tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642821992617250048.post8772704228627269325..comments2024-03-29T00:33:17.517-07:00Comments on That 1980s Sports Blog: 1986/87 Ashes: Chris BroadThat 1980s Sports Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13862978693090783638noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642821992617250048.post-73045574200367936302013-11-27T03:56:08.772-08:002013-11-27T03:56:08.772-08:00Couldn't agree more on the Sydney test. Englan...Couldn't agree more on the Sydney test. England would probably have been able to bat out a draw, but instead they were positive and went for the win. The psychological turning point against the Aussies was not the Sydney test but the defeat in the World Cup final the following year. <br /><br />More generallyk the story of Chris Broad and the 86/87 tour was a microcosm of everything that was actually wrong with English cricket at the time. Broad scored heavily despite a number of technical flaws that were later exposed. Botham's opening century and golden arm disguised the fact that he was almost finished as a test-class bowler and his batting was in decline. The whole tour was a glorious series of one-off performances that were a result of luck, not careful planning and consistent selection policies. But it fooled English cricket into thinking that all was well....this misconception was ruthlessly exploited by the 1989 Australian team, who had spent the intervening years putting together a tough-as-nails team that could be more than the sum of their parts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642821992617250048.post-27372918396577590192013-11-20T05:46:22.583-08:002013-11-20T05:46:22.583-08:00That's a wonderful memoir. I watched Graham Di...That's a wonderful memoir. I watched Graham Dilley's 5-for at the Gabba from high up in a grandstand that no longer exists. As an Australian fan, that was a painful summer, but there was so much to like about that England team. You shouldn't get so down about that Sydney Test either. Apart from the great Australian performances from Jones, Taylor and Sleep, Emburey's 7-wicket haul and Gatting's second innings 72 were wonderful contributions to a great match.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com