Ashes 2025/6
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@KiwiPie said in Ashes 2025/6:
Point for discussion. Are there no top quality test players under 30? Starc, Head, Carey, Archer, Root, Stokes have been the standout players so far and all over 30. Is the focus on T20 producing a generation that can't bat or bowl for long? Answers on a postcard
With Australia, it's hard to tell.
They've got 15 guys in their squad and only Green is under 30.
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With everybody fit it's probably Ravindra, Philips, O'Rourke and maybe one of Smith or Sears.
On top of that we have Fisher, Hay and Mariu who are on the outskirts of the squad, Foulkes who's currently in the squad but I don't think has done enough to displace the guys currently injured. Curtis Heaphy also showing promise at domestic level.
An all under 30 side:
Mariu
Heaphy
Matt Boyle?
Ravindra
Tim Robinson
Hay
Phillips
Smith
Foulkes
Sears
O'RourkeBowling is okay, struggled a bit for batting. I don't see anyone who looks ready to bat at 3. Finn Allen obviously a factor in white ball, but took Robinson ahead of him for tests since Robinson is actually playing plunket shield and doing well.
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@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
I would have said the world.
He makes Ben Stokes look like Garfield Sobers
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Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.
Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.
I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.
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@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:
Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.
Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.
I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.
80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.
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@Donsteppa said in Ashes 2025/6:
For a bloke who got mouthy about being left out of the last Test, Lyon has bowled one good over across two innings so far.
Just needs to slide some beetroot and onions
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@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:
Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.
Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.
I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.
80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.
140 km isn't medium pace
But otherwise you're right
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@nzzp said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:
Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.
Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.
I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.
80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.
140 km isn't medium pace
But otherwise you're right
Yeah I'll give you that.
I guess that's the reason they want to persevere with him in terms of turning the arm over but he's tall and guys like that are injury prone. Plus he's not exactly dominating with the bat of late either.
I supposed he's an upgrade on Mitch Marsh though.
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@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
@nzzp said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
@No-Quarter said in Ashes 2025/6:
Green has the potential to average in the mid 40s with the bat and early 30s with the ball, which would put him right up there, and his numbers at every level except test indicate he could do that. But he just hasn't been able to make the step up from FC. I'm not sure he has the powers of concentration (like most young players these days) to excel at in the test arena against bowlers that will consistently challenge you, he often seems to get out making a mistake.
Somewhat related, but I think younger generations these days are growing up in an environment (with the internet, social media and now AI) that does not foster practicing concentrating for long periods of time, in any field, sports or otherwise. Tiger Woods superpower was his ability to concentrate for very long periods without making a mistake, and the same ability is needed in tests. Modern test cricket is probably a little bit symptomatic of wider society; it's not random that a lot of test sides these days are full of over 30s with younger players preferring T20s which are more in line with the quick, short, instant gratification type of entertainment these days.
I'd be interested in stats on % of drawn tests each year as well, but I don't have time to look that up right now. It feels like there is a LOT less draws these days with batsmen scoring faster and getting themselves out a lot playing aggressively.
80 first class wickets in 75 matches is fuck all. He's a batsman who can bowl a bit of useful medium pace to rest the front liners. Not more than that.
140 km isn't medium pace
But otherwise you're right
Yeah I'll give you that.
I guess that's the reason they want to persevere with him in terms of turning the arm over but he's tall and guys like that are injury prone. Plus he's not exactly dominating with the bat of late either.
I supposed he's an upgrade on Mitch Marsh though.
Is he?
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@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Crawley 50 up.
Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.
If Brook can make 150, England will get close.
I think he's their last remaining hope - with Crawley, Stokes et al to bat around him.
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@Chris-B said in Ashes 2025/6:
@MN5 said in Ashes 2025/6:
Crawley 50 up.
Just needs to add at least 150 to that and he’ll become an Ashes hero and say a big fuck you to the doubters.
If Brook can make 150, England will get close.
I think he's their last remaining hope - with Crawley, Stokes et al to bat around him.
Yeah I think Brook is the Obi Wan.
Massive opportunity for him to make history.
