Smith is the one we need to get. That stat of him averaging 87.57 in the first innings of a match in Test cricket is absolutely staggering - 4,641 runs in 61 innings of which he was not 8 times
Saw the stat yesterday that since he came back from the sandpaper ban, he's averaged a century every 2.7 innings, crazy.
Woakes has been bowling quicker than I realised he was capable of. Regularly in the mid 80s. Quicker than Broad Anderson and Robinson have bowled for most of the series. I know its a quick pitch but it's good to see.
I can't say whether Foakes would have caught that one or not but I do know that, generally speaking, Foakes' movement of the feet is much the better of the two and that does mean that he isn't quite so flat footed when he does have to dive
And there is an example of lack of movement of the feet. Bairstow dives far more from that standing position and in fact I would argue that Foakes will take some of those without the need to dive
That is one aspect that suits the Aussies about this wicket. They can do what they do at home and that is to leave on length in the knowledge that the ball is going over the stumps.
I don’t entirely blame Bairstow but he is costing us. I'm not putting Foakes on a false pedestal I just think he would have caught everything Bairstow hasn't
Whilst there's no doubting that Foakes is the best keeper, he's dropped plenty in an England shirt too.
All keeper's drop catches no ones perfect. But there's no denying Foakes is a far superior keeper than Bairstow.
And Bairstow is the far superior batsman.
Not when taking the gloves he isn't.
Edit - that isn't actually true because from what I can see Bairstow averages 37.08 when keeper and 36.62 when keeper. Foakes averages 32.20 so the differential is 4.88 runs per innings. It's a question then of quantifying how many runs and games Foakes' mistakes have cost us compared to Bairstow
In this case I don't think the averages tell the full story. I don't think, since the introduction of central contracts, a player has been messed about as much as Bairstow. Foakes hasn't been moved up and down the order, gloves on, gloves off.
Bairstow should bat at 6 without the gloves, the problem with that is either the all rounder or the keeper has to bat in the top 5. If Stokes can't bowl it's another riddle that needs solving.
Whilst there's no doubting that Foakes is the best keeper, he's dropped plenty in an England shirt too.
All keeper's drop catches no ones perfect. But there's no denying Foakes is a far superior keeper than Bairstow.
And Bairstow is the far superior batsman.
Not when taking the gloves he isn't.
Edit - that isn't actually true because from what I can see Bairstow averages 37.08 when keeper and 36.62 when keeper. Foakes averages 32.20 so the differential is 4.88 runs per innings. It's a question then of quantifying how many runs and games Foakes' mistakes have cost us compared to Bairstow
In this case I don't think the averages tell the full story. I don't think, since the introduction of central contracts, a player has been messed about as much as Bairstow. Foakes hasn't been moved up and down the order, gloves on, gloves off.
Bairstow should bat at 6 without the gloves, the problem with that is either the all rounder or the keeper has to bat in the top 5. If Stokes can't bowl it's another riddle that needs solving.
The answer to the riddle was obvious though - Brook took Bairstow's place, did well, Bairstow had to wait for a chance in the top order (which may have been this match following injury to Pope, but possibly not given Stokes can't bowl this Test).
Unlucky for Bairstow but it happens, you get injured and some bloke does well in your place.
Foakes didn't deserve to be dropped.
We all know Bairstow was preferred largely because he's mates with Stokes, Root etc.
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Great bowling this morning
Bairstow should bat at 6 without the gloves, the problem with that is either the all rounder or the keeper has to bat in the top 5. If Stokes can't bowl it's another riddle that needs solving.
Unlucky for Bairstow but it happens, you get injured and some bloke does well in your place.
Foakes didn't deserve to be dropped.
We all know Bairstow was preferred largely because he's mates with Stokes, Root etc.