Test Cricket 2021

[antongould]

It’s another punctuated season anton, where toy cricket takes precedence during the best part of the year. I fear Strauss’ master plan for reviving the red-ball form of the game is little other than a fig-leaf indelicately placed by the dysfunctional ECB whose principal role seems to be to serve itself and the money-men. It’s a shame N Zealand still only get a three test series, they are the most attractive side to watch presently. South Africa are not the force they once were, but are more than capable of rolling over England in its current state. I’ve never rated Root as a captain, and I fear neither do his team-mates. Stokes is the obvious choice for replacing him, but I’d prefer him to assume the role when he is fitter and the priority of Test cricket has been reestablished, so next season? Billings? Not Broad, he’d exhaust the DRS appeals during his first over. The openers remain a major problem that the game’s wider structure will not solve, so the overall prognosis is not good. It will probably be Anderson’s last outing, and it will be fitting for him to play at Old Trafford in August against SA. I’ll still attend Trent Bridge and both Tests at Lord’s, but I already anticipate the results. Good that England’s women have made it to the final.

Agree sir …… Mark Ramprakash seemed to suggest in the Grauniad today that England should open with Robson and Stoneman …. ????

[DracoM]

W-H-A-A-T?
Is THAT why he's an 'influencer'?

[antongould]

W-H-A-A-T?
Is THAT why he's an 'influencer'?

Almost certainly

[DracoM]

[antongould]

Who should lead us to salvation ….. ?????

[Historian]

Who should lead us to salvation ….. ?????

I think there is little chance of appointing someone from outside current/recent test players: you wouldn't want a captain not worth his pace in the side. There aren't that many in the side with a lot of captaincy experience. Broad has distanced himself already. Who does that leave? Burns may struggle to get back in the team, same with Buttler. Most of the other batsmen are not exactly fixtures and would probably prefer to concentrate on consolidating their place in the team. So...

Stokes? Not sure how that would work out, however he may well be becoming more of a batsman who bowls now. Wouldn't say he would necessarily be a long-term appointment, but would instil more backbone in the England team.

Any other ideas?

[DracoM]

Am FAR from convinced about the arrival of Key on the field. At all. Maybe a sort of TV person and ex-county captain, but..........? Plenty of mouth, yes....but wisdom?

[antongould]

Am FAR from convinced about the arrival of Key on the field. At all. Maybe a sort of TV person and ex-county captain, but..........? Plenty of mouth, yes....but wisdom?

I share your concerns DracoM …..

[Historian]

Am FAR from convinced about the arrival of Key on the field. At all. Maybe a sort of TV person and ex-county captain, but..........? Plenty of mouth, yes....but wisdom?

I think Key may have a bit more about him than that. Rather him than someone else from within the same narrow group of people already mixed up in the decisions which have got us to where we are today. He does have experience of playing international cricket as well as a good knowledge of the county game, both of which will be important in his new role. If I recall correctly, quite a few potential candidates (including some from overseas) ruled themselves out.

As to how far he can change things, that remains to be seen. Unless something fairly major is done to the structure of English county cricket then any other changes will be essentially cosmetic.

[Keraulophone]

.
Wisden 2022 has just arrived with the ex-captain pictured on the dust-jacket, executing a handsome cover drive.

Despite recent woes, as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World in 2021, this great batsman still towers above all others in an England shirt, last year scoring six Test centuries, 1708 Test runs (2nd highest in a calendar year and over 26% of his team's runs) averaging 61, twice that of any teammate (except Malan from just five Tests). Scyld Berry’s assessment: ‘Combining the best of both worlds - the defensive technique of the ancients with the novel strokes of the moderns - he could yet become England’s finest.’

While he has won the most Tests for England as captain (27), he has also lost the most Tests as captain (25). Time to concentrate on being a great batsman.
.

[Historian]

While he has won the most Tests for England as captain (27), he has also lost the most Tests as captain (25). Time to concentrate on being a great batsman.

Agreed.

[muzzer]

Key is a reasonable pundit but I don’t believe he has the corporate chops for this job. Strauss is the best qualified, presumably he knows from his previous stint how toxic the setup is and doesn’t want any more.

[DracoM]

Agreed - why not Strauss? Puzzling?

[Belgrove]

Agreed - why not Strauss? Puzzling?

Because Strauss realises the root of the problem lies with the ECB who are heavily invested, both financially and ideologically, to make the Hundred succeed. While that remains the ECB’s priority, red-ball cricket will languish. Were Harrison to go (as he should), then Strauss could assume his role to reconfigure the season and restructure the Test team from first principles. Whoever next gets landed with the captaincy under the present set-up is on a hiding to nothing.

[DracoM]

<<.......................then Strauss could assume his role to reconfigure the season........>>

- IF ONLY!