KwaZulu Natal?
2nd Test: England v South Africa at Nottingham, Jul 14-18, 2017
- Thread starter Titanic
- Start date
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
KwaZulu Natal?
That would be the Buttler who's played one first class match this season, scoring a grand total of 3. After a match in which England were roundly castigated for playing like one-day cricketers rather than test batsmen, you want to bring in someone who only plays one-day cricket.
ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
James said in The Times that Rashid is purely thought of as a white-ball player for England now, Dawson is the steady-eddy you refer to who keeps his place because of The Oval turn, but Mason Crane is being looked at for The Ashes as the spinner longer term.
Its a terribly conservative pick, which, as we've discussed earlier in the thread is simply not required, because of the two-string capabilities of Bairstow, Stokes, Moeen, (Woakes) and Root.
ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
I agree. Be interesting when and how Crane is introduced. I assume they're leaving him for an easier baptism against The West Indies next month. Woakes is still injured and Moeen is not seen as a front-line spinner at all by them- batsman first apparently, as they don't want to burden him. Same for Bairstow apparently - he doesn't want to play as just a batsman as the burden is lessened by him keeping wicket too.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
He looked all right in the tour of india, I think he was unfairly dropped this summer. Hes too good a talent not to be playing test cricket and I've no problem with an aggressive bat at 7.That would be the Buttler who's played one first class match this season, scoring a grand total of 3. After a match in which England were roundly castigated for playing like one-day cricketers rather than test batsmen, you want to bring in someone who only plays one-day cricket.
Yes, the criticism is that we're too aggressive at the moment, but I think thats misplaced. Get the team right and that style of play can - will - work. Going back to a team of blockers isn't the answer, its about executing better on the day
Agreed. If Ballance is the answer what is the question?
Hales should be an automatic pick for this team.
A bloke with a test average of 37 isn't good enough but someone with a test average of 26 should be an automatic pick?
Hales is similar to Buttler - great for a run-a-ball 30 or 40 but not someone you'd back to get his head down and graft out the runs. England doesn't need more one-day specialists, it needs test batsmen.
Uncle Buck
Ghost Writer
- Jul 7, 2003
- 28,075
A bloke with a test average of 37 isn't good enough but someone with a test average of 26 should be an automatic pick?
Hales is similar to Buttler - great for a run-a-ball 30 or 40 but not someone you'd back to get his head down and graft out the runs. England doesn't need more one-day specialists, it needs test batsmen.
The issue with Ballance is technique. Those centuries all came early in his career before bowlers worked him out. He plays too much on the back foot and the bowlers bowl accordingly.
He has been dropped twice and yet each time he has not sorted out the problem, so time to move on.
He is there as his former flat mate is captain.
Stoneman or Hales to come in at this stage.
Interesting you don't see Robson's name mentioned much anymore. Started brightly a couple of years ago, before he too got found out. But consensus seems to be he was deliberately chucked in too early to stop Aussies claiming him (not unreasonable given he is Australian). Averaging 60 with a couple of tons this season.
Stoneman the 'obvious' choice though.
Re Bayliss, I've seen it mentioned before that he doesn't really watch anything other than international cricket, maybe including the Lions. Stoneman wouldn't be the first person picked in a Test squad he's never watched before.
Stoneman the 'obvious' choice though.
Re Bayliss, I've seen it mentioned before that he doesn't really watch anything other than international cricket, maybe including the Lions. Stoneman wouldn't be the first person picked in a Test squad he's never watched before.
Agree with CHAPPERS re Hales. He was learning as a test opener and has matured in the way he plays from what I've seen.
Get him in now and we can see how he fares v SA and the Windies ahead of more important matches..... I'm convinced that given a decent run he could be the answer.
The last thing we need (but what will probably happen) is to still be juggling the team around going into the Ashes.
Get him in now and we can see how he fares v SA and the Windies ahead of more important matches..... I'm convinced that given a decent run he could be the answer.
The last thing we need (but what will probably happen) is to still be juggling the team around going into the Ashes.
ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
He was at The Polegrove in Bexhill Saturday afternoon watching his brother play for Middleton.
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,262
For me England's No. 3 for the next test is a no-brainer.
We already have a man who bats at 3 who bagged 108no against a decent Surrey attack in June and followed it up with scored 106no for the England Lions against the Saffers just 3 weeks ago. It should be added that this was against a bowling attack including Morkel, Rabada, Morris and Maharaj.
Not only that but he is used to batting with Alastair Cook at the top of the order for Essex. Step forward Tom Westley.
We already have a man who bats at 3 who bagged 108no against a decent Surrey attack in June and followed it up with scored 106no for the England Lions against the Saffers just 3 weeks ago. It should be added that this was against a bowling attack including Morkel, Rabada, Morris and Maharaj.
Not only that but he is used to batting with Alastair Cook at the top of the order for Essex. Step forward Tom Westley.
Papa Lazarou
Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
Yes. Hales was working it out and has scored big runs at international level, albeit in ODIs. Ballance is a nothing pick to keep Root away from batting where he should be, at 3.
Cook
Hales
Root
should be top three.
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 31,262
What worries me about Hales is that if you are that brilliant at hammering the ball to all parts then it stands to reason that he's likely to lack the real quality we need at test level, which is reining it in and gritting it out.
It is a crying shame his county colleague James Taylor was ruled out through ill health - England would not be in such a pickle if he was fit and available.
Very true re Taylor. A massive loss to cricket.
Yes, my pick would be Westley but the those ITK seem to think it will be Malan