Monday 9 December 2013

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Another humiliating defeat in the hands of the old enemy, what more can I say. Shall I try to break it down, a lot of other critics, experts, drinkers in the Cottage (experts then) already have!
 
·         Mitchell Johnson – Taken 17 wickets so far this series, the majority of them the English lower order. He is not as threatening as people make out, he only bowls in short spells, just need to see him off, aka Ian Bell
·         Dismissals – 21 of the English wickets to fall have been caught in the leg side. A very high percentage being caught and an even higher percentage on the leg side. In other words poor shot selection.
·         Can’t catch – how many more dollies?
·         Twilight of career - Some off the English players have already reached the top of the game, now they are in the slippery slope downwards, and not much is coming in behind – sound familiar?
·         Not enough depth – Who is going to replace the likes of Anderson, Swann, Prior, Trott, Pietersen? From what I can see in reserve, not much.
·         Andy Flower – Thank you for what you have achieved for England, now time to move on.
·         Unsure of best side – The side which went out in 2010/11, the 11 which started in Brisbane was somewhat a done deal! Now we don’t know who is going to open, go in at three, five and six, plus what bowling attack to use.
·         Shortcomings in the summer – 3-0 was the score to England, but it was a lot closer than that. The Aussies could and should of won at Trent Bridge and they had England on the ropes at Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street.  

I could go on, but what’s the point, need to move on. First thing is to get the selection right in Perth and not lose! I believe England have only won once there, and that was against an Australian 3rd XI some 40 years ago. 

Then win at Melbourne and Sydney, happy hunting grounds recently, so the series will be tied and the Ashes retained. Then all what I’ve written above can be binned (but not forgotten).  

But will this really happen? Well this current crop of English players have surprised me in the past (notably India last winter), so why not or am I being optimistic? 

Ok, 5.27, time to get some much needed sleep, no skittles or Thatchers tonight!

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