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*Official* West Indies Tour of England, JULY 9th to 25th, 2024-- 3 TEST MATCHES
- Thread starter SillyCowCorner1
- Start date
Son Of Coco
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Why is Ben Duckett's partner opening with him?
Molehill
International Captain
I know the Windies were rubbish in the First Test, but selecting a heavily pregnant woman to open is really taking the piss!!
I don't know enough about strategies & bowling, but I thought having a balanced attack was key. Does it make sense to bring Wood in the XI because Atkinson performed so well ? I guess it does if the selectors have gone for that 
Though, I would have been curious to see Pennington have a bowl!
Also, I wonder if trying to have Dan Lawrence as England's spinner on 'not so spin friendly pitches' wouldn't have been a good move ? He does bowl quite a lot, and I wonder if his bowling isn't underrated a bit. And it might be better to have a good batter who you train to be an even better spinner than he is, than a spinner that you might not need ?
Though, I would have been curious to see Pennington have a bowl!
Also, I wonder if trying to have Dan Lawrence as England's spinner on 'not so spin friendly pitches' wouldn't have been a good move ? He does bowl quite a lot, and I wonder if his bowling isn't underrated a bit. And it might be better to have a good batter who you train to be an even better spinner than he is, than a spinner that you might not need ?
ataraxia
International Coach
Is Zak Crawley giving birth?
They kinda tried that with Moeen and his batting fell away. Part-time spinners tend to be either wicket taking bowlers who go for a lot of runs or containing/economical bowlers who don't pick up many wickets.
Ideally you want a spinner who can be a containing bowler and who can also take wickets. Getting to this level really requires a full-time commitment.
England have a good PT option in Joe Root so no need for a Dan Lawrence type, plus with Stokes bowling again they can afford the luxury of always having a spinner in the side.
Molehill
International Captain
Got to be honest, I don't get this selection either. Surely, this is an opportunity to find out about Pennington or Potts.Hilarious that they dropped Anderson to give youth a chance to develop before the Ashes, and then they go with Woakes (35) and Wood (34)
GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
Like I said last week, my take was that they told Anderson he was done at the end of the summer and he decided he wanted to go out at Lord's.
I would have let Jimmy carry on as long as he wanted...NZ and Pakistan away, yes please...but I don't think talking about who we've picked for this next game actually proves anything at all
I would have let Jimmy carry on as long as he wanted...NZ and Pakistan away, yes please...but I don't think talking about who we've picked for this next game actually proves anything at all
Chin Music
State Vice-Captain
So Windies win the toss and choose to field. I'm guessing that Brathwaite has little confidence in his team's batting to do well, given the weather appears to be quite good for batting. That said, their strength is probably with the bowling, although Motie is out through illness and Sinclair is in.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
If they've told Anderson he's done at the end of the summer have they told the same to Woakes?
If not, questions of Woakes continuing to play and not Jimmeh are still valid.
In fairness to Woakes he did bowl much better last summer than Anderson...
Chin Music
State Vice-Captain
I think it has been overlooked at how badly Anderson did last summer when he did look somewhat world weary. It's not like he took to many wickets in India either, despite being difficult to get away.
mackembhoy
International Debutant
I've got no issue with Jimmy not being picked.
I just think there was no need to retire him. He could have remained in the squad as an option and him Woakes/Wood rotated alongside giving new players a go.
I don't see the point in picking two of them 3 in the same team if the goal is future proofing the side.
Yes he was terrible. But he has always struggled vs Australia even at home. And India is the hardest place to play in.
He played back to back series vs the best test teams in the world.
mackembhoy
International Debutant
Only just turned on. Seems an odd one to bowl first in glorious sunshine.
But as I type Crawley goes
But as I type Crawley goes
Kenneth Viljoen
International Debutant
Well if you're English, always struggling against Australia is a big problem considering the Ashes rivalry which is the most important series for England..
Minnow bashing the lesser teams for stat padding can be done even by rookie bowlers
Chin Music
State Vice-Captain
I share those concerns, but an issue is aren't we likely to be going round in circles when we next play tougher opposition. I agree that it seems strange that he is let go after the first game, but at the same time when IS a good time if we note that he has struggled when the going has got tougher? Not so easy.