The Ashes (Australia tour of England)

[Aislabie]

I think he's been quite reliable, actually. Although probably i wouldn't keep him at Buttler's expense. Probably sacrifice Foakes.

Kumar Sangakkara did an excellent segment in which he explained why Bairstow's keeping technique pretty much makes it an impossibility for him to be a Test-class wicket-keeper, but that it's not as obvious because where a better keeper might get to a catch but drop it, Bairstow's body positioning means that he's not even getting to catches to his left hand side. This is particularly noticeable when you realise how often England's first slip fielder has to dive to their inside. Remember that speccy that Cook grabbed? That absolutely should have been Bairstow's catch.

He also mentioned that much of Bairstow's training drills appear to be designed mostly to make him look good (diving catches and stuff) rather than actually making him a better keeper (improve his footwork so he doesn't have to dive as much).

If you're going to pick the best keeper of the three it has to be Foakes. There isn't any competition. But if you're going to pick the worst of the three, it's definitely Bairstow, which is convenient as Bairstow is also the best of the three in the outfield.

Unless you mean his batting, which has averaged under 30 over his last fifty innings, 48% of which he has been dismissed either bowled (34%) or LBW (14%), with seven ducks and a median score of 18.

In the same timeframe, both Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes have averaged above 40.

 

[CerealKiller]

Kumar Sangakkara did an excellent segment in which he explained why Bairstow's keeping technique pretty much makes it an impossibility for him to be a Test-class wicket-keeper, but that it's not as obvious because where a better keeper might get to a catch but drop it, Bairstow's body positioning means that he's not even getting to catches to his left hand side. This is particularly noticeable when you realise how often England's first slip fielder has to dive to their inside. Remember that speccy that Cook grabbed? That absolutely should have been Bairstow's catch.

If you're going to pick the best keeper of the three it has to be Foakes. There isn't any competition. But if you're going to pick the worst of the three, it's definitely Bairstow, which is convenient as Bairstow is also the best of the three in the outfield.

Unless you mean his batting, which has averaged under 30 over his last fifty innings, 48% of which he has been dismissed either bowled (34%) or LBW (14%), with seven ducks and a median score of 18.

Ok, i give up

 

[Bevab]

Foakes is one of the best keepers in the world and is arguably the best keeper in red ball cricket right now. He would be pretty much walking into any other side right now, India played Saha for years purely for his keeping alone and unlike him, Foakes can also bat decently.

Bairstow’s case seems to be similar to Rahane’s at the moment, a senior player who is in the squad purely on reputation despite having extremely poor numbers with the bat relative to their position and role. Fully support Buttler becoming the captain too once he’s firmly established in the team, but they’ve given the vice-captaincy back to Stokes for some reason now.

 

[Master Bates]

@Aislabie @CerealKiller @wasteyouryouth @Survivor
Open with Sibley and Rory/ Zak Crawley?
Why not try Roy at 3, Root 4, Ballance/Northeast/Hain at 5 ?,Stokes 6, Foakes 7, and then the rest!

Also, if Simon Harmer is eligible to play for Eng, then they should try him in place of Moeen. (He is in insane form!)

 

[wasteyouryouth]

@Aislabie @CerealKiller @wasteyouryouth @Survivor
Open with Sibley and Rory/ Zak Crawley?
Why not try Roy at 3, Root 4, Ballance/Northeast/Hain at 5 ?,Stokes 6, Foakes 7, and then the rest!

Also, if Simon Harmer is eligible to play for Eng, then they should try him in place of Moeen. (He is in insane form!)

I don't think Harmer would be eligible either way at the moment. But they changed the rules to fast track Archer into the set up. So it could be possible, if he wanted to, that Harmer would be eligible from next year.

 

[Master Bates]

I don't think Harmer would be eligible either way at the moment. But they changed the rules to fast track Archer into the set up. So it could be possible, if he wanted to, that Harmer would be eligible from next year.

That's fine but what about the batting point I made?

England's batting is way too fragile.
They can't afford to play Stokes at 5 and Barstow at 6.

 

[Deleted member 193590]

Truth is I really don't know whats going on with the England test team,I think over the last 4 years we've been so focused on the one day game they've forgot how to apply themselves to test cricket.
I mean people were blaming the openers poor form for middle order collapses,but Roy and Leach batted beautifully in red hot conditions,tiring out the Irish bowlers.Yet we still collapsed.
This stat says it all for me
. It was the fourth time they have been bowled out in a session since 2016.
They must be playing too cavalier because these players are good enough for test cricket,maybe things will change when we get a new coach,be interesting to see if go for a coach who leans more towards test cricket.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

That's fine but what about the batting point I made?

England's batting is way too fragile.
They can't afford to play Stokes at 5 and Barstow at 6.

