Today's cricket

[noel]

Before we start calling for heads to roll. Let's examine the reasons why England got whitewashed.

1. Australia are a very motivated team still smarting from the 3-0 last summer
2. Some of their key players played very well. Mitchell Johnson, when he gets it right is very hard to play on pitches with any bounce. Haddin got them out of jail lots of times.
3. Finn lost form and confidence at the wrong time. This didn't leave enough time to get Rankin or Tremlett bedded into the team. This shouldn't be underestimated. An on-form Finn could have made the breakthrough in any of the 4 tests where Australia batted first and were 5 or 6 down.
4. Some key England players lost form. Notably Cook, Trott, Anderson, Swann, Finn and Prior.

For the next Ashes, it will be very different team from both sides. England will be without Prior, Pietersen, Anderson, probably Trott, and maybe Bell. Australia will be without several players including Haddin and Johnson.

Australia deserve a lot of credit for their performances. It wasn't just about England crumbling, it was England crumbling under a relentless and sustained Australian onslaught.

[Stagger]

Now can heads roll Noel?

Bowlers took wickets although a little costly

Bats men got a grand holiday and very little time in the sun.

[noel]

Now can heads roll Noel?

Bowlers took wickets although a little costly

Bats men got a grand holiday and very little time in the sun.

Yes, go on then. Who would you get rid of?

The trouble is the newer players - Ballance, Bairstow, Borthwick, Root, Rankin - were worse than the old guard.

Only Stokes showed any promise.

[Richard Head]

Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, time for most of them to come home and the T20 boys to take over and build up to the World Cup. We've avoided India and the Aussies in the group stage so surely at least the semis is a possibility

[Stagger]

The main of the players need to return to their counties and get some game time.
The team then wants picking from the players who are performing well.

[Richard Head]

Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, time for most of them to come home and the T20 boys to take over and build up to the World Cup.

Well that's going well

[Stagger]

Well that's going well

What an embarrassing tour. I hope the whole set-up feels ashamed of themselves.

[Stagger]

Flower has gone so thats a start, now the under performing players should follow.

[Stagger]

Flower has gone so thats a start, now the under performing players should follow.

Well, well, well, he is still going to be a selector.

[TheReverand]

Flower has gone so thats a start, now the under performing players should follow.

how can you possibly try and lay the blame at this guys feet??? if he is to blame for one lost series, he is also to be given te credit for winning 12 series...