I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
Went to the O2 yesterday to see Alan Partridge. Nipped for a quick leak and stood next to Jimmy Anderson at the urinals. Never experienced stage fright like it
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
Bairstow has been fairly successful at 6 in the last 2 series though, so "deserves" to keep his middle order position I guess.
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
I've been saying for a while, as most will know, that Pope should be pushed up the order simply because he is technically sound and has been "hiding" at six where he hasn't known whether to stick or twist. I wouldn't mind betting that McCullum has told him that he will get a run at three and not to worry about what he does in one game or even one series batting there. Which is exactly what he needs.
Bairstow has batted 14 times at three and averages 30.77 whereas at six he averages 38.93 from 49 and he knows what it takes to finish an innings. His priorities are white ball (which is why he was at the IPL instead of playing CC for Yorkshire) and that isn't ideal preparation for someone coming in at three in a Test match against Boult, Southee, Henry etc etc when the ball will almost certainly still be brand new.
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
I've been saying for a while, as most will know, that Pope should be pushed up the order simply because he is technically sound and has been "hiding" at six where he hasn't known whether to stick or twist. I wouldn't mind betting that McCullum has told him that he will get a run at three and not to worry about what he does in one game or even one series batting there. Which is exactly what he needs.
Bairstow has batted 14 times at three and averages 30.77 whereas at six he averages 38.93 from 49 and he knows what it takes to finish an innings. His priorities are white ball (which is why he was at the IPL instead of playing CC for Yorkshire) and that isn't ideal preparation for someone coming in at three in a Test match against Boult, Southee, Henry etc etc when the ball will almost certainly still be brand new.
Went to the O2 yesterday to see Alan Partridge. Nipped for a quick leak and stood next to Jimmy Anderson at the urinals. Never experienced stage fright like it
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
last time bairstow was at 3 he was a walking wicket
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
last time bairstow was at 3 he was a walking wicket
Pope may not fair any better as he never bats there for Surrey. In an ideal world Root would grow a pair and play at three especially as he is now free of the captaincy.
For Zak Crawley to be the least bad option to open shows how grim the project is for Stokes & McCullum Only the weather is going to push any action into day 5 If England's bowlers fire and the batting collapses in familiar fashion we'll be lucky to see action on Sunday, even with weather interruptions
Feeling optimistic. I can understand the idea behind not throwing in too many debutants at this stage of a new coach’s tenure but there are plenty of options around if the batsmen were to fail.
Feeling optimistic. I can understand the idea behind not throwing in too many debutants at this stage of a new coach’s tenure but there are plenty of options around if the batsmen were to fail.
Brook, Hain, Compton all waiting for a chance.
then you realise all those players will now be playing t20/hundred cricket for the next 2 months...
My only concern about the 'attacking' coach is that I don't think it's been our issue batting. Our best limited overs batsman such as Roy, Bairstow and Buttler have all had their chances in test cricket. Our batsman have tried being aggressive, ultimately they've just now been good enough or regularly out to stupid shots. I'm not sure bringing in McCullum is going to change that.
However I do agree that having fresh faces around the team brings a fresh start and I'm looking forward to tuning in.
this should be a good first test .. a new isolation free England under a totally new regime at home against a very good bunch of Kiwis .. weather looks good .. let's be 'avin you
I'm not a great fan of Bairstow in Red ball cricket but if we are to play him I would bat him at three with Pope at five. At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman. If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
I've been saying for a while, as most will know, that Pope should be pushed up the order simply because he is technically sound and has been "hiding" at six where he hasn't known whether to stick or twist. I wouldn't mind betting that McCullum has told him that he will get a run at three and not to worry about what he does in one game or even one series batting there. Which is exactly what he needs.
Bairstow has batted 14 times at three and averages 30.77 whereas at six he averages 38.93 from 49 and he knows what it takes to finish an innings. His priorities are white ball (which is why he was at the IPL instead of playing CC for Yorkshire) and that isn't ideal preparation for someone coming in at three in a Test match against Boult, Southee, Henry etc etc when the ball will almost certainly still be brand new.
The proof will be in the eating but here's some interesting stats about Pope's average at various batting positions in First Class Cricket:
So he has batted more times in FC cricket than any other position and has the best average batting there too. It might not work out but at least we won't die wondering or play someone else who isn't as technically sound.
It's been said by many on many occasions but Williamson is an absolute class player and human being and he disproves the myth that you can't be a winner as such.
Comments
At least Bairstow has experience batting at the top of the order whereas Pope is a middle order batsman.
If Root insists on playing at four then Bairstow at three makes more sense.
Bairstow has batted 14 times at three and averages 30.77 whereas at six he averages 38.93 from 49 and he knows what it takes to finish an innings. His priorities are white ball (which is why he was at the IPL instead of playing CC for Yorkshire) and that isn't ideal preparation for someone coming in at three in a Test match against Boult, Southee, Henry etc etc when the ball will almost certainly still be brand new.
In an ideal world Root would grow a pair and play at three especially as he is now free of the captaincy.
Only the weather is going to push any action into day 5
If England's bowlers fire and the batting collapses in familiar fashion we'll be lucky to see action on Sunday, even with weather interruptions
Progressive, attacking & forward thinking coach
New captain with a huge desire to win
Managing director who is also thinking outside of the box
It could go horribly wrong, but if it goes right, it will be fun to watch the transformation
However I do agree that having fresh faces around the team brings a fresh start and I'm looking forward to tuning in.
🎶 Its looking like a beautiful day 🎶
1st day of a Lords Test ✅
Bank Holiday so no work ✅
Suns out ✅
Waiting for the pitch report but given its England in early June......bowl first ??
4 - 41 innings @ 58.82
5 - 15 innings @ 53.90
6 - 39 innings @ 45.36
7 - 8 innings @ 36.14
So he has batted more times in FC cricket than any other position and has the best average batting there too. It might not work out but at least we won't die wondering or play someone else who isn't as technically sound.
another has been in Broad getting the wicket.
Bairstow with a hat trick of catches.
Made his ODI debut before Steve Harmison as well, fun fact.