Woodster
International Captain
Robson was more a pick specifically for this tour, but the way it looks like panning out, I would probably give him a shot in New Zealand at number three if Root remains at four. It isn't ideal, as you say he was tried back in 2014 as an opener but got exposed (a technical problem that is supposedly resolved) after a promising hundred against Sri Lanka. Due to the lack of options open to us, you can make a case against selecting literally anyone that gets picked as a batsman, let's not forget Gary Ballance is our back-up batsman on this tour on the back of an exceptional 2017 season.No problem bud.
I must admit. I'm surprised at Robson merely with the fact that he like others have failed and didn't go back and dominate massively either. Would you put him at 3 ?
I find it interesting. All 3 Middlesex seamers looked at in TRJ, Finn, Helm averaged a touch over 30 last season. Does that suggest decent batting conditions where Middlesex played if you take a line of TRJ's form in international cricket.
You then compare that to Porter (16) & Coverton (22 in unfavourable cobditions) as seamers in division one last season.
Funny looking back. Im sure Vince was in the same u19 team as Root and Stokes and was seen as the big boy. But I think you hit the nail on the head with him.
I think Foakes is a must for the 3rd test.
I'm still a fan of Tom Westley aswell (but I'm an Essex fan so I would say that), but his chance to impress with the Lions unfortunately ended prematurely with a finger injury that has since required screws to be inserted.
I watched the last day of a CC game at Lords last season and they couldn't penetrate in cloudy miserable conditions, very little assistance off the pitch, they were well on top and couldn't force the win so yes I think it was tough for the pacemen to get wickets there, though TRJ was the most impressive that day.
Jamie Porter was superb on the occasions I saw him, he needs that bit of assistance off the pitch, but he hits the deck harder than you'd expect for someone bowling around 80, and troubled the very best batsmen. Would like him to make his England debut in a home series, but again he doesn't necessarily add any variety to our attack. Also England's new bowling coach Chris Silverwood thinks very highly of him.
If we lose this Test, which obviously is still looking a distinct probability, I wouldn't mind Foakes coming in at all and Bairstow moving up the order as a specialist bat.