The Ashes

[mickd1961]

I’ll stick my neck out so 923 can beat me to a pulp by early September!

Burns and Denly shouldn’t be anywhere near the first eleven even now and both will be gone within two tests but even that’ll be too long.

My side would end up being,

Roy

Sibley

Root

Stokes

Buttler

Foakes

Bairstow

Moen

Archer

Broad

Anderson


I’d even consider moving Root up to open and leave out Sibley to get Curran’s left arm seam in.

Burns and Denly are walking wickets.

If we ditch that pair early I think we will win 3-1 or greater but if they keep picking them I can see us losing the series.

If we bat first today I see us being 30/50 for 3 and struggling to get past 200.

[Leicesterbaggie]

My only change to your side mick would be to open with Bairstow instead of Sibley and bring in Woakes. In English conditions I feel that Woakes is 'worth his weight in gold'. Mind you, as with Albion, we'd all pick different sides.

[holmleighchris]

Woakes on his home ground has to be in there.

[mickd1961]

Woakes on his home ground has to be in there.

The side was picked yesterday and he is!!

My line up was for the second test onwards Chris.

Do try to keep up old lad.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I’ll stick my neck out so 923 can beat me to a pulp by early September!

Burns and Denly shouldn’t be anywhere near the first eleven even now and both will be gone within two tests but even that’ll be too long.

My side would end up being,

Roy

Sibley

Root

Stokes

Buttler

Foakes

Bairstow

Moen

Archer

Broad

Anderson


I’d even consider moving Root up to open and leave out Sibley to get Curran’s left arm seam in.

Burns and Denly are walking wickets.

If we ditch that pair early I think we will win 3-1 or greater but if they keep picking them I can see us losing the series.

If we bat first today I see us being 30/50 for 3 and struggling to get past 200.

I would never beat anyone to a pulp ohysically but I do. Stopped typing Aus won the toss. No Hazlewood no Starc!!!!!!!

[astle71]

Come on England don’t let the cheats win

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I’ll stick my neck out so 923 can beat me to a pulp by early September!

Burns and Denly shouldn’t be anywhere near the first eleven even now and both will be gone within two tests but even that’ll be too long.

My side would end up being,

Roy

Sibley

Root

Stokes

Buttler

Foakes

Bairstow

Moen

Archer

Broad

Anderson


I’d even consider moving Root up to open and leave out Sibley to get Curran’s left arm seam in.

Burns and Denly are walking wickets.

If we ditch that pair early I think we will win 3-1 or greater but if they keep picking them I can see us losing the series.

If we bat first today I see us being 30/50 for 3 and struggling to get past 200.

I would never beat anyone to a pulp physically but I do think you and others on here deserved a verbal lashing for your surrender monkey attitude towards the best ODI team in the world.

Never seen an England Test side with so many questions about it. We haven't got enough quality batsmen with little idea of who should bat where, lack a top spinner and have quickies in abundance with Archer, Wood, Curran, Stone not in the team.

Before the Ireland match I thought Burns played simply because he was the only opener with Test Match experience. I now think he should be replaced now with a newcomer.

Roy isn't even a red ball opener. I would love to see him coming in a 4 after the shine has gone off the ball. Having written off both as openers no idea who should play there.

Good to see Root moving up the order. The batsmen I would promote is Stokes as for me he has the best technique.

Big question mark for me over Moeen. His record against left handers is good and for of their 4 out of their top 6 are lefties.

I think Bairstow also needs a good start with the bat or it's Foakes for me.

Here we go!

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

36-3. Foot to be kept on neck please!

[phild]

7 down, who'd a thunk it?? Still, I can see Smith being a pain in the @rse throughout the series.

[holmleighchris]

The side was picked yesterday and he is!!

My line up was for the second test onwards Chris.

Do try to keep up old lad.

Your post didn't say you were picking a team for the second test. Strange thing to do, best wait until we see who does what in the first one (rain permitting).

[mickd1961]

Your post didn't say you were picking a team for the second test. Strange thing to do, best wait until we see who does what in the first one (rain permitting).

The clue was in me saying “my side would end up being”.

This was after stating Burns and Denly need to go after this test.

F king bowlers need to go for letting this slip.

A r s e holes.

[Palmeras]

The clue was in me saying “my side would end up being”.

This was after stating Burns and Denly need to go after this test.

F king bowlers need to go for letting this slip.

A r s e holes.

I would rather put wasps up my a:se than watch that sh:t

[goodlordmurphy]

I’ll stick my neck out so 923 can beat me to a pulp by early September!

Burns and Denly shouldn’t be anywhere near the first eleven even now and both will be gone within two tests but even that’ll be too long.

My side would end up being,

Roy

Sibley

Root

Stokes

Buttler

Foakes

Bairstow

Moen

Archer

Broad

Anderson


I’d even consider moving Root up to open and leave out Sibley to get Curran’s left arm seam in.

Burns and Denly are walking wickets.

If we ditch that pair early I think we will win 3-1 or greater but if they keep picking them I can see us losing the series.

