Can't get my head around the fact that Smeed has played no FC matches, 47 T20s plus just a couple of 50 over games. He will miss the Royal too because of that other glorious comp.
England's communication of Ben Stokes' retirement from ODIs has been so much better than the awful noise and distraction from South Africa with the retirement of Lizelle Lee.
He hasn't bowled much recently, but we would miss his bowling option if we play a specialist batsman or a keeper in his place
Agreed. We would have to make a decision as to whether we play someone like Sam Curran for example if we do want that fourth seamer instead of Stokes. The other option if we go down the extra batsman route is to play two from Moeen/Livingstone/a Sam Curran type all rounder depending on the pitch. Though if everyone is fit then three strike bowlers of say Archer, Wood and Topley plus the spin of Rashid would mean that in normal circumstances we would only need to find 10 overs from Moeen and Livingstone.
Dont forget about Woakes who was the leader of this attack until v recently.
Woakes has been our best white ball seamer for about 5 years. Mad how people have forgotten him
He hasn't bowled much recently, but we would miss his bowling option if we play a specialist batsman or a keeper in his place
Agreed. We would have to make a decision as to whether we play someone like Sam Curran for example if we do want that fourth seamer instead of Stokes. The other option if we go down the extra batsman route is to play two from Moeen/Livingstone/a Sam Curran type all rounder depending on the pitch. Though if everyone is fit then three strike bowlers of say Archer, Wood and Topley plus the spin of Rashid would mean that in normal circumstances we would only need to find 10 overs from Moeen and Livingstone.
Dont forget about Woakes who was the leader of this attack until v recently.
Woakes has been our best white ball seamer for about 5 years. Mad how people have forgotten him
Indeed. Absolutely mad they have forgotten him. Not sure I would have him batting at 7 though with the tail we have so he would have to come in for one of Archer, Wood or Tolpley. Assuming all four are fit that is. And that, on all known form, is a big "if".
be interesting to see who is brought in v S Africa .. he'll be missed, though Stokes' batting form hasn't been that compelling and he's not been bowling a lot ..
wonder if tomorrow's game will be played or delayed .. forecast for Chester L S at 13.00 hrs is around 36 degrees
It'll be just about the first time ever that the complaint about the weather in Durham is due to too high a temperature!
England women playing at Leicester in 36/37 degrees .. if they can cope ..
International cricketers are probably more used to dealing with the heat than in other sports, seeing that in most parts of the world it's a hot weather sport.
Mark Wood just mentioned on TMS that he needs another operation on his elbow
He just mentioned this on Sky and said that the ECB asked him to play in that club game at the weekend to test it out. Bet the opposition were really appreciative.
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should be looking to the future - this will distract the players