England in New Zealand 28 Nov-18 Dec 2024 - 3 Tests

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Because Foakes showed in India he can't bat with the tail. So hes not suitable for this side and the way they want to play.

Bairstow seems to have just been moved on from in all formats.

As an aside to the Smith not being available part

It’s trendy to bang the drum for Foakes, but it’s justifiable to lose a bit of wicket-keeping ability to chase those extra tail-end runs you’ll get with a Smith in my view. Not so to pick a part-time wickie who is off-form with the bat too, but that’s a discussion for another day!

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

It might have been better planning to include a spare keeper/batter when they chose the squad rather than 3 spinners, but then they were
still thinking that smith was gonna play the 1st test! muddled thinking.

I get England aren’t afraid to make big choices, and picking Hull and Bethell at least make some sense, but 3 spinners and (up until Cox got injured) no full-time wicket-keepers, in addition to one opener in the Sri Lanka series was a bit mad, and it really contrasts with the early Bazball era, which was thrilling, but also included some players in the team who maybe don’t fit the Bazball mould, but fit the specific role in the team

 

[govinda indian fan]

I get England aren’t afraid to make big choices, and picking Hull and Bethell at least make some sense, but 3 spinners and (up until Cox got injured) no full-time wicket-keepers, in addition to one opener in the Sri Lanka series was a bit mad, and it really contrasts with the early Bazball era, which was thrilling, but also included some players in the team who maybe don’t fit the Bazball mould, but fit the specific role in the team

Going with three spinners to nz is bonkers. Anyhow is wood playing mate? Cant wait to see him bowl

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Going with three spinners to nz is bonkers. Anyhow is wood playing mate? Cant wait to see him bowl

Out for the rest of the year, hopefully he'll be there in Pakistan or wherever the CT will be played

 

[mackembhoy]

An interesting lineup to say the least.

You've arguably got better FC batsman at 8-10 than at 3!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1861175591766237531

 

[BazBall21]

Don't think he's ever batted 3 professionally and doesn't have a professional hundred.

 

[grecian]

ITSTL

ah well, used to it by now, so it isn't even a shock.

 

[Flem274*]

Stokes at 7 is kinda bullshit lol

 

[BazBall21]

Stokes at 7 is kinda bullshit lol

Generally not a fan of that idea because he's a slow starter but that problem is reduced by Carse batting at 10 which is insane depth.

I guess Pope has a much better chance at 6 than 3 and he's probably more likely to score than Cox was. But Bethell at 3 is, well, and we really need a proper performance from Stokes.

 

[Chubb]

Picking guys with no FC track record is commonplace for this England era, but statistically Bethell must be the least qualified England batsman selected for tests since, when - the 1940s? Have England capped a batsman without a first class hundred since around that time?

 

[mackembhoy]

Generally not a fan of that idea because he's a slow starter but that problem is reduced by Carse batting at 10 which is insane depth.

I guess Pope has a much better chance at 6 than 3 and he's probably more likely to score than Cox was. But Bethell at 3 is, well, and we really need a proper performance from Stokes.

I think it's appalling that neither Root/Stokes fronted up to bat 3.

Sending a barely 21 year old out who's not even managed well at FC at 5 is really terrible management.

There's trying to give someone their chance to shine and then there's plain stupidity. It already failed with Lawrence and Roy in the past. It's just disrespectful to test cricket, we even saw an ATG in Smith fail trying to do a job he was not suited for.

Adults in the room need to rethink this. They had zero intention of playing Bethell until 2 days ago. Pope would have batted 3 and Cox 7. So stick to that plan with the debutant where they really should be at 7.

I of course don't wish to see Bethell fail and hope he does well. But I honestly don't want McCullum/Stokes to think they can just keep doing this.