As should Root, what was he doing playing a drive? I still struggle to understand why a player who scored a century destroying the bowling with attacking shots is to blame for playing another attacking shot. If he had5 misjudged it he’d have been praised. The mistake isn’t playing shots that bring you lots of runs, it’s getting it wrong. We’ve seen what happens when the bowlers aren’t put under pressure, they have dominated since Brook got out. His approach was the only thing that gave England a chance.
Oh dear. All wheels have come off..
The bowling is just way too good this morning.
Series ends 2 all. A fair result given the performances.
Great drama though. Credit to both teams when they seemed down and out England and India fought their way back into it.
That essentially 9 men took the game to 7 runs is impressive. England must surely look at a system which protects mediocre players and means they need do nothing to improve. The pundits love a cultured drive, providing you have that in your locker the pundits seem happy. Application seems to count for little. In the end the loss of Stokes proved terminal. More worrying is surely the apparent dearth of test quality talent. On the bright side, a gripping series.
It was great drama, but IMHO England gave India an opportunity to win they shouldn’t have had. I recognise Brook’s achievement in this game, but ‘winning is everything’ so, in my book, why play a higher-risk shot when the end is in sight? England should have closed-out this game, especially knowing the obvious weaknesses of those in the lower order.
On the other hand, Mo Siraj deserved to get something from this series, and it was overdue IMHO.
Overall, 2-2 is a very fair result IMHO – but England should reflect why they didn’t win this 3-1 from performances and the selections made.
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Overall a fair result as I’d say India had the better of things for the majority of the series.
The reason we had a tight finish was down to Brook’s brilliance. The way he plays he’s always an instant away from disaster but I bet he’d walk into any other test team.
The big weakness of the current team, apart from injuries to bowlers and a stubborn selection policy, is Crawley and Pope. It seems they are included in the hope of firing every tenth innings.
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Brook regrets the final shot in the interview but we were nowhere without that effort. It was always going to be a likely India win and 2-2 a fairer outcome.
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Ahh but, going back as long as I can remember, selection policy is always wrong (merely overlooked if England happen to win). 
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Harry Brook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes were the star performers of England’s team during the series for me. Ben Duckett also played well. Crawley and Pope are inconsistent but then that is what their test records show.
We should have nailed the 5th test. All well in hindsight to say Brook played a silly shot. That is how he plays though. Would he be as successful if he played like someone he isn’t? I think he is the success that he is because he goes for his shots. In doing that he is at more risk at times.
Joe Root is the more complete batsman. But together they consistently make impressive partnerships together. A joy to watch.
It’s been a riveting series and the end result of 2 -2 is about right.
Let’s see what happens in November against Australia!
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A great series and a fair result. I think we will look back on this as a classic.
The tension today was agonising though. Siraj immense. And boy did the ball start moving around and doing things once the clouds moved in yesterday afternoon.
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I think one of the criticisms of Bazball is not the method but the stubbornness with their selection policy. Initially it was needed to ensure the change in outlook of the players and therefore they were given quite a bit of rope.
Now Bazball is accepted and players know what is expected I think selection should be more performance related.
Regarding success and criticism of selection, Bazball has been very entertaining but it hasn’t been all that successful against the better teams.
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Interesting stats:
I admire their loyalty; I still remember the grim days of Illingworth. But there are some selections I would change or at least rotate.
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I do find the “piling on” re Crawley and Pope tiresome - both have made contributions in this series. In particular, the Crawley/Ducket opening partneship was a significant factor in at least two tests and arguably more. Even Crawley’s final innings score of 14 has to be seen in him at least getting to the close of play after a full day in the field and up against fresh bowlers with a new ball. He was also out to a brilliant yorker that could have dismissed anybody. We have our best opening pair since Strauss/Cook and some people seem obsessed with disrupting it.
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I find ‘piling’ rather than ‘legitimate concern’ tiresome. Arguably a test average of low 30s, a score of 14, criticising Brook losing his wicket on 111 having nearly won the match for us are all ‘tiresome’. I see this all the time with my football team, rationalising the ability of players who hold the side back. If there’s nothing better than Crawley, an elegant player for sure, that’s fair enough but it’s not unreasonable to question his performance and how he get’s out. He’s not improving is he? Pope too. Stokes being out, dropped catches, an anonymous pick at 6 (selectors the issue here not Bethell) & Woakes’ injury ultimately cost us the game I’d suggest.
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Tend to agree, and I think viewing it as a partnership is important. They complement each other and work well as a combination. Look how Australia are struggling to find an opening pair.
I think the Test squad for the Ashes was decided a year ago, at least for the batters, and they have basically known that. No sign of any desire to chop and change or try new options for over a year now. The benefits or otherwise of that strategy will be seen this winter. If it goes badly I think a few changes will result, players and backroom.
I missed this morning’s thriller but a drawn series feels about right.
Bruce
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Disappointed, but it is what we have to expect over the years. There are positives, as they say, but shot selection is still an issue whatever the internal philosophy/ culture.
As one of my friends moaned this there is no cricket for a month …personally I enjoy the 100 and the country one day cup is a good testing ground for up and coming cricketers. Both have their detractors, but I’m not one.
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Not criticising Baz but is one of the unintended side effects of knocking runs together more quickly than other teams that our bowlers get less recovery time/spend longer in the field?
It is, but the shrinking of the Test match ‘season’ to accommodate The Hundred etc has also contributed to injuries and fatigue I would think. We have had 5 Tests in less than 7 weeks. I think all went to 5 days too?
Bruce
Hours in the field for England was significantly higher I believe. Must take its toll? Agree entirely about the 100. It was great during Covid, something to look forward to during lockdown. Now it’s predictable & repetitive bish bash bosh.
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