How annoying is it that England could have viably chased this target what with the injuries sustained by NZ’s bowlers and given how shite Santner has been.
No need for Captain Ego to put himself up to open and then for those that followed to play so rashly, could have maintained the normal batting order, set the platform and then let loose later today if necessary.
Considering the way they have set up the calendar I can’t see a one day or T20 captain also being test match captain.
Like the T20 series starts on Wednesday all bow down to the Hundred eh.
Brook and Bethell were netting earlier against the white ball. It’s laughable really.
I just can’t see a viable candidate for the captaincy.
Some of the shouts I’ve seen today on social media and from pundits, and my thoughts on them.
Inside the current setup:
Duckett - If he hadn’t of had that incident in Australia would probably be the next in line along with Brook.
Bethell - Still so young and hasn’t exactly nailed down his place, would probably be the Graeme Smith esque pick. Wouldn’t be against him getting it in the short formats if they insist on Brook being test captain.
Root - No.
Brook - Please just let him focus on batting. Generational talent who doesn’t need the extra burden of captaincy in three formats.
Robinson - Captained well at Sussex this year but isn’t guaranteed to play every game given his fitness record. Also only just back in the fold after being a bit of a dick, maybe not the type of bloke you want in the role.
Outside the current setup:
Foakes - Should still be in the team, not sure how much he’s captained at county level but he seems like the right personality for it. If Baz and Key get ousted and they can convince Alec Stewart to do the job maybe it’s a decent outside bet.
Hameed - Captained Notts to the title last year, if he came in then you’d assume he’d bat at 3 and Bethell would move back down the order. Might be the most sensible option.
Gregory - A somewhat like for like replacement with Stokes, albeit a level below in all three facets of his game. Wouldn’t be against it on an interim basis, he’s done a fine job with Somerset for a number of years and has deserved more chances for England.
Sam Curran - Captained well in the short formats at a number of different teams but clearly isn’t rated by Baz so unlikely unless he goes as well. Maybe the most obvious all round replacement but meh, not convinced he’s good enough as a fourth seamer.
Pope - Told everyone he doesn’t sleep during test matches, proved over a period of time that he wasn’t good enough in the top order so would probably have to come back in at 6 and maybe keep? No thanks.
Surely McCullum is next out of the door.
And Key.
Baz has absolutely got to go after this fiasco. After Stokes, the one I am most disappointed with is Brook. I didn’t catch who the pundit was on radio 5. Possibly Broad? But he said I don’t care if Harry is listening but I thought he was a disgrace yesterday. Would not let him anywhere near the captaincy. If we had finished say just 2 down last evening then we would have had all day against a decimated bowling attack.
Footage of Stokes announcing his decision to the team has now “leaked”. It all feels very stage managed in a very distasteful and self serving way.
He basically lost us the series win against India. He was fully set in the last inning and just needed to see things through. He decided to blaze away and get out and then everything collapsed.
Very irresponsible. It still irks me.
The whole lot have to go. Key has basically been a professional apologist for Baz and Stokes
Literally there are no good candidates
Fuck that video of Stokes’ is triggering. “Do it not just for me but for the team”. Do sportspeople actually talk themselves up that much? That article recently about Stokes’ main character energy is spot on.
Least the women are back…
this is very sad 
McCullum gone!
Looked plum to me but I expect he’ll call for DRS to take a look
Interesting time to make this call.
1, Maybe wanted to see if lessons had been learned. They hadn’t.
2, England are doing well at T20, not sure about ODIs (just checked, not good - 8th between Afghanistan and Bangladesh).
3, No idea, but it’s clearly time for a change.
