The Ashes 2013

[aeolium]

Yes, on reflection your word "corinthian" is better than "amateur" with its indelible associations. And perhaps also a couple of French expressions, espieglerie and joie de vivre.

It's true that Randall had dips in form, as he acknowledged, but it was just that sometimes Gatting was preferred when his average was no better than Randall's. And to his modest Test average (though in an age when the high averages of today were much less common) should be added the many runs Randall saved by virtue of his presence in the field, not just through the number of run-outs he achieved but through his deterrent effect when runs would have been taken to other fielders. That was certainly not the case with Gatting by comparison. And Randall's technique cannot have been that bad to make 174 in that Centenary test against Lillee et al.

I suppose it's just a psychological preference for the carefree quality over professionalism, for Gower over Gooch, for the elegant, the idiosyncratic, the unpredictable and sometimes downright infuriating over the boot-camp, the hours-in-the-gym, relentless net practice, hard work ethic. Of course, as the 1990s Australians and the present English team shows, the latter gets results but it's a shame we don't see so much of the former.

[Sir Velo]

It's true that Randall had dips in form, as he acknowledged, but it was just that sometimes Gatting was preferred when his average was no better than Randall's. And to his modest Test average (though in an age when the high averages of today were much less common) should be added the many runs Randall saved by virtue of his presence in the field, not just through the number of run-outs he achieved but through his deterrent effect when runs would have been taken to other fielders.

Excellent points aeolium! As you say, if you add 20 runs onto Randall's average (the average amount of runs he saved per innings) you get an average over 50!

One of the things which often mystifies me with selection is when a batsman is selected as wicket keeper over the authentic gloveman, purely on the basis of runs scored. I've lost count of the times one of these so-called batting wicket keepers has dropped a vital catch or stumping (did someone say Geraint Jones?) only for the redeemed opposition batsman to pile on a hundred or so; all for the sake of an average 10-15 runs better than the specialist keeper. Someone should keep stats of the number of runs scored by the oppostition after a dropped catch or missed stumping, and have that go against the wicket keeper! And then, it's not just the runs that player goes on to make, but the partnerships in which he participates. Given the old adage about catches winning matches, it is amazing that so little attention is paid to the keeper's actual success rate for dismissals as a stat.

Bob Taylor, Jack Russell, and latterly Chris Read and James Foster were indisputably the best in their position, but none (with the possible exception of Russell) got a proper run at test level due to perceived weaknesses as batsmen. Interestingly, Taylor's time as wicket keeper for England corresponded with some of their best results in the late 70s/early 80s (Ashes wins in 78/9 and 81; World cup final in 79).

Re Gower: one of the great sadnesses has to be his permanent dropping from the England side in 1992, when arguably at his peak, having just come off two years of sublime run scoring.

[Sir Velo]

Anyone who doubted the wisdom of Cook continuing to bat on at the start of the 4th day (rather than enforce the follow on) should have their doubts allayed by the news that Aussie quick, Pattinson, is out of the remainder of the series with a stress fracture of the back. As Pattinson remarked, the extra wear and tear of being continually in the field took its toll. He had felt pain but was forced to continue bowling because of the team's situation. A fine example of really grinding a team down. I trust and hope that Cook will continue to be merciless.

[amateur51]

Anyone who doubted the wisdom of Cook continuing to bat on at the start of the 4th day (rather than enforce the follow on) should have their doubts allayed by the news that Aussie quick, Pattinson, is out of the remainder of the series with a stress fracture of the back. As Pattinson remarked, the extra wear and tear of being continually in the field took its toll. He had felt pain but was forced to continue bowling because of the team's situation. A fine example of really grinding a team down. I trust and hope that Cook will continue to be merciless.

Very interesting Sir Velo. Various radio commentators also remarked on how they felt that Watson looked to be in some discomfort if not pain as he trudged back to his mark and then when he ran in to bowl.

I must say that I'm tickled pink that young Root is turning out to be a useful slow left-arm short burst bowler as well as a considerable batsman ( I can't bring myself to say 'batter' as that is the loose paste applied to fish before frying, surely

[Simon]

I trust and hope that Cook will continue to be merciless.

I think he will!

[AmpH]

The vital test match arrives !

England unchanged ( so KP fit ) and Australia bring in Starc, Lyon and Warner - the latter apparently slated to bat at no 6 , but I would have opened with him and attacked England from the start.

Australia win the toss and bat and have absolutely nothing to lose - will they be finally be able to rattle England under the cautious leadership of Andy Flower

Game on !

[eighthobstruction]

Lovely, lovely....<rubbing of hands>

[amateur51]

Lovely, lovely....<rubbing of hands>

Lovely weather first day. Saturday forecast is not good but can England make a big enough lead batting second and bowl Australia out twice within four days?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

very heaven innit, whatever the outcome, an ashes test match is paradise ....

[amateur51]

very heaven innit, whatever the outcome, an ashes test match is paradise ....

[gurnemanz]

.. and Billy + trumpet is in the crowd.

[anotherbob]

.. and Billy + trumpet is in the crowd.

.... and better news still!
Blofeld is NOT in the TMS box.

[DracoM]

.. and Billy + trumpet is in the crowd.

It is NOT good news. My guess is that it is very distracting for the players, fairly deliberately used as a rallying point for the English supporters thus fomenting hostility from others, and is a pain for audiences to TV/radio.

But, if umpires are prepared to give such outrageously and manifestly incorrect decisions like that of Khawaja's dismissal, we already have a problem with this Test's credibility.

[anotherbob]

It is NOT good news. My guess is that it is very distracting for the players, fairly deliberately used as a rallying point for the English supporters thus fomenting hostility from others, and is a pain for audiences to TV/radio.

The Barmy Army, and Billy are very popular with opposition supporters in my experience, and I don't recall the TMS effects mike picking up Billy's efforts as more than faint "backgound". I wouldn't want to sit next to him myself but if I found myself in close proximity I could always turn off my hearing aid.

But, if umpires are prepared to give such outrageously and manifestly incorrect decisions like that of Khawaja's dismissal, we already have a problem with this Test's credibility.

Can you recall a time when umpires didn't make such errors? I can't. Every cricket match I have ever attended, including some which I have umpired have been at the mercy of the officials. It is a case of a "willing suspension of disbelief" if you want to enjoy a game without grumbling about the umps.

[DracoM]

How blatantly wrong the decision was, was mercilessly revealed on Sky's / the third umpire's own technology.

It is inconceivable that on the basis of what we saw and heard that the batsman could possibly have been given out, and how the third umpire confirmed the on-field decision left the entire Sky team and me utterly incredulous. Nothing to do with 'suspension of disbelief' - it was a serious error which will bring the whole third umpire / current DRS system and especially its interpretation into disrepute and thus play into the Indian Test Authority's feet-dragging hands - if you see what I mean!!

And I'm not an Oz supporter either!