leicsmac

An argument could be made that their cultural and social norms are toally incompatible with the UK to the point it will always appear anathema and so require adversarial thinking, and the way they apply power is much softer, but it does exist. That being said, the way they view the long term and apply their power in other to make those long term plans work is, at least in some cases, an example to at least be studied carefully. I think while this appears to be true, IMO the Chinese objective isn't hegemonic domination in the same way the US (or Russia, for instance) desire. They are leveraging their power (in a way that the security services are clearly alarmed about) in order to have a place at the top table, but to be among equals at that table, not at the head. (In fact, I think one of the reasons they're flexing their muscles is that in their opinion there shouldn't be a head at all and to work to that end).

Along similar lines to these thoughts: I've heard quite a few people (including sitting MPs) who think that the UK should keep China at arms length because their government and value structures are incompatible with that of the UK. Well, at the present time, what exactly in terms of the above does the US have in common with the UK and that we should seek to emulate/value?

Trump: the first winner of the Bellend’Or.

That's a rather optimistic best case scenario tbh.

I'll have to check that out, thank you. I think there's merit to that argument - Jardine won the Ashes in Oz nearly 100 years ago by being a ruthless bastard (despite having public school upbringing himself) and so perhaps a lot of England teams lack that nasty edge for when it's needed. Clearly the current approach doesn't really work, but then I'm damned if I know a better way either. Surely just targeting the stumps has been identified as a possibility and then dismissed for whatever reason? It would be nice to have a further explanation there. This team has clearly shown it's capable of beating sides it should beat and often doing it with style. They just lack the extra something (whatever it is) to overcome the most difficult challenges in the most difficult environments.

Honestly, I don't think anyone is yet to identify what the real problem is with this inconsistency. It's not attitude, pretty much the same England team was losing Tests for fun - and losing them equally badly to more inferior opposition - with other styles of play. It's not talent levels - Brook and Root, to name two, are world-class bats and while England miss Broad and Anderson, the issue doesn't appear to lie with the bowling. So what's going on? Systemic problem?

All of the above being said, did alternative methods of play fare any better in the last three away Ashes series? Played 15, lost 13, won 0.

Bethell didn't exactly tear up trees in his most recent game, but a possible option?

Vital partnership coming up now. Really they both still need to be there by first break tomorrow, let alone close today.

And now he's found it.

Duckett has had some awful luck there.

I'm surprised as to how anyone might think it would be.

Soccer = derived from the term "association football", if I remember right. But, once again, that whole "ceremony" was symbolic of what ideology is running the US right now.

Is anyone really surprised? This is exactly on brand for the current US administration.

It's truly a remarkable effort to make Sepp Blatter appear to be a reasonable and uncorrupt leader.

I'm going to be honest mate, that's a bit extreme.

It's just unfortunate that the decent folks over there are being drowned out by the... well, everything going on right now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04vdengk3do President Donald Trump's administration has warned that Europe faces "civilisational erasure" and questioned whether certain nations can remain reliable allies, in a new strategy document that puts a particular focus on the continent. The 33-page National Security Strategy sees the US leader outline his vision for the world and how he will wield US military and economic power to work towards it. Trump described the document as a "roadmap" to ensure America remains "the greatest and most successful nation in human history". European politicians have begun to react, with Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying his country did not need "outside advice". Your Project 2025, demographic supremacist idea of "civilisation" is a ridiculous throwback and an insult to the proper meaning of the word, Mr Trump.

Honestly, I'm just listening on Guerilla Cricket and watching the Aus cricket YouTube highlights, TNT really are piss poor.

Aussies have scored about 100 runs through the slip area. Seem to have more than their fair share of luck.

Master plan: drop Carey first ball to lull Smith into a false sense of security, then bam. Like a charm.

No disagreement there, an earlier start really should be possible. That being said, getting around 90 overs of play into roughly six and a half hours really shouldn't be difficult.

Sometimes not just the bowling team that slows down over rates. Any solution would need to include sanctions for the batting team wasting time, as well.

Or, at least, there aren't enough of them good enough at such communication.

Fair point, and that's why the method has to see off the mavericks, and, more importantly, have good communicators to let people know why they need to be seen off.