***Official*** England vs Sri Lanka 21st August-10th September 2024

[mackembhoy]

Since his hundred in India Duckett averaging 25.38 from 14 innings

Boosted by the 25* in the small chase win against WI. His runs per innings is 23.57

 

[King Kane]

Since his hundred in India Duckett averaging 25.38 from 14 innings

Boosted by the 25* in the small chase win against WI. His runs per innings is 23.57

Do England have any better test openers to replace him though?

If Lawrence was the best replacement for Crawley it would suggest the potential England test opener cupboard is pretty bare.

 

[King Kane]

Athers talking about the rebound catch with Botham dismissing Jeff Thomson, Tavare dropping it and Miller taking it on the rebound.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Do England have any better test openers to replace him though?

If Lawrence was the best replacement for Crawley it would suggest the potential England test opener cupboard is pretty bare.

Most of the top-scoring openers in the County Championship (not that it’s the main consideration for England selection lol) are guys like Jennings, Burns and Hameed who have been tried and ultimately failed

 

[mackembhoy]

Do England have any better test openers to replace him though?

If Lawrence was the best replacement for Crawley it would suggest the potential England test opener cupboard is pretty bare.

Not for one minute suggesting we should be moving away from Duckett and Crawley.

Just highlighting he's going through a lean patch that hopefully doesn't continue for too much longer.

 

[mackembhoy]

Most of the top-scoring openers in the County Championship (not that it’s the main consideration for England selection lol) are guys like Jennings, Burns and Hameed who have been tried and ultimately failed

Shame Lees hasn't been as dominant as he was last season. He'd have been a shoe in a replacement.

He's scored runs but hasn't been the same in terms of 70+ SR.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Pope's finest innings as captain.

 

[Howe_zat]

I tend to go into a series against Sri Lanka just sort of assuming they have half a dozen finger spinners better than ours, but Jayasuriya has been pretty ordinary since that one delivery to get Brook out in the first innings of the series. Seems to throw a pie or two in every spell.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

That was painful viewing and a terrible dismissal.

 

[Howe_zat]

Also what the **** was that

 

[King Kane]

The Pope captaincy curse continues.

Most of the top-scoring openers in the County Championship (not that it’s the main consideration for England selection lol) are guys like Jennings, Burns and Hameed who have been tried and ultimately failed

Hameed looked hopeless as a test opener but I thought Burns was alright as a test opener, he looks awkward but he could scrap some fighting knocks.

He doesn't seem to fit in with the bullish Bazball style mode that McCullum and Stokes are looking for though.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

The Pope captaincy curse continues.



Hameed looked hopeless as a test opener but I thought Burns was alright as a test opener, he looks awkward but he could scrap some fighting knocks.

He doesn't seem to fit in with the bullish Bazball style mode that McCullum and Stokes are looking for though.

I liked Burns, but yeah, he’s got no chance of a recall under the current setup

 

[King Kane]

A bad shot from Brook and an even worse drop.

That could be costly, Brook already making Sri Lanka pay with a six.

 

[Bahseph]

What's the consensus on Brook vs spin?

 

[Howe_zat]

Harry Brook is here for a fast time, not a good time

 

[King Kane]

Ian Ward talking about watching Brett Lee bowling at the WACA, I saw him live there too and he was rapid, I wouldn't have fancied facing him there.

I wouldn't have fancied facing him anywhere tbh.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

What's the consensus on Brook vs spin?

Usually OK. This is a different thing as he is basically looking to tee off all the time against a very defensive field.
Obviously need to see him play good spin abroad though to know how good he is. Until then you just don't know.

 

[King Kane]

No let off for Brook this time, with England's lead close to 350 that wicket doesn't matter too much though.

They probably already have enough of a lead.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Do England have any better test openers to replace him though?

If Lawrence was the best replacement for Crawley it would suggest the potential England test opener cupboard is pretty bare.

I think on merit over the past few seasons Jennings should be next in line, but maybe be his Test failures when he was younger count against him.

 

[ImpatientLime]

I came here for Pope stats when batting at #3