Be amazed if Bairstow doesn't play.This was the point I was about to make. Moeen’s bowling has been excellent over 12 months. David Warner often thinks he can go after him too and often gets unstuck - he got him out four times in 2015.
As for our XI, I’ve stewed over this for some time. Personally I wouldn’t have Burns in there who is looking exposed and I have doubts over Denly too. I maybe would have considered Sibley and a recall for Malan who has plundered runs this year, but hey ho.
I’d go for the following based on the squad named.
Burns
Roy
Root
Denly
Stokes
Buttler
Woakes
Ali
Archer
Broad
Anderson
And I’m still not all that happy with it! I want Curran’s counterattacking batting in there, but can’t justify dropping Broad who raises his game for these occasions, Woakes who is in form and will be playing at his home ground, Archer who will terrify the Aussies and Anderson who can’t ever be dropped.
The only solace is that the Aussies have the same problem!
I’d go for the following based on the squad named.
Burns
Roy
Root
Denly
Stokes
Buttler
Woakes
Ali
Archer
Broad
Anderson
Drop Bairstow? Bot sure that will happen and if you are not sure about Denly and Burns how can you leave out one of our best batsmen?This was the point I was about to make. Moeen’s bowling has been excellent over 12 months. David Warner often thinks he can go after him too and often gets unstuck - he got him out four times in 2015.
As for our XI, I’ve stewed over this for some time. Personally I wouldn’t have Burns in there who is looking exposed and I have doubts over Denly too. I maybe would have considered Sibley and a recall for Malan who has plundered runs this year, but hey ho.
I’d go for the following based on the squad named.
Burns
Roy
Root
Denly
Stokes
Buttler
Woakes
Ali
Archer
Broad
Anderson
And I’m still not all that happy with it! I want Curran’s counterattacking batting in there, but can’t justify dropping Broad who raises his game for these occasions, Woakes who is in form and will be playing at his home ground, Archer who will terrify the Aussies and Anderson who can’t ever be dropped.
The only solace is that the Aussies have the same problem!
He did nothing wrong. It's just that it seems to be thought that Bairstow and Buttler can keep and give better balance to the side.Can anyone tell me what Ben Foakes did wrong? 100 on debut and man of the series against Sri Lanka. Yeah he's a keeper but I'd have him in the side for his batting over Denly every day of the week.
But his record outside of Lords is ok at best (what a problem eh!).Got to play Woakes on his home ground surely? Especially after Lords last week.
But his record outside of Lords is ok at best (what a problem eh!).
The issue is they will want to play Archer for his pace. Anderson and Broad seem to be an inseparable pair for England and their management, which leaves one space free. So it's Ali or Woakes, and I'd err to Ali as it will provide some relief to the pace bowlers. It's harsh on Woakes but the balance of the team is important too.
The team would be
I don't see a way to get Woakes into the team without dropping Broad - I'm happy to do that personally but I just can't see the selectors doing it. if they did drop Archer, I can see Stone coming in to keep the pressure of a quicker pace in the team.
- Burns
- Roy
- Root
- Denly
- Stokes
- Buttler
- Bairstow
- Ali
- Archer
- Broad
- Anderson
I like Curran, but if you say that Broad and Anderson start, and you want Archer in and a spinner, comes down to Woakes or Curran really.Seems like Curran is getting overlooked in a lot of your selections. Any reason for that?
I like Curran, but if you say that Broad and Anderson start, and you want Archer in and a spinner, comes down to Woakes or Curran really.
Although as I said earlier, I think Archer will sit out so Curran would be in.
I think Wood is out of the first 3 tests isn't he?
And I'm going to say the same thing to you that I said to Battman…...
…...which is that we're going into a Test series where ball is destined to dominate bat. Where both teams have tons of bowling options but big worries over their batting. I just don't see how you can justify picking five bowlers + Stokes, and having Woakes (or Curran, or Ali) batting as high as #7.
If we can't bowl Australia out with four bowlers + Stokes, we're not winning the Ashes, period.
The only way I think you could justify it is if you think that - at the moment - there genuinely isn't a batsman in England who's more likely to score runs in the Ashes than Chris Woakes. Which is really, really sad if it's true!
Quote often it is when the toss happens at 10.30ish.anyone know when the actual squad of 14/ starting eleven for the first test (tomorrow) will be officially annoced/ unveiled ?
It's been mooted by some outlets, but with the week inbetween tests, they are not that worried about playing him tomorrow.Archer has dropped hints he won't be playing in the 1st game because of his injury. Hopefully he is fully fit onwards.
Sargeanyone know when the actual squad of 14/ starting eleven for the first test (tomorrow) will be officially annoced/ unveiled ?