England Team Discussion

[wasteyouryouth]

It'd be pure Rob Key energy but I wouldn't be against throwing a Test debut to James Minto against Zimbabwe

Opening the bowling with Sonny Baker

 

[Aislabie]

Tim Wigmore has nailed his colours to the "don't take a spinner to Australia" mast and while I don't agree with him it's hard not to see his point.

I would definitely take a spinner, but it wouldn't be Bashir - that Somerset (where he is third choice) are offering him on loan to Glamorgan (where he will be second choice) feels rather telling. His best ball is fantastic, but it doesn't happen especially often.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Tim Wigmore has nailed his colours to the "don't take a spinner to Australia" mast and while I don't agree with him it's hard not to see his point.

I would definitely take a spinner, but it wouldn't be Bashir - that Somerset (where he is third choice) are offering him on loan to Glamorgan (where he will be second choice) feels rather telling. His best ball is fantastic, but it doesn't happen especially often.

Haven't read the article, but I know spinners are getting less use in Australia since they started using the new Kookaburra a few years ago. Going in to a match expecting a spinner to win a match isn't that good a plan. If Stokes can't play as a fourth seamer, they'd be really short going in with three seamers and a spinner.

I think they'd love it if Bethell and Root could cover the overs of a spinner.

 

[Aislabie]

Haven't read the article, but I know spinners are getting less use in Australia since they started using the new Kookaburra a few years ago. Going in to a match expecting a spinner to win a match isn't that good a plan. If Stokes can't play as a fourth seamer, they'd be really short going in with three seamers and a spinner.

I think they'd love it if Bethell and Root could cover the overs of a spinner.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I definitely don't think your spinner is going to win a game, so a non-specialist like Bethell whose batting is his main suit might do a job. Archie Vaughan, on the basis that he's opened for Somerset, might be another.

Last time they needed some non-specialist spinners, the brains trust picked Jacks and Livingstone, and of those two I think Jacks could be an attacking option - he gets side- and overspin on the ball with a high action.

 

[Welwyn]

Tim Wigmore has nailed his colours to the "don't take a spinner to Australia" mast and while I don't agree with him it's hard not to see his point.

I would definitely take a spinner, but it wouldn't be Bashir - that Somerset (where he is third choice) are offering him on loan to Glamorgan (where he will be second choice) feels rather telling. His best ball is fantastic, but it doesn't happen especially often.

To be fair, we've only loaned him for the period that the private investigator is out, so he'll probably play.

 

[Aislabie]

private investigator

I grew up on Quantum Leap reruns so I think of him as more of a murderous hypnotherapist

 

[Welwyn]

I grew up on Quantum Leap reruns so I think of him as more of a murderous hypnotherapist

Fair point!!

Happy with the signing to be fair. Sophia Gardens has got flatter as games have gone one for years now. So he won't be short of 3rd/4th innings bowling.

 

[Aislabie]

I thought I'd come up with a proper crackhead XI for the Zimbabwe Test. This isn't a prediction, but it is what I'd pick if I were doing a Cricket Captain playthrough:

1. Ben Duckett
2. Ben McKinney (debut)
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Tom Banton (debut)
7. Ollie Pope
8. Josh Tongue
9. Sam Cook (debut)
10. James Minto (debut)
11. Sonny Baker (debut)

My reasoning is:

• McKinney is a straight up better batter than Crawley
• Bethell earned another crack at Test cricket after his first three caps; he can be half of the spin contingent with Rootalitharan
• No point messing up Stokes' body for a game against Zimbabwe; why not give Banton a go after he has been headline-grabbingly excellent in the Championship for a couple of seasons.
• Pope is still the Test vice-captain; the best way he fits in my team is as keeper so that is what he'll be.
• Then four seamers who I want to see in England kit for various reasons. Again, no point knackering any front-line picks ahead of India and Australia.

 

[Supreme General]

Jamie Smith dropped?

 

[Aislabie]

Jamie Smith dropped?

Temporarily; it'd be to have a proper look at Banton. He'd be back in for the India and Australia Tests.

Saying that, I don't rate his keeping at all

 

[ddrap14]

Jamie Smith dropped?

Zimbabwe doesn't have enough Loud Places

if you get the reference you are a legend

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Appalling new kits just dropped

 

[pillowprocter]

Appalling new kits just dropped

can't wait for the All-Toyota Ashes

 

[Aislabie]

Appalling new kits just dropped

Those are... bad bad.

Here's a palate cleanser to help you feel better

 

[Aislabie]

Those are... bad bad.

Here's a palate cleanser to help you feel better
View attachment 303720

@wasteyouryouth this took about 10 mins in PowerPoint: