"The cracks are starting to show with this England team and with the narrative we've been fed for three years after another defeat. Their identity of always taking the aggressive option, of relentlessly putting pressure on their opponents, isn't holding up to scrutiny. So far in this series they haven't had the strength needed to achieve it, and they haven't had the skills either."
"But he's not seeing any of that adaptability in his players, who for three years have been bombarded with messaging about taking the aggressive option, pushing the game forward. Of course I don't know what is said inside the dressing room, but there has not been much nuance in what they say to the media or how they play on the pitch."
England's team is showing cracks in its aggressive identity, lacking the strength, skills and adaptability claimed for three years. Initial confidence in the squad's quality and supposed tactical intelligence has been undermined by performances that lack nuance and resilience. Concerns extend to damaging influence on young cricketers due to one-dimensional messaging. At the Gabba Australia added 189 for the last four wickets through ruthlessness and big-picture intent. Apart from Joe Root's century, England displayed those qualities only late, when Ben Stokes and Will Jacks produced a determined 96-partnership from 220 balls. Greater tactical nuance and adaptability are required.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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