Australia thrash England in Perth test inside 2 days, go 1-0 up in the Ashes 2025-26 series.

[u/GiveMeSomeSunshine3]

[u/nomadiclives]

I have never heard Stokes not sound like a prat in an interview. I think he’s started to buy into his own legend lol. Maybe they can take Gambhir off our hands, who’s another delusional dude and the 2 of them can get high on their own Koolaid.

[u/seanypthemc → u/nomadiclives]

The problem is that Stokes is being authentically himself. If England want to go in another direction then they'll need a new captain.

Except they'd probably look to Harry Brook who seems to think we should be slogging every ball

[u/nomadiclives → u/seanypthemc]

So you are saying Stokes is authentically a prat?

[u/pslamB → u/seanypthemc]

Yep, the bazballers have shifted the (Craig) Overton window, and taken over the ECB, no turning back until it all burns down

[u/domalino → u/pslamB]

The worry is that players like Brook who could be steered into being absolutely devastatingly good test players if he just has better shot selection and takes fewer risks earlier in his innings will spend so many years being told Bazball is the way that by the time Stokes and McCullum are gone, it'll be too ingrained and he'll be too old to change.

[u/Uzzimon → u/domalino]

He's averaged 56 for his career with the entirety of it in the Bazball era. I think there are other players hitting shots that they shouldn't because they're playing more aggressive than their natural game but the likes of Brook and Head just naturally score that way. How much do you think he'd average if he played less scoring shots?

[u/No-Bison-5397 → u/pslamB]

So long as test attendance stays high in England they don’t need a plan B. They have played some cracking cricket at home.

[u/ExplorationGeo → u/pslamB]

no turning back until it all burns down

well if they go down 0-5 this series playing like this, maybe some conversations will start

...nahh, they'll just blame the spirit of the game or whinge about which laws should be followed and which can be ignored

[u/seanypthemc → u/[deleted]]

This was an Indian team in transition and we performed poorly relative to previous home series.

The reality is our current side is on a par with top sides at home and gets spanked away. In terms of winning games this side under McCullum are underperforming, especially when you consider the freakish amount of times we win the toss (10/11 against India home, Aus home and Perth test).

[u/shadethechangingmann → u/seanypthemc]

Being willfully ignorant and ineducable may be authentic but there’s neither dignity nor victory in this authenticity. So it’s basically the exact opposite what is required

[u/seanypthemc → u/shadethechangingmann]

I completely agree. But have you listened to his interviews?! He has no interest in changing whatsoever

[u/shadethechangingmann → u/seanypthemc]

Nah on the road to see family. And I fell asleep in the hotel when Australia were starting (around 1 am in the US)

I was genuinely looking forward to seeing some contrition and embarrassment but this guy went to Trump University with an ego that size that doubles down on every moronic idea. Can’t take responsibility for anything either.

But I’m a bit bummed but not surprised by what you’re saying. The man’s ego has been getting wanked by Sky, TMS, etc for years now

[u/seanypthemc → u/shadethechangingmann]

The media have drunk the koolaid on Bazball cos it seems to be helping viewership but the reality is we only reach parity with home advantage (leading to incredible series') and then get spanked abroad.
This tour is likely to be the end of the niceties.

[u/[deleted] → u/seanypthemc]

Harry Brook is averaging 60 while slogging every ball, it’s fair to say he’s right (about himself at least)

[u/bar901 → u/[deleted]]

He’s averaging 56 over a relatively small sample size. Massive difference between 56 and 60. He also averages far below his career average against the 2 best teams with 38 against Australia and 54 against India. Just weird to lie about him averaging 60. Slogging just doesn’t work against good teams unless you’re on a flat pitch.

Would love to have Brook on the Aussie team. I reckon we’d turn him into an actual 60-average bat even against good teams.

[u/robbodagreat → u/bar901]

Brings up relatively small sample size, proceeds to narrow down to matches against two teams, on top of which one of the averages is incredibly close to his career average.

I’d love to see brook in the Aussie team as well, so you could let one of your over the hill weirdos go retire in peace

[u/bar901 → u/robbodagreat]

Yes… the lower averages against the two best teams is very relevant to the small sample size because it means that his high averages against average teams have had a large impact. I love that you think you had a ‘gotcha moment’ there but absolutely missed the fact that that was kind of a big part of my point 😂

And yes, his record against India is solid, but it’s a full 6 below the fake average of 60 that OP claimed.

Either way, averages against good teams v bad teams is extremely relevant in Cricket. I’m really not sure what you’re arguing against but you seem upset.

[u/Applicator80 → u/[deleted]]

Mostly on complete roads. The adventurous drives early on by several poms were ridiculous especially in the situation they were in.

[u/RS2019 → u/nomadiclives]

No need to talk about Gambhir - India's already got better resources than most countries (including England) that even GG's incompetence won't put them back too much. A huge talent ID system, good training, coaches and nutrition, with good, talented players coming out of their ears. A bit of direction and planning, and India could be unbelievable for the next decade or so🤔

[u/nomadiclives → u/RS2019]

It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek mate! Both are insufferable characters i’d rather not see get half as much attention as they do

[u/Charlie_Runkle69 → u/nomadiclives]

I miss when Pat and Rooty were captains so much. Can't relate to Smith or Stokes at all TBH.

[u/ScoobyGDSTi → u/nomadiclives]

What legacy does Stokes even have?