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Hutton's ghost

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Joined June 2022

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Hutton's Ghost emerges from the hereafter to pass judgment on the foibles, follies and failures of English cricket and other absurdities...

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Having seen droves of Bears fans at the NSW Cup Grand Final last year, it’s hard to say that the dear old club is irrelevant. I’m perfectly happy enough to show up to grand old suburban grounds like Bear Park, Henson Park etc to cheer on the red and black as they charge to glory this season. The NRL don’t deserve to have them back.

'You cannot relocate emotional attachment': Grin and bear it, NRL expansion just doesn't fit league's much-loved club

It’s actually straightforward. Warner orchestrated a deliberate breach of the Laws of Cricket. Which by definition is cheating. He’s lucky to still have a career, and as others have pointed out, appears not to show any remorse whatsoever. His relentless search for some validation would be touching if it weren’t so cloth-headed.

'Traumatic for me': Frustrated Warner slams CA for 'disappointing' saga over lifetime leadership ban

'Traumatic for me': Frustrated Warner slams CA for 'disappointing' saga over lifetime leadership ban

Apparently, not unlike his spiritual ancestor Ken “Slasher” Mackay, Tavare was a different batsman at first class level with an array of shots. Hard to imagine though….

Why removing Steve Smith from Australia’s middle order is folly

Australia’s current approach involving a line up of crash or bash allrounders has already been exposed by England in the two warm ups so far. By contrast, England have a core of specialist batters more capable of adapting in a crisis. Steve Smith is the best batsman in the country in other formats and surely his worth in T20s hasn’t just evaporated in the last couple of weeks. Although he’s suddenly being treated as a pariah, the selectors can’t bring themselves to axe him completely. Either Smith’s in the squad and plays or he should be totally out of the picture. Having him run the drinks doesn’t benefit anyone.

Why removing Steve Smith from Australia’s middle order is folly

A five year plan is only sustainable if there are clear signs of improvement along the way. The clock’s ticking and the pressure to perform at a higher level will well and truly be on in 2023.

When will the Crows break out of their ongoing crisis?

Strong looking team – I’d include Malinga ahead of Ratnayake, but otherwise no quibbles from me.

Sri Lanka all-time Test XI

Interesting piece – there’s no doubt that the selectors need to address the Warner situation. My fear is that he’ll score heavily at home this summer and get picked for India on the weight of those runs. His record on the sub-continent really doesn’t cut it.

What lessons will Australia learn from the tour of Sri Lanka?

Any relation to Gil Langley by the way?

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Spot on Mr Darrow – throwing caution to the winds makes for compelling cricket. It’ll be fascinating to see if it catches on around the test cricket-playing world. But if it does, will we miss the bore draw?

'Bazball' or bust? Why England's bold new world of batting is the future of Test cricket

The modern test keeper is expected to consistently make runs – for better or worse, the days of players being picked for their keeping alone has well and truly passed.

Alex Carey at the crossroads

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Alex Carey at the crossroads

I do agree on that Judy – in fact I can feel another article coming on: “Steve Smith and the power of the ostentatious hissy fit”!

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Indeed, it’s his shot selection and game sense that needs work. The average is kind of incidental unless that improves.

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Sadly Nick, in the absence of other contenders coming through, I think that’s exactly what the selectors will do. Unless Warner falls on his sword in the interim, which seems unlikely.

Is David Warner on the final slide?

Absolutely Iron Dingo, the difference between Warner’s home and away records is palpable. He’ll no doubt do well in the home summer, but I fear the overseas tours next year will bring more mediocrity. That will certainly be enough to keep Stuart Broad interested for next year’s Ashes.

Is David Warner on the final slide?

That’s only an improvement because the baseline was so low…

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Well everything’s subjective I guess Mr Langley, but the simple fact is that Carey is yet to play a defining innings and bring enough consistency to his keeping to secure his place long term. It’s not so much a question of blame, although the shot at Galle in the first innings was a shocker in the context of the match, as a question as to whether he can turn that around long term. The clock’s ticking.

Alex Carey at the crossroads

A few starts from Carey and a couple of odd fifties hardly cement his spot. His report card surely reads “Could do better”! He must be looking over his shoulder…

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Although Carey’s done a reasonable job he certainly hasn’t set the world on fire to date in tests. Plenty of low scores punctuated by starts without capitalising, and only a couple of isolated fifties. And his glove work’s been inconsistent. The jury’s out as I’ve said.

Alex Carey at the crossroads

As I see it Carey’s dismissal in the last test wasn’t an isolated incident. When he gets a start he frequently throws it away without making it count. He really needs a breakthrough innings and time must be running out.

Alex Carey at the crossroads

Absolutely – couldn’t agree more. But I do have doubts if England can sustain this approach long term and still be successful. However if they can, they’ll be unstoppable!

Bazball and the power of positive thinking

Good point Iron Dingo – call me cynical but I also have my doubts about the sustainability of the Bazball approach, particularly overseas.

Bazball and the power of positive thinking

Totally agree – the definition of insanity is attempting the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. England have regularly tried the short ball bombardment of tailenders by 82 km/hour bowlers with embarrassing results. It was compounded here by making Broad and Anderson bowl bouncers with a new ball. Madness!

The baffling trend in the English Test team

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