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K wrote:Stokes named ICC men's Test Cricketer of Year
"... it is his leadership as Test captain, alongside new head coach Brendon McCullum, that has caught the attention of the cricketing world.
Affectionately named 'Bazball', the England Test side's attacking and aggressive style of cricket has been a marvel to watch, with Stokes opting for an entertaining approach for batters, bowlers, and the field."
(Sky Sports)
The ICC doesn't say what any of the awards are awarded for... But the media's assumption it was a lot about captaincy is prolly right. In the 2019 ODI WC, Stokes's fellow Kiwi Kane Williamson was Player of the Tournament, and his captaincy was a large part of it.
But how good is Stokes's captaincy?? Does Bazball work in good bowling conditions against good oppo? And if it's as much about Ben as Baz, why isn't it called 'Benball' or 'Stokesball'?
Pies4shaw wrote:Well-deserved award. As I said more than 6 months ago, he looks like the best English captain since about Illingworth. It's not an award for being a nice person or an acknowledgement of life-time good character. It's an award for being a good cricketer over the last 12 months.
K wrote:...
But how good is Stokes's captaincy?? Does Bazball work in good bowling conditions against good oppo? And if it's as much about Ben as Baz, why isn't it called 'Benball' or 'Stokesball'?
And of course wins bring praise, a loss brings criticism:
'Stokes made that decision after racking up a 226-run first innings lead, but lost control of the game as the Black Caps batted with brilliant resolve to take things deep into day five.
...
It was just the second defeat England have experienced in 12 games under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum and, like almost everything they have done since taking the reins, it came in jaw-dropping fashion.
...
A debate will surely take place over the wisdom of the follow-on decision, particularly given Stokes' knee problem and his inability to offer more than two overs in the match. England's remaining bowlers were certainly run ragged by New Zealand's dogged second-innings resistance, but even so they will regret the way they failed to kill the game on day five.'
(PA)
But England were very lucky to win one of the Tests against Pakistan. Would prolly have lost if a "catch" by Pope keeping had been given not out. Even the English commentators said it was not a catch.
Stokes, on his 1st-innings declaration in the 1st Test:
"I'm a captain who saw it as an opportunity to pounce on Australia.
"I don't think any batter likes to go out 20 minutes before the close of play. The way in which we played, and took Australia on, actually allowed us to be able to do that.
"I could also turn around and say, 'If we didn't declare, would we have got that excitement like we did at the end of day five?'.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure but I'm not going to be looking back at this game as 'what ifs'.
"The reality is, we just didn't manage to get over the line this week."
Cummins, asked if he would have declared in similar circumstances:
"Probably not. I'm not overly surprised (that Stokes did) but the wicket felt pretty good so I thought every run was pretty much needed in that first innings."
(cricket.com.au)
Mark Taylor liked the declaration. But he didn't like England's 2nd-innings Bazball approach.
Commentators have been repeating themselves about the absence of Stokes's funky field placings in the 2nd Test.
Good innings on the last day at Lords, but brainless bowling to him.
And sheesh... It's a bit rich talkin' 'bout "the spirit of cricket" when you got away with bashing a man almost to death in a drunken rage, all caught on security video.
K wrote:...
But how good is Stokes's captaincy?? Does Bazball work in good bowling conditions against good oppo? And if it's as much about Ben as Baz, why isn't it called 'Benball' or 'Stokesball'?
Still no sign Bazball works in good bowling conditions against good oppo. (Hope India produce raging turners when England tour.)
But "Bazball" has been added to the Collins Dictionary.
England were crushed by India in Ben Stokes's 100th Test. And Bazball is under fire.
India became the first side to declare against England in the Bazball era.
It was England's 2nd-worst ever Test loss in terms of runs. It was India's biggest win in terms of runs. And they were a man down (Ashwin --- family emergency).
Ben Stokes’ Achilles heel: Passive batting against spin makes him a sitting duck
"In both innings of the fourth Test he was pinned either in, or on, the popping crease, having barely troubled the scorers. It took to 10 the number of times he has been dismissed for fewer than 10 runs in a Test in India in 26 innings.
It seems strange that the pioneer of Bazball should be so passive.
...
Herein lies an irony. England’s captain has been moving too little in the crease when he has gone in to bat in this series, whereas their vice-captain has been moving too much. Ollie Pope has been going to the opposite extreme of being too proactive at the start of his innings.
...
In such an environment as Durham was hitherto, if Stokes when growing up was given less experience in any aspect of batting, it must have been when starting a red-ball innings on a turner against world-class spinners with fielders around the bat."
Stokes LBW to Kuldeep Yadav for a 6-ball duck on day 1 of the 5th Test.
Kuldeep is left-arm wrist spin. Looking more and more like Stokes's problem is the ball spinning away. Just like FTB Smith (but dunno if Stokes is as bad as FTB Smith). Stokes also has an atrocious record against Ashwin.
BradSmith has so many technical deficiencies, according to you - can't play the moving ball, can't play slow-bowling, can't play the rising delivery etc etc. And yet, somehow, he's been the fastest player of all-time to 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 Test runs. That's some run of luck for a guy that you say can't bat.
Stokes is a fine all-rounder - but you should be embarrassed comparing him to BradSmith. BradSmith has 9,665 Test runs at an average of 57.52 from 108 Tests. Stokes has 6,314 Test runs at an average of 35.67 from 102 Tests. Thus, Stokes presently has the 452nd highest average all-time in Test cricket.
K wrote:Stokes LBW to Kuldeep Yadav for a 6-ball duck on day 1 of the 5th Test.
Kuldeep is left-arm wrist spin. Looking more and more like Stokes's problem is the ball spinning away. Just like FTB Smith (but dunno if Stokes is as bad as FTB Smith). Stokes also has an atrocious record against Ashwin.
Yup. Bowled by Ashwin for 2 in England's 2nd innings.
Clear problem for Stokes.
The good news for Stokes fanboys is that he's bowling again. Just the 5 overs in India's innings, but better than nothing. And got the big wicket of Rohit Sharma.
1/17 (5).
