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The team is always better balanced with an all rounder in it, and Stokes isn't it at the moment. Clearly, he has to play so the answer would seem to be that either he, or more likely Bairstow open in place of Crawley.
That none of Anderson, Broad, Leach or Robinson (presumably your first choice seamers) are overly sharp with the bat does give us a long tail, Woakes can add some balance but I'm not sure how much.
Woakes is a great batting all rounder. Sadly he has never quite lived up to the expectation of replacing Jimmy as our swing bowler.
Woakes is a great batting all rounder. Sadly he has never quite lived up to the expectation of replacing Jimmy as our swing bowler.
Which is why I'm surprised there is no Curran. I know the IPL has not gone well for him this year; but someone with money thought his long term form was worthy of being the highest paid player in the league. I know it's a different format and maybe he's just no longer interested but I'm surprised he/they have not moulded him into a potent test weapon. Maybe Stoke's presence in the side has meant he never saw a place for himself to make that the priority. Or money.
Who do you drop for Curran, though?
Broad is the most likely - but, well, hmmm.
I've just read that squad list properly - no Foakes - WTAF?
He hasn't put a foot or glove wrong - I hope we're not going back down the road of fielders with gloves like Bairstow and Buttler.
Who do you drop for Curran, though?
I think I'd be bold and replace Crawley with him, punting Bairstow up the order.
Is a 15 man squads the rules or just convention? With the rotation of the fast bowlers between matches in a series pretty much a thing across all teams now, it does not leave much room in the squad for options elsewhere.
Is a 15 man squads the rules or just convention?
Just convention. They can pick who they like.
Dropping Crawley for Curran is a weird one as you are dropping a batsman for an all-rounder with the aim of strengthening the batting! But such is Crawley's hit and miss nature it may not end up being like that.
I think it will be a bonkers series. I'm not sure if it matters who is in the team from a batting point of view if the mantra is going to be teeing off pretty much from ball one. 🤔
Dropping Crawley for Curran is a weird one as you are dropping a batsman for an all-rounder with the aim of strengthening the batting!
Yep, doesn't make much sense does it! My theory is that Stokes is basically taking the allrounders place in the side - but in effect he is no more an allrounder than Root these days. So in reality he's just a batsman - so the batting lineup is one too long. Curran is not a good enough bowler to make the side in one of the pure bowling slots, so you need to make space for him to be in the allrounder position. If Stokes can't be dropped, then you have to drop the worst batsman in the lineup, which is currently Crawley. Then to make the side work someone has to open and it might as well be Bairstow if he's keeping (i.e. there to do another job, so if he's not in the best spot for his batting skills and underperforms it does not feel as bad as one of the others not performing - kind of!).
Maybe the elephant in the room is Leach - is there an international spinner as naff at batting in international cricket right now? Or rather, is there a mediocre front line spinner as bad at batting? He very much adds to the long tail. You could forgive it if he was Muralidaran, but he's not - and arguably a worse batsman than he was in any case.
Can't believe there's no Foakes ..best keeper by a country mile...
Maybe the elephant in the room is Leach – is there an international spinner as naff at batting in international cricket right now?
Maybe it is.
Leach buys his wickets at 34.
But Lyon at 31 - that surprised me, I must admit.
Ashwin at 24 - but half his games played in India.
Aaaargh - trickier than I thought! I had formed an opinion of Leach as a buyer of wickets, but perhaps not as much as I thought. Can't have Root as the only spinner if there is intent to play one.
Definitely dismayed by the Foakes one, though. Maybe if we don't have a spinner we don't need a proper keeper?!
. But then you look at what’s left – a 37 year old and a 41 year old (by the summer) and a Woods who has been a walking injury time bomb his whole career.
And Robinson who is our best bowler and Woakes who has the next best home test stats
Woakes
He does a job. But name one match winning or match saving performance by him.
I know he's not really that kind of player but he seemingly only ever contributes to rather than makes, if you see what I mean.
Vs ****stan 2016 Lords
And Robinson who is our best bowler and Woakes who has the next best home test stats
I was listing the potential injury frailties rather than the complete set.
