England Test Cricket

The Ashes in Australia has been a disaster, yet Alastair Cook remains captain when the series quite clearly showed how little he knows about the game (and that's coming from one of the worst captains in the memory of man). Andy Flower remains Head Coach despite his "plans", that have been the same/similar since he took over, being found out and destroyed by the Aussies. England's fielding has been abysmal with dropped catches left, right and centre. Yet Richard Halsall still maintains his central role. Kevin Pietersen, in his mid-30s, still commands a place despite not having scored many runs of note in the series. Same with Cook in all honesty.

The positives from the series are:
Michael Carberry has shown that he has some fight, which is more than can be said for most. Not entirely convinced by him as an international cricketer, but he got stuck in.
Ben Stokes has shown some fire and talent - a rarity.
Stuart Broad has been the best bowler by a mile, but his arse fell out with bat in hand and Mitchell Johnson had the ball in his hand. Future number 11 despite the fact that the commentators remind us that "he can bat" every time, before he disappoints.

The negatives/those who should never grace the field again in an England shirt (unless it's from the club shop and lunchtime):
Pietersen needs to go - he's not the future and he's South African; England is not his country.
Anderson - totally ineffective outside the UK and over 30 as a quick bowler. Put him down.
Tremlett - I bowl quicker than him now. Utter rubbish, pick me.
Swann - good riddance; jumped before pushed.
Panesar - poo when he first got in the side, and worse now for numerous reasons - should never have been on the tour in the first place.
Bresnan - he is clearly not good enough with bat or ball, yet England persist with him; baffling.
Rankin - rubbish and Irish - should never have been on the tour in the first place.
Trott - hopefully won't pull on the Lions again because he's South African and not English.

The "not sure what to do" crew:
Prior - over 30 and in a really bad run of form. He can play though!
Bairstow - clearly talented but has technical flaws.
There's an opportunity for Buttler methinks!
Bell - ought to stay in because he's our best bat.
Root - appalling tour but has age on his side. That's about the only positive I can muster.
Ballance - Zimbabwean for crying out loud. Why do we keep doing this? Looks a decent player but he should be playing for Zimbabwe!
Finn - never had a chance, although bowled pies in nets; so would I if was carrying drinks for 3 months. Young, tall and quick, but more importantly, English!
Cook - I'd bin him as captain but still open with him.

I don't get why they don't pick James Taylor; maybe it's because he's English...

Anyway, rant over. If I've forgotten anyone on the tour then they clearly struggled!

England Cricket Fans: remember the good times

And one with a bit of naughty language:

Lutters' Ashes Lines Part 9

My assessment of England's Ashes success, with hundreds and thousands:

Click Here!

5th Test at the MCG

England - unchanged.

Australia - Rookie skipper, rookie top order batsman, rookie spinner. Batsmen and bowlers out of form.

Surely it's a forgone conclusion - Australia to win by a good margin.

We'll see...

The Latest Lutters' Ashes Lines

Below is the link to my most recent cricket article - it celebrates England retaining the Ashes in Melbourne and explains why Australia have been so poor, in my view of course:

Click Here!