Originally Posted by ThomasStirk:
“My team for the first test of the English summer (injuries permitting) would be
Hameed
Cook
Jennings
Root (c)
Bairstow (wk)
Buttler
Stokes
Rashid
Broad
Ball
Anderson
Woakes has had a terrible winter needs to go back to Warwickshire and get his confidence back in the early summer”
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Hameed has been dropped by you in your XI
And as pointed out to you, but you didn't reply, Billings did nothing in the IPL
How do you know that Roy can play spin well in India ? Interested to know or are you basing this on English pitches ?”
Originally Posted by ThomasStirk:
“Hammed is in my XI at the top with Cook”
It's Moeen who's been dropped in that team.
I'd still have Moeen at #8.
He was doing just fine in that position.
Rashid... I'm not so sure about.
All his balls seem to be the same, with the only variation being where it pitches.
He needs more variation... googlies, doosras, flippers....
But hey, he's our leading wicket taker on the tour, so can't really be faulted....
but what the hell's happened to his batting? He's in the top order for Yorkshire, but was like a #11 rabbit for England. He's gifted his wicket...how many times in a row now...?. a catch straight to a fielder in the deep....
I'd definitely have Rashid in the ODI/T20 sides, but not sure about home Tests....
I really hope Hameed and Jennings are the men for the job,
and that they don't just turn into another Compton, Lyth, Balance, Vince, etc etc.
All started really well, then weaknesses were exposed, and that was the end of them.
What about Hales?
Also ODI & T20 only?
I think we've missed some experience in the middle order.
Someone who can stay there and hold things together. Not sure who though (i.e. I'm not suggesting Bell should be recalled or anything).
On paper though, and when everyone's fit, it's a very strong batting line-up....
Cook, Hameed, Jennings, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Woakes, Rashid, Broad.
On the bowling front, we've definitely missed Broad.
Anderson was ineffective. Maybe Finn should play in the 5th Test (he can't do any worse).
We've missed someone like Finn or Plunkett who can hit 90mph and intimidate them a bit....
Woakes has had a pretty poor series, but I wouldn't drop him.
He's been hugely impressive over the past year or so up until this series.
As long as he doesn't return to the Woakes of 2 years ago, that's all
Ball? Hmm, no, not just yet... unless he's being lined up as the replacement for Anderson?
Jimmy's probably got a home season left in him, but not many fast bowlers carry on (at the top of their game) after hitting 35.
If both Stokes and Woakes are playing, then there's room for only 2 of Broad, Anderson, Finn, Wood, or Ball.