Just read the actual article - Bairstow confirmed to bat at 7.....so only 4 bowlers plus the bits and bobs (if you include Stokes as a bits and bobs bowler). That means either no Leach in the 11 or a first change bowler that has to be Stokes if playing Leach and you want a quick at both ends on 1st change. There will need to be some mighty long bowling stints so I'm not expecting Anderson and Broad to be in the same side too often.
Anderson's (and Broad's) last home series? Or maybe last series completely....After the 5th Ashes test, there is no more test cricket for England for another 6 months.
Vs ****stan 2016 Lords
Thank you. Genuinely - I had forgotten about that.
Every team has to have these good 'team men', and he will do a job. His name on a team sheet has never provoked any reaction in me other than "oh, ok".
It's probably my issue!
Good Morning everyone
England win toss and bowl
So Vaughny is back on TMS, don’t know what to think about that
So Vaughny is back on TMS, don’t know what to think about that
I know how I feel.
I didn't like him before the allegations were made so that stance has remained unchanged. I was quite pleased when he was removed and I'm not overly chuffed he's back.
Very noticeable how the Ireland batters are trying to play the ball late. It's a sensible policy, but if you don't put the half volley away it allows the bowlers to go fuller where the movement is more dangerous.
Good to see Potts back too - for me he is an integral part of the post Anderson-Broad succession plan.
Agreed - he fits the Ben/Baz mould too.
The McCollum dismissal is a case in point. Broad wouldn't have felt able to bowl enough balls that full if every other one was being driven through extra cover.
If England are using this game as a bit of praccy, now would be a good time for Potts and Tongue to have a bowl.
Potts and Tongue - sounds like an old opticians or similar.
No Stokes bowling yet. I know they are doing ok right now, but against a better side this would look like a very unbalanced side if Stokes can't bowl (or slip field). Bairstow down at 7 then the batting talent falls off a cliff with Broad at 8 - 3 quick and one real spinner and bits and pieces of Root - in England - not going to cut it against a better team.
Pope must be an irritating bugger to bowl at. Quick singles, glides, full-blooded drives. Very difficult to keep quiet.
Crawley’s was a very streaky inning. His driving is so good, but he gives so many chances away as well. I’m just not convinced he’s the right level.
I’m OK with Stokes not bowling, if he has a niggle I’d rather he didn’t aggravate against a 2nd rate Ireland side they can beat without him.
Crawley could be brilliant and consistently so. But the BazBall thing is actually working against him - as is the management's unconditional support for him.
First thing one of the aussies should say as he takes guard at Edgbaston - "Lot of pressure on him here lads, Foakes is kicking his heels in County cricket. The lad needs runs". Crawley can stay off social media all he likes - if your place in the team doesn't look warranted, the oppo will be into you about it from ball 1.
I'm not sure test status without playing much test cricket is doing Ireland any good. Their entire bowling attack is clearly used to limited overs fields with sweepers out. Clearly they're not going to be a world beating bowling unit, but I haven't seen much nous or creativity at all.
There's a fine line between 'useful warm-up test' and 'complacency-generating romp'.
it's a bit rubbish if stokes and bairstow don't get any time in the middle :/
Sat on a Highland beach in bright blue sunshine and crystal clear waters with Ollie Pope's aunt. Safe to say she is having a good day!
There’s a fine line between ‘useful warm-up test’ and ‘complacency-generating romp’.
It does feel like alligator wrestlers gearing up for a big season with a seal clubbing trip.
So, a victory. And an easy one at that.
But Stokes concerns me. If he can’t bowl, and I suspect that’s the case we’re very short of bowling. Does that mean Woakes as an all rounder? It certainly changes the team balance.
But Stokes concerns me.
Agreed. But I fear the new England mindset might mean they are arrogant enough to go into an ashes test with a non bowling allrounder just because he's the skipper. He needs to makes the team as a legitimate batsman to make way for an allrounder who can actually bowl. And if he doesn't make the grade for his batting alone so be it.
I think we can rule Stokes out as a bowler. Just fielding the ball seems to be an issue and degenerative knee injuries don't heal in a fortnight. This is obviously a concern. The aussies do have a potential world class all-rounder in Cameron Green, so their balance is all the better for it. Sadly, it also reduces the chance of Foakes getting back in.
