ASK GEORGE | "Are England undercooked or over the hill?"

[@RBenjo21]

After New Zealand I criticised the middle order and George rubbished me. Have to say I haven't changed my mind: the middle order is VERY weak since Morgan retired, we have a collection of pinch-hitting number 7s in Buttler, Livingstone, Ali, Curran, Woakes - none of whom can consistently build an innings if they're in early on. In 21 ODIs since Morgan retired we have been bowled out 10 times. That is poor.

[@thebaldmanwithlonghair6470]

Buttler averages in the 40s at a strike rate of 120. If he's a pinch hitting number 7 then Maxwell is a number 11. So adding Jos in is just silly and probably undermines the point. I generally agree that England have an issue with Livingstone and Curran batting a spot too high. Yet the bowling has been too poor to justify going with 6 batters and 5 bowlers.

[@RBenjo21]

@@thebaldmanwithlonghair6470 Since Morgan retired England average 23 in the #6 position and 21 at #7. Of the teams at this World Cup, that’s right down the bottom above only Afghanistan.

[@thebaldmanwithlonghair6470]

@@RBenjo21 In the same period you mention Buttler averages way over 50 at a SR way over 100. He's just been batting at 5. I'm not arguing England's lower middle order isn't an issue. As written Livi is too high at 6, Curran too high at 7 and Mo hasn't consistently scored ODI runs in forever. Definitely an issue. Grouping Buttler into that as, "a pinch-hitting number 7", is ludicrous though. He's one the best white ball batters ever. Potentially England's best ever ODI player. That was what George argued when answering the question previously and it remains true. You're taking a fair argument, i.e. the lower middle order being weak, but stretching it to a silly degree by including Buttler when that's clearly false.

[@selena7596]

​@@thebaldmanwithlonghair6470Flintoff is England's best odi player not buttler. Freddie doesn't get the credit he deserves as odi cricketer

[@anshulsaxena4931]

​@@selena7596yes butler may not be the best odi player for eng but he is their best in t20s ever and is pretty good in odis as well

[@sanjayshetty1533]

When Morgan was the captain top 4 was solid, now except malan others r are not consistent. So that puts extra pressure on English no 5 to no 7

[@Riuytfhjklf4634]

Lol! Did they stopped the series after South Africa game

[@Leo-sk3qc]

England were under cooked, and overdone. 😂

[@andilencapai295]

Cricket won ....it will grow more globally....it reminds me of that upsetter where Cameroon beat Argentina in the Italia 90 opener... ⚽

[@kartikkantheti5690]

Not taking anything from this win but one odd upset doesn't make cricket moving globally. It will only show improvement if there are new teams winning consistently. Right now thats not happening. On the contrary good teams in the past are fading away i.e Sri Lanka , west Indies , bangladesh

[@glennkeppel9836]

But the English won the moral victory.

[@UmpireStrikesBack]

They must be trying to "Save cricket" or maybe it had something to do with the "Spirit of cricket"

[@ray.shoesmith]

Lucky it wasn't played at Lord's, the Afghans would have pelted with Pims for obviously cheating

[@williamjt31]

Wonder who it was that said England’s bowling was going to be a problem?

[@bananabrooks3836]

Yes, l heard that.Tms WC preview l think. Curran and Woakes wayward. Afghans were hungrier and out played Eng in most depts. A shocker indeed.

[@davdt437]

Me. It was me.

[@danielburnett7208]

Sometimes the fact is that they didn't play very well. No need to look at selection, tactics etc. Stop giving them an excuse, they just werent good enough, end of

[@monarkjain613]

Embarrasing statement to make at 4.40. You want to get interviews and information and in return provide protection to coaches/players from criticism. Says it all really. I mean we all knew but still embarrassing what journalism has become. Glorified PR agencies.

[@ray.shoesmith]

This isn't journalism, it's just two punters on youtube who know as much about cricket as two random pissheads at the pub.

[@DennisNkosanaMpofu]

I am happy England lost