I think we also need to remember too how difficult it is to open the batting currently in test cricket or even CC1. Players like Buttler and Bairstow look a walking wicket in the top 5 never mind opening the batting. Roy was a shocker up top. Averaging 30 opening if you're English is almost like opening 45 at 4/5/6 I think currently. It's not just the new ball. The bowlers and fielders are infinitely fresher during the first over compared to specialist 5,6 or 7 batsmen that tend to come in when the bowlers are either tiring or tired - and most teams step it up a notch or two vs England. Burns's average doesn't look much, nor does Denly's. But there's more to it than meets the eye. They have almost only played on seamer friendly pitches their whole career, there's a reason a high calibre batter like Root's average has taken a sharp downturn lately year upon year and every team England plays against the openers struggle to make any runs at all. It's a nightmare to open right now. Root being reluctant to bat 3, Stokes possibly too high at 4. Opening the batting is no joke, nor is number 3. Most teams hide their best bat at 4. Shows even more how much of a monster Bradman was on uncovered pitches batting mostly 3 I guess and how good players like Sutcliffe actually were - yes the bowlers were different but all other things were harder for the batter.
I for one would be happy for Sibley to play. There's an argument however that Denly and Burns like batting together so if you pick Sibley maybe he should bat 3 or Denly can go there. Sibley should have been picked already, but it's hardly surprising when they picked Burns several years after when they should have.
I for one would be happy for Sibley to play. There's an argument however that Denly and Burns like batting together so if you pick Sibley maybe he should bat 3 or Denly can go there. Sibley should have been picked already, but it's hardly surprising when they picked Burns several years after when they should have.
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