I think in the last twelve months Stokes has probably become our second most reliable batsman. His game has developed a lot, he showed in the World Cup he's more than just a slogger. I'd have him at 5 without a doubt.

Like @Survivor just posted it's difficult to know what's going on. Even before Cook retired the top order was desperately fragile.

I'd say it's worth a try with Roy at three. Ironically, he looked very good when coming at 3 v Ireland when he's in there to open.

I get the impression England have in their mind what they want to work and are just hoping it will. That seems to be the policy with Ed Smith as chief selector. The West Indies tour exposed the fragility of that approach, even last year against India we and were saved by the lower order. If any team will expose it further it's Australia.

There's a valid argument for getting some of those players in (except Ballance, he's had his chances ) but I think they will play it safe favouring experience/hunches/hope over domestic form. It might pay off, but if we lose, with a new coach coming in after, there are a few players whose head's could be on the chopping block if they underperform.

 

[Aislabie]

Open with Sibley and Rory/ Zak Crawley?
Why not try Roy at 3, Root 4, Ballance/Northeast/Hain at 5 ?,Stokes 6, Foakes 7, and then the rest!

Okay then:

• I completely agree with Dom Sibley, he should be in.
• Rory Burns looks shot to pieces technically; batting (if you're not Steve Smith) is about as few moving parts as possible and Burns looks like a broken Rube Goldberg machine.
• Disagree with Crawley; I'd be very reluctant to pick a 21-year-old with three tons and a FC average of 33. Both he and Burns are guys Australia will want to bowl at. Maybe after the Ashes.
• If Roy has to bat anywhere in the order it's three, but he shouldn't really be anywhere in the order after how he played against Ireland. Every ball he looked like he'd get out before Leach, and he played with the urgency of someone who's there for a good time not a long time.
• Root at four - I guess so. For as long as he's captain it's where he'll bat.
• Ballance - sent back to county cricket with instructions to fix his technique. Technique remains unchanged.
• Northeast - pretty good player from what I've seen.
• Hain - Fantastic player, especially in one-day cricket. Not quite shown himself to be Test-ready, but who has?
• Stokes - yep, six is his spot.
• Foakes - also yep. Best keeper, batsman with good technique and application.

So that leaves us with:

1. Sibley
2. ???
3. Roy?
4. Root
5. ???
6. Stokes
7. Foakes

You probably already see where I'm going but let's do it anyway.

2nd opener: Arguably needs to not be a debutant. I'd go with Joe Root - he averages 41 as a Test opener, and has become a more complete player since then.

Number three: For the sake of continuity I guess it's between Denly and Roy. I prefer Denly, especially as he has a track record of applying himself. Alternatively James Vince; no real Test runs to speak of, but you feel like the Australians would like to bowl at him less than most of the others.

Number four: Wasn't an issue until I moved Root. I'd recall Malan for his form and temperament, but you could easily go with someone like a Hain, a Northeast or even a Pope even though this really isn't his best role.

Number five: Easy: Buttler. Averages 40-odd since his return to the Test side. Shouldn't have been picked but has since made the best of it and now should not be dropped.

Also, if Simon Harmer is eligible to play for Eng, then they should try him in place of Moeen. (He is in insane form!)

Harmer's not qualified, probably won't be for some time.

Moeen doesn't need to be dropped. He's been a solid performer with the ball for some time - he just shouldn't be in the top seven.

If a new spinner is needed it should be Matt Parkinson.

 

[Deleted member 193590]

How about Liam Livingstone?

 

[Aislabie]

How about Liam Livingstone?

He would be a good selection but who knows whether it's coming at the right time for him.

 

[El_Cannon]

Foakes is one of the best keepers in the world and is arguably the best keeper in red ball cricket right now. He would be pretty much walking into any other side right now, India played Saha for years purely for his keeping alone and unlike him, Foakes can also bat decently.

Bairstow’s case seems to be similar to Rahane’s at the moment, a senior player who is in the squad purely on reputation despite having extremely poor numbers with the bat relative to their position and role. Fully support Buttler becoming the captain too once he’s firmly established in the team, but they’ve given the vice-captaincy back to Stokes for some reason now.

He was awful at Lords v Ireland. Out of form and has a habit of wasting reviews on plum LBWs. Australia's plan should simlly be to bowl to hit the wicket if he plays.

 

[Yorkshireman]

Nervous.

 

[El_Cannon]

Nervous.

Be a good toss to win and have a bowl on a damp green top against a fragile Aussie batting lineup.

Expect the Aussies are thinking the same.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Be a good toss to win and have a bowl on a damp green top against a fragile Aussie batting lineup.

Expect the Aussies are thinking the same.

I think the tracks would be similar to the ones England played against India last year. Flat and slow with not much of bounce and ball coming nicely on the bat. If there are Overcast skies the batting would become difficult due to the breeze in the air and the swing which bowlers like Anderson would try to exploit.