Rex Kramer wrote:I agree, that's the line up for me too. Also, on this test, Stokes played one of the most brainless shots ever just before the break. The limited overs game has just completely buggered up any sense for playing a test match in some players.
Hyperion wrote:Constantly losing wickets just before breaks highlights a drop off in focus that needs to be addressed
I haven't seen the Stokes shot but I've heard Swanny's comment on it - it beggars belief that he thinks that is an appropriate shot to play when trying to bat out an entire day's play and he's the last remaining recognised batsman. You could, arguably, defend it by saying he's been out of the game for some months, or say its his natural instinct, but they're just excuses. He should be in the mindset of "I'm not getting out, I'm not going after anything, I might nab the odd single here and there" rather than "I'm gonna hit some boundaries".
Having said that, 188 balls for Stokes is probably the slowest 66 he's ever made in his life, so I'll give him some credit for reigning it in for what is close to an eternity in Stokesland.
Totally agree in general about the lack of focus though, I almost did my nut when Root got out. At that point, with Malan also at the crease, who proved to be pretty dogged himself against the Aussies, I actually felt we had a 50% chance of batting out for the draw.