Cameron Green very underated player in my opinion. It's obvious the English new cricket style is either going to be a success or a whitewashing.
But hugely exciting for younger fans
there was a good piece at lunch yesterday about Bazball and the impact on the Aussies. It was pointed out that in the past when put under that sort of pressure - eg: Stokes at Headingley - quickly they lose focus and composure and start to panic, make bad decisions, **** up easy run outs, burn umpire referrals and leave themselves without one when they really needed it, etc. So much of top level sport is in the head and when the panic sets in.....
Then again - knowing that's what England will set out to do, can you train that clarity of thought in to negate the effect? or is there nothing that can recreate suddenly being in that position where no matter what you do the ball's disappearing into the confectionery stand and back out again? Has Cummins been on a course where he has to solve tricky logic puzzles against the clock while enduring a mix of crowd noise, Jerusalem and a horde of giant ginger men whacking balls at him?
It's one test series where I'm not sure who has the edge.
bookies have england to win.
Jack Leach out for the whole series!
That's a bit of a blow. Blowed more overs than any other bowled since the start of bazball, and taken more wickets too I think. It seems to be a daft thing to say about a team that has won 11 of the last 13 tests, but the wheels feel like they could be about to fall off. Anderson or Wood unable to play and they are looking in a bit of a crisis I still think Sam Curran should be in the 16.
But Will Jacks could be the answer to the all rounder conundrum.
If you read Sam Currans stats it's hard to believe he is not in the side great death bowler in T20/IPL and very on trend with the type of cricket england are playing.
Shame about Jake leach
Leach is a huge loss.
They've been happy to rotate the seamers but Leach has been a constant.
No options seem to offer the same control as Leach does.
Call Moeen? Helps the batting but hasn't bowled much even in T20 recently and he was never tight when he was playing red ball regularly.
Jacks? Again, helps the batting but he's not going to hold an end up.
Ahmed? Perhaps the most "BazzBall" approach, but it could be an baptism of fire for him.
Dom Bess? He's been bowling well in the county champ but I'm really not sure he's good enough.
Liam Dawson? Perhaps the sensible approach. But does McCullum do sensible?
I’d be begging Rashid to give the ashes a go
Dawson is the correct choice here. He will do the exact job.
Jacks - too much of a rip it and hope T20 spinner. The aussies will sit on the bad ball and he'll go at sixes and sevens.
Rashid - next best choice, but I'm instinctively against players who prioritise white ball cricket.
Moeen - his batting would help, but as an off spinner he is still not regularly consistent enough. And he hasn't played a red ball game for two years.
Rehan Ahmed - no, no, no. I think he's excellent, but looked at objectively his 5-for in ****stan was a schoolboy 5-for. Absolute jaffas interspersed with rank filth and taking wickets with both.
Another seamer - will need the groundsmen to get busy and will play more into Australia's hands. I think it would be a mistake.
It's a massive shame for Leach - he was really coming out of his shell under McCullum, let's hope he gets back to where he was.
I can understand Stokes giving Mo a call. What I can't understand is who told the press (or why).
Moeen it is then.
Not sure whether this says something about the state of spin bowling in the Championship or it's a BazBall thing.
Though rumour is that Moeen was the 2nd choice to he skipper if Stokes turned it down.
Well, the aussies will probably try to whack him out of the attack. Obviously that can work both ways, though.
The first toss feels like a good one for Stokes to lose now.
Ben Duckett
Zak Crawley
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (captain)
Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper)
Moeen Ali
Stuart Broad
Ollie Robinson
James Anderson
Stokes and Moeen are key, is Stokes going to be able to bowl much, if he can't then Moeen might have to do a lot of bowling. Feels a bit like they're hoping the three seamers are going to be able to blow away the Aussies but England always seem to start well and let teams back in with one or two lower order partnerships. Should mean a good series though.
I’m intrigued by this series. Can see Aussie bowling attack tearing England apart but on the other hand they’ll not have faced a side batting so aggressively. Also Steve bloody Smith seems back in touch.
I am not optimistic about this series, TBH.
Bazball might become a spiralling spitfire plummeting towards the ground in flames.
