I was there on day 3. The trams weren't running in the morning due to the storm the previous night but by the afternoon, the ground was pretty full, odd gap here and there but nothing really shocking, as opposed to day 4 where the entire top section of stand C was empty (it had been about 80 to 90% full the day before). I wonder how many people looked at the weather forecasts and thought "sod that for a game of soldiers"? Friday was supposed to be rain in the morning and then cloudy the rest of the day yet the sun stayed out for the most part and they started on time at 11AM. I don't think it's that shocking Old Trafford gets a lot of tests. It's the third highest capacity ground outside of Lords and the Oval in one of the most heavily populated urban areas outside of London, why wouldn't you want to try and get as many bums on seats as possible?
I listened to your comments about X the other day, and felt they were really important. For me, they were not political, but ethical - raising important questions we should all think about.
The rise of Jamie Smith marks the end of Jonny Bairstow's test career. The latter is also axed from the white ball team. Is it the end of his international career?
I feel with Pope, is that hes never improved since starting in team, hes like a cat on a hot tin roof every 15mins of his innings, poor against spin, yes i know 190 in India but India are a slow starting team and lose a lot of first tests before firing and winning. For me Eng 1,2,3 batters are no way set for future and against v good attacks will struggle.
We do keep talking about mid 30s Woakes with Broad and Anderson. It should be noted that both Broad and Anderson, at older ages than Woakes, were bowling at 83-85 mph. Woakes rather hits 80mph. Broad and Anderson were 90 mph bowlers in their pomp, Woakes has a,ways been a low 80s bowler. He is NOT going to knock over Australia in Australia. Remember Broad and Anderson didn’t in their last 2 trips down under either
Root scored as he does - ended up making the difference between the two teams - and we take him for granted as we do that he didn’t even get a shout lmfao
Thank you Phil for channeling my thoughts about subs in cricket... I think it is time to have that conversation as a team is punished for legitimate injury at any stage of the game. I have been arguing that teams have 2 subs - 1 bowler and 1 batter - finally I have some support 😂😂
I ❤ Test cricket, for 40 years. It's a game where teams stop playing in broad daylight & they can't supply the requisite replacement ball "of the right age"...a multi-billion dollar professional sport...I'm starting to think the Aussies had a point now last Ashes! 🏉
Yeah I get your point. Something about that ball change at The Oval last year didn't sit right with me, and it did change the flow of the game I felt. Quite why in 2024 the ball is such a problem is beyond me but it's something that needs to be looked at... and it only seems to be in England it happens which leans towards an issues with Dukes
Ticket prices overall around £80/90 is still too much. Threat of the weather and against a so called lesser opposition. When fans know that england are going to win this summer 6-0 the loss of jeopardy seems to be something all major sports are forgetting as they become more unequal. Add to that a bank holiday it was never going to sell out. Its a cost of living that is only getting worse and the public dont have the disposable income for £90 tickets and over £7 pints any more, especially if its not must see tests. Its only going to get worse.
omg, why are we saying woakes can go downunder, he avg's 50+!!, i cant understand why they don't try J Clark (surrey) he's quicker and takes county attacks apart and still 33. woakes ain't gona avg 25+ against that aussie attack!!.
Interesting point of view! Bloody hell. England are gaming the system - nothing interesting about that, just pathetic and sad. There needs to be a limit on the number of times a team can present a 'damaged' ball to the umpire. Maybe same as Reviews - 3 times an innings. England sometimes seem to do it 3 times an over. You can guarantee that if the 'damaged' ball had been swinging, England wouldn't have come anywhere near the umpire. Maybe the batsmen need to okay the ball, that'd dampen down what has pretty much crossed over a line into abuse of the rules.
I was there on day 3. The trams weren't running in the morning due to the storm the previous night but by the afternoon, the ground was pretty full, odd gap here and there but nothing really shocking, as opposed to day 4 where the entire top section of stand C was empty (it had been about 80 to 90% full the day before). I wonder how many people looked at the weather forecasts and thought "sod that for a game of soldiers"? Friday was supposed to be rain in the morning and then cloudy the rest of the day yet the sun stayed out for the most part and they started on time at 11AM.
