Ashes 2021-22: England Are Not Doing Much Right Now That Makes Cricketing Sense– Michael Atherton

Former England captain Michael Atherton has criticised the Joe Root-led side for their team selection in the second Ashes 2021-22 Test at Adelaide Oval and said that the English team are not doing things that “makes cricketing sense”.

England National Cricket Team made notable changes in the team in the pink-ball Test against Australia, they dropped spinner Jack Leach who was very expensive in the Gabba Test and fielded an all-out pace attack including an experienced duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the team.

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Meanwhile, in his column for The Times, Atherton stated that Joe Root and co. made selection blunders in two consecutive Ashes games. He asserted:

“England are not doing much right now that makes cricketing sense and this selection looked counter-intuitive. On a green pitch under gloomy skies in Brisbane, England had chosen a varied and balanced attack; now, under piercing blue skies and on a dry, biscuit-coloured pitch, that variety and balance was lacking. Some say England always seem to be thinking about the game but one in front of them; here, it looked like they were playing the game behind.”

Talking about speedster Mark Wood’s absence in the playing XI Atherton said:

“As a result, Ben Stokes was utilised for lengthy periods in the kind of assertive role that would have been taken by Wood, using fields more reminiscent of Bodyline, nearly 80 years ago.”

The Partnership Calmed The Australian Dressing Room – Michael Atherton On Warner-Labuschagne Partnership

England were able to get an early breakthrough in the match but David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne added sensational 172 runs on Day 1. Atherton speaking about England being able to pick on 2 wickets on Day 1 said:

“No matter the tactics and strategy, it is wickets that count, and England took only two of them. It must be said that it was far from straightforward for Warner and Labuschagne for long periods initially.”

“The partnership calmed the Australian dressing room after what must have been a frenetic few hours in the morning.”

Also Read: It Should Never Come Down To One Person’s Word Vs Another – Harsha Bhogle On Virat Kohli-BCCI “Miscommunication”

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