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**Shaggy** · 19-12-21, 02:59 PM

That's me done watching any more of this. I'll be getting plenty of sleep instead. Spineless cunts.

**BobTheCharmer** · 19-12-21, 09:55 PM

I reckon all this chopping and changing players in and out has created this cluster ****.

**ChesterDave** · 19-12-21, 11:26 PM

I suspect an absolute focus on the short format of the gam and abandonment of test cricket over the last 5 or so years hasn't helped.

**Buzzo** · 20-12-21, 10:38 AM

Almost there.

The Cricket comms, desperately trying to find upsides to another comprehensive defeat are quite amusing/annoying.

The BT anchor is woeful. He has been trying to find some positivity for days with defeat looming large throughout. Cook was goading Shane Warne as Warne had confidently predicted an LBW review would be a definite wicket, but it wasnt. He almost went for an impression.

He must be one of the worst summarisers ever.

Asked 'why is Joe Root having issues with Greens bowling'?

He answered, 'I dont know".

**Buzzo** · 20-12-21, 10:48 AM

All out.

**RichC** · 20-12-21, 02:43 PM

The Butler dismissal summed up the sorry mess from England again !

**Buzzo** · 20-12-21, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by RichC View Post

The Butler dismissal summed up the sorry mess from England again !

Unbelievable to fight that hard for so long and then throw your wicket away.

All optimism from England (and there is not much tbh) has to be tempered with the fact that this was Australia minus Cummins and Hazelwood, and it was still a tonking.

**RichC** · 20-12-21, 06:52 PM

England are so undercooked with the red ball it’s untrue. Too much emphasis on the short formats as of late which you can argue has worked but to the massive detriment of test cricket which is, for me still the best format

**Buzzo** · 20-12-21, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by RichC View Post

England are so undercooked with the red ball it’s untrue. Too much emphasis on the short formats as of late which you can argue has worked but to the massive detriment of test cricket which is, for me still the best format

It doesn't seem to affect the Aussies as much though.

TBH, Im not even sure its that good an Australian Test side, England are just sooooo bad its untrue.

I see Root has had a bit of a go at Jimmy and Broad(y) for bowling too short.

**Yozza** · 21-12-21, 05:07 PM

Enjoy your retirement Bumble - shame his comments means he leaves on a bit of a sour note

David Lloyd: Sky Sports commentator leaves after 22 years

Commentator David Lloyd has left Sky Sports after 22 years.

The 74-year-old former England coach, nicknamed 'Bumble', joined Sky in 1999 after his three-year stint with the national team.

A left-handed batter and left-arm spinner for Lancashire, he played nine Tests and eight one-day internationals for England between 1973 and 1980.

"I've decided the time is now right to pass on the microphone," said Lloyd.

"It's been an immense privilege to try and bring the sport I love into people's homes up and down the country."

Lloyd last month apologised to former Yorkshire all-rounder Azeem Rafiq, who accused him of making disparaging comments about Asian players.

During a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing about his experience of racism at Yorkshire, Rafiq said he had been told Lloyd messaged other members of the media that "a clubhouse is the lifeblood of a club, and Asian players don't go in there".

In response, Lloyd said he had "made some comments about the Asian cricket community" and that he "deeply regrets" his actions.

"I apologise most sincerely to Azeem and to the Asian community for doing this, and for any offence caused," he said.

Rafiq said Lloyd also apologised to him personally, adding: "He's deeply sorry about it and I accept his apology."

Sky said it is investigating Lloyd's alleged comments.

'The commentary box feels a little emptier'

Lloyd said he had "wonderful memories" of his time at Sky and had been "lucky to travel the world sharing Ashes highs and lows, World Cup wins and losses, heroics and heartaches with you all".

He said the death of former England bowler and Sky pundit Bob Willis in 2019, plus former England captains David Gower and Ian Botham and former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding leaving Sky recently had informed his decision.

"The commentary box feels a little emptier," he said. "And so I feel it is time for me to do the same and move on to the next chapter."

Lloyd scored one Test century - a double hundred against India in his second Test in 1974 - and one ODI hundred, and spent his entire county career with his native Lancashire from 1965 to 1983.

He was a first-class umpire from 1985 to 1987 and became Lancashire coach in 1993.

He took over as England coach in 1996 but the England and Wales Cricket Board did not renew his contract following England's poor performance at the 1999 World Cup.

Sky Sports Cricket said Lloyd was a "star" member of their commentary team, with an "extraordinary ability to inform and entertain in equal measure".

"He is much loved and respected by his fellow commentators and production team who cherish the time spent working with him," read a statement. "Thank you Bumble for your service."

**Irishnev** · 23-12-21, 06:55 PM

[ame="https://twitter.com/vitu_e/status/1473972233316061186"]https://twitter.com/vitu_e/status/1473972233316061186[/ame]

**Harv** · 26-12-21, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Irishnev View Post

https://twitter.com/vitu_e/status/1473972233316061186

Didnt help Hameed much, another duck

**Shaggy** · 26-12-21, 02:03 AM

England opener Joe Root

**Buzzo** · 26-12-21, 02:49 AM

Root scoring and Malan digging in.

**Harv** · 26-12-21, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by Buzzo View Post

Root scoring and Malan digging in.

Root's looking solid out there.

Malan out

One thing that really annoys me with tests now is that they walk off if a wickets taken in the last over before lunch/tea etc. Totally takes the pressure off the batsman coming in to face those last few balls.