Assessing the 3rd Test

By the time you read this the Aussies should have retained the Ashes and the critics will be dancing on Ben Stokes’ grave. As usual and for time immemorial these critics are long on critique and short on solutions. Supposing Ben Stokes does decide that neither his body nor his methods are up to the demands of modern day test cricket who should replace him? the obvious choice is vice captain Harry Brook who hardly enhanced his reputation in captaining the White Ball side nor in this series with the bat . He is more than likely to follow Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff , Alistair Cook and Joe Root as highly accomplished cricketers broken by the demands of captaincy.

‘Stokes does not have a plan B’ you can hear them saying. He did in Pakistan where England won on wickets prepared for the Home team . When he took over from a beleaguered Joe Root in Grenada England was at a very low ebb. Since then thrilling and close series have been contested with Australia and India

Then there is Bashir : selected but never played. Yet who is the match winning frontline spinner left behind? No one. Neither John Emburey nor Ashley Giles employed spin in flight but at least could keep up an end. Will Jacks cannot.

Finally Ollie Pope. He is a class act but not at number 3. With the openers failing he often comes to the crease facing the hard new ball with the scoreboard showing single figures Zak Crawley not Ben Duckett was supposed to fail according to the know alls.

My own hope is that Stokes survives. We bring on the young talent like Jacob Bethel , James Coles and Jack Carson of Sussex , Hull of Leicestershire , Sam Cook of Essex At very least they will know they won’t be dropped after one poor performance – Consistency and faith being another bonus of the Stokes era .

Time was when Test Match Special provided an uplifting , cheerful commentary that enlivened your kitchen. These commentators were at their best when there was no play-they could talk and above all entertain all day. Now it’s a bunch of moaners or Alex Hartley talking about what she ate. it’s little better on TNT where Graeme Swann( Swannie) is not as drole as he thinks and ‘Ebbs’ ( Ebony Raynsford Brent) holds forth