England players and selection discussion thread

[kevinw]

If I was bold, I'd have gone with this starting XI for the first WC game.

Jacks, Buttler, Malan, Ali, Livingstone, Brook, Stokes, Willey, Rashid, Helm, Luke Wood.

 

[RootingforEngland]

The options for the test side seem to be:

1. Duckett to 3, Pope to 5.
2. Duckett to open, Crawley to 5.
3. Brook to 5.

Presumably they'll go for option 3. In which case if he scores runs, it's difficult to see how Bairstow gets back into the side barring any injuries.

He's never been a favourite player of mine, but he's been brilliant this year and has even seemed like a good bloke, and I wish him all the best in his recovery, and hope he's back scoring runs asap.

 

[Line and Length]

Dangerous game golf. I've avoided injuries but was struck in the buttock my a wayward fairway wood. On another occasion one of our group was less fortunate. He damaged an Achilles tendon when teeing off on the first hole. Hope Bairstow's injury isn't too severe, but the fact it requires surgery suggests otherwise.

 

[Chubb]

Duckett to open is probably the best move, but it isn’t going to happen.

 

[kevinw]

I'd open with Duckett (in for either opener) and still play Brook at five.

 

[grecian]

It's Brook for Bairstow, Duckett is cover. No point wishing for anything else, as we come off a win. Not sure it's hugely fair recalling Duckett as opener, when he doesn't play there against the likes of Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi either. If they were thinking of changing an opener, I guess they'd have brought in an opener.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Duckett has been batting 3 this season and has opened a lot before, so I don't think he'd mind opening for England.

I agree he's just there as cover though, they're not dropping Greenidge or Haynes.

 

[kevinw]

I'd like to see Duckett bat at three as I think you could move him up if he does well. Even if they're backing Crawley I just can't see Lees getting the runs he needs. Pope moves down to five.

 

[Prince EWS]

I really like Pope at 3 given his strengths and weaknesses, even though he mostly batted further down domestically. If Duckett is going to play he should come in for one of the openers IMO; Brook should bat 5 either way.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Brook in at 5 for the Test confirmed.

Hales finally recalled to an England squad.

 

[theegyptian]

Hales hasn't even been that good recently in T20(and other) iirc. Don't think they were overly keen to bring him back but Roy's lack of form and Bairstow's injury have forced their hand. Salt should have played more cricket earlier in the summer for England when Roy was obviously struggling imo. Lyth has been excellent this year - would have been interested to see how he'd go as unlikely as his selection would have been.

 

[Uppercut]

Does anyone have a ballpark estimate of how much Ashes tickets at Lord's/Headingley/The Oval might cost?

 

[BoyBrumby]

You'll probably have to enter a ballot unless you're a club member somewhere.

Headingley might be cheaper, but I reckon you're looking at £130-£200 for London.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Lords were ~£150 minimum in 2019. Non London venues tickets were generally £100-£120 I think.

 

[GIMH]

Headingley was £50 in 2009, go with that @Uppercut

 

[Uppercut]

Cheers everyone. I have free accommodation in London but probably won’t in Leeds. If the London price is silly I might just go for one day.

 

[Gremlin]

Any thoughts on a recall for Jennings for the Pakistan test series? Not the worst option at the top of the order. Also wonder if Broad and Anderson will go? They've obviously been named in the Ashes squad already...

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Any thoughts on a recall for Jennings for the Pakistan test series? Not the worst option at the top of the order. Also wonder if Broad and Anderson will go? They've obviously been named in the Ashes squad already...

It's been rumoured that Broad isn't going. I think he has a child due then. Not heard the same reported re: Anderson, so he may tour.

Think Jennings is a good shout for a squad birth. Had a really good domestic season and he actually did well in Tests in Asia. I expect Crawley and Lees are inked in to play though after their very streaky positive century stand in the deciding SA Test.

 

[kevinw]

Any thoughts on a recall for Jennings for the Pakistan test series? Not the worst option at the top of the order. Also wonder if Broad and Anderson will go? They've obviously been named in the Ashes squad already...

Yes, absolutely. Had a good season and has two test hundreds in Asia. Not much confidence in Crawley or Lees against spin. I think Crawley will keep his place anyway but Lees is vulnerable.

 

[kevinw]

It's been rumoured that Broad isn't going. I think he has a child due then. Not heard the same reported re: Anderson, so he may tour.

Think Jennings is a good shout for a squad birth. Had a really good domestic season and he actually did well in Tests in Asia. I expect Crawley and Lees are inked in to play though after their very streaky positive century stand in the deciding SA Test.

If Broad wants to stay home, I wouldn't be averse to it. I know they want to play the strongest sides and have given up on rotation, but they take family commitments seriously and it's a tour that could be a slog for a pace bowler.

Anderson and Robinson would be pencilled in most likely anyway, and there are guys coming back from injury such as Wood and Stone (I think you need one guy who can crank up the speed gun potentially). Woakes too, but his away record's not much to shout about. Shame Mahmood is injured as I think he could've been a good option. Helm may be an outside bet?

Spin is the real issue here. Leach and Mo obviously but the third spinner? Parkinson would seem most likely but I'm not sure.