I don't think it's that shocking Old Trafford gets a lot of tests. It's the third highest capacity ground outside of Lords and the Oval in one of the most heavily populated urban areas outside of London, why wouldn't you want to try and get as many bums on seats as possible?
I listened to your comments about X the other day, and felt they were really important. For me, they were not political, but ethical - raising important questions we should all think about.
The rise of Jamie Smith marks the end of Jonny Bairstow's test career. The latter is also axed from the white ball team. Is it the end of his international career?
No doubt and not a moment too soon 😊
I still think if he can put some form together he is the right choice to open in ODIs - with Salt this time.
I feel with Pope, is that hes never improved since starting in team, hes like a cat on a hot tin roof every 15mins of his innings, poor against spin, yes i know 190 in India but India are a slow starting team and lose a lot of first tests before firing and winning. For me Eng 1,2,3 batters are no way set for future and against v good attacks will struggle.
Top 3 has been a longstanding problem for them,if it wasn't for joe root,they would have had a shocking record in tests
We do keep talking about mid 30s Woakes with Broad and Anderson. It should be noted that both Broad and Anderson, at older ages than Woakes, were bowling at 83-85 mph. Woakes rather hits 80mph. Broad and Anderson were 90 mph bowlers in their pomp, Woakes has a,ways been a low 80s bowler. He is NOT going to knock over Australia in Australia. Remember Broad and Anderson didn’t in their last 2 trips down under either
Root scored as he does - ended up making the difference between the two teams - and we take him for granted as we do that he didn’t even get a shout lmfao
Thank you Phil for channeling my thoughts about subs in cricket... I think it is time to have that conversation as a team is punished for legitimate injury at any stage of the game. I have been arguing that teams have 2 subs - 1 bowler and 1 batter - finally I have some support 😂😂
I ❤ Test cricket, for 40 years. It's a game where teams stop playing in broad daylight & they can't supply the requisite replacement ball "of the right age"...a multi-billion dollar professional sport...I'm starting to think the Aussies had a point now last Ashes! 🏉
Yeah I get your point. Something about that ball change at The Oval last year didn't sit right with me, and it did change the flow of the game I felt. Quite why in 2024 the ball is such a problem is beyond me but it's something that needs to be looked at... and it only seems to be in England it happens which leans towards an issues with Dukes
Ticket prices overall around £80/90 is still too much. Threat of the weather and against a so called lesser opposition. When fans know that england are going to win this summer 6-0 the loss of jeopardy seems to be something all major sports are forgetting as they become more unequal.
Add to that a bank holiday it was never going to sell out. Its a cost of living that is only getting worse and the public dont have the disposable income for £90 tickets and over £7 pints any more, especially if its not must see tests. Its only going to get worse.
I like Pope but I think if you were a gun county number 3 or 4 you'd be pretty annoyed at his form if you thought you could do better
omg, why are we saying woakes can go downunder, he avg's 50+!!, i cant understand why they don't try J Clark (surrey) he's quicker and takes county attacks apart and still 33. woakes ain't gona avg 25+ against that aussie attack!!.
Did we lose the test match?
Love the pod lads! - Josh Hull looks like a left handed dernbach!!
LOL didnt mark wood get smashed around ?
Interesting point of view! Bloody hell. England are gaming the system - nothing interesting about that, just pathetic and sad. There needs to be a limit on the number of times a team can present a 'damaged' ball to the umpire. Maybe same as Reviews - 3 times an innings. England sometimes seem to do it 3 times an over. You can guarantee that if the 'damaged' ball had been swinging, England wouldn't have come anywhere near the umpire. Maybe the batsmen need to okay the ball, that'd dampen down what has pretty much crossed over a line into abuse of the rules.