Eng v S.A. Test Series

Hopefully the next test line up will be

Cook
Hamed
Jennings
Root
Stoneman
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Plus one seamer
 
I expect it will be

Cook
Stoneman
Jennings
Root
Westley
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Ball
Andersen

with the constant batting failures I cant see us going in with 6 bowlers again, Ballance def out, Wood rumoured to be carrying a heel injury again
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Hopefully the next test line up will be

Cook
Hamed
Jennings
Root
Stoneman
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Plus one seamer
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Hameed? He's been awful this year.

I'd go:

Cook
Jennings
Stoneman
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Stokes
Alli
Broad
Anderson
Wood

Our best results, as weird as it seems, have come with Moeen at 8, we should go back to it.
 
fundy said:
Just dont see how you can pick Hameed, he has 200 runs at 17 this year without a 50 in first class cricket, he will get another chance but it wont be here.
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Ballance scored very well in first class cricket - think Hamed has the right temperament and can dig in , can't see them going for two new guys and they definitely need another batter
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Ballance scored very well in first class cricket - think Hamed has the right temperament and can dig in , can't see them going for two new guys and they definitely need another batter
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You just don't pick a guy who has absolutely zero runs just because of his temperament. He's not managed to dig in and get runs in CC, so how's he expected to get runs against Philander, Morkel and Rabada? Would be a crazy selection.

Stoneman would be a good pick. Scores at a decent rate, is used to batting on a tough track, has scored majority of his runs in Div 1 and more importantly is in good form. Malan offers something a bit different too, and is also in decent knick. Changes need to be made to this batting line-up and now's the time.
 
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Dan2501 said:
You just don't pick a guy who has absolutely zero runs just because of his temperament. He's not managed to dig in and get runs in CC, so how's he expected to get runs against Philander, Morkel and Rabada? Would be a crazy selection.
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And opposed to two guys who have zero test experience against them
 
Tha Ballance debate is a good one. Anyone remember Amla when he first started his test career ? Wristy as heck and a prime LBW candidate. The selectors recognised his talent and he worked hard (the hardest trainer in the SA team by all accounts) to get taller at address and to learn to hit through mid-on as opposed to falling over and whipping the ball through mid wicket.

Do England stick with Ballance and try to work with him ? Or, do they chop and change like they did back in the Hick, Ramprakash and John Crawley days. My own opinion fwiw, stick with him and get him down at 5 away from the new ball. Bring in Stoneman as number 3, so effectively we have 3 openers.

For those doubting Bairstowe, His record in the last 12 months is outstanding and his glovework is improving all the time. There is no better keeper batsmen in the UK than him. In 2016 he was the 2nd highest run scorer in test cricket, behind Joe Root) with 1470 at 58 avg.
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Ballance scored very well in first class cricket - think Hamed has the right temperament and can dig in , can't see them going for two new guys and they definitely need another batter
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Hameed is playing for Formby in league cricket right now and is struggling to get the ball off the square. He got a 30 and a 20 odd last week. It'll be like throwing him to the lions. I agree with you that he has got something, but , his time will come.

I'd go.....

Cook, Jennings, Stoneman, Root, Ballance, Bairstowe, Stokes, Ali, Broad, Wood, Anderson
 
Dan2501 said:
Junior - Ballance is out of the next Test. Who you picking in his place?
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Hmmmmm, would appear Westley from Essex is the next cab off the rank. He got a ton against them for the lions batting at 3 and is having a decent season for Essex averaging over 50 in FC cricket. I'd go for him. That said, Joe Denly might be the surprise call up. he is having a worldy of a season for Kent (all be it in div 2).
 
Yeah, Westley is playing well, was torn between him and Malan. Westley could also get in for a bit of extra bowling if needed, especially if they're thinking of moving Moeen back down to 8 and dropping Dawson.
 
At the moment Hameed is unselectable. I agree that Westley and Stoneman are the next in line. Or drop Dawson and pick both. We have 4 seamers, Moeen and Root; He should be getting told to turn his arm over if required, he is better than dawson anyway.

Anyone thought of Sam Northeast btw?
 
Jates12 said:
At the moment Hameed is unselectable. I agree that Westley and Stoneman are the next in line. Or drop Dawson and pick both. We have 4 seamers, Moeen and Root; He should be getting told to turn his arm over if required, he is better than dawson anyway.

Anyone thought of Sam Northeast btw?
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am also certain they will go this route for the Oval
 
Piece said:
Interestingly, Rashid isn't being considered as an option. Can't see what he has done to be overlooked for Dawson. Anyone shed any light?
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The chat on TMS is that the England set up believe he concedes too many runs. That only works if Dawson had kept the runs down. Unfortunately S.Africa went for him and scored well. If Dawson is conceding runs and not taking wickets then you may as well play Rashid as he is more likely to take wickets.
 
Why all of a sudden do we need two spinners at home?

If i was picking 2 (invariably in asia etc) then id add rashid but Ali doing a pretty decent job of late and surely 1 spinner enough in English conditions (albeit pitches are getting flatter i know)

Theres definitely a concern in the England set up about Rashids control, but then when hasnt there been about a wrist spinner!
 
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