Eng v S.A. Test Series

Piece

Piece

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Test squad for S.A. series announced this morning.

What do you think?

Ballance back in. Not sure about that. Has scored runs recently but at test level his footwork was poor. Likely to be exposed I think.

No Rashid? Dawson gets the spin nod instead.

Hameed out due to lack of runs. Understand that one as Jennings a decent replacement.

Broad back in but fitness lacking. No-one really knocking the doors down though.

In all, a bit of a dull squad if you know what I mean.
 
Surprised theyve gone back to Ballance especially against the Saffers. From what I hear hes done little to address the weakness against the short stuff whilst continuing to plunder county attacks. On the plus side hes in as good as nick as possible coming in.

Hamed will get another chance most likely against the WI later in the year if hes got some runs at county level. Expect they take a look at Stoneman sooner rather than later too

Dont understand Dawsons selection, are we really trying to shoe horn in 2 spinners for the first test of the summer at home? And if you are is he really a better option that Rashid

Roland Jones a like for like attempt to replace Woakes I guess, be interesting to see how he goes at this level, do wonder if he needs an extra yard of pace

Lets hope Wood stays fit for the summer as think that attack will look quite ordinary without him

Could be a good series, lets hope we end the succession of the away side winning the series between these sides
 
Piece said:
Yeah the fitness of all quicks is a concern. Wood, Stokes, Broad, Anderson all with recent injuries.
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you do wonder if thats why they want 2 spinners as they dont expect the quicks to last the game out lol

Wood/Stokes both likely to be protected to some degree Jimmy/Broad not spring chickens anymore and Woakes and Ball already out injured

Whos next in line? go back to Plunkett or Finn? Or throw in someone like Curran/Overton/Porter?
 
Plunkett and Finn are definite nos for me. Plunkett is better of the two if push comes to shove.

The other names are a good shout. Curran did well in the recent T20, far better than Willey. I would have liked to have seen a young fast bowler given a chance as I share your fear that these old uns won't last the series.

Speaking of spinners, the selectors favourite Patel is in the form of his life :D
 
Piece said:
Plunkett and Finn are definite nos for me. Plunkett is better of the two if push comes to shove.

The other names are a good shout. Curran did well in the recent T20, far better than Willey. I would have liked to have seen a young fast bowler given a chance as I share your fear that these old uns won't last the series.

Speaking of spinners, the selectors favourite Patel is in the form of his life :D
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Samits ship sunk years ago lol :) bowled superb at Lords in the final today. See Stoneman sticking 2 fingers up to the selectors too!
 
Some poor choices imo

Ballance has done nothing to address his footwork problems

Roland Jones is just a nothing bowler

Dawson is not good enough as a front line spinner and England have currently destroyed Leach

Stoneman should have been in

Overton won't get picked until he joins a different county , Curran deserved a chance and would have given Crane a go if they aren't going to trust Rashid

Think England will still win ththe series but that squad won't win down under
 
Dawson won't get a sniff. Crane just sent down 16 overs for 89 (no wickets) against them. He needs overs for his county. I'd have played Rashid in the Lions in his place.

Ballance is the safe and predictable choice. He's by far and away the best (English?) batsmen in county cricket this year, averaging 90 odd.

Roland Jones is a strange choice. He's not really in form and I thought that Porter Joe Leach from Worcester or Coad might have made the squad.

I don't think it's going to be as much of a walkover as people think. Amla, Morkel , Rabada are world class and de Kock is one of the best wicket keeper batsmen in the world. Morris is a quality all rounder aswell. I predict 1-1
 
Junior said:
Dawson won't get a sniff. Crane just sent down 16 overs for 89 (no wickets) against them. He needs overs for his county. I'd have played Rashid in the Lions in his place.

Ballance is the safe and predictable choice. He's by far and away the best (English?) batsmen in county cricket this year, averaging 90 odd.

Roland Jones is a strange choice. He's not really in form and I thought that Porter Joe Leach from Worcester or Coad might have made the squad.

I don't think it's going to be as much of a walkover as people think. Amla, Morkel , Rabada are world class and de Kock is one of the best wicket keeper batsmen in the world. Morris is a quality all rounder aswell. I predict 1-1
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dont see a walkover here at all, think they have one of if not the best attack about at the moment, certainly have better seam options than we do currently, yes theyll miss de villiers but they have other good players and time for some of them to put their hands up

somewhere around 3/1 for SA in the first test looks on the big side to me
 
This isn't test related but a big round of applause for Chris Read today. Tremendous county cricketer who should have had a significant number of test caps but doesn't.

Surprised that Ballance has been recalled. Surely he has been found out at Test level?
 
fundy said:
dont see a walkover here at all, think they have one of if not the best attack about at the moment, certainly have better seam options than we do currently, yes theyll miss de villiers but they have other good players and time for some of them to put their hands up

somewhere around 3/1 for SA in the first test looks on the big side to me
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I agree. I'm sure the selectors hoped that Hameed and Jennings would have filled their boots in county cricket. That way, With Cook and those 2, Root could have gone back to 4 and there would have been no issue.

Bowling is is a bit samey, but Andersons been in form for Lancs and keeping him fit will be key for England this series.

Im looking forward to the real international cricket starting :)
 
Lord Tyrion said:
This isn't test related but a big round of applause for Chris Read today. Tremendous county cricketer who should have had a significant number of test caps but doesn't.

Surprised that Ballance has been recalled. Surely he has been found out at Test level?
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yeah hard not to be pleased to see Read go out on such a high note, been a great servant at county level
 
Lord Tyrion said:
This isn't test related but a big round of applause for Chris Read today. Tremendous county cricketer who should have had a significant number of test caps but doesn't.

Surprised that Ballance has been recalled. Surely he has been found out at Test level?
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yes its a shame he didn't get more of an opportunity, esp as the guy that kept him out of the side GJ was pish behind the stumps .

Ballance, i expect the only people please he is in the side would be the SA quicks
 
Surprised Ballance gets a nod, and Tom Westley overlooked. Has scored a bucketload this year, and got another ton against SA for the Lions.
 
I know Hameed hasnt got many this year but Jennings is only averaging 30 odd in div 2 this year. Should of still been included for me as he is the future at the top of the order. I know that we have injuries in the bowling ranks but im happy with the selection, I for one am very glad that woakes isnt near the side. I dont rate him at all.

Im really excited for Joe Root's captaincy, think he will be a great leader and continue his form with the bat.

As previously stated im still not sure about balance at the top level, he just doesnt move his feet, but neither did trescothick and he scored a boat load of runs!
 
Jates12 said:
I know Hameed hasnt got many this year but Jennings is only averaging 30 odd in div 2 this year. Should of still been included for me as he is the future at the top of the order. I know that we have injuries in the bowling ranks but im happy with the selection, I for one am very glad that woakes isnt near the side. I dont rate him at all.

Im really excited for Joe Root's captaincy, think he will be a great leader and continue his form with the bat.

As previously stated im still not sure about balance at the top level, he just doesnt move his feet, but neither did trescothick and he scored a boat load of runs!
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Woakes is only nowhere near the side as hes injured, will be straight back in when fit

England 20-2 already
 
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