The Battlers Prince
International Vice-Captain
I don’t think Stokes is above Labuschagne as a batsmen or Holder as an AR
Quality new ball bowling is so important in Test cricket. Especially with the modern standard of new ball batting (i.e. abysmal). Good bowling can have opposition regularly 50/3. Holder taking the new ball for a World XI is not ideal.I would probably give Holder a go with the new ball along with the other bowling option and then follow up with Cummins and Wagner.
Do agree with this in principle. Holder's best performance has been when he has taken the new ball though. Averages 11 something when he has started off with the first over and 16 something when he has been a new ball bowler(small sample size admittedly). Possibly workload management has forced him to be a change bowler more often. One of the WI commentators in the recent series against India had mentioned that Holder has been at his best while bowling with the new cherry.Quality new ball bowling is so important in Test cricket. Especially with the modern standard of new ball batting (i.e. abysmal). Good bowling can have opposition regularly 50/3. Holder taking the new ball for a World XI is not ideal.
Why stokes over holder?I like hurricane's side a lot. Would still say Stokes over Holder and maybe Kohli over Rahane, and Wagner for maybe Shami. Actually, I will just let Cummins and Ishant bowl with the new ball and Wagner and Stokes bounce out the rest. Jaddu and Labu can share the spin twinning.
Much much better batsman and more suited to the bowling role required.Why stokes over holder?
Thought it was being based on this year where it seems Holder has thoroughly outperformed Stokes.Much much better batsman and more suited to the bowling role required.
Oh yes, that's why Holder is in the top runscorers in the world this year...Thought it was being based on this year where it seems Holder has thoroughly outperformed Stokes.
Stokes has played 11 Tests to Holder's 5 - tough choice between the 2 - easier to impress over 5 Tests then 11 but that isn't exactly Holder's fault that West Indies play fewer Tests and if going solely on aggregate of runs/wickets its not much of a World XI as about half the Test playing nations will play so few Tests you'd have to be doing crazily good to be up there. Holder averages 49 with the bat to Stokes 46 this year and Holder averages 17 with the ball to Stokes 35. On that basis I'd probably just about go Holder, I think he's good enough to bat at 7 and then gives you the option of 4 seamers or 2 spinners - but a close one and probably depends on if you want a bowling or batting all-rounder.Oh yes, that's why Holder is in the top runscorers in the world this year...