Well Buttler won't be dropped after this innings...
If Stokes can bowl, maybe England should bring Foakes in to keep and retain Buttler as a specialist batsman?
I thought that they might do that. All depends on whether Golden Balls is prepared to stay at 3 or whether it was agreed that it would be a short term measure
Well done England. And in particular, well done to three players, two of whom are the recipients of almost non-stop criticism.
Joe Root out-captained Azhar Ali. Buttler batted brilliantly, despite (or perhaps because of?) his below-par keeping. And Woakes played like a genuine, world-class all-rounder.
Lots of selection headaches for the next Test, which is a very good thing.
Great days cricket..well played England despite some faults...provided stokes is fit to bowl I'd bring back Crawley and I'd consider giving jimmy a rest ,might even rest archer too and bring in Curran or wood.....
I think if both Curran and Woakes play you still have decent balance. Looks like Ollie Robinson will be given a game, can see Anderson sitting the next one out.
Yes, the absence of Stokes has removed the possibility of Buttler losing the gloves but still playing as a batsman
Stokes at 4, Pope 5, Buttler 6, Foakes 7, Woakes 8 might have been an option if Stokes was ok to bowl, but Pope 4, Buttler 5, Foakes 6, Woakes 7 looks weak, especially as Foakes hasn't batted in a proper match for a month now.
We've had 6 days of scorching weather.....4 of them with no cricket. Play starts today & looks like lots of thunderstorms due this afternoon & tomorrow.
Comments
If Stokes can bowl, maybe England should bring Foakes in to keep and retain Buttler as a specialist batsman?
Joe Root out-captained Azhar Ali. Buttler batted brilliantly, despite (or perhaps because of?) his below-par keeping. And Woakes played like a genuine, world-class all-rounder.
Lots of selection headaches for the next Test, which is a very good thing.
still think he is in borrowed time. I’m wondering if foakes has a bit of an attitude and is kept out for non cricketing reasons.
Ben Stokes out of the rest of the Pakistan series for family reasons. Flying back to NZ, I think his father is unwell
Presumably another batsman will come in, and we'll have to stick to 5 bowlers starting with Woakes at 7
As for the team I'd consider bringing in Foakes and playing Buttler as a batsman only.
I think if both Curran and Woakes play you still have decent balance. Looks like Ollie Robinson will be given a game, can see Anderson sitting the next one out.
4 root
5 pope
6 buttler
Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Bess
Archer
Broad
Robinson
Stokes at 4, Pope 5, Buttler 6, Foakes 7, Woakes 8 might have been an option if Stokes was ok to bowl, but Pope 4, Buttler 5, Foakes 6, Woakes 7 looks weak, especially as Foakes hasn't batted in a proper match for a month now.
Pakistan win the toss and will bat
Don't you just love the British weather.