Discussion
Ashes 2023
Discussion
Show flagship post
ZCF OriginalLegend
Bazball is the biggest joke ever, the idea you can come out swinging and it doesn’t matter if you fail because it is entertaining doesn’t wash at this level. This isn’t schoolboy cricket where everyone is a winner for participating. Results matter.
A draw is a legitimate result and not always boring. You’ve got a team backs to the wall 6 or 7 down and they bat out 2 sessions for a draw, 9 down for the last half an hour, they deserve that and I bet it was exciting. As Marnus showed today; it takes a skill of its own to deliberately bat for time and not really go anywhere runs wise.
A draw is a legitimate result and not always boring. You’ve got a team backs to the wall 6 or 7 down and they bat out 2 sessions for a draw, 9 down for the last half an hour, they deserve that and I bet it was exciting. As Marnus showed today; it takes a skill of its own to deliberately bat for time and not really go anywhere runs wise.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
300 in 50 overs might be entertaining however when the opposition are matching that but in twice as many overs then your bowlers have twice as many miles in their legs, are twice as tired and not got time to rest before their next shift.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
England's results with Bazball speak for themselves, they have been a different team since McCullum took over.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
2-1 down in a home ashes and the urn retained by the shackle draggers, yes, the results do speak for themselves.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:41 am
2-1 down in a home ashes and the urn retained by the shackle draggers, yes, the results do speak for themselves.
England have played 15 tests, won 11, lost 3, drawn 1 with victories over India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. This Ashes series will likely be drawn with Australia only having the rain to thank.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
Stuart Broad has given his assessment of bazball retiring at the peak of his powers 😂
Member actions
ShareZCF Hall of Famer
Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:33 am
Stuart Broad has given his assessment of bazball retiring at the peak of his powers 😂
I was a bit surprised at this. Broad is in hot form.
It makes sense that at age 37 he would retire after an ashes series, but I remember an article in the last 12 months where Anderson said Broad will be playing till he’s 40. He goes well in Australia so I thought he may hang on for two more years and have a crack at 700 wickets himself, which he will get if he’s kor injured and retains pace/bounce.
Member actions
ShareZCF Hall of Famer
All up this is a geat series. Good rivalry, has had it all.
As long as people realise it’s just a game and a bit of fun.
As long as people realise it’s just a game and a bit of fun.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
Complete shock mate. Everyone had assumed Anderson was retiring after this series I think. Would have to agree with you; I thought Broad had a couple of years in him yet, he’s been going well.
It has been a good series. England have given all they’ve got and it might not have been enough, Australia have been poor and not what you’d expect from world champions but have found a way. Cramming 5 matches into 6 weeks hasn’t benefited either side.
1 day left, Australia 135/0 with 249 left to chase, would have to say it is their game to lose unless the rain comes tomorrow to save England.
It has been a good series. England have given all they’ve got and it might not have been enough, Australia have been poor and not what you’d expect from world champions but have found a way. Cramming 5 matches into 6 weeks hasn’t benefited either side.
1 day left, Australia 135/0 with 249 left to chase, would have to say it is their game to lose unless the rain comes tomorrow to save England.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
This Ashes series has reinforced why test cricket is the premier format.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF Hall of Famer
> eugene wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:32 pm This Ashes series has reinforced why test cricket is the premier format.
Nope.
It only reinforces that the Ashes itself is a great series. Nothing more.
Test cricket in the other 9 countries outside the biggest three is at its lowest ever ebb and is getting worse. Probably terminal.
Nope.
It only reinforces that the Ashes itself is a great series. Nothing more.
Test cricket in the other 9 countries outside the biggest three is at its lowest ever ebb and is getting worse. Probably terminal.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
That isn't the fault of the format. The ICC is deliberately killing test cricket outside of the big three, no wonder it isn't thriving. In South Africa they schedule games to start on a Tuesday morning outside of summer holidays and then wonder why nobody turns up.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Another great result for England. It will be a very hollow urn Australia is taking back home, England were the better team over the five tests.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
Cracking result clawing it back to draw the series and extending it to 8 years since they last held the urn.
We were all entertained though, so well done England on a comprehensive 5-0 moral victory.
Noted the pundits are starting to tout young Tawanda making an Ashes appearance in the near future.
We were all entertained though, so well done England on a comprehensive 5-0 moral victory.
Noted the pundits are starting to tout young Tawanda making an Ashes appearance in the near future.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
> Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:53 pm Cracking result clawing it back to draw the series and extending it to 8 years since they last held the urn. We were all entertained though, so well done England on a comprehensive 5-0 moral victory. Noted the pundits are starting to tout young Tawanda making an Ashes appearance in the near future.
4-1 moral victory is fair.
4-1 moral victory is fair.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalLegend
End of an era now the mercurial Moeen Ali has re-retired.
Forget Broad, Mo is the man. Comes out of retirement to bail out Stokes’ bazball philosophy and instrumental in levelling the series for them with that solid 50 batting at 3 last test and temporarily bowling better than Shane Warne in the 4th innings of this test. If there was ever a guy who was misused by his board and selectors it’s Mo. Genuine class act
Didn’t he do a season at Tuskers about 10 years ago?
Forget Broad, Mo is the man. Comes out of retirement to bail out Stokes’ bazball philosophy and instrumental in levelling the series for them with that solid 50 batting at 3 last test and temporarily bowling better than Shane Warne in the 4th innings of this test. If there was ever a guy who was misused by his board and selectors it’s Mo. Genuine class act
Didn’t he do a season at Tuskers about 10 years ago?
Member actions
Share