2013/14 Ashes thread

[TightEnd]

Agnew reported that Swann was told he would be dropped for Melbourne (and Prior) and decided to call it a day/leave on his own terms before he was publically dropped

[Longy]

hmmm i just think something a little more is going on behind the scenes

This.

There is something wrong about all of this especially on top of the performances this series. Not a happy camp at the moment.

Wouldn't be surprise to see others chuck the towel in at the end of the series. Pietersen, Anderson come to mind.

[tikay]

Always seems gutless to retire mid series, quite a shame really

Yes, I agree with that.

OK, the going is tough right now, but at least see the Tour out, like a real Pro.

Do England get to replace him in the squad?

[George2Loose]

Picked him on reputation rather than form for far too long.
He's done nothing with bat or ball and has obv decided he wants to get pissed at Xmas. Disgraceful

[Tal]

A friend of mine text me to say he's flying out tomorrow for the last two tests.

I assume just to watch.

If they select an a Eastbourne lad of Sri Lankan origin who's only played local club cricket, you heard it here first.

[KarmaDope]

A friend of mine text me to say he's flying out tomorrow for the last two tests.

I assume just to watch.

If they select an a Eastbourne lad of Sri Lankan origin who's only played local club cricket, you heard it here first.

Didn't the Aussies do that? (Agar)

[Tal]

A friend of mine text me to say he's flying out tomorrow for the last two tests.

I assume just to watch.

If they select an a Eastbourne lad of Sri Lankan origin who's only played local club cricket, you heard it here first.

Didn't the Aussies do that? (Agar)

Good point. I'll be popping to ladbrokes on the way to work in the morning...

[MintTrav]

Two given up and three passengers who they won't play (Finn, Rankin & Tremlett) means the squad is down to thirteen viable players. That includes Ballance, who hasn't been picked at all so far. Bairstow is an alternative for Prior and won't be played at the same time, so that really means twelve options available.

Treating Prior/Bairstow as one, the twelve options include Ballance, Bresnan and Panasar, so two of those have to play. Stokes obviously keeps his place and there is no choice other than to press on with Pietersen, Anderson, Root, etc.

Will England even be able to field a team for the Fifth Test if anyone else decides they have had enough?

[MintTrav]

Vaughan on Bairstow before the series started - "Jonny Bairstow will be fine batting at number seven but I would worry immensely if he has to keep in a Test match. I wouldn't put him in the top five keepers in England."

[kp24]

Vaughan on Bairstow before the series started - "Jonny Bairstow will be fine batting at number seven but I would worry immensely if he has to keep in a Test match. I wouldn't put him in the top five keepers in England."

Problem is bairstow isn't the 2nd best keeper batsman in England and was only back up keeper as emergency I think the selectors expected priors form to pick up which it hasn't and they don't have the confidence in bairstows keeping to throw him in

[rinswun]

Jos Buttler is in Aus, having been signed on a two game contract for the big bash. He is a future fixture as England's keeper in my opinion so why not make the future the present. An immense talent.

[TightEnd]

Swann

"Some in the dressing room have got their heads up their backsides"

Nothing like a nice departing comment to keep morale up as you Swann off back home!

[rinswun]

Almost certainly talking about Cook and KP I think.

[Longy]

Swann

"Some in the dressing room have got their heads up their backsides"

Nothing like a nice departing comment to keep morale up as you Swann off back home!

Claiming on twitter he wasn't referring it the England team, rounding on Michael Vaughan and Derek Pringles for stirring things up now.

Time to get the popcorn out as there is going to be some fallout from this.

[gherkin]

KP for sure.  I was thinking Broad more likely than Cook.  Maybe Prior?

It was definitely implied that it's more than 1 person and I doubt very much it's Anderson, Bell, Bresnan, Finn or Trott as they seem genuinely humble people (compared to the rest)

I'm sure we'll find out in the not too distant future!