billings added to the squad. Think buttler's getting an early flight home by the looks of it
Guessing Stokes may be out of the 5th Test too.
Buttler struggling, Stokes with an injured side and Bairstow with an injured thumb which might not stop him batting, but may make keeping difficult. Billings being in Australia already, it makes sense to keep him on.
Especially as he's a better keeper than either Bairstow or Buttler, though I don't think he kept much for Kent in the CC last summer, with Robinson taking the gloves much of the time
I think the agreement at Kent was that Billings would keep when he was available and wanted to keep. For example, when he was added to the Test squad as cover he went back to Kent and kept. He's certainly done a lot more red ball keeping than Buttler has in the last three years but as he hasn't done any bar Test matches that wouldn't be difficult!
Hopefully Stokes can bat even if he cant bowl. Does mean I'd want Woakes in at 7 and drop Buttler. Probably means Bairstow to keep if fit.
I think Buttler will be delighter if he is dropped. His body language is awful for a keeper and even more so on this tour. He will announce his retirement from Test cricket and make himself even more available to the highest bidders in franchise cricket given that he won't play in the CC either. Don't blame him but if anyone demonstrates the gulf in technique required to play the two very different disciplines it is him.
Hopefully Stokes can bat even if he cant bowl. Does mean I'd want Woakes in at 7 and drop Buttler. Probably means Bairstow to keep if fit.
I think Buttler will be delighter if he is dropped. His body language is awful for a keeper and even more so on this tour. He will announce his retirement from Test cricket and make himself even more available to the highest bidders in franchise cricket given that he won't play in the CC either. Don't blame him but if anyone demonstrates the gulf in technique required to play the two very different disciplines it is him.
i'd prefer him to do that tbh, too good at white ball not to be playing it as much as possible imo.
I hope Buttler announces his retirement by trying to hit every ball of his final Test innings for six
He can certainly try to do so but his Test strike rate of 54.44 suggests that ain't gonna happen. In fact, he has 33 maximums to his name from 99 innings (i.e. exactly one every three innings). Even Wood, who has now hit 14 in 40 innings, is more likely to do so!
That's a pathetic amount of sixes really, for a player of his limited-overs ability
It's a very similar story with the likes of Roy (one in 10 innings) and Hales (three in 21). It's because they are scared, with their limited technique, that any attempt to go for the big one offer the distinct possibility that they will get out. So they put it away. Whereas someone like Rohit Sharma (63 in 74) doesn't have such worries.
That's a pathetic amount of sixes really, for a player of his limited-overs ability
It's a very similar story with the likes of Roy (one in 10 innings) and Hales (three in 21). It's because they are scared, with their limited technique, that any attempt to go for the big one offer the distinct possibility that they will get out. So they put it away. Whereas someone like Rohit Sharma (63 in 74) doesn't have such worries.
By trying to prove to their critics that they can play "proper" Test match innings, they end up with the worst of both worlds, not being defensively solid enough to build a Test innings, but also not playing the game changing rapid knocks that can devastate bowling attacks.
You can really like Bairstow as a player and appreciate the quality of his innings today and also understand that he (probably) shouldn't be part of the *new* England test team after this Ashes tour.
So what new and exciting talent tailor made for the 5 day game will be brought in ? If we learn just one thing from the Aussies after this series it is that test cricket nowadays, particularly the Ashes is no easy ride for promising and dashing young batsmen. The one comparative failure in the Aussie batting line up has been Greenhorn Cameron Green, age 22. Steve Smith is still going strong at age 32, the same age as Bairstow, Warner and Khawaja are well into their mid thirties and the other successful Australian batsman are in their late 20s. IF there was a queue of young tyros panting at the leash ready for a test call-up, then I'd be pleased to see Bairstow go, BUT there is not one young English player that I can think of who seems ready and/or is not seemingly better suited and more interested in the one day game. In fact, I would use Bairstow as the wicket keeper batsman and then build a side around him Stokes, and Joe Root. The other eight places are all up for grabs so far as I am concerned, only Robinson can really be expected to be in the bowling line up in (say) three years time. There needs to be a chat sometime as well about the ages of the English bowlers and the 'talent' likely to replace Anderson and Broad. As with the batsmen, there is not a long queue of promising pace bowlers ready to step up. There are a few decent spinners about, BUT they just do not get selected or perhaps even considered.
