2nd Test at Adelaide - 16 to 20 Dec

[Flem274*]

Malan did better than my expectations in the first test. I don't think he's a terrible player, but I think he's best used as a more opportunistic batsman at #6 to get the most from his more white ball suited game. Good new ball bowling is a bridge too far for him imo. Swap him with Pope (who I think is a generational talent for England) and get Pope set early before the offspinner arrives.

Burns is safe. He's not even the worst batsman in the playing eleven, let alone the squad or in England's options. Hameed, Lawrence, Crawley....no thanks. Even Sibley is better than Hameed and Crawley imo, but they gets away with it because they bat prettier.

Burns
Hameed
Pope
Root
Stokes
Malan/Bairstow (much of a muchness here)
Buttler
Robinson
Broad
Leach
Anderson

 

[Pup Clarke]

Nah Malan is clearly a better test bat than Bairstow and much more assured at the crease. You can just tell

 

[Shri]

malan is really good in bouncy tracks

bairstow useless if someone swings it in full length these days

 

[mackembhoy]

Malan did better than my expectations in the first test. I don't think he's a terrible player, but I think he's best used as a more opportunistic batsman at #6 to get the most from his more white ball suited game. Good new ball bowling is a bridge too far for him imo. Swap him with Pope (who I think is a generational talent for England) and get Pope set early before the offspinner arrives.

Burns is safe. He's not even the worst batsman in the playing eleven, let alone the squad or in England's options. Hameed, Lawrence, Crawley....no thanks. Even Sibley is better than Hameed and Crawley imo, but they gets away with it because they bat prettier.

Burns
Hameed
Pope
Root
Stokes
Malan/Bairstow (much of a muchness here)
Buttler
Robinson
Broad
Leach
Anderson

Pope has never batted at 3 in his career and I'm not sure Malan has batted as low as 6.

 

[Isura]

Sorry this is my real xi - I forgot Robinson
1. Stokes
2. Hameed
3. Malan
4. Root
5. Buttler
6. Woakes
7. Bess
8. Wood
9. Robinson
10. Broad
11. Anderson

England might as well declare at 5 down with this batting lineup. edit: otoh this lot still might outscore the top 5.

 

[Gob]

Just realised, with the injuries, the best results for Australia are Usman making a ton and Jhye bowling the house down. Warner and Haze are automatic selections when they are fit which means Harris and sadly Starceh have to make way eventually

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Haze confirmed out of the 2nd test

Warner (if fit)
Harris
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Richardson
Lyon

Not sure if Richardson would be a chance of batting ahead of Starc, it probably doesn't matter a great deal either way. Lyon goes back to being a good 11 as opposed to a meh 10

 

[morgieb]

Might be a blessing in disguise for Oz - either Starc fires the **** up or Richardson establishes a spot.

 

[jackzales]

Woakes at number 6 a bit too much
I agree with jackyboy's latest xi -
You have to have bess for his batting - he is a better batsman than leach - and though robinson can hold a bat his shot against nathan lyon was irresponsible and bess definitely has a more solid game and technique than robinson. You can't put in robinson or wood at number 8 if your batting line up is vulnerable apart from Root.

1. Stokes
2. Hameed
3. Malan
4. Root
5. Pope
6. Buttler
7. Woakes
8. Bess
9. Robinson
10. Broad
11. Anderson

 

[jackzales]

Stokes has a better technique than burns and he definitely has the ability to put the Aussie Bowlers under some pressure. #StokesToOpen

 

[jackzales]

Stokes opening is the only way to have Woakes , A frontline Spinner in Bess and Robinson Broad and Anderson. Is there any other way to do that?
Also you need Bess's batting (Bess is a developing spinner , however he has also got the ability to bowl dream balls) - and Woakes batting and Bowling under lights.

 

[Starfighter]

You have to have bess for his batting - he is a better batsman than leach

No you don't. You pick him because you think he'll do the job as a spinner. It's the top six's job to score runs. You also don't pick Woakes because he can score runs if he's going to be toothless with the ball either - and he's not good enough to bat 7 in Australian conditions.

 

[jackzales]

No you don't. You pick him because you think he'll do the job as a spinner. It's the top six's job to score runs. You also don't pick Woakes because he can score runs if he's going to be toothless with the ball either - and he's not good enough to bat 7 in Australian conditions.

He will do the job as a spinner - but you go to be realistic that Robinson can't play at number 8

 

[jackzales]

Maybe in England Robinson can play at number 8 but not in Australia

 

[jackzales]

No you don't. You pick him because you think he'll do the job as a spinner. It's the top six's job to score runs. You also don't pick Woakes because he can score runs if he's going to be toothless with the ball either - and he's not good enough to bat 7 in Australian conditions.

Woakes has got a test hundred and looked solid against Aus in the first Test

 

[jackzales]

If not for two foolish dismissals

 

[Starfighter]

Stop picking bowlers based on their batting ability. Pick them based on their bowling ability.

 

[jackzales]

Woakes needs to put his pull shots away , just like sachin put away his coverdrive

 

[jackzales]

Bess+Root= Good enough

 

[jackzales]

Root has a fifer and when he's on he bowls beautifully