Jack Leach out of the Ashes

[Nicky]

There's no way in hell they are sacking Crawley for Malan.

I know...

 

[honestbharani]

I think this is Dawid Malan using the sn Nicky.

 

[sledger]

The must pick a spinner at all costs approach is just so self-evidently wrong and should be resisted. This is how Ian Blackwell, Gareth Batty, Chris Schofield and Richard Dawson ended up playing international cricket. Picking average/crap players at the expense of competent players simply because they can (supposedly) bowl spin just ends in direness.

 

[Pothas]

It seems daft reasoning anyway. Swann went 8 years between his first England Tour and his Test debut.

Dawson's figures are a bit misleading this Summer, he's played in 6 matches, but only bowled in 6 innings. And even then he averages under 12 overs an innings. So his 9 wickets at 24 are a decent return, with an Econ at 3.14 quite key too. He also has 9 wickets at 12 (Econ 6.35) in the Blast. Hants have only taken 10 wickets by spin in total in the CC which would suggest he's not exactly played on friendly pitches.

He took pretty much all his wickets in that one game against Northants. Dawson does a really good jon for Hampshire but it is very much as an all rounder who is the 5th or sometimes even 6th bowler.

It all comes back to the question of Stokes. If he can't bowl properly then none of these spin options really work. I say that as someone who absolutely loves Moeen and has followed Dawson for his whole career.

 

[Tom Flint]

Why do people keep leaving Brook out the team?
And malan to open before Crawley would be a huge upgrade

 

[grecian]

He took pretty much all his wickets in that one game against Northants. Dawson does a really good jon for Hampshire but it is very much as an all rounder who is the 5th or sometimes even 6th bowler.

It all comes back to the question of Stokes. If he can't bowl properly then none of these spin options really work. I say that as someone who absolutely loves Moeen and has followed Dawson for his whole career.

IF, and it's an huge IF, Stokes really can bowl his quota, or close to it, I think I'd go for Ahmed, with a very different role then Leach, he's already taking a fiverfer in Tests.

 

[Pothas]

I would still rather have Moeen in those circumstances but playing a similar role yeah.

 

[Ali TT]

It seems that the gig is Mo's if he wants it but odd that the two spinners who went to Sri Lanka with the Lions in the winter aren't getting a mention - Patterson-White and Carson. LPW has hardly bowled in FC cricket and has just the single wicket this season; Carson has 9 but averages 50, although that has been skewed by his toiling away for 2/216 as Glamorgan amassed 737. As others have mentioned, it's a tough life being a spinner in county cricket. It's got worse again in recent years but has been a long-standing issue.

 

[slowfinger]

The must pick a spinner at all costs approach is just so self-evidently wrong and should be resisted. This is how Ian Blackwell, Gareth Batty, Chris Schofield and Richard Dawson ended up playing international cricket. Picking average/crap players at the expense of competent players simply because they can (supposedly) bowl spin just ends in direness.

hahahaha
Well if England are desperate for a spinner then Root does the job surely, he can bowl 10 overs to give the other quicks a rest.
If they are to pick a spinner it HAS to be an attacking, wicket taking option or there's no point.

 

[Kraken]

The must pick a spinner at all costs approach is just so self-evidently wrong and should be resisted. This is how Ian Blackwell, Gareth Batty, Chris Schofield and Richard Dawson ended up playing international cricket. Picking average/crap players at the expense of competent players simply because they can (supposedly) bowl spin just ends in direness.

Yeah that’s a fair point. Just let root throw down 10/12 a day

 

[Ashes81]

As it is in the public domain that Moeen Ali has been asked to consider a return to test cricket what does that do for the confidence of our other spinners.

Even worse what if Mo decides not to come out of retirement and the selectors then have to turn to say Liam Dawson.

Hardly a ringing endorsement that you're only playing because not only Jack Leach is injured but also that Mo didn't fancy coming out of retirement.

Yes Dawson would have the opportunity to prove the selectors wrong but surely if the selectors were going to approach Mo, then why not do it without telling the whole world about it.

 

[Burgey]

Whereas if the ball does more, then even Smith and Marnus will find it tough going and your other batsmen won't be able to cope.

Yeah fair point this. It’s made it all pretty intriguing tbh, bad as it is for the guys who are injured

 

[Burgey]

There's no way in hell they are sacking Crawley for Malan.

I’m a Malan fan tbh. You watch him bat and he absolutely looks like he should excel at test cricket, but then he gets out. I genuinely think he’s a good player. Then again, I think the same of James Vince so make of that what you will.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Then again, I think the same of James Vince so make of that what you will.

You clearly know Sweet FA then.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Yeah that’s a fair point. Just let root throw down 10/12 a day

Root throwing down 10-12 works as long as the seamers are taking wickets. If England have to bowl for a day and a half or more, then it becomes an issue. Especially when their quick rotation options for each test are now somewhat limited.

Althought if a couple of those options stand up and perform, they're in a better place.

I wouldn't be surprised if the England management are currently all furiously googling "Ways to shine a cricket ball on your anus when you are hiding murray mints in there"* to try to overcome the obvious disadvantage their team is now at.

(* According to my friend, it's by cutting a small slit in both your trousers and underpants right where you want to rub the ball)

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

They should pick Simon Kerrigan.

 

[social]

The must pick a spinner at all costs approach is just so self-evidently wrong and should be resisted. This is how Ian Blackwell, Gareth Batty, Chris Schofield and Richard Dawson ended up playing international cricket. Picking average/crap players at the expense of competent players simply because they can (supposedly) bowl spin just ends in direness.

Australia spent years adhering to this policy post Warne and handed out caps like confetti to club standard bowlers like Doherty with predictable results

 

[Son Of Coco]

They should pick Simon Kerrigan.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Bring back James Tredwell

 

[Prince EWS]

Bring back James Tredwell

Nah, Udal IMO.