Cricket

[Qunk]

Root steps down finally:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60895801

[pantomime dame]

Root steps down finally:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60895801

End of an era.

[RobertT]

End of an era.

End of an error.

Sorry, couldn't help myself, but I feel it is not only a bad pun but also true.  He was never Captain material, he was the batsman we needed to build around but have someone else worry about the tactics.  Trouble was, we simply haven't developed them - supporting Batsmen, or Captain material.  Not in the long game.  We seem unable to focus on more than one format - the late 90's saw big changes that resulted in the great team of 00's and then we shifted to One Day, utterly changing our approach to that game but losing focus on Test cricket at the same time.

[Nemo]

Conflicted on his legacy - definitely right to go, but a bit odd timing wise - considering the ECB doesn't have anybody making decisions in it at the moment and seven weeks before the first test. You'd have thought he'd want to have a chat with the new coach before making a decision, but perhaps they have someone lined up and he's been given the nod.

Legacy then - completely agree he was a bad tactical captain on the field and in selection. In particular, he couldn't captain spinners at all (despite being a fairly good one himself) and continually broke his fastest bowlers. I have some sympathy with his lack of captaincy experience when he got the job, but he didn't really improve as he got that experience either.

However, he was very good at the non-tactical parts of being captain. The players clearly liked him - even the ones who could reasonably not have - his batting was still absolutely exceptional and he was a great 'ambassador' for the team - easy to sniff at that sort of stuff but during Covid especially it must have been fucking hard to remain as professional as he did at all times.

The right time to stop being captain. Maybe he'd have gone earlier if there was an heir apparent - the best captain of my lifetime (Hussain) could do that because Michael Vaughan was ready. There's nobody ready now, and we'll probably have to go for a short term "do it for the summer and we'll see" type appointment - to be honest England could do with a bit of picking for the now and not just constantly planning "for" the next ashes.

I hope he plays on for many years as a specialist bat and scores a ton of runs.

[RobertT]

That last sentence is key for me.  Not only should he now focus on being the star specialist batsman for this team, but the ECB should ensure whoever takes charge does not lean on him and his experience.    Wouldn't normally say that, but he should be insulated from having to worry about anything bar racking up hundreds.

[RedRag]

Conflicted on his legacy - definitely right to go, but a bit odd timing wise - considering the ECB doesn't have anybody making decisions in it at the moment and seven weeks before the first test. You'd have thought he'd want to have a chat with the new coach before making a decision, but perhaps they have someone lined up and he's been given the nod.

Legacy then - completely agree he was a bad tactical captain on the field and in selection. In particular, he couldn't captain spinners at all (despite being a fairly good one himself) and continually broke his fastest bowlers. I have some sympathy with his lack of captaincy experience when he got the job, but he didn't really improve as he got that experience either.

However, he was very good at the non-tactical parts of being captain. The players clearly liked him - even the ones who could reasonably not have - his batting was still absolutely exceptional and he was a great 'ambassador' for the team - easy to sniff at that sort of stuff but during Covid especially it must have been fucking hard to remain as professional as he did at all times.

The right time to stop being captain. Maybe he'd have gone earlier if there was an heir apparent - the best captain of my lifetime (Hussain) could do that because Michael Vaughan was ready. There's nobody ready now, and we'll probably have to go for a short term "do it for the summer and we'll see" type appointment - to be honest England could do with a bit of picking for the now and not just constantly planning "for" the next ashes.

I hope he plays on for many years as a specialist bat and scores a ton of runs.

I share your rating of Hussain's captaincy.  He never quite had the quality of squad that Vaughan came to enjoy.  I don't think anyone could say that Root has been blessed in that regard either.  What Hussain did bring to the table was a results-based outlook that applied to EVERY match and series - well beyond the Ashes clashes.  

Start to have success in tours of the likes of Pakistan - or these days, the Windies - and you may find the time comes when you have a squad ready for the flashier series.

[Posh Red]

Surely they have to pick a captain for the long term.
I’ve seen Stokes & Broad mentioned but can’t see the point in either of those.
Stokes really doesn’t need the extra attention or hassle.
Broad is too close to the end of his career.

If they are going to pick an older player for a few years then maybe Bairstow, or maybe they can go for a non playing captain

[JBZ]

Bring in someone who is currently outside of the England set up.

[Nomoreheroes]

Bring in someone who is currently outside of the England set up.

Its a Brierley moment for England again.

We need a complete shake up. Stokes or Broad would be a case of 'more of the same', but who to go for? Potentially Sam Billings as a specialist wicket keeper/captain? Or James Vince, who isn't really good enough? Eoin Morgan is too old, his back wouldn't last and he's not good enough for Test cricket.

Difficult one.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Its a Brierley moment for England again.

We need a complete shake up. Stokes or Broad would be a case of 'more of the same', but who to go for? Potentially Sam Billings as a specialist wicket keeper/captain? Or James Vince, who isn't really good enough? Eoin Morgan is too old, his back wouldn't last and he's not good enough for Test cricket.

Difficult one.

Stop all the Test matches and focus on making the County league teams stronger with young English talent which will reap the rewards later on.

[Nomoreheroes]

Difficult to win a game of cricket if you can't stop the ball from hitting your stumps!

[Jimmy HaveHave]

I've given up opening the cricket thread as it's always bad news😀

[Nemo]

Well, England are doing a little better now, albeit Stokes had quite the let off being bowled off a no ball. It's the same old story though - Root and Stokes can bat, Broad and Anderson can bowl and the other 7 are a serious problem. Potts looks decent, similar player to Broad though. Probably more a long term replacement than a third seamer.

[Nomoreheroes]

I think Potts has done enough to get another game

I have seen Harry Brook one. He looks technically flawed. But he is the guy in form and has scored shed loads! Why Pope is ahead of him I don't know

Crawley did the same as always

Lee's deserves another game

[Qunk]

Stokes falls. Will more than likely be game over now.

I like the look of Potts. Should have a future ahead of him