Seen some suggest that Stokes and Smith should swap places on the batting line up, think it's becoming harder to argue against that. Also saw someone advocating for replacing Bashir with Bethell and putting him up the order. Both interesting suggestions
And I would disagree strongly with both. Smith is averaging in the high 40s and he's batting at 7. That's priceless. Leave him where he is as it's working perfectly.
But he didn't really bat at 7 today unless one says that the one ball Stokes faced makes all the difference between 6 and 7 and it's only "working perfectly" if the tail can bat too. Stokes at 7 strengthens that tail because he can stick around if that is what is required whereas Stokes at 6 (no hundreds in the last two years) is currently worse than Smith there.
We are arguing over nothing really Stokes at 6 Smith at 7 Or Smith at 6 Stokes at 7 Makes no real difference My point is that Smith should bat no higher than 6 or 7.
It is a minimal change but it also helps in that being a natural progression to where he might eventually end up rather than a sudden jump say, for example, England opt to go down the James Rew pathway with the gloves. The only thing I do find strange is that, as a Kent supporter I'm arguing with two Surrey supporters (Canters wanted him to stay at 7) that he should move up one place when he bats at 4 in the CC for Surrey.
He doesn't keep for Surrey. Important distinction that.
Since he broke through there has been a school of thought at Surrey (led by Alec Stewart) that he'd make an excellent 3 if the keeping didnt get in the way of his development.
It's similar to what Alec said about Sam Curran when he first came through at 17. That he would actually bat 4 and bowl a bit. Which is what we aremnow seeing. His early success stopped him developing into that role as quickly. The same could happen with Smith with time.
But back in the now. Today wasn't the best example but ultimately batting with the tail is a specialist skill. They dropped Foakes in no small part because he was no good at it. Smith has done it well and should continue to do so. Unless they find someone else who can keep and do the same. And want him to fill a role further up the order. But that would be a stupid amount of tinkering to do in the run up to an away ashes series.
Seen some suggest that Stokes and Smith should swap places on the batting line up, think it's becoming harder to argue against that. Also saw someone advocating for replacing Bashir with Bethell and putting him up the order. Both interesting suggestions
And I would disagree strongly with both. Smith is averaging in the high 40s and he's batting at 7. That's priceless. Leave him where he is as it's working perfectly.
But he didn't really bat at 7 today unless one says that the one ball Stokes faced makes all the difference between 6 and 7 and it's only "working perfectly" if the tail can bat too. Stokes at 7 strengthens that tail because he can stick around if that is what is required whereas Stokes at 6 (no hundreds in the last two years) is currently worse than Smith there.
We are arguing over nothing really Stokes at 6 Smith at 7 Or Smith at 6 Stokes at 7 Makes no real difference My point is that Smith should bat no higher than 6 or 7.
It is a minimal change but it also helps in that being a natural progression to where he might eventually end up rather than a sudden jump say, for example, England opt to go down the James Rew pathway with the gloves. The only thing I do find strange is that, as a Kent supporter I'm arguing with two Surrey supporters (Canters wanted him to stay at 7) that he should move up one place when he bats at 4 in the CC for Surrey.
He doesn't keep for Surrey. Important distinction that.
Since he broke through there has been a school of thought at Surrey (led by Alec Stewart) that he'd make an excellent 3 if the keeping didnt get in the way of his development.
It's similar to what Alec said about Sam Curran when he first came through at 17. That he would actually bat 4 and bowl a bit. Which is what we aremnow seeing. His early success stopped him developing into that role as quickly. The same could happen with Smith with time.
But back in the now. Today wasn't the best example but ultimately batting with the tail is a specialist skill. They dropped Foakes in no small part because he was no good at it. Smith has done it well and should continue to do so. Unless they find someone else who can keep and do the same. And want him to fill a role further up the order. But that would be a stupid amount of tinkering to do in the run up to an away ashes series.
Some more "important distinctions":
(1) I am advocating right now he moves to 6 for England and not 4
(2) There is no meaningful difference for a keeper, in terms of rest, batting at 6 as opposed to 7. In fact, batting at 7 and nursing the tail means that the keeper is more likely to have to go straight back out and keep
(3) Batting at 6 means that Smith can cement that relationship batting with Brook which, in time to come, could be a seamless transition and maintained if/when he moves to 4. Why deprive him of the opportunity to make Root/Brook/Smith the best middle order in the world that might, eventually, morph into Smith/Brook/a. n. other
(4) Stokes has proven that he can bat with the tail
(5) A long time before Stewart ever moved Pope up the order at Surrey I got called out on here by the Surrey boys for suggesting he should bat at 3 for England. Batting at 3 Pope averages 42.76. Batting anywhere else he averages 27.76
We beg to differ. All part of CL's great tapestry!
Slightly odd field positions, when this morning it's been overcast and moving around. Surely a 3 slips and gulley sort of morning, rather than all these short fielders in front.
Sky commentators wondering why it's been rather sedate since Pant got out. My answer is.......time.
There is still so much time left in the game & with a flat pitch & short boundaries England can easily go at 5 an over. Go too hard now & lose wickets could leave England chasing 500 in 120 overs.
My thoughts are they will bat in until 5 o'clock ish. Get a lead in excess of 550 and then declare.
Sky commentators wondering why it's been rather sedate since Pant got out. My answer is.......time.
There is still so much time left in the game & with a flat pitch & short boundaries England can easily go at 5 an over. Go too hard now & lose wickets could leave England chasing 500 in 120 overs.
My thoughts are they will bat in until 5 o'clock ish. Get a lead in excess of 550 and then declare.
Also, you want a spell with a hard ball this evening plus a second bite tomorrow morning
A spin attack of Root and Bashir is just such a gift to the batting side
@DennisBooth will be along in a minute to say he’s actually really good because he got a 5 for against some village level cricketers a few weeks back. He is garbage - he can’t put more than 2 balls in a row on a decent length and the vast majority of his wickets come from stupid mistakes by batsmen.
I don't get why they're persisting with Bashir? Is Rob Key and Baz too scared to admit they've made a mistake? Leach would be a more solid option , perhaps too soon for either Ahmed brother to be a No1 and England don't seem to fancy Jack Carson at all
Comments
(1) I am advocating right now he moves to 6 for England and not 4
(2) There is no meaningful difference for a keeper, in terms of rest, batting at 6 as opposed to 7. In fact, batting at 7 and nursing the tail means that the keeper is more likely to have to go straight back out and keep
(3) Batting at 6 means that Smith can cement that relationship batting with Brook which, in time to come, could be a seamless transition and maintained if/when he moves to 4. Why deprive him of the opportunity to make Root/Brook/Smith the best middle order in the world that might, eventually, morph into Smith/Brook/a. n. other
(4) Stokes has proven that he can bat with the tail
(5) A long time before Stewart ever moved Pope up the order at Surrey I got called out on here by the Surrey boys for suggesting he should bat at 3 for England. Batting at 3 Pope averages 42.76. Batting anywhere else he averages 27.76
We beg to differ. All part of CL's great tapestry!
If I was India, I'd want to take Bashir apart, as England's only spinner
There is still so much time left in the game & with a flat pitch & short boundaries England can easily go at 5 an over. Go too hard now & lose wickets could leave England chasing 500 in 120 overs.
My thoughts are they will bat in until 5 o'clock ish. Get a lead in excess of 550 and then declare.
Explaining to Ollie Pope where his sunglasses are