1st Test England v Australia - Edgbaston

Out: Denly, Moeen, Anderson

In: Archer, Leach, Curran

Move Roy to 4, promote Woakes up the order

No idea who to open with Burns though!
They could move Roy to 4 at the expense of Denly but they do need to select a specialist opener for test matches. Sibley is the obvious choice.
But having had time to rethink after yesterdays embarrassment I can see them sticking with the same old faces for at least one more test. Apart from Archer or Stone for Anderson and maybe Leach for Mo who surely must be sent back to Worcs for his own good. I think the Aussie bowling is too good for most of our technically challenged batsmen. If they go 2-0 up then there has to be 3 or 4 changes.
 
Just been looking up Godfrey's Test Match stats and he was handy with the willow. So its an unreserved apology from me!

Not particularly....only two Test Match tons and an average of barely 20, so you're absolutely right to prefer Knotty with the willow. Godders belonged to an era where the best 'keeper was picked regardless of their batting ability, and world-class batsmen who also kept were rare.

HOWEVER....Godders is most famous for those two extremes....achieving rigor mortis at the wicket to save a match in Adelaide, compared with (almost) a ton before lunch at Lords in 1952, scoring 98* in a session.
 
Whatever happens, the bowling attack looked horribly one paced and predictable. We need Stone or Archer in the side to offer variation.

I wouldn't normally want to bring a debutant batter in at Lords, but it needs someone who is in great nick and is confident to help at the top of the order. The world cup winners are understandably looking mentally and physically tired
 
Evans 10 not out in 133 minutes at the Adelaide Oval 1947 to enable Wally Hammond to make a suitable declaration ...scored his first run in the 98th minute.

Would’ve given my left pod for an innings like that yesterday...

Likewise. More of my vintage would be Jack Russell who is Shahid Afridi in comparison to Evans. From Wikipedia:

'Russell's ability to stay at the wicket was again demonstrated on 4 December 1995 against South Africa in Johannesburg where he shared a stand of 119 with Michael Atherton to help England save the match. He batted for 4 hours 34 mins scoring just 29 off 235 balls, and of those scoring runs from only 14 of those balls.'

Imagine asking Jason Roy to do that ...
 
Likewise. More of my vintage would be Jack Russell who is Shahid Afridi in comparison to Evans. From Wikipedia:

'Russell's ability to stay at the wicket was again demonstrated on 4 December 1995 against South Africa in Johannesburg where he shared a stand of 119 with Michael Atherton to help England save the match. He batted for 4 hours 34 mins scoring just 29 off 235 balls, and of those scoring runs from only 14 of those balls.'

Imagine asking Jason Roy to do that ...
If I remember rightly, Jack is a bit of an artist. With the brush, I must hasten to add!
 
Whatever happens, the bowling attack looked horribly one paced and predictable. We need Stone or Archer in the side to offer variation.

I wouldn't normally want to bring a debutant batter in at Lords, but it needs someone who is in great nick and is confident to help at the top of the order. The world cup winners are understandably looking mentally and physically tired
Agree with all except the last sentance.
Woakes has looked pretty good in the Ireland test and the first ashes test and he played a big part in the world cup. I think its more about adaptability and form. Roy, Bairstow and Buttler are mainly flat track bullies and want to play shots all the time. They find it hard to restrain themselves whereas Root can adapt and play a long innings. Even he is a bit out of touch. Mo was poor even before the world cup he just needs taking away from it for a while to try to find some form. Denly just isn't up to it.
The only players who are automatic choices are,
Burns
Root
Stokes
Woakes
Broad
For me all the rest are vulnerable.
 
Since you mention the Ireland match, let's not forget that England were bowled out for 85 in that one. Calling the England batting brittle is a bit like describing the Atlantic as a tad wet.
 
I just don’t know enough about county cricket and potential test match players these days, therefore I really don’t know who should be plucked from the county game and given a chance. All you can do is pick a player and give him a fair chance to establish himself.

I’m not sure I’d make wholesale changes after just one match. As others have said Archer (if fit) has to play, and Leech for Moeen.
 
Since you mention the Ireland match, let's not forget that England were bowled out for 85 in that one. Calling the England batting brittle is a bit like describing the Atlantic as a tad wet.
Yes very true. We could well have lost that if it hadn't been for Jack Leach's highest first class score!!
 
Archer got 6-27 in 12 overs today for Sussex 2nd 11. Seen as a fitness test for the Lords test.
 
If I remember rightly, Jack is a bit of an artist. With the brush, I must hasten to add!

Beautiful (and highly sought-after) artist, also complete eccentric like only the best people can be.

Owned a single floppy sunhat since the start of his career, held together by last remaining strands of cotton...and nary a fan of unusual cuisines, every overseas tour with England, he packed suitcase upon suitcase with Heinz baked beans and ate nothing else for months.

From memory, a Forest Green Rovers fan to boot.
 
Whats the date the 2nd ashes test at Lords starts?
 
It was interesting to see Ed Smith sit with Andrew MacDonald for 2 days at the test, especially when he is a potential replacement for Trevor Bayliss. One worth watching
 
It was interesting to see Ed Smith sit with Andrew MacDonald for 2 days at the test, especially when he is a potential replacement for Trevor Bayliss. One worth watching
Yes I noticed that. But with Mickey Arthur leaving his post with Pakistan today the plot thickens!!
 
Back
Top Bottom