If we bat first today I see us being 30/50 for 3 and struggling to get past 200.

Denly? you mean that batsman who can't bowl a bit either.

[goodlordmurphy]

Rory Burns reminds me of Dan Biggar with his twitches, hope he turns out as good a cricketer for England as Dan has done in rugby for Wales.

[mickd1961]

Rory Burns reminds me of Dan Biggar with his twitches, hope he turns out as good a cricketer for England as Dan has done in rugby for Wales.

He won’t ......he is s h I t.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

If Anderson can't bowl again I reckon we need 350 to be evens. Close to 400 makes us favourites. More in hope than expectation I go for England to perform today and win on Sunday by 3 wickets.

Sat on the beach listening to TMS for most of today's play.

[df46]

I would never beat anyone to a pulp physically but I do think you and others on here deserved a verbal lashing for your surrender monkey attitude towards the best ODI team in the world.

Never seen an England Test side with so many questions about it. We haven't got enough quality batsmen with little idea of who should bat where, lack a top spinner and have quickies in abundance with Archer, Wood, Curran, Stone not in the team.

Before the Ireland match I thought Burns played simply because he was the only opener with Test Match experience. I now think he should be replaced now with a newcomer.

Roy isn't even a red ball opener. I would love to see him coming in a 4 after the shine has gone off the ball. Having written off both as openers no idea who should play there.

Good to see Root moving up the order. The batsmen I would promote is Stokes as for me he has the best technique.

Big question mark for me over Moeen. His record against left handers is good and for of their 4 out of their top 6 are lefties.

I think Bairstow also needs a good start with the bat or it's Foakes for me.

Here we go!

I query what is Buttler's role he can't bowl doesn't keep wicket and if he's a batter why No.6. He's the only one from eleven withouta label. He needs to step up to the plate in test cricket

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I query what is Buttler's role he can't bowl doesn't keep wicket and if he's a batter why No.6. He's the only one from eleven withouta label. He needs to step up to the plate in test cricket

His current label would be 'England batsman with the highest average (44) in 2018' which is 14 more than 3rd best Bairstow. Perfect batsman to come in at 6 if we have a good start and his record of scoring runs with the tail is excellent when needed.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Aussies have only 4 front line bowlers and can't see them sacrificing a batsman to get another one in. Keep em out there for a long time and then Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow and Ali can punish em.

Well that's my plan.

[mickd1961]

His current label would be 'England batsman with the highest average (44) in 2018' which is 14 more than 3rd best Bairstow. Perfect batsman to come in at 6 if we have a good start and his record of scoring runs with the tail is excellent when needed.


I’d never thought about this until I read this post but it’s an interesting one.

Given his sublime talent it is something of a misnomer that he’s coming in at six whilst not the keeper.

Would you not think 923 that as soon as Denly is ditched that number 4 is his natural spot?

With Stokes then at 5 the 6 spot becomes the natural home for Bairstow or for Foakes if they both play?

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

tbh I confuse myself with this current England batting order. I pick 'my' side and then decide even I'm not happy with it.

Roy is not a red ball opener. I would like to see him at 4
Root wants to bat 4
Denly is batting 4 and however good or bad he is I don't think he usually bats 4
I want to promote Stokes up the order
You want to play Buttler 4

This answer must be play without a 123 and let em all bat 4.

On a different note I like listening to Kumar Sangakkara's comments.

[mickd1961]

tbh I confuse myself with this current England batting order. I pick 'my' side and then decide even I'm not happy with it.

Roy is not a red ball opener. I would like to see him at 4
Root wants to bat 4
Denly is batting 4 and however good or bad he is I don't think he usually bats 4
I want to promote Stokes up the order
You want to play Buttler 4

This answer must be play without a 123 and let em all bat 4.

On a different note I like listening to Kumar Sangakkara's comments.

You’re right,it is confusing.

Pleased for Burns though despite my misgivings as he looks a lot stiller at the crease today.

I like Foakes and Curran and I’d like to see both in the side with Denly being one to make way.

[goodlordmurphy]

He won’t ......he is s h I t.

Next time wouldn't be the first time that cricket has done that to me either...:O

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

You’re right,it is confusing.

Pleased for Burns though despite my misgivings as he looks a lot stiller at the crease today.

I like Foakes and Curran and I’d like to see both in the side with Denly being one to make way.

Can't see how Foakes is the answer as what England need is specialist top order batsmen and even Ben's mum wouldn't describe him as that. I think you have to blood a newcomer Northeast, Sibley, Crawley, whoever.

I see your mate Tom Banton got a 37 ball 71 in the T20. In the England ODI/T20 touring side this winter?

[phild]

Can someone please bowl out Smith ffs, this bloke is proving to be a bigger @rse than I predicted

[mickd1961]

Pathetic,spineless w a n k e r s!

