Looking more and more likely that Stokes will not be touring Aus. Who would be the ideal replacement? Looking at the Lions team I'm struggling to see who the replacement is. I'd go for Plunkett just to give us some extra pace on the bowling front.My 11 for the first test
Cook Stoneman Vince Root Malan Bairstow Ali Woakes Overton Broad Anderson
In all honesty only really happy about 8 of that line up. Semi tempted to put Foakes in.
I think that looks a decent team. I really can't see Stokes touring. The team need discover a siege mentality.
Feel sorry for Durham who have really suffered and lost more than half of their first team in the last year or so: t Graham Onions - to Lancs Keaton Jennings - to Lancs Paul Coughlin - to Notts Phil Mustard - to Gloucs Mark Stoneman - to Surrey Scott Borthwick - to Surrey Ben Stokes - to England, IPL, Big Bash etc etc Mark Wood - to England and injury
Botham has his work cut out.
It doesn't get any better for Durham - Jack Burnham has been banned for a year after failing three drugs tests in 12 months!
Not sure that Durham's Chairman can read him the riot act - after all Botham was a user himself of recreational drugs and banned in the 1980s for 3 months after admitting smoking maijuana.
I think Foakes chances of playing have reduced with Stokes not going. Our main allrounder was key to the balance of the side and allowed us to move Bairstow up the order and bring in a specialist keeper at 7.
Woakes and Ali are good although I'm not sure either are good enough to bat 6.
Although I think I read that Woakes has a better first class batting average than Westly or Malan (can't remember which).
I think Foakes chances of playing have reduced with Stokes not going. Our main allrounder was key to the balance of the side and allowed us to move Bairstow up the order and bring in a specialist keeper at 7.
Woakes and Ali are good although I'm not sure either are good enough to bat 6.
Although I think I read that Woakes has a better first class batting average than Westly or Malan (can't remember which).
Neither - but he is within a run of both. Though it has to be easier getting runs at 7 or 8 than 1-4.
I think Foakes chances of playing have reduced with Stokes not going. Our main allrounder was key to the balance of the side and allowed us to move Bairstow up the order and bring in a specialist keeper at 7.
Woakes and Ali are good although I'm not sure either are good enough to bat 6.
Although I think I read that Woakes has a better first class batting average than Westly or Malan (can't remember which).
Neither - but he is within a run of both. Though it has to be easier getting runs at 7 or 8 than 1-4.
Perhaps I missremembered. Or maybe it was someone else in contention. I think he's a very good 8 and good 7 but not a 6 at international level. Same with Moeen.
If we play 5 bowlers, I think Ali at 7 and Woakes at 8 is fine. Without Stokes i think Overton has a real chance of playing. Can bat a little which we are going to need at 9.
If we play 5 bowlers, I think Ali at 7 and Woakes at 8 is fine. Without Stokes i think Overton has a real chance of playing. Can bat a little which we are going to need at 9.
Agreed. This is what has to happen. However it means playing Bairstow at 6 and as keeper which means we are effectively losing our number 5 as well. Shame for Foakes as I really think he would have played if Stokes played.
i see Pattinson has been ruled out of the series - back stress fracture genuinely feel sorry for the guy because its something that has plagued him for some years
Only eight Test Central Contracts (including Stokes but indicative of the lack of depth) awarded but 14 for White Ball matches.
Central: Moeen Ali James Anderson Jonny Bairstow Stuart Broad Alastair Cook Joe Root Ben Stokes Chris Woakes
White Ball: Moeen Ali Jake Ball Jonny Bairstow Jos Buttler Alex Hales Eoin Morgan Liam Plunkett Joe Root Adil Rashid Jason Roy Ben Stokes David Willey Chris Woakes Mark Wood
i see Pattinson has been ruled out of the series - back stress fracture genuinely feel sorry for the guy because its something that has plagued him for some years
It’s such a common fast bowler injury. Some people’s natural bowling action puts insane pressure on the body
i see Pattinson has been ruled out of the series - back stress fracture genuinely feel sorry for the guy because its something that has plagued him for some years
It’s such a common fast bowler injury. Some people’s natural bowling action puts insane pressure on the body
However, Oz bowlers (think Cummins and Starc) seem to be affected more than others - presumably because of the harder wickets.