I think England might whack Boland around a bit more than he is used to, but I think Starc and Cummins both have the smarts to adapt.
Time will tell. It is difficult to envisage any draws unless the weather has a say.
Perhaps they have another trick up their sleeves and they’re going to play the slowest, grimmest grind-athon test cricket ever. Block block block sneak a run block. Make the Aussies bowl and field for days at a time.
I wouldn’t put it past them to just shake it up for shits and giggles. No one seems to be expecting it.
Right test starts tomorrow
My money is on who ever bowls first will take it .
Friday sunny
Saturday very overcast. (Swing)
Sunday washed out.
Monday bit better.
Tuesday non starter.
This all depends on early wickets Friday.
I’ve been offered a ticket for Sunday (at face value) but can’t make it. Blimmin Father’s Day!
Weather is bad rain most of the day sadly
Duckett and Crawley have to show some stickability in the middle and set up the middle order, but I fear the Aussies will send them and a few others back to the hutch all too soon. Hope I’m wrong as this could be a ripper of a series if we somehow continue Bazball mode.
Saw the Guardian article about the cost of tickets for one day of test cricket. 190 of your British pounds W0w!
I remember paying 40 quid for a day at Trent Bridge around 2001 v South Africa.
Watching cricket in NZ is pretty good value I saw England here in February (in Tauranga and in Wellington)
for $35 (you could buy 5 day passes for $110).
What are your predictions for how the series will go? I get to see the the Australians a lot over here in NZ and you do get totally brainwashed by their confidence and attitude of invincibilty. With this in mind I'd love to see England win overall but can't see it (I'm psychologically intimidated by Australia and their media). I think 3-1 to Australia
England win toss and bat.
The ticket I was offered was £125!
i am ridiculously excited, and shitting myself in equal measure...... will Bazball get found out.
And ooooh! Sir Alastair - man crush!!
Aggers, Jim Maxwell, Ebs on comms. The buzz of the crowd in the background. Pics of the sunny ground coming in.
Summers has started and I bloody love it.
Behave Zak.
england rattling along @ 5 an over aussies put sweepers out so now it's chip and run 🙂
think england are going for their favourite 350 all out by the end of day 1
^Having been 310-4
I think Erasmus must be blind
So that final delivery swings the morning session in favour of the Aussies. Eng scored runs as expected and Aus took wickets as expected. But Crawley giving his away provides the latter with momentum and Aus will believe they can be batting before COP.
Brian Bilston on Twitter
Border, Bairstow, Boon & Botham,
Bradman, Broad and Brearley:
Speaking words of Wisden,
Letter B.
But Crawley giving his away
I was in the car so hadn't seen it until now; you've got a harsh view of giving your wicket away!
Yup - probably the only deviating ball of the morning.
Well, that’s irritating
Key partnership this. Can JB get going? Root is just class. Another wicket and Aussies will be well on top.
Well, that’s irritating
Honestly, is Stokes' value as a player (rather than a captain) worth any more than a lot of low number dismissals and rash shots with the very occasional higher score.
Honestly, is Stokes’ value as a player (rather than a captain) worth any more than a lot of low number dismissals and rash shots with the very occasional higher score.
I was thinking that earlier.
Taking away the captaincy and "vibes" (which I know is a big part of what he brings to the party), given he seems unlikely to bowl much would the team be any weaker with Bairstow at 6 and Foakes at 7? Or Moeen at 7 (and captain) and another bowler?
Don't think Eng can afford to swap out Stokes for the very same reasons. However, if he fails to contribute to this series and Eng don't win, might he sit out the WI tour? Probably not. But if he once against fails in that then questions really will need to be asked.
Meanwhile, Eng probably have as much chance of reaching 400 today as they do of seeing the Aussies at the crease.
Oh mo
Crikey, bold move but i like it 😀
Bold move? Let’s see if it pays off!
[s]Dodge[/s]BazBall
WT a F
This makes no sense. Does it?
How many extra would you expect them to add for 9 and 10, vs the prospect of getting one or two tonight. Sure it's not the usual way to do it, but **** normal, this is Bazball!!!!
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(I can't make a gif work - It's Maximus asking 'Are you not entertained!?' )