***Official*** England vs Sri Lanka 21st August-10th September 2024

[Hungry Llama]

There hasnt been much mention of Lawrence as opener. To me he did a very good impression of Crawley,
even down to the way he got out in both innings, although hes a few inches shorter and his father isnt a millionaire.

So likely England XI is?

Lawrence
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Smith
Woakes
Atkinson
Stone
Potts
Bashir

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

There hasnt been much mention of Lawrence as opener. To me he did a very good impression of Crawley,
even down to the way he got out in both innings, although hes a few inches shorter and his father isnt a millionaire.

So likely England XI is?

Lawrence
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brook
Smith
Woakes
Atkinson
Stone
Potts
Bashir

Feel for him, the top 7 looks very set barring injuries now. Ultimately, he did the first job of being an opener by getting in, which is very commendable for such an inexperienced opener, but once he did get in he might feel annoyed with himself that he didn’t kick on (especially in the first innings with that tentative poke behind) because you feel unless he really makes hay in the next two Tests, he’ll go back to being the best drink-carrier in the country. Think the squad for the next Test picks itself, we’ll probably see Potts at #9 again but that’s a very minor quibble!

 

[Chin Music]

Feel for him, the top 7 looks very set barring injuries now. Ultimately, he did the first job of being an opener by getting in, which is very commendable for such an inexperienced opener, but once he did get in he might feel annoyed with himself that he didn’t kick on (especially in the first innings with that tentative poke behind) because you feel unless he really makes hay in the next two Tests, he’ll go back to being the best drink-carrier in the country. Think the squad for the next Test picks itself, we’ll probably see Potts at #9 again but that’s a very minor quibble!

I thought he did ok in the game just gone, despite not looking very convincing. I'm not quite sure I see a true test cricketer there based on his previous appearances. England ought to be looking at prospects for opener as much as anywhere else. I see that Olly Stone is playing on Thursday. Can't say I'm convinced with this. Rather too injury prone and I'm not sure I've seen him bowl that quickly in the last couple of years. Grateful if anyone has seen a bit more and can comment?

 

[FBU]

The thing I like the most about the Stokes era is the team is announced a day or two in advance. Don't have to wait for the toss.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I thought he did ok in the game just gone, despite not looking very convincing. I'm not quite sure I see a true test cricketer there based on his previous appearances. England ought to be looking at prospects for opener as much as anywhere else. I see that Olly Stone is playing on Thursday. Can't say I'm convinced with this. Rather too injury prone and I'm not sure I've seen him bowl that quickly in the last couple of years. Grateful if anyone has seen a bit more and can comment?

I guess there aren’t many openers kicking down the door to be selected who haven’t already had a go. As for Stone, he’s more the faster end of fast-medium (like Atkinson and Tongue), but there aren’t many bowlers in England who are comparable in pace to Wood who aren’t injured!

 

[FBU]

At Lords
Atkinson (1) 8.83
Stone (1) 9.66
Woakes (6) 12.35
Potts (3) 21.66

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

At Lords
Atkinson 8.83
Stone 9.66
Woakes 12.35
Potts 21.66

Atkinson and Stone’s stats, as impressive as they are, are based off one game each, how mad are Woakes’ figures? He must have played a fair few Tests at Lord’s over the years!

 

[wpdavid]

Atkinson and Stone’s stats, as impressive as they are, are based off one game each, how mad are Woakes’ figures? He must have played a fair few Tests at Lord’s over the years!

I was about to helpfully point out that Woakes has played six tests there, as it took me a moment to realise that FBU added the numbers of tests after your post.

 

[Chin Music]

I guess there aren’t many openers kicking down the door to be selected who haven’t already had a go. As for Stone, he’s more the faster end of fast-medium (like Atkinson and Tongue), but there aren’t many bowlers in England who are comparable in pace to Wood who aren’t injured!

Re the openers, that's a fair point. I remember that Stone looked quite sharp 3 or more years ago in the last but one India tour, when he played just one test, but he's been injured for much of the time since!

 

[Howe_zat]

CRW also scored his unbeaten ton at Lord's which gives him probably the best ever allround record at the venue.



You could also make a case for Glenn McGrath, who in between clapping England repeatedly with the ball (26 wickets at 11.5, 3 five-fors) managed to accumulate 30 runs without a dismissal.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Some hope for Sam Cook, Luke Wright has come out and said that if it were Woakes that were injured that he’d have been in contention

 

[wpdavid]

Some hope for Sam Cook, Luke Wright has come out and said that if it were Woakes that were injured that he’d have been in contention

Yeah, but Cook's not going to bat at 7, as aren't any of the other quicks in the squad.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Yeah, but Cook's not going to bat at 7, as aren't any of the other quicks in the squad.

Perhaps Cox would have come in for Bashir and Root and Lawrence would have had a more prominent role with the ball? All academic now anyway, perhaps we see him against Zimbabwe next year

 

[wpdavid]

Perhaps Cox would have come in for Bashir and Root and Lawrence would have had a more prominent role with the ball? All academic now anyway, perhaps we see him against Zimbabwe next year

Yes, that would have worked.

 

[Big_Gun]

Can't believe they forced Anderson to retire, especially with the English bowlers being injury pone.
IMO even at 42 he was still there best bowler, but they were looking ahead to the ashes in a year and half away and he couldn't guarantee that he would still be playing then.
But this is the world Test championship, you should pick the best bowlers to win each test........ not worry about a tour at the end of next year.

 

[ImpatientLime]

Can't believe they forced Anderson to retire, especially with the English bowlers being injury pone.
IMO even at 42 he was still there best bowler, but they were looking ahead to the ashes in a year and half away and he couldn't guarantee that he would still be playing then.
But this is the world Test championship, you should pick the best bowlers to win each test........ not worry about a tour at the end of next year.

look i think we can all agree its very important england focus on which 16-17 players they will be taking to australia next year to lose 4-0. that way they can start planning for who will replace those who drop their pants on that tour in 2026.

 

[Hungry Llama]

CRW also scored his unbeaten ton at Lord's which gives him probably the best ever allround record at the venue.

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You could also make a case for Glenn McGrath, who in between clapping England repeatedly with the ball (26 wickets at 11.5, 3 five-fors) managed to accumulate 30 runs without a dismissal.

I hope Woakes can live up to those figures, cos with all these injuries/absences we're gonna need him to be top notch.

Anderson at Lords 29 matches [is that the most by anyone?] 123 wkts at 24.81 7x fivefors

 

[social]

Re the openers, that's a fair point. I remember that Stone looked quite sharp 3 or more years ago in the last but one India tour, when he played just one test, but he's been injured for much of the time since!

Stone was rapid but injuries have slowed him down

Saw him bowl recently in The Hundred and he looked as stiff as a board so wasn’t surprised to hear that he’s had screws inserted in his back

 

[reyrey]

I hope Woakes can live up to those figures, cos with all these injuries/absences we're gonna need him to be top notch.

Anderson at Lords 29 matches [is that the most by anyone?] 123 wkts at 24.81 7x fivefors

Woakes with games/overs under his belt and playing at Lords has been about as good as it gets. He didn't get the new ball either for most of those games.

Atkinson was also red hot at Lords earlier in the summer!

 

[chris.hinton]

Glad that Olly Stone is playing. If fit i believe he's better than Mark Wood and will be vital for England in the next 18 months to 2 years. Will be interesting to see how he will do in the 2nd test.