Ashes 2023.

[ramAnag]

Not long to go now and has there ever been an unluckier cricketer than Jack Leach? Crohn’s disease, concussed while trying to stop a boundary and now, on the eve of the Ashes, out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture of his back!
Feel for the guy...a really wholehearted and committed trier although, having said that, will his likely replacement by Moeen Ali really weaken us? I don’t think so. Sad for Jack but Moeen is a more than adequate replacement.

[Andy_Faber]

Not long to go now and has there ever been an unluckier cricketer than Jack Leach? Crohn’s disease, concussed while trying to stop a boundary and now, on the eve of the Ashes, out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture of his back!
Feel for the guy...a really wholehearted and committed trier although, having said that, will his likely replacement by Moeen Ali really weaken us? I don’t think so. Sad for Jack but Moeen is a more than adequate replacement.

Yes unlucky fellah but he’s had his moments - the most watched 1 not out ever on YouTube for instance

[macstheman]

Will Moeen be willing to come back, will he cope with the stress because there's no doubt the Aussie's will go after him (in their own special way!) from his first delivery? If the answers yes to both questions then he's our man.
Once the series starts it's six weeks of non stop cricket, who needs footie!!
Will the outcome be 😎 or 🙁? I reckon a drawn series.

[Geoff Parkstone]

It's a tough call as Rehan Ahmed would be the adventurous option, but he's barely out of nappies at this level and going against the most extreme opponents. I hope he comes back but I'd still give Rehan a game in at least the Oval test unless it's a decider or on any pitch likely to be spin friendly

[swaledale]

Yes unlucky fellah but he’s had his moments - the most watched 1 not out ever on YouTube for instance

Indeed but Ali will be a capable replacement. Ah your back? Thought you might be away seeing as football threads haven't been given a sticky lately.

[Andy_Faber]

Indeed but Ali will be a capable replacement. Ah your back? Thought you might be away seeing as football threads haven't been given a sticky lately.

Back but not able to do stickies til Saturday sorry, normal service thereafter

[ramAnag]

Back but not able to do stickies til Saturday sorry, normal service thereafter

Welcome back AF...please note now nice we’ve all been to each other in your absence...not a single cross word.

[ramAnag]

It's a tough call as Rehan Ahmed would be the adventurous option, but he's barely out of nappies at this level and going against the most extreme opponents. I hope he comes back but I'd still give Rehan a game in at least the Oval test unless it's a decider or on any pitch likely to be spin friendly

Thought you’d be backing Will Jacks, GP...given he’s a man of Surrey and the endless opportunities for puns. Are you doubting he’s up to it?

[Ramshank72]

Welcome back AF...please note now nice we’ve all been to each other in your absence...not a single cross word.

Thank god for that, I'm rubbish at crosswords!
Be interesting to see who gets picked to bowl in 1st game, for me the most important is having Broad ever present, keeping Warner in his pocket from the off.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Thought you’d be backing Will Jacks, GP...given he’s a man of Surrey and the endless opportunities for puns. Are you doubting he’s up to it?

Ah but the heart belongs to Gloucestershire. I'd suggest your Surrey proposal is more of batsman who bowls a bit than the sort of spinner that worries Test batsmen on non responsive surfaces. So for me Jacks off the table