You can really like Bairstow as a player and appreciate the quality of his innings today and also understand that he (probably) shouldn't be part of the *new* England test team after this Ashes tour.
So what new and exciting talent tailor made for the 5 day game will be brought in ? If we learn just one thing from the Aussies after this series it is that test cricket nowadays, particularly the Ashes is no easy ride for promising and dashing young batsmen. The one comparative failure in the Aussie batting line up has been Greenhorn Cameron Green, age 22. Steve Smith is still going strong at age 32, the same age as Bairstow, Warner and Khawaja are well into their mid thirties and the other successful Australian batsman are in their late 20s. IF there was a queue of young tyros panting at the leash ready for a test call-up, then I'd be pleased to see Bairstow go, BUT there is not one young English player that I can think of who seems ready and/or is not seemingly better suited and more interested in the one day game. In fact, I would use Bairstow as the wicket keeper batsman and then build a side around him Stokes, and Joe Root. The other eight places are all up for grabs so far as I am concerned, only Robinson can really be expected to be in the bowling line up in (say) three years time. There needs to be a chat sometime as well about the ages of the English bowlers and the 'talent' likely to replace Anderson and Broad. As with the batsmen, there is not a long queue of promising pace bowlers ready to step up. There are a few decent spinners about, BUT they just do not get selected or perhaps even considered.
OR am I totally mistaken in my assumptions ?
One English qualified spinner in the top 20 bowlers last season. That was the other Parkinson (Callum - 50 wickets in 13 matches ) who, unlike his twin brother, Matt, the leggie, is a left arm orthodox bowler. Next top was Carson of Sussex who took 36 wickets in 14 matches. Spinners aren't banging on the door because they aren't given the opportunity to learn their craft.
Kent used five spinners last season with at least two of those in the shape of Denly and Leaning part time ones - they took the grand total of 21 wickets (11%) between them. The seamers took 167 (89%) by comparison. Why use a spinner when Stevens, Milnes, Podmore, Quinn, Stewart, Gilchrist etc etc will do a better job given the conditions?
Just finished watching "The Man Who Bought Cricket". It's all about Allen Stanford, his Ponzi scheme and how the ECB sold their soul to the Devil. Would be difficult to believe this if the ECB hadn't recently shown their true colours once again in the last couple of years.
Just finished watching "The Man Who Bought Cricket". It's all about Allen Stanford, his Ponzi scheme and how the ECB sold their soul to the Devil. Would be difficult to believe this if the ECB hadn't recently shown their true colours once again in the last couple of years.
the whole stanford thing so obviously stunk it was ridiculous. A poundshop donald trump - which is really saying something.
there is definitely one spinner knocking on the door - matt parkinson has a first class bowling average of 23, which, considering the conditions he's had to bowl in is smashing down the door with an axe.
Amar Virdi and Dan Moriarty at Surrey are both excellent prospects but should be given 3-5 years to learn before England come calling.
Virdi is a proper red ball specialist having never played a professional white ball game - even with the RLODC becoming a 2ndX1 format. Suspect Moriarty will get drawn away by the franchise circuit as he is excellent in all formats.
there is definitely one spinner knocking on the door - matt parkinson has a first class bowling average of 23, which, considering the conditions he's had to bowl in is smashing down the door with an axe.
I think they'll be a bit of a clamour to give Foakes and Parkinson a chance in WI, maybe even Liam Livingstone (though I'm not convinced he's a Test player personally).
I'm hoping that they do try a few out in the WI series, we need a freshening up. Mahmood deserves a go but then the bowling isn't as broken as the batting at the moment.
You can really like Bairstow as a player and appreciate the quality of his innings today and also understand that he (probably) shouldn't be part of the *new* England test team after this Ashes tour.
