Our top three have been poor for a while and we can’t keep clinging onto Cook just because the guy at the other end is rubbish.
Trying him at three is a last ditch attempt to prolong his international career. I can’t see him hanging around as an opener.
Burns and Pope MUST be given their opportunities in their preferred positions now - there is no better time to blood new players.
I don’t like Bairstow opening in Test matches as a long term solution but it’s a dead rubber so everyone should be willing to give it a try.
I would also rest Anderson & Broad and opt to go with Woakes & Overton for the Oval.
Burns Bairstow Cook Root Stokes Pope Buttler Ali Woakes Curran Overton
Burns, Pope, Woakes, Overton in for Jennings, Rashid, Broad, Anderson.
I think people who have paid good money for tickets at the Oval, would not be happy to see Jimmy Anderson not playing, he is fit, it's he's last game of the summer, so why does he need to be rested?. There wont be many more chances to see one of the greatest bowlers to have played for England, lets make the most of it while we can
Fair enough, it would be rubbish for those going but I know the selectors want to keep Jimmy going as long as they possibly can.
If there is a time to rest him, now would be that time to say “thanks Jimmy see you in Sri Lanka in November”.
I would not take Jimmy to Sri Lanka, the wickets will not be helpful for him, I would take him to the West Indies,to get him ready to hammer the Aussies next August
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Tony Greig Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
not sure if any of those would have known at the time it was their final test
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
not sure if any of those would have known at the time it was their final test
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Tony Greig Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
not sure if any of those would have known at the time it was their final test
So?
so ..i suppose you are an ancient old fart like me who hasnt seen anyone play their last test at the Oval for nigh on 40 years ..it would probably mean more to people if you said you had seen the last tests of top players who had announced their retirement such as a Curtly Ambrose or a Don Bradman or even Cook
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Tony Greig Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
There are some very good players there, I think that was Alan Butcher's only test and maybe Paul Parker only played one test, I cant remember Mick Malone was he an Aussie?
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Tony Greig Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
There are some very good players there, I think that was Alan Butcher's only test and maybe Paul Parker only played one test, I cant remember Mick Malone was he an Aussie?
Yes they were Butchers and Parkers only Tests. It was also Malones, he was a young Aussie (1977) who had joined Packer. His Test record is pretty good, averages 44.00 with the bat and about 12.00 with the ball!
Cook retires from international cricket .. just the right time before his great deeds become overshadowed by his recent poor form .. superb batsman, poor skipper, nice guy, as tenacious as a pitbull .. AND .. will we ever see the likes again ? .. I doubt it as the 1 day game assumes more and more importance .. thanks Alastair
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Tony Greig Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
As I am at the Oval I will be able to add Cook to my list which already has these names on: Peter Parfitt Basil D'Oliveira Graeme Watson John Inverarity Max Walker Mick Malone Alan Butcher Paul Parker Mike Brearley Alan Knott Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
not sure if any of those would have known at the time it was their final test
So?
so ..i suppose you are an ancient old fart like me who hasnt seen anyone play their last test at the Oval for nigh on 40 years ..it would probably mean more to people if you said you had seen the last tests of top players who had announced their retirement such as a Curtly Ambrose or a Don Bradman or even Cook
Any opener scoring a few runs (especially in Div 1) stands a good chance of going on tour this winter, including those like Robson and Stoneman who have been previously dropped
Eleven players have played only one Test match for England since the turn of the century. Kerrigan is one but there are ten more since 2000.
Without googling, can you name the full England’s one-Test-wonder XI?
11? I reckon there were 20 each in the 90's and 80's!
The key part of my original question was 'since the turn of the century' so discounting any 80s or 90s players but we can play that era afterwards if you like. :-)
Comments
Peter Parfitt
Basil D'Oliveira
Graeme Watson
John Inverarity
Max Walker
Mick Malone
Alan Butcher
Paul Parker
Mike Brearley
Tony Greig
Alan Knott
Mike Hendrick
These are players who I have seen playing in their final Test, probably a few more over the years.
i ll raise you with a Don Wilson
Any opener scoring a few runs (especially in Div 1) stands a good chance of going on tour this winter, including those like Robson and Stoneman who have been previously dropped
The Oval 2013 v Australia,
Without googling, can you name the full England’s one-Test-wonder XI?
Pattinson,
Crane,
Lewis,
Khan,
Borthwick,
Rankin
are all correct.
Four more to get.