Glenn Mcgrath managed to stay injury free, maybe it was because of a smoother style?
Yup and a bit slower. McGrath always bowled impeccable line and length, Brett lee suffered with back injuries. It’s because of their action and bowling fast
Nice little program tonight on BT Sport3 10pm, a look at the 1986/7 Ashes series. We started so badly that tour that one of our own journos, Martin Johnson, said "There is only 3 things wrong with this England team; They can't bat, can't bowl and can't field." We won the Test series, The Perth Challenge and The World Series Trophy. One of the highlights was Allan Lamb hitting 18 off Bruce Reid in the last over to win an ODI. In those days that was quite a feat. Today it is common practice. Hopefully there will more of these teasers from BT Sport before the real stuff starts.
Nice little program tonight on BT Sport3 10pm, a look at the 1986/7 Ashes series. We started so badly that tour that one of our own journos, Martin Johnson, said "There is only 3 things wrong with this England team; They can't bat, can't bowl and can't field." We won the Test series, The Perth Challenge and The World Series Trophy. One of the highlights was Allan Lamb hitting 18 off Bruce Reid in the last over to win an ODI. In those days that was quite a feat. Today it is common practice. Hopefully there will more of these teasers from BT Sport before the real stuff starts.
Not taking anything away from the incredible modern power and technique, but bats were far weaker 20 years ago, and boundaries longer. Lamb's achievement was incredible, I remember it well!
Nice little program tonight on BT Sport3 10pm, a look at the 1986/7 Ashes series. We started so badly that tour that one of our own journos, Martin Johnson, said "There is only 3 things wrong with this England team; They can't bat, can't bowl and can't field." We won the Test series, The Perth Challenge and The World Series Trophy. One of the highlights was Allan Lamb hitting 18 off Bruce Reid in the last over to win an ODI. In those days that was quite a feat. Today it is common practice. Hopefully there will more of these teasers from BT Sport before the real stuff starts.
Not taking anything away from the incredible modern power and technique, but bats were far weaker 20 years ago, and boundaries longer. Lamb's achievement was incredible, I remember it well!
Indeed! It was a phenomenal effort. You cannot compare eras.
Comments
Not sure that Durham's Chairman can read him the riot act - after all Botham was a user himself of recreational drugs and banned in the 1980s for 3 months after admitting smoking maijuana.
Woakes and Ali are good although I'm not sure either are good enough to bat 6.
Although I think I read that Woakes has a better first class batting average than Westly or Malan (can't remember which).
10/1 with paddy power
Central:
Moeen Ali
James Anderson
Jonny Bairstow
Stuart Broad
Alastair Cook
Joe Root
Ben Stokes
Chris Woakes
White Ball:
Moeen Ali
Jake Ball
Jonny Bairstow
Jos Buttler
Alex Hales
Eoin Morgan
Liam Plunkett
Joe Root
Adil Rashid
Jason Roy
Ben Stokes
David Willey
Chris Woakes
Mark Wood
Incremental:
Toby Roland-Jones
It really is quite surreal to be standing behind the fastest bowler in history in the hardware store while he buys weed killer!
Funny thing about Thommo is his size, he is just an average looking bloke and you'd never know he'd been an incredible athlete.
We won the Test series, The Perth Challenge and The World Series Trophy. One of the highlights was Allan Lamb hitting 18 off Bruce Reid in the last over to win an ODI. In those days that was quite a feat. Today it is common practice.
Hopefully there will more of these teasers from BT Sport before the real stuff starts.