Edited 02 Sep 2019 11:08, 2 years ago, edited by Valvegear

They bowled with 8 catching men on the boundary, and for every shot Stokes middled, there were two others which were thick edges that either carried for six, or fell between fielders.  The probability was Stokes would hole out, and he almost did on at least 6 occasions.

Eight catching men on the boundary? ? ? ?  That is the ultimate and quite ridiculous field; it immediately signals to the batsman that we don't think we can get you out.  Bowl him over after over of middle or leg yorkers - I defy him to hit them for six. Throw in the occasional bouncer. Put the odd one on a fourth stump line. In other words; try thinking!  Persisting with short pitched deliveries was madness as Stokes proved conclusively.  Do you really believe that a captain like Benaud, Ian Chappell or Taylor would adopt such tactics.
I think you look at Australia through rose-tinted glasses - patriotism is fine, but temper it with reason. Australia blew it; big time!