Winter ashes...

[bobo the clown]

A very poor show. I assume he'll give up some of his 'retained contract' earnings.

If he is so uneasy at giving his all to five-day cricket then it's no surprise he's performed poorly. You do have to wonder if he should ever have been selected and, once he was, should have accepted. Maybe it's all come upon him in a rush ... but doesn't read that way. After this, with Trott fragile also, I wonder how many others don't really fancy being there. How much would those who are unhappy affect the squad mood ?

What an ill-managed shambles this tour has been.


Also, on an entirely different tack, imagine those Notts fans who've had him available for their County team about 10% of the time for 8 years and see him swan off (no pun intended). Maybe mere County cricket offers him nothing.

[LeverEnd]

They're all kissing his arse on Sky, not seemingly offering any alternative views since they have a contract to show England matches and want to stay cosy.
He could have stayed and supported, helped younger players or whoever took his place. If he wanted to be at home for Christmas he shouldn't have accepted his place. It makes his team look more of a shambles than it already does and is a selfish and gutless decision that totally and deservedly undermines his legacy.

[William the White]

What an ill-managed shambles this tour has been.

It must be Christmas - I'm agreeing with the clown!!!

Trott, now Swann... Pietersen next as we amble along past greats current failures?

[Bruce Rioja]

They're all kissing his arse on Sky, not seemingly offering any alternative views since they have a contract to show England matches and want to stay cosy.
He could have stayed and supported, helped younger players or whoever took his place. If he wanted to be at home for Christmas he shouldn't have accepted his place. It makes his team look more of a shambles than it already does and is a selfish and gutless decision that totally and deservedly undermines his legacy.

[Bijou Bob]

Get off that fence Lever, you'll get splinters!

[Dujon]

You lot are hard bastards. You know that Swann has been battling arm/elbow injuries for yonks. You have seen how his former form has disintegrated during this season. The reports that I have read seem to indicate that he will stick with the team at least to the Boxing Day test at the MCG. Here's a bloke who's been brave enough to stand up and tell his team mates and supporters that he knows now that he's not up to playing five day games any more and that to continue to do so will be letting down the team. What's the problem with that? Do you want him to keep bowling and allow the opposition to belt him all over the park?

The man's done a superb job for England over the last few years and, when he finds he has to call it a day, he cops criticism from all sorts of odd quarters. Grr!

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Dujon, he could have sat the 4th out and stuck around to support his team, stuck around in case of other injuries. He's been a great player, but you don't bail on your team when the going gets tough midway through a tour, unless it is medically imperative or you have a family situation. Being part of a team means putting the team before yourself.

For me he has taken the easy option. He should have announced he was retiring at the end of the Test series as his body was struggling. The pressure would be off, the management needn't select him and the Barmy Army would have had a chance to give him a send off.

[Dujon]

I can see your point of view, AT, but I don't agree with it. Swann knew his situation in the sense of his new found limitations. He's always been a 'straight shooter' with his comments in the past which leads me to suspect that he's like that in his analysis of himself. Obviously I can't read his mind but I wouldn't be surprised if, when coming to the conclusion that his test playing days were over, that hanging around as some sort of supernumerary geeing up his team mates was counter-productive.

By way of explanation - although I'm not a cricketer's big toe:
I have been a damned good cricketer with ball and bat. I realise that it's not simply form that's bothering me it's my body letting me down. I have been considering retiring from test cricket for a little while. This overseas tour has shown me that time has come. Now there are decisions to be made. Do I keep quiet until the end of the current series? Do I announce now my retirement as at the end of the series? Do I announce my retirement as of now? Those are tough considerations for anyone. The first two could involve me playing in the next two tests which, considering my present condition, would be unfair to the team. If I am not selected then I'm just in the way. Should I take the third option then it means that the selectors can bring out a replacement. The Ashes already lost it's a great opportunity for some hopeful to display his wares in a hostile environment. Why not?

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

We'll agree to disagree then Dujon

Roll on the next test. Hopefully we'll see a bit of fight from the boys.

[thebish]

beware the wounded tiger... actually - no need to beware, it's England - watch it roll over and then kick it in the knackers....

[Prufrock]

Beware!

[Little Green Man]

Is that Assem Allam's re-branded cat?

[jaffka]

I am actually with Dijon here.

Swann like others in the side is a spent force, the ashes have been lost and it's time to blood other players/give others a chance.

[Dujon]

Thanks, jaffka. 'U' might get that 'I' out of there though. I'm not some sort of French dressing.

[LeverEnd]

While that might be true Jaffka, it should have been left to the end of the series he signed up to then bailed out of. Not disagreeing with his retirement, just the timing of it. He signed up for the Ashes series, he should have seen it out. Simple as that. Even if it meant sitting on the sidelines encouraging his replacement. Selfish nice person, simple as that.

[Worthy4England]

Another procession in full flow...

[thebish]

can't we wake up - just once would be nice - to the news that england have run riot with he bat?

[Worthy4England]

can't we wake up - just once would be nice - to the news that england have run riot with he bat?

The good news is, they're getting it out of they way before we've gone to bed...instead of saving it to wake up to.

[Montreal Wanderer]

can't we wake up - just once would be nice - to the news that england have run riot with he bat?

The good news is, they're getting it out of they way before we've gone to bed...instead of saving it to wake up to.

Oz now 96-3 at tea in reply to our 255. Could be worse I suppose.

[TANGODANCER]

^
164 for 9....