I think your missing the point here tbh. I'm not particularly for or against Mo at 3 but I certainly can see the logic. For better or worse he's the chosen spinner and he he's grabbing a couple of wickets without getting smacked around the park he's done his job.Just lol at Moeen batting 3
Lucky not to have been dropped after his shot in the first innings of the last test & was horrible at 3 in the second
There’s Hail Mary’s & then there’s absolutely blind faith with no justification whatsoever
This is the latter
Probably to counter Moeen batting up the order.If Green is in for marsh, does that mean Harris in for Warner (if true that the latter is dropped)?
Pumping out that big dick energy.I think they want to show everyone how confident they are
I don’t know that it did though. He made five and batted 15 balls. Root and Brook had some protection because the openers put on 40 odd. I think you could argue the move worked in the context of the game if he’d chipped in with 30 odd. If he does that this test I reckon you’ll have got some value out of itand tbh it worked at TB.
They want the opposition to think “oh wow, they must be really confident, they already know they’re going to bat a number 8 at three to protect two other blokes who aren’t up for it, like the press has predicted for two weeks. We obviously have to brick it now.”*is England announcing lineups early new they did this in the past too
Yeah, I mean you can say it worked because England won, which to me seems a bit simplistic. If Ali batted 15 balls, and that partnership was 30 balls (CBF checking if so) that's saying that Joe Root needed a 5-over older ball to be at his best. Which is a bit nutty. Or he needed to sit for 15-20 minutes more, or maybe (dunno) he doesn't like the feeling of sitting there at first drop thinking he could be out there second nut. Which would surprise me given he's carried England's hopes, physically and mentally, for years.I don’t know that it did though. He made five and batted 15 balls. Root and Brook had some protection because the openers put on 40 odd. I think you could argue the move worked in the context of the game if he’d chipped in with 30 odd. If he does that this test I reckon you’ll have got some value out of it
I don't think it's an awful idea if he has to play in the side and they have to stick with this balance, but this is basically nightwatchman logic - if he makes a few that's a bonus but his job is to protect the top order etc.Yeah, I mean you can say it worked because England won, which to me seems a bit simplistic. If Ali batted 15 balls, and that partnership was 30 balls (CBF checking if so) that's saying that Joe Root needed a 5-over older ball to be at his best. Which is a bit nutty. Or he needed to sit for 15-20 minutes more, or maybe (dunno) he doesn't like the feeling of sitting there at first drop thinking he could be out there second nut. Which would surprise me given he's carried England's hopes, physically and mentally, for years.
I'm not arguing against it, incidentally. I'd bat him at 3 potentially too, either him or Bairstow. I do appreciate there's an overall balance above Moeen isn't a 3's asshole at 36 years of age, 2 years out of FC cricket.
Looks that way. Don't feel great about going in to a game without a front line spinner but if Murphy's going to be used like the last game, I'd take extra battingIt sounds like the toss-up is now between Green and Murphy and like... really?
I guess we won't have to worry about the lower order lacking depth. Imagine if we picked Neser too, Cummins would bat 11!
Couldn't agree more. Let's say over a year ago, before Baz took over, you'd said a guy will bat 3 in the 4th Ashes Test, at 1-2 down, who was one game back from 2 years out of all long form cricket, and failed twice in reasonably spectacular fashion in his first game back at No.8. You'd think England had fallen even lower than you felt possible.I don't think it's an awful idea if he has to play in the side and they have to stick with this balance, but this is basically nightwatchman logic - if he makes a few that's a bonus but his job is to protect the top order etc.
Not even saying it's wrong but it is jarring to hear about a Test match #3.
I almost want them to pick Neser too now just for how hilarious the batting lineup will look. We'll basically be like the women's team, cramming a million all-rounders into the side and a batting order which never ends.Looks that way. Don't feel great about going in to a game without a front line spinner but if Murphy's going to be used like the last game, I'd take extra batting
Maybe he should be night watchman, and face first ball of the day and protect an opener too.but this is basically nightwatchman logic