England's dismal performance in the first WI test

[Oldhasbeen]

Re  England's dismal performance in the first WI test, quote of the day, from George Dobell:

“Long before the end of West Indies' second innings, factory-farmed chickens were getting together and muttering about the appalling conditions in which Anderson and Stokes are expected to work."

Somehow I don't think Joe Root will be much amused by it.

I shall torture myself by continuing watching today, in the slight hope that a few of our lot will bat themselves into good form for the next test.

[Postman]

Those who did torture themselves today may have seen the 20 minutes of high octane corporate tripe purveyed by Mr Harrison of the ECB at teatime in a fawning interview with Ian Ward, whose questioning was about as penetrative as Rashid's bowling. It was so reassuring to know that everyone at the ECB is doing a fantastic job. Even more depressing than the cricket.

[JasonP]

What a great double.  Chase must be the worst Test bowler in history ever to take an 8 for following on from Jason Holder yesterday becoming the second worst batsman ever to score a Test double century.  It's hard to think of a worse Test result England have ever had considering how poor the opposition is.  To think we'd won 8 out of our last 9 Tests before this one!

[IlfordEagle]

A bit harsh on Holder who for a No 8 has a Test average of around 30 & is a useful first change bowler, apparently he is ranked the 3rd best all rounder at present so not that shabby!! England made Chase look much better than he actually is, some poor shots especially Moeen again, Jennings plays too far away from his body much of the time, some got starts but then got out. Frankly England were totally outplayed by a team of 'average, ordinary players' according to a certain G Boycott who very kindly gave WI their motivation.
A lot of work needs to be done before Antigua next Thurs.

[Oldhasbeen]

Those who did torture themselves today may have seen the 20 minutes of high octane corporate tripe purveyed by Mr Harrison of the ECB at teatime in a fawning interview with Ian Ward, whose questioning was about as penetrative as Rashid's bowling. It was so reassuring to know that everyone at the ECB is doing a fantastic job. Even more depressing than the cricket.

I'm glad I was down the pub by the tea break. (Sometimes beer is the ONLY answer.)
Jennings, Rashid and Moeen should all be dropped for the rest of the tour after this disgrace of a performance.

[Andy]

A bit harsh on Holder who for a No 8 has a Test average of around 30 & is a useful first change bowler, apparently he is ranked the 3rd best all rounder at present so not that shabby!! England made Chase look much better than he actually is, some poor shots especially Moeen again, Jennings plays too far away from his body much of the time, some got starts but then got out. Frankly England were totally outplayed by a team of 'average, ordinary players' according to a certain G Boycott who very kindly gave WI their motivation.
A lot of work needs to be done before Antigua next Thurs.

Holders stats as an all rounder are better than a certain ex Lanky all rounder now tv presenter...to think some were laughing at the possibility that Royston might be our overseas.

[LeedsExile]

I am fed up with the mantra spouted from the English dressing room about "positive cricket". It seems they are intent on playing in one day mode regardless of the situation. This group of players seem more motivated by white ball success than playing "proper" Test cricket. If anyone says they beat Sri Lanka 3-0 well true but this Sri Lanka team are rubbish. They have just managed to lose in three days by an innings to an awful Australian side whose batsman have not hit a century all summer.

[JasonP]

A bit harsh on Holder who for a No 8 has a Test average of around 30 & is a useful first change bowler, apparently he is ranked the 3rd best all rounder at present so not that shabby!! England made Chase look much better than he actually is, some poor shots especially Moeen again, Jennings plays too far away from his body much of the time, some got starts but then got out. Frankly England were totally outplayed by a team of 'average, ordinary players' according to a certain G Boycott who very kindly gave WI their motivation.
A lot of work needs to be done before Antigua next Thurs.

Holders stats as an all rounder are better than a certain ex Lanky all rounder now tv presenter...to think some were laughing at the possibility that Royston might be our overseas.

They play weaker teams so a little bit unfair to compare.  England always play long series against the better teams.  For example 5 test series against the likes of Australia, India and South Africa and the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka far less.  West Indies play the big teams far less often.  A very high percentage of Flintoffs matches were against Australia and South Africa.

[JasonP]

I am fed up with the mantra spouted from the English dressing room about "positive cricket". It seems they are intent on playing in one day mode regardless of the situation. This group of players seem more motivated by white ball success than playing "proper" Test cricket. If anyone says they beat Sri Lanka 3-0 well true but this Sri Lanka team are rubbish. They have just managed to lose in three days by an innings to an awful Australian side whose batsman have not hit a century all summer.

Sri Lanka are rubbish away but their home record is pretty good.  They thrashed South Africa there 2 or 3 months before England played there.

[squarelegumpire]

Am I alone in being quite pleased that the Windies are getting back to being competitive?

[Oldhasbeen]

Am I alone in being quite pleased that the Windies are getting back to being competitive?

Not at all, SLG. One-sided series get seriously boring and are no preparation for when we come up against the tougher series.

I, for one, was hoping to see their seam attack give our batting a good test, but never expected 77 all out, or a non-spinning spinner to run through our lot.

[Andy]

Holders stats as an all rounder are better than a certain ex Lanky all rounder now tv presenter...to think some were laughing at the possibility that Royston might be our overseas.

They play weaker teams so a little bit unfair to compare.  England always play long series against the better teams.  For example 5 test series against the likes of Australia, India and South Africa and the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka far less.  West Indies play the big teams far less often.  A very high percentage of Flintoffs matches were against Australia and South Africa.

...and a lot of poor performances from someone who seemed at times to be following the Inzimam-ul-Haq diet and fitness plan rather too closely.  Still, FF should be careful with his 'analysis' about players in advance of Test series'.

[bwildered]

A wake up call for all .

[IlfordEagle]

Re the Holder 'criticism', I agree he has probably played against lesser Countries more than Eng do but he has also had the burden, if it is, of Captaincy since it seemed to be foisted on him in 2014 with a very, raw & inexperienced side to lead as most of the best players had gone to T20 etc or fallen out with the WICB. I think overall he has done pretty well especially considering the lack of quality players around him especially when he began whereas FF, for instance, had better players to be with, admittedly he had many injuries to contend with but he took only 2 5fers in Tests & whilst his batting could be destructive it didn't come off often enough. At least Holder keeps himself fit as well. Perhaps FF & more pertinently Mr Borecott will think before speaking in future as I'm sure their criticisms were motivational in part at least for the Windies.