I loved much of the cricket; I always relish good cricket. I will however remember the riled members at Lords squaring up to the Aussies in the Long Room as a first.
I went to the Saturday of the oval match. ben ducket’s cameo for the quality of his shot making. Root reverse scooping (I think marsh) for 6 was a special moment. And the well of emotion when Anderson came out to bat (this was before broad’s announcement) for possibly last time in England
It was a fantastic day. A part of me thinks a more ruthless side than England would have batted Aus out of the game - been 350-5 at the close. But England probably do well to play to their strengths on the batting - which is to take very aggressive options rather than try and bat like Jaques kallis
I cant help feeling that Stokes is someone who treads the very fine line between sanity and insanity, and not just because his best cricket is insanely good. There is something Ronnie O'Sullivan about him.
I think Stokes is an accidental leader like the Damian Lewis character in Band of Brothers. Supremely talented, brave and inspirational but didn't really want the leadership role until it was thrust upon him.
I couldn't admire him any more than I do. He puts his people above himself by default, plays the role needed for others to succeed and then when the time comes, he is launching a grenade into the enemy trench and charging, whatever the cost.
Funny RR that you used the military comparison for Stokes. I thought this summer he was the modern equivalent of Douglas Bader for much the same reasons.
I find Stokes tragic because he is so flawed. He’s a phenomenal player and a great leader but he keeps finding excuses instead of facing up to the fact he can’t win on his own terms all the time. And that his approach will lead to them losing as often as they win.
Played 19, won 13, drawn 1 (would have won bar the weather) lost 5.
There will have to be one hell of a losing streak if “his approach will lead to them losing as often as they win”. Not sure his captaincy would survive it.
Name a captain who has from day 1 turned around a team's record from losing almost everything to winning the vast majority of matches, to the same degree Stokes has.
The only obvious change to the team is Brook.
I can't think of one. His impact as captain has been more successful than just about any captaincy in history. Such a tragic figure.
I know what you mean by tragic, following a predestined arc where the climax is followed by a fatal plot twist in the third act. Prometheus having his liver pecked out for eternity after bringing us fire from the gods sort of tragic.
I think he is referring to the believed origin of the word tragedy meaning "goat song", as Stokes apparently does a great imitation of a screaming goat.
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Mark Wood’s first spell at Headingley
game changer
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Chinning at OT
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My 15th pint at the oval. Club shop on
Screaming rude words at Aussie fielders
Alpha males enjoying themselves
That's what it's about
I also very much enjoyed Crawley hitting several first balls of innings for 4
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When stokes went mental with bat
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Warner getting out and out and out and out and out and out and out and out and out and out.
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I loved much of the cricket; I always relish good cricket. I will however remember the riled members at Lords squaring up to the Aussies in the Long Room as a first.
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Yes I enjoyed that Prodders
This was my first venture into cricket and I loved it
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I went to the Saturday of the oval match. ben ducket’s cameo for the quality of his shot making. Root reverse scooping (I think marsh) for 6 was a special moment. And the well of emotion when Anderson came out to bat (this was before broad’s announcement) for possibly last time in England
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Maybe we saw each other dicelad
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It was a fantastic day. A part of me thinks a more ruthless side than England would have batted Aus out of the game - been 350-5 at the close. But England probably do well to play to their strengths on the batting - which is to take very aggressive options rather than try and bat like Jaques kallis
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Crawley's big score as I saw the whole innings.
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(live)
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At OT 3d. Good effort for a man of Hampshire
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Or do you mean live on tv
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No, at Traffers. Gr8 ground.
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A sense of missed opportunities tbh. Stunning sessions by England but a profound sense of loss and time passing. Stokes I find a tragic figure.
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England’s performance in the last innings (Broad’s swan song) which was inextricably tied to my optimism theory and conversion of RR.
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The Barmy Army rolling out Travis You’re a C@nt at Edgbaston.
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To Lyon , "you're just a shit Moeen Ali". ©️ The Hollies.
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Broad hitting Starc for 6 with his last ever ball faced in cricket.
That declaration in the first test as one of many sliding doors moments in the series.
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Bertha, why do you find stokes tragic? By any reasonable measures, he's been hugely successful.
The saddest thing about his career imo was the punching incident which meant he missed the ashes tour in 2017/18 when he was in his prime.
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I cant help feeling that Stokes is someone who treads the very fine line between sanity and insanity, and not just because his best cricket is insanely good. There is something Ronnie O'Sullivan about him.
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I think Stokes is an accidental leader like the Damian Lewis character in Band of Brothers. Supremely talented, brave and inspirational but didn't really want the leadership role until it was thrust upon him.
I couldn't admire him any more than I do. He puts his people above himself by default, plays the role needed for others to succeed and then when the time comes, he is launching a grenade into the enemy trench and charging, whatever the cost.
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There was also the falter as Nathan Lyon pulled up when a catch looked on the cards.
And who can forget (I nearly did) the clock with a bandage on it.
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Lyon injury
Stokes ton and 9 Aussies on the boundary
Warner getting no runs on his last day of batting in England
Cummins going 1-100 in 20 overs
Anderson and Boland being utter toilet
Stokes bowling on 1 leg
Robbo Yorker to Khawaja with ridiculous field
Broad
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Funny RR that you used the military comparison for Stokes. I thought this summer he was the modern equivalent of Douglas Bader for much the same reasons.
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I find Stokes tragic because he is so flawed. He’s a phenomenal player and a great leader but he keeps finding excuses instead of facing up to the fact he can’t win on his own terms all the time. And that his approach will lead to them losing as often as they win.
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Played 19, won 13, drawn 1 (would have won bar the weather) lost 5.
There will have to be one hell of a losing streak if “his approach will lead to them losing as often as they win”. Not sure his captaincy would survive it.
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The early declaration which was such a jolt.
The Bairstow stumping and the way Stokes played in response.
The Aussies getting upset because some fat old men said mean things to them as they walked past.
The lump in your throat moment of the guard of honour for Broad.
The excitement of the series generally.
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Some people are such miserable gits.
Name a captain who has from day 1 turned around a team's record from losing almost everything to winning the vast majority of matches, to the same degree Stokes has.
The only obvious change to the team is Brook.
I can't think of one. His impact as captain has been more successful than just about any captaincy in history. Such a tragic figure.
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I know what you mean by tragic, following a predestined arc where the climax is followed by a fatal plot twist in the third act. Prometheus having his liver pecked out for eternity after bringing us fire from the gods sort of tragic.
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I think he is referring to the believed origin of the word tragedy meaning "goat song", as Stokes apparently does a great imitation of a screaming goat.
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Thanks 68, yes indeed, as opposed to the “self awareness” style reverse meaning understood by an average solicitor.
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