*Official* India Tour of England 2018

[R!TTER]

England have named Adil Rashid as their lone spinner for the first Test against India, which begins on Wednesday at Edgbaston. It will be his first Test since the fifth Test against India in Chennai in December 2016.

England: 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Keaton Jennings, 3 Joe Root (capt), 4 Dawid Malan, 5 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Sam Curran, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson.

1st Test, India tour of Ireland and England at Birmingham, Aug 1-5 2018 | Match Preview | ESPNCricinfo

 

[R!TTER]

The bowling looks pretty thin, if Rashid doesn't pick up important wickets England may well regret picking him based on a one off event in LO cricket.

 

[OverratedSanity]

I'm really scared of Buttler. This'll be his breakout series imo.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Unreal, the noise coming from the India camp for a team that hasn't won a meaningful series outside Asia. That's what a doltish "leadership group" does to others usually docile. They feel the overwhelming need to show intent.

 

[Cow Corner]

Remember for the second test, Ben Stokes will not be playing. Assuming Woakes replaces him, you have a line up with Woakes at number 7 which does look a bit shaky. If Woakes doesn't come back, then they'll have to play with Curran and Jamie Porter...

 

[harsh.ag]

I am beginning to hope Anderson gets Kohli for a duck at least 4 times.

 

[Borges]

What kind of pitch is this going to be? A good deal of cloud cover on day one? Win the toss and bowl first, if one is bold enough?

 

[Shri]

They have been getting plenty of water to the outfield so that the effects of the heat wave will not be felt on the pitch. It won't dry out quickly as the game goes on. Wouldn't expect a pitch that will suit spinners much.

 

[Stapel]

Maybe I've missed something, but...

What is the idea about Adil Rashid over Dom Bess?

Anyway: Will be at the Hollies stand days 1 & 2 .

 

[S.Kennedy]

Stokes might not be playing the third, fourth and fifth test either if it does not go well with Lady Justice!!

 

[Pratters]

LOL what a joker Vaughan is.

 

[S.Kennedy]

It is weird seeing Vaughan pose as the defender of the championship considering he was discussing taking two of the earlier games and playing them in the Caribbean!

 

[Mr Miyagi]

England have named Adil Rashid as their lone spinner for the first Test against India, which begins on Wednesday at Edgbaston. It will be his first Test since the fifth Test against India in Chennai in December 2016.

England: 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Keaton Jennings, 3 Joe Root (capt), 4 Dawid Malan, 5 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Sam Curran, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson.

1st Test, India tour of Ireland and England at Birmingham, Aug 1-5 2018 | Match Preview | ESPNCricinfo

Oh wow. I'd say this lad ain't much of a bowler but he did this.

Only unofficial Test, India A tour of England at Worcester, Jul 16-19 2018 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo

So maybe he knows how to exploit swinging conditions or summing.

Where on earth is Woakes?

 

[marc71178]

Totally agreed. I am just closing any thread where I see the food post.

Thought harsh had posted this at first but realised that he'd never be able to actually close a thread deliberately.

 

[Top_Cat]

I'm really scared of Buttler. This'll be his breakout series imo.

Pressure of being a bat without the gloves will nullify him, personally. I don’t think batting with tail is his thing so if England make a show of faith like, say, batting him above Bairstow, could energise him but otherwise, I’d be surprised if he has much influence.

I sure hope he does, though, because it’ll go off.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

LOL what a joker Vaughan is.

What has he said/done now?

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Pressure of being a bat without the gloves will nullify him, personally. I don’t think batting with tail is his thing so if England make a show of faith like, say, batting him above Bairstow, could energise him but otherwise, I’d be surprised if he has much influence.

I sure hope he does, though, because it’ll go off.

Nah - he is in the perfect position at 7 (or even 6), to bat like a batsman with batsmen, or to crank through the gears with the tail. Bairstow at 5 has to play the higher order player role because he is better at it than Buttler. Buttler's at his best when attacking imo because he puts pressure back on the bowlers who lose their line and length, and getting opportunities with the tail permits that without cricket fans getting all twisted over him slogging in a test match (even a purist loves a batsman hitting out with the tail).

Buttler isn't a quality proper test batsman, but he sure can whack the ball.

 

[Starfighter]

Rashid has apparently now become a better bowler than Moeen in home conditions, according to the internet, despite scant evidence. Can someone start this match already, I just want to know how this is going to turn out.

 

[Shri]

Lol, Moeen isn't playing? Feels good already.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Rashid has apparently now become a better bowler than Moeen in home conditions, according to the internet, despite scant evidence.

That is one way to look at it I guess.

But given Bess and Leach have been tried since Moeen was dropped first over winter while going at over 126 per wicket, I think it could be said England is willing to try new things that aren't Moeen in the search for success.

Moeen had a good 2014 and 2017 at home. The rest of the time he has struggled at home and away (bar Bangladesh).

I'm more interested in how Sam Curran has got ahead of the rest of the pack in tests.