So what new and exciting talent tailor made for the 5 day game will be brought in ? If we learn just one thing from the Aussies after this series it is that test cricket nowadays, particularly the Ashes is no easy ride for promising and dashing young batsmen. The one comparative failure in the Aussie batting line up has been Greenhorn Cameron Green, age 22. Steve Smith is still going strong at age 32, the same age as Bairstow, Warner and Khawaja are well into their mid thirties and the other successful Australian batsman are in their late 20s. IF there was a queue of young tyros panting at the leash ready for a test call-up, then I'd be pleased to see Bairstow go, BUT there is not one young English player that I can think of who seems ready and/or is not seemingly better suited and more interested in the one day game. In fact, I would use Bairstow as the wicket keeper batsman and then build a side around him Stokes, and Joe Root. The other eight places are all up for grabs so far as I am concerned, only Robinson can really be expected to be in the bowling line up in (say) three years time. There needs to be a chat sometime as well about the ages of the English bowlers and the 'talent' likely to replace Anderson and Broad. As with the batsmen, there is not a long queue of promising pace bowlers ready to step up. There are a few decent spinners about, BUT they just do not get selected or perhaps even considered.
OR am I totally mistaken in my assumptions ?
Agreed. Bairstow got recalled because one of the "new" players (Pope) failed. Pope will come again, but now averages just under 30, so is in danger of becoming the new Ramprakash or Hick, rather than the new Bell. Even an unsung (in Tests) batsman like Collingwood averaged 40, an average hardly any of our current side have achieved.
The problem isn't England hanging on to failed players, and not giving talented youngsters a chance. The problem is that the youngsters either aren't good enough, or have major flaws.
Amar Virdi and Dan Moriarty at Surrey are both excellent prospects but should be given 3-5 years to learn before England come calling.
Virdi is a proper red ball specialist having never played a professional white ball game - even with the RLODC becoming a 2ndX1 format. Suspect Moriarty will get drawn away by the franchise circuit as he is excellent in all formats.
Pope to keep in the Aussie 2nd innings. When was the last time he actually kept?
Cant remember if he kept for Surrey at all this season. Jamie Smith was generally preferred to Pope when foakes was unavailable. There probably was a game or 2 when he kept. Doubt there were any in the county championship though so would have been a t20 at best.
Am I missing something? Buttler is shit but I didn't realise he was injured?
Comments
I think the agreement at Kent was that Billings would keep when he was available and wanted to keep. For example, when he was added to the Test squad as cover he went back to Kent and kept. He's certainly done a lot more red ball keeping than Buttler has in the last three years but as he hasn't done any bar Test matches that wouldn't be difficult!
sums up my feelings
So what new and exciting talent tailor made for the 5 day game will be brought in ?
If we learn just one thing from the Aussies after this series it is that test cricket nowadays, particularly the Ashes is no easy ride for promising and dashing young batsmen. The one comparative failure in the Aussie batting line up has been Greenhorn Cameron Green, age 22. Steve Smith is still going strong at age 32, the same age as Bairstow, Warner and Khawaja are well into their mid thirties and the other successful Australian batsman are in their late 20s.
IF there was a queue of young tyros panting at the leash ready for a test call-up, then I'd be pleased to see Bairstow go, BUT there is not one young English player that I can think of who seems ready and/or is not seemingly better suited and more interested in the one day game.
In fact, I would use Bairstow as the wicket keeper batsman and then build a side around him Stokes, and Joe Root. The other eight places are all up for grabs so far as I am concerned, only Robinson can really be expected to be in the bowling line up in (say) three years time.
There needs to be a chat sometime as well about the ages of the English bowlers and the 'talent' likely to replace Anderson and Broad. As with the batsmen, there is not a long queue of promising pace bowlers ready to step up. There are a few decent spinners about, BUT they just do not get selected or perhaps even considered.
OR am I totally mistaken in my assumptions ?
Kent used five spinners last season with at least two of those in the shape of Denly and Leaning part time ones - they took the grand total of 21 wickets (11%) between them. The seamers took 167 (89%) by comparison. Why use a spinner when Stevens, Milnes, Podmore, Quinn, Stewart, Gilchrist etc etc will do a better job given the conditions?
Virdi is a proper red ball specialist having never played a professional white ball game - even with the RLODC becoming a 2ndX1 format. Suspect Moriarty will get drawn away by the franchise circuit as he is excellent in all formats.
Annoyingly neither bat at all.
I'm hoping that they do try a few out in the WI series, we need a freshening up. Mahmood deserves a go but then the bowling isn't as broken as the batting at the moment.
The problem isn't England hanging on to failed players, and not giving talented youngsters a chance. The problem is that the youngsters either aren't good enough, or have major flaws.
Melbourne also had a lot of grass on it that hung around
Leach skies it. Out for 10.
Am I missing something? Buttler is shit but I didn't realise he was injured?