Marshy
Well-known member
Averages really don't tell the full picture ... you only have to look at Ballance this season to know that.
Technique far more vital as a test player
Technique far more vital as a test player
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2nd Test: England v South Africa at Nottingham, Jul 14-18, 2017
- Thread starter Titanic
- Start date
From recollection there were a few mental demons for Trott, a combination of his mental health and test crickets intensity burning him out means we won't ever see him in an England shirt again.
redoubtable seagull
Well-known member
- Oct 27, 2004
- 2,611
Unfortunately Haseeb Hameed is having a wretched run of form this season. He's has barely scored any runs and his first class average for Lancs and the Lions is currently 15. His time will come as he looks a class act.
Thanks for that I suppose he's coming back from a broken hand sustained in India. He's time will come.
Not many obvious alternatives other than Stoneman. Some of the other names such as Malan imo aren't solid enough for number 3, unless Root decides to go back there.
redoubtable seagull
Well-known member
- Oct 27, 2004
- 2,611
Technique ... and a little bit of form
Just checked Bell is averaging 27.5 according to the BBC. Trott just over 50 and another blast from the past Ravi Bopara just under 50.
Balance does stand out but his technique will be undone against top class bowling. He has to find away to get further forward.
Balance does stand out but his technique will be undone against top class bowling. He has to find away to get further forward.
redoubtable seagull
Well-known member
- Oct 27, 2004
- 2,611
It has to be Stoneman as replacement for Ballance. Plus the next test is at his home ground the Oval, which will be a help to his confidence. I had not realised Stoneman was 30 though.
Wells screwed up his chance when he completely failed in a test trial (not officially named as such, but it was) a few years back. His injury hasn't helped either.
It's worse than that - he suggested Trescothick a couple of years back - the bloke who'd retired from international cricket about eight years previously. It will be Boycott next
OzMike
Well-known member
Bopara has always been crap IMHO.
OzMike
Well-known member
Why didn't Root back himself to have a bowl, couldn't have done any worse than the rest and does snatch wickets here and there.
Bit like his Dad, then.
(although Luke didn't have to face Curtley Ambrose first ball!)
Lower West Stander
Well-known member
Terrible shame - which Yorkshire player is next in line?
Utterly bizarre.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
I feel sorry for Ballance, he's really been ****ed around by England. He's first picked on the back of county runs, does well to start with for England, and then a flaw in his technique is worked out. He goes back to Yorkshire start correcting it, but for whatever reason he's recalled within 9 months when he still has THE SAME BLOODY FLAW - why on earth haven't England given him longer?
Not only that but they pick him at 3, putting him right in the firing line against one of the best seam attacks in world cricket. Its usual for players to start low down and worked their way up, Joe Root made his debut at 6, Kevin Pietersen at 5, Ricky Ponting at 5, Sachin Tendulkar at 6. You shouldn't stick a new guy in at 3, its not right.
Now he's out, Bairstow is the logical choice for three with Buttler keeping and another bat coming in lower down to replace Dawson. Hales should probably be the guy called up, he was working out test cricket when he decided not to go to Bangladesh and has seemingly done away with his test career as a result. Three or five would be good for him. I'e always reckoned Roy had the temperament for any level of cricket, but his poor run of one-day scores has probably done away with that. Cook could drop down to three but I'm sure he'd hate that. Or the can pick Stoneman but it should be down at five, 30 or not, high average or not, test cricket is still hard. To continue the above list, Jonathan Trott started at 5, and ended up being our last good number three.
Not only that but they pick him at 3, putting him right in the firing line against one of the best seam attacks in world cricket. Its usual for players to start low down and worked their way up, Joe Root made his debut at 6, Kevin Pietersen at 5, Ricky Ponting at 5, Sachin Tendulkar at 6. You shouldn't stick a new guy in at 3, its not right.
Now he's out, Bairstow is the logical choice for three with Buttler keeping and another bat coming in lower down to replace Dawson. Hales should probably be the guy called up, he was working out test cricket when he decided not to go to Bangladesh and has seemingly done away with his test career as a result. Three or five would be good for him. I'e always reckoned Roy had the temperament for any level of cricket, but his poor run of one-day scores has probably done away with that. Cook could drop down to three but I'm sure he'd hate that. Or the can pick Stoneman but it should be down at five, 30 or not, high average or not, test cricket is still hard. To continue the above list, Jonathan Trott started at 5, and ended up being our last good number three.
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ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
Steve James in The Times today said that Dawid Malan was close to making the squad for Lord's. I wonder if they'll go for him as a direct replacement for Ballance, as Stoneman would mean Jennings batting at 3. Southpaws like Cook and Jennings though. Tom Westley the other option mentioned for 3.
Liam Dawson likely to retain his place too according to James.
Liam Dawson likely to retain his place too according to James.
Maybe.
Still leaves a spot for an opener though (not that I'm writing off Jennings). Hopefully Hameed will come good long term.
Dawson is still the sore thumb. Just can't fathom the logic. He's not a promising youngster (27), he's not performing with the bat in the CC (220 runs @ 22 with a high score of 53) and has taken his CC wickets at 30.00.
He's the sort of 'can do a little bit of both' pick England resorted to 20 years ago.
If they really want someone to perform that role, then either Adil Rashid (199 @ 33) who offers something more attacking with the ball, or on form Samit Patel (over 700 runs @ 81! and wickets at 38.00) seem to have stronger claims?
BensGrandad
New member
Where and who is the next Kevin Peterson?