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Aus 122-8
Eng 282-4 (2 behind with 6 wkts in hand)
Aus 75-3 (still 15 behind with 3 down)

That's 3 times in the match we had them 'beat' and yet we end up being walloped. Denley has to go and so does Moeen who I said before the game wasn't a top spinner and has forgotten how to bat. For me Bairstow is in the last chance saloon. We have to find a new opening bat.
I go
Burns (still have doubts despite his 1 inngs)
Sibley
Root
Stokes
Roy (selectors note he is a middle order batsman not an opener)
Buttler
Bairstow (Foakes if he fails again)
Woakes
Archer
Broad
Leach

I would even consider playing without a spinner and play Stone in an attempt to get Smith out with his and Archer's pace.

I'd like to get Sam Curran in but can't.

[mickd1961]

Aus 122-8
Eng 282-4 (2 behind with 6 wkts in hand)
Aus 75-3 (still 15 behind with 3 down)

That's 3 times in the match we had them 'beat' and yet we end up being walloped. Denley has to go and so does Moeen who I said before the game wasn't a top spinner and has forgotten how to bat. For me Bairstow is in the last chance saloon. We have to find a new opening bat.
I go
Burns (still have doubts despite his 1 inngs)
Sibley
Root
Stokes
Roy (selectors note he is a middle order batsman not an opener)
Buttler
Bairstow (Foakes if he fails again)
Woakes
Archer
Broad
Leach

I would even consider playing without a spinner and play Stone in an attempt to get Smith out with his and Archer's pace.

I'd like to get Sam Curran in but can't.

Burns will play but I’m not convinced at all.

Roy - Will again open but I agree with you.

Root - Needs to learn from Smith’s example.

Denly- replace with Stokes.

Buttler - Start turning up or f u c k off.....a test lightweight and flat track bully.

Bairstow - Last chance this series for me. I was talking to a mate who watches Worcs and knows a few people around the game 923 and he reckons Bairstow is a horrible,arrogant c nut full of self entitlement.

Foakes is a “proper” batsman with great technique and should be playing.

Moen is “gone” in the head at present and Leach should play.

If it was up to me Curran would play.

I’d go,

Burns

Roy

Root

Stokes

Foakes

Buttler

Bairstow

Curran

Woakes or Leach

Archer

Broad

[Prando]

Undoubtedly Moen should dropped. (rested, if you prefer)
For me, cricket is a ‘form’ game. If you are going through a lengthy poor patch, then you should be rested. Then look at the County averages and consider the current highest ranking player of the same skill. (Offspin, legspin, pace, opener etc.etc.)
Bairstow ?

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Undoubtedly Moen should dropped. (rested, if you prefer)
For me, cricket is a ‘form’ game. If you are going through a lengthy poor patch, then you should be rested. Then look at the County averages and consider the current highest ranking player of the same skill. (Offspin, legspin, pace, opener etc.etc.)
Bairstow ?

If only it was that easy. If you picked on current CC batting averages it would include Bopara, Denley, Ballance, Lyth all tried and failed. And the top 2 spinners are Leach and Bess both from Somerset. Is it coincidence their home ground is Taunton reckoned to be the spin friendliest track in the country?

Of the top 8 in England's Test batting averages for 2018 Foakes was picked as a wicket keeper and 5 were picked a bowlers,only 2 were picked for their batting. You couldn't make it up!

[mickd1961]

If only it was that easy. If you picked on current CC batting averages it would include Bopara, Denley, Ballance, Lyth all tried and failed. And the top 2 spinners are Leach and Bess both from Somerset. Is it coincidence their home ground is Taunton reckoned to be the spin friendliest track in the country?

Of the top 8 in England's Test batting averages for 2018 Foakes was picked as a wicket keeper and 5 were picked a bowlers,only 2 were picked for their batting. You couldn't make it up!

Some of our best selections of the last 20 odd years were batsmen who’s county averages were very mediocre.

Duncan Fletcher has a superb eye for potential and temperament hence Trescothick and Vaughan.

I’ve not seen enough of young Hameed play but I gather he is technically very correct and made a great start before his bad hand injury.

For me an opener needs a solid and old fashioned technique and high concentration.

Bairstow is really p I s s I n g me off though.......his brother took over some of my region when I left a certain sports company and he was a lovely lad.....junior seems to have a major chip on his shoulder.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Some of our best selections of the last 20 odd years were batsmen who’s county averages were very mediocre.

Duncan Fletcher has a superb eye for potential and temperament hence Trescothick and Vaughan.

I’ve not seen enough of young Hameed play but I gather he is technically very correct and made a great start before his bad hand injury.

For me an opener needs a solid and old fashioned technique and high concentration.

Bairstow is really p I s s I n g me off though.......his brother took over some of my region when I left a certain sports company and he was a lovely lad.....junior seems to have a major chip on his shoulder.

Totally agree it's not just about the numbers you have to have an eye for these things. Graeme Hick was arguably the greatest County batsman of the last 30 years but no great shakes at test cricket.

Hameed averaged 9 last season with a top score of 31. He's currently only 8th in Lancs batting averages for this season. Talk is they won't renew his contract next year.

I'll say it again. For me the absolute top priority going forward is to find a specialist opening bat from the current crop of players. Just a pity we are experimenting in the middle of an Ashes series.