England players and selection discussion thread

[Red_Ink_Squid]

IMO Parkinson's the best long form leg spinner at the moment, but he bowls very slowly and isn't strong on the googly, and that style tends to get smashed in India.

Was just about to post something similar. Parkinson was in the Test squad for the winter tours last year, so he may be next in line. But I wouldn't have much confidence in him were he needed to play.

Assuming Ali isn't going to be suddenly back to his best after playing zero red ball cricket then I think it's the Leach/Bess spin duo or bust for England. If either of those ends up unfit to play I think I'd rather we just play with one spinner + Root rather than pick another specialist spinner who isn't good enough just for the sake of it.

Nintendo's lineup above looks reasonable, though Foakes could miss out again to fit Pope in. I also expect Woakes will be in the mix for the seamer slots as his extra batting must be tempting. Wood and SCurran outside possibilities too, but there may be too many quicks ahead of them in the queue.

 

[theegyptian]

Yes none of the leggies have a strong case imo. None of them regulars for their counties over the last few years. And as has been said even decent leggies tend to get smashed in India. Additionally the fact that Crane and Parkinson don't bat works against them.

Dawson is a very boring choice but he's possibly the most reliable backup they have and gives them flexibility with team selection. However he probably won't be fit in time having done his achilles.
Virdi still pretty raw and doesn't have the consistency yet.

 

[Nintendo]

Was just about to post something similar. Parkinson was in the Test squad for the winter tours last year, so he may be next in line. But I wouldn't have much confidence in him were he needed to play.

Assuming Ali isn't going to be suddenly back to his best after playing zero red ball cricket then I think it's the Leach/Bess spin duo or bust for England. If either of those ends up unfit to play I think I'd rather we just play with one spinner + Root rather than pick another specialist spinner who isn't good enough just for the sake of it.

Nintendo's lineup above looks reasonable, though Foakes could miss out again to fit Pope in. I also expect Woakes will be in the mix for the seamer slots as his extra batting must be tempting. Wood and SCurran outside possibilities too, but there may be too many quicks ahead of them in the queue.

Only reason foakes is in there over pope is because I don't trust Buttler the keeper in India/Srilanka, can't afford him shelling catches/stumpings like he was in the home summer off bess, and pope is only a part time keeper.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Only reason foakes is in there over pope is because I don't trust Buttler the keeper in India/Srilanka, can't afford him shelling catches/stumpings like he was in the home summer off bess, and pope is only a part time keeper.

Yeah I don't think he's a bad shout, I rate Foakes and not just his keeping - his batting was excellent last time we toured Sri Lanka as well. I'm just trying to guess who is likely to play rather than who I'd like.

I reckon that had Butter not done so well in the last couple of Tests then he'd have made way for Foakes for sure on this tour. As it is, whichever of Butter, Pope and Foakes isn't selected could feel a little hard done by but there doesn't seem to be room for all three of them in the starting 11. Since the other two are incumbents I think Foakes is just a bit easier to leave out.

 

[Pothas]

As long as Pope is fit he should definitely play. If they want to play Foakes and Buttler then I would rather Burns miss out and Crawley open. Root at 3 is alright in the subcontinent/UAE.

 

[theegyptian]

England to recall Bairstow to Test squad as Archer is rested

EXCLUSIVE

www.standard.co.uk

Think Bairstow would be better served just playing big bash so he can continue to improve his t20 game, rather than running the drinks out in a 20 man squad in sri lanka.

Also think it's a shame if Archer is rested. It's true he's had a hectic time since his debut and if he's knackered so be it. However these are the kind of tours I was hoping that Archer would add some real bite to the attack.

 

[Prince EWS]

England to recall Bairstow to Test squad as Archer is rested

EXCLUSIVE

www.standard.co.uk

Think Bairstow would be better served just playing big bash so he can continue to improve his t20 game, rather than running the drinks out in a 20 man squad in sri lanka.

Also think it's a shame if Archer is rested. It's true he's had a hectic time since his debut and if he's knackered so be it. However these are the kind of tours I was hoping that Archer would add some real bite to the attack.

Pope is injured so Bairstow might actually make the first eleven though, especially if Stokes is fit to bowl properly.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

If Pope isn't going to fit I'd rather they took the opportunity to slot Foakes in as keeper rather than going back to Bairstow. But I don't think anyone would be too shocked if they do the latter.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Pope is injured so Bairstow might actually make the first eleven though, especially if Stokes is fit to bowl properly.

true, but still a bit of a Shaun Marsh recall

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Still stick with the line I have used for over a year "What has he done in redball cricket to show he has solved his technical fault?" As he hasn't played any then it is a real big gamble to think it is fixed.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hopefully he'll be a direct replacement for Pope and come in at #6.

In the middle order I hope the top order will have dulled the shine a little, so he won't have to face as much lateral movement as that seems to have been his undoing in the red ball stuff of late.

Is playing like a chap in nick (different format and ball notwithstanding) and he does have more of a body of test work behind him than the Roys and Haleses of the world.

 

[Nintendo]

Why not just play Buttler at 6 and have foakes keep??

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Bairstow is apparently pulling out of the Big Bash due to a recall to the Test squad.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Garbage decision from the selectors - pure favouritism. Counter-intuitively they're also potentially limiting his impact in white ball cricket going forward.

 

[Flem274*]

are there better players? lawrence?

 

[Pup Clarke]

Lawrence, Hildreth, Foakes and probably Livingstone are all better red ball players imo, but the issue is more the opportunity that's been afforded to him. He's played 70 tests and averages in the mid 30s. I know that's a very basic and intangible way of assessing him and his ability - but it kinda speaks for itself. Also, he's an absolute gun white ball player, why would the selectors potentially sacrifice that?

 

[PavlovsDog]

Normally I would be incensed by this, but given the likelihood we will name a larger tour party because of the covid protocols, I don’t really see an issue. At least he did well last time we toured there.

Now I probably will be incensed if he walks into the starting XI unless there are 2-3 players missing through injury or otherwise, but no problem him being 2nd or even 3rd keeper in a 20 man squad.

 

[England First]

Was thinking about englands next test 11 the other day.

1.Dominic Sibley
2. Zak Crawley
3. Joe Root
4. Ollie Pope
5. Ben Stokes
6. Chris Woakes
7. Josh Butler WK should be england Captain
8. Dominic Bess would prefer Abdul rashid but not going to happen
9. Jofra archer
10. Stuart broad
11. James Anderson rotate with wood
12th man mark wood

 

[wpdavid]

Was thinking about englands next test 11 the other day.

1.Dominic Sibley
2. Zak Crawley
3. Joe Root
4. Ollie Pope
5. Ben Stokes
6. Chris Woakes
7. Josh Butler WK should be england Captain
8. Dominic Bess would prefer Abdul rashid but not going to happen
9. Jofra archer
10. Stuart broad
11. James Anderson rotate with wood
12th man mark wood

I think Pope's injured.

And I think our next tests are due to be played in the sub-continent. If so, more than one spinner will probably be needed.

 

[England First]

I think Pope's injured.

And I think our next tests are due to be played in the sub-continent. If so, more than one spinner will probably be needed.

Do you like the balance of that side?