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England's Ashes Test Team

Colesman Ballz

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Root clearly has to be replaced as Captain because he has no tactical nous, and clearly does not command the respect of either the batsmen or the bowlers,
 

Rosencrantz

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Root clearly has to be replaced as Captain because he has no tactical nous, and clearly does not command the respect of either the batsmen or the bowlers,
I'm not against replacing Root as Captain to concentrate on his batting again. Not converting fifties into hundreds speaks of having too much on himself - pressure of captaincy and being the best batman in the team. However, who takes on the captain's position? No one in the squad that is an automatic pick looks to be a captain. Only Buttler has experience as vice captain to Morgan in white ball cricket. Maybe taking the gloves and batting at seven with Bairstow as specialist batsman might be a way for him to go. Otherwise, I cannot see an alternative within the squad (and don't say Stokes).

The only other way is for the new coach (has one been appointed yet and I've missed it?) to have an impact and partnership the same as Bayliss did with Morgan in white ball (which was why Strauss appointed Bayliss in the first place).
 
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Greyhound

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I'm not against replacing Root as Captain to concentrate on his batting again. Not converting fifties into hundreds speaks of having too much on himself - pressure of captaincy and being the best batman in the team. However, who takes on the captain's position? No one in the squad that is an automatic pick looks to be a captain. Only Buttler has experience as vice captain to Morgan in white ball cricket. Maybe taking the gloves and batting at seven with Bairstow as specialist batsman might be a way for him to go. Otherwise, I cannot see an alternative within the squad (and don't say Stokes).
Very hard to see a replacement for Root. As far as the captaincy goes, the most experienced player in the side at the moment, by far, is Stuart Broad. Bowler-captains are not considered ideal, and it would only be a short-term move. Whatever happens I think Root has to bat at his preferred No. 4.
 

IndoMike

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I know it wasn't aimed at me but since Geoffers agreed with my comments then I wish to take responsibility.
I don't know which players Cricket England have been preparing for Test cricket. At the moment I would pick this team :

Burns
Pope
Stokes - selected as batsman
*Root - capt.
Roy - one final series to prove himself
Bairstow
Curran
Woakes
Broad
Leach
Archer

If there is no-one better : why not?
* I agree with some experts who say because Root is our best batsman he should be relieved of captaincy duties.
I wonder if Bairstow could handle the pressure?
As you will see from my post earlier this week, the selectors have followed my advice about bringing Woakes and Curran in. However, they ignored my advice about dropping Denly and dropped Roy instead. Silly buggars.
About Bayliss : the word is that he is an arm around the shoulder" type, even when we get bowled out for 50. Sometimes you need an Atilla, not a Mother Theresa.
 

geoffwp

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Pictures of Joe Root online facing cameras and questions. Rabbit caught in headlights.
 

Alistair20000

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Root out (as captain).
Who takes over Chap ?
 

IndoMike

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Who takes over Chap ?
Obviously Stokes is the candidate. He has overcome any alleged misdemeanors from the past, apparently practises harder than anybody else, and couldn't be worse than Root. Bairstow as vice captain. I know the worry is that it might affect Stokes' batting, but let's face it : twice he has produced a captain's innings.
 

Rosencrantz

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Obviously Stokes is the candidate. He has overcome any alleged misdemeanors from the past, apparently practises harder than anybody else, and couldn't be worse than Root. Bairstow as vice captain. I know the worry is that it might affect Stokes' batting, but let's face it : twice he has produced a captain's innings.
It's a big ask for the all rounder to be captain. Botham and Flintoff should be salutary lessons to approach with caution if going the Stokes route. Only Imran Khan in my memory (since 80's) stands out as a great captain and all rounder although I will expect some other examples from people with deeper knowledge and memories.

I think with no real current alternatives, the best thing that could happen would be to have the new coach who could really dovetail with Root much like happened with Strauss and Flower or Hussain and Fletcher (I think Vaughan would have been a very good captain regardless).
 

IndoMike

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It's a big ask for the all rounder to be captain. Botham and Flintoff should be salutary lessons to approach with caution if going the Stokes route. Only Imran Khan in my memory (since 80's) stands out as a great captain and all rounder although I will expect some other examples from people with deeper knowledge and memories.

I think with no real current alternatives, the best thing that could happen would be to have the new coach who could really dovetail with Root much like happened with Strauss and Flower or Hussain and Fletcher (I think Vaughan would have been a very good captain regardless).
Yep, I realize that the captaincy could be a pain for Stokes, but I'd pick him for his batting, and then up to him to bowl if he wants to. He has proven twice that he can bat under great pressure. so I think he could handle it.
I do hope that the new coach will not accept mediocrity and will be tough with the players when necessary. Also, who is the current batting coach? So far he seems to be having little impact.
These cricketers are on pretty good contracts, so I think we need to demand more from the batsmen who have not pulled their weight
 

IndoMike

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So here we go. The Aussies win the toss for the 4th time in the series but put England in to bat. A little bit surprising, perhaps?
 
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