The Ashes 25/26

[The Dark Knight]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

The Stokes-Headingley PTSD will remain until he retires from test cricket.

[am Bays]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

The Stokes-Headingley PTSD will remain until he retires from test cricket.

I’ve still got PTSD from Botham at Headingly in 1981…

But yeah hats off to Stokes he has put it his hand up for his team again in this sweater and with a **** groin

[Dutchy]

Lasted until half hour before tea today, up in the Riverbank stand but it was actually not overly hot until after lunch, back for a full day tomorrow where it will be much more enjoyable.

[The Dark Knight]

https://youtu.be/TzheSZB0C0Q?si=8WmpPlAzwqZb_gn7

[mighty_tiger_79]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

[gadj1976]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

You realise Bazball is a philosophy that was made up by the media?

[mighty_tiger_79]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

You realise Bazball is a philosophy that was made up by the media?

Yes, the term Bazball was coined by media as a way of giving the attacking style a title

[CENTURION]

Great day for bowling, the downpour around 3am has created humidity.
We need to set them at least 400.

[batmanbegins]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

You realise Bazball is a philosophy that was made up by the media?

Yes, the term Bazball was coined by media as a way of giving the attacking style a title

Bazball is completely media driven. However there is some truth to Stokes completely contradicting the ethos he wanted. In his first net session as captain he went in there and basically tried to hit everything for 6 to show them how he wanted to play. I think they have told Pope and co to play in attacking manner which has actually hindered there progress. Stokes has all the slowest innings in the so called bazball era which is kind of contradictory to his message to the others.

[Brodlach]

Easy to play Bazball on postage stamps

[The Dark Knight]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

You realise Bazball is a philosophy that was made up by the media?

Yes, the term Bazball was coined by media as a way of giving the attacking style a title

Pop quiz guys and without looking it up, who came up with the name Bazball?

[Jim05]

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

You realise Bazball is a philosophy that was made up by the media?

Yes, the term Bazball was coined by media as a way of giving the attacking style a title

Pop quiz guys and without looking it up, who came up with the name Bazball?

One of the pommy cricinfo blokes and no I don’t know his name

[mighty_tiger_79]

No idea.
Only name i can think of is Agnew but wouldnt be him

[valleys07]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

What you're saying is true, MT, but weathering a tough spell of bowling or tough conditions shouldn't undermine any philosophy. If Stokes unleashes this morning and puts England right back in the contest and puts the Australian attack under pressure, that is the philosophy in action, situationally.

[carey]

Hats off to Stokes - massive ticker when his mates were falling like flies. Archer batted nicely, too.

This game is not over whilst Stokes is at the crease. If he smacks some runs tomorrow and England go in 80 runs down, historically, they chase well in the 4th dig.

I have to completely disagree.
When Stokes bats conservatively for extended periods, it directly contradicts the Bazball philosophy and, more importantly, undermines the authority of the coach who introduced it.

Bazball demands visible buy-in from senior leaders. Stokes is not just another player; he is the embodiment of the system. When Stokes blocks for long stretches, prioritises survival over pressure, or retreats into risk-avoidance, it sends a mixed message to the dressing room: the theory applies until the pressure is personal. That inconsistency erodes trust in the framework McCullum has built.

Bazball is a media led concept. Stokes can't win here, he values his wicket and gets slammed he goes the slap and losses his wicket he's a poor leader.

Dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't.

[shoe boy]

Bazball is a media led concept. Stokes can't win here, he values his wicket and gets slammed he goes the slap and losses his wicket he's a poor leader.

Dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't.[/quote]

Absolute leader BUT not a great bat avg 35 or bowler 33 avg , would he make our side?

[amber_fluid]

Bazball is a media led concept. Stokes can't win here, he values his wicket and gets slammed he goes the slap and losses his wicket he's a poor leader.

Dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't.

Absolute leader BUT not a great bat avg 35 or bowler 33 avg , would he make our side?[/quote]

Yep he’s better than Green at this stage

[gadj1976]

Absolute leader BUT not a great bat avg 35 or bowler 33 avg , would he make our side?

Difficult for him to be an eagle when he's surrounded by turkeys

[Booney]

Absolute leader BUT not a great bat avg 35 or bowler 33 avg , would he make our side?

Difficult for him to be an eagle when he's surrounded by turkeys

"He's trying to row an 11 man boat on his own"

[dedja]

No time for root?