Quite aware of these things.Suggest you look at their stats especially at 3 (and the t20I batting rankings).
Billings is a 'good lad in the dressing room' pick. He's only ever had a handful of decent innings for England, but I suppose he covers a lot of bases.Billings looks an extremely weak option on paper I have to say. You’d be wanting Hales or Root over him from a squad strength perspective.
always been a fan and wish him all the best. with him and denners denly out broad becomes one of the few likeable blokes left in the team imhoAlready mentioned in the Road to the Ashes thread, but worth a mention in a more sympathetic context I think: Moeen has announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Think it's a good call from him because he's been a de facto white ball specialist for a few years now but the England selectors kept recalling him for Tests anyway, when he's no longer got the game for them. Could be a genuine match winner with bat and (especially) ball at his best in the format, and a really likeable guy.
Hope he continues to have success in the shorter formats from here on.
I don't think he wanted to tour Australia and his return in this series had something of the 'stop-gap' about it. His numbers don't tell the whole story, in all formats really. He's been a pretty decent contributor over several years, when he was moving up and down the order and doing a frontline spin role because as a country we don't produce spinners or we don't have captains who know what to do with spinners. With no Mo, England have to decide how they will use spin going forward. Maybe it's good news for Leach but I suspect Bess will be back if he's over the yips. Not sure Mo has a long shorter format future for England. Livingstone is nailed on for that big hitter/a few overs of spin role. I hope Mo has a couple of good years in the IPL. Who would begrudge him?Already mentioned in the Road to the Ashes thread, but worth a mention in a more sympathetic context I think: Moeen has announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Think it's a good call from him because he's been a de facto white ball specialist for a few years now but the England selectors kept recalling him for Tests anyway, when he's no longer got the game for them. Could be a genuine match winner with bat and (especially) ball at his best in the format, and a really likeable guy.
Hope he continues to have success in the shorter formats from here on.
Still wouldn't be surprised if they took a punt on Bess.I think Leach is a very good spinner and Mo's retirement will solve a selection headache for England. Expecting Leach to be given a run and make the spot his own.
That would be pathetic. Leach or Parkinson.Still wouldn't be surprised if they took a punt on Bess.
And if Stokes doesn't come back soon it'll be a much bigger selectoral headache than the one Moeen gave them.