Blenkinsop
U19 Vice-Captain
Seems a bit weird that he's leapfrogged all the other "averages 35 but has a bit of pace" candidates the ECB have been cultivating over the last few years -- Mahmood, Garton, Connors, Chappell etc.
Are any of them fit enough to play a test? Plus Tongue is on the taller side.Seems a bit weird that he's leapfrogged all the other "averages 35 but has a bit of pace" candidates the ECB have been cultivating over the last few years -- Mahmood, Garton, Connors, Chappell etc.
YesNever played at Lords in a first class career going back to 2016. 20 first class matches over the last 5 years. Only played twice against Middlesex both at home. Is he injury prone like all the others?
But if a player has pace, he is immediately assessed for accuracyAre any of them fit enough to play a test? Plus Tongue is on the taller side.
Saw some comments elsewhere on the internet to the effect that the ECB rates pace and height over accuracy when is comes to up and coming bowlers. Which beyond 128 km/h is the wrong approach IMO. Plenty of great bowlers who weren't tall or fast, can't think of any who weren't accurate.
Not a gotcha, and not even understanding my point.But if a player has pace, he is immediately assessed for accuracy
Is having players from Surrey like having players from Victoria in the team insofar that if you have more then one of them in the team at a specific point in time the team sucks? Pope's the first decent #3 England have had in nearly a decade and he's your designated Surrey spot. Maybe that's why Sammy C isn't being called up and foakes got dropped?Really don't understand why Tongue has been picked ahead of say Gus Atkinson, who averages 15 in CC div 1 this year, has pace, and can bat.
Maybe they just think it's easier to take someone who's got a bit more pace and/or is taller and make them more accurate than vice versa? It's not like England are exactly lacking in the latter with broad, Robinson, Anderson and potts (not 100% sure if he's a bit quicker, saw him take a ton of wickets on roads last county season), plus woakes, who does all that, and bats.Are any of them fit enough to play a test? Plus Tongue is on the taller side.
Saw some comments elsewhere on the internet to the effect that the ECB rates pace and height over accuracy when is comes to up and coming bowlers. Which beyond 128 km/h is the wrong approach IMO. Plenty of great bowlers who weren't tall or fast, can't think of any who weren't accurate.
I can see why Sam Curran isn't in the Test squad. If the qualification for being a Test all-rounder is that you have to be Test standard at one of the disciplines, does he make that cut? He's a fifth bowler who will make the occasional decent knock at number 8. And he definitely isn't quick if that's what they are looking for.Is having players from Surrey like having players from Victoria in the team insofar that if you have more then one of them in the team at a specific point in time the team sucks? Pope's the first decent #3 England have had in nearly a decade and he's your designated Surrey spot. Maybe that's why Sammy C isn't being called up and foakes got dropped?
Curran's batting has come on a bit recently. Hasn't played that much redball in that time, but last county season he made 450 runs @75 including a maiden FC hundred. In that same period he made 236 runs @29 and a sr of 145 in the 2022 blast, 192 runs @27 and a sr of 135 in the 2022 hundred, 276 runs @ 27.5 and a sr of 135 in the most recent IPL, and 85 runs in 3 digs at 28.33 this blast season while batting top 6 in pretty much every game he played in those 4 comps.I can see why Sam Curran isn't in the Test squad. If the qualification for being a Test all-rounder is that you have to be Test standard at one of the disciplines, does he make that cut? He's a fifth bowler who will make the occasional decent knock at number 8. And he definitely isn't quick if that's what they are looking for.
Would much rather they gave Atkinson or Lawes a go, they both look seriously good.
Easy to impress in the nets when you're bowling at Crawley.I read Tongue is playing because he impressed McCullum in the nets.
(Whereas presumably those not invited to net, didn't impress)........
I seen the article from the BBC specifically mentioned giving Crawley a torrid time.Easy to impress in the nets when you're bowling at Crawley.
Well quite. In any sensible world should just add to the case to drop Crawley, not pick the net bowler.I seen the article from the BBC specifically mentioned giving Crawley a torrid time.
Isn't that just anyone with arms?
I must be missing something. If he will be in the top 6, why should he play less often? Sorry for the silly newbie question.Scurran is a fine cricketer, great moxie, but at Test level is too much of a bits and pieces cricketer. He'll be a luxury, a passenger in most Tests. I'd back Woakes to score more runs/take more wickets. I think he'll ultimately be a top six bat for Surrey and bowl less and less often.