Hopefully in that time we will have continued to develop. This team has come so far in such a short space of time. We adapted brilliantly to the conditions in Pakistan, albeit they are no Australia, and I am looking forward to the next ashes battle. Players like Crawley have come on so much this series and feel secure in the England set=up now so that they can play without distraction and play their best cricket.WestgateRun wrote: ↑Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:43 am It was an entertaining series, but in the final analysis Australia quickly went to 2-0 up against BazBall. Then they just needed a draw somewhere.
It will be interesting to see how England fare when they next play in Australia conditions, where the Aussie bowlers have a distinct advantage.
Last season Crawley would give 5 chances away just to reach 20, his mind seemed cluttered and it also affected his catching which was diabolical. Now he knows exactly how he wants to play, whilst still giving some chances away is giving far less away and his catching has been superb, and very unlucky with a one handed grab yesterday.
Harry Brook I feel got a similarly cluttered mind early in the series. Too much outside noise, expert opinions etc, telling him how to play despite how many centuries he had compiled in such a quick time. His batting was affected but it seems he has started to play to his strengths again later in the series, ignoring the outside distractions.
The strength of this team is in allowing players to play the way that suits them best. Not trying to turn them into something they are not. Letting them play that way and backing them even when they fail. Letting them work it out for themselves, giving them advice and encouragement when needed and backing them and their ability to come through.