The Ashes 2019

[ProfessorDavey]

So would I be if we won the Ashes in Australia.

Good to see that England didn't lose the series, although failed to regain the ashes.

Had the good fortune to be at the Oval on Friday - great day's play with Jofra's 6 wickets.

One thing struck me though - the 'squad numbers' the players have on their backs are completely random, seem to bear no resemblance to anything I can fathom. Anyone know how these numbers are determined?

[jeremyp]

One thing struck me though - the 'squad numbers' the players have on their backs are completely random, seem to bear no resemblance to anything I can fathom. Anyone know how these numbers are determined?

The players choose them

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/18/ashes-new-era-tests-names-numbers-shirts-cricket-england-australia

(last paragraph)

[ProfessorDavey]

The players choose them

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/18/ashes-new-era-tests-names-numbers-shirts-cricket-england-australia

(last paragraph)

So I see - I get the Root 66, but no idea about the other numbers. So many seem to be high numbers too, and completely random. Just about the only one which seemed to make sense was Broad, number 8 - but that must be him nostalgically looking back to the days when he was considered an all-rounder!!

[jeremyp]

So I see - I get the Root 66, but no idea about the other numbers. So many seem to be high numbers too, and completely random. Just about the only one which seemed to make sense was Broad, number 8 - but that must be him nostalgically looking back to the days when he was considered an all-rounder!!

You can choose any number between 1 and 100 that isn't already in use. Presumably, they usually have personal significance for the players.

I'm guessing Stuart Broad's 8 refers to his figures of 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015.

[ProfessorDavey]

You can choose any number between 1 and 100 that isn't already in use. Presumably, they usually have personal significance for the players.

I guess so, although it would be interesting to know what those reasons might be - we know about Root, but why:

Leach - 77
Buttler - 63
Archer - 12
Smith - 49

A mystery to me.

I'm guessing Stuart Broad's 8 refers to his figures of 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015.

Aha - maybe so - or perhaps his recent batting average ... hmm then again that would be Warner!