of breaking partnerships which is huge in any test side. Was poorly treated by the selectors following off field issues last year. Should have toured with England during the winter and his absence destabilised the team. Verdict: Inked in at number 7

Joss Butler. Wicket Keeper and Lower Middle Order Batsman. A white ball specialist, selected for this match on the back of a successful IPL T20 tournament, which illustrates all that is wrong with England's selection process. A decent wicket keeper he has been over taken by Bairstow with the gloves and his batting is short of test standard. Verdict: An understudy to Bairstow as keeper, otherwise should be nowhere near this test side. 

Dominic Bess. Off Break Bowler. A young man who has performed well for England Lions but probably only selected here because his Somerset team mate Jack Leach is injured. Verdict: One for the future, maybe. 

Mark Wood. Fast Bowler. Preferred to Chris Woakes because of his extra pace, Wood is the closest England currently have to a true fast bowler but has demonstrated that pace alone is not enough. A bowling average of over 40 runs per wicket is not good enough for a strike bowler. Needs greater accuracy and hostility if he is to make it. Verdict: There are better options.

Stuart Broad. Fast Medium Bowler. England's second all time wicket taker and alongside Anderson part of our most successful bowling attack ever. Has the ability to demolish a test side and turn matches but hugely dependent on confidence. Has struggled recently with technical issues around the hand position and release of the cricket ball which Chris Silverwood needs to address urgently to get Broad back to his best. Showed ability during the winter to shape the ball more than he has before and being four years younger than Anderson may have to lead this England attack through an inevitable transition period. Has provided useful runs in the past including a test best of 168 but has lost all confidence since being struck on the head by Aaron Varun in 2014. Seems unlikely to recover his batting ability so will rely on his bowling. The current lack of any obvious third seamer suggests his place in the side is unlikely to come under threat. Verdict: Needs work to get back to his best but should be around until the next ashes series. 

James Anderson. Fast Medium Bowler. England's all time leading wicket taker and just 32 off Glen McGrath as the leading seamer in test cricket but his best days are behind him. Seems unwilling or unable in recent years to pitch the ball up and use his greatest weapon, late swing. He is not fast enough to bowl back of a length. Has been taught a lesson by the Pakistan bowlers in this test. Needs a good talking to and a kick up the ****. Verdict: Reputation and lack of competition will probably keep him in the side until next years ashes series but must get the ball in the right place.

 

[Andrewcook]

As the England Cricket Team did well with India but with sad regret Alistair Cook has now retired from England Squad to concentrate with Essex Cricket Club and Family with a Farm to run. I enjoyed watching it when he was  playing at Home matches at Chelmsford. I wonder if the England selectors can find a replacement No one Bats Man or No Two for that matter. I think Alistair Cook should get a Knight Hood for his Thirteen Years services to playing for England. 

Yours Andrew Cook

 

[grendel]

didnt he write letters from America?

[Hylander]

I just love the cricket but alas not having Sky Sports at the moment have missed out on this seasons cricket.      The one thing I will agree with you is that our Joe (Root) should not be Captain.   Needs someone with more experience.   You dont mention Moeen Ali (see ball hit ball) he has some brilliant moments.    Not forgetting Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad.      Both have their moments of brilliance.