THE ASHES

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Ireland showing how to build an innings. That’s Ireland, not Australia. Blown away by medium pace line and length by a county plodder who’s nearly 38 years of age. The one thing you would have thought our bowling would have done is bowl the same line and length?
I’m a big fan of Ben Foakes and I know he’s injured just now but I don’t think he’s even being considered which is madness.
He’s a better keeper than Bairstow and Buttler and he knows how to build an innings. Just the type of player we need yes?
Sam Northeast is another who can play the moving ball but don’t expect to see either while Root is captain.
Can’t wait to hear his excuses at the end play.
One of the worst days of his captaincy and there have been many.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Ireland showing how to build an innings. That’s Ireland, not Australia. Blown away by medium pace line and length by a county plodder who’s nearly 38 years of age. The one thing you would have thought our bowling would have done is bowl the same line and length?
I’m a big fan of Ben Foakes and I know he’s injured just now but I don’t think he’s even being considered which is madness.
He’s a better keeper than Bairstow and Buttler and he knows how to build an innings. Just the type of player we need yes?
Sam Northeast is another who can play the moving ball but don’t expect to see either while Root is captain.
Can’t wait to hear his excuses at the end play.
One of the worst days of his captaincy and there have been many.

Ben Foakes played for the Lions the other week. He made 8 and 7 and was dismissed by line and length fast-medium seamers each time. This is after averaging 13.75 in the West Indies. Whilst he can build an innings against spin I don't think he's the answer against this type of bowling and he's going to be limited to a sub-continent specialist for England for now.

Sibley would have been my choice to open. I wouldn't have been opposed to Northeast at 4.

That's now the third time in the last six series we've been bowled out for under 100 in our opening innings of the series which suggests preparation is an issue. We haven't been bowled for under 100 in an innings other than our first innings of a series (if we count this as a one match series) since 2012 in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Ben Foakes played for the Lions the other week. He made 8 and 7 and was dismissed by line and length fast-medium seamers each time. This is after averaging 13.75 in the West Indies. Whilst he can build an innings against spin I don't think he's the answer against this type of bowling and he's going to be limited to a sub-continent specialist for England for now.

Sibley would have been my choice to open. I wouldn't have been opposed to Northeast at 4.

That's now the third time in the last six series we've been bowled out for under 100 in our opening innings of the series which suggests preparation is an issue. We haven't been bowled for under 100 in an innings other than our first innings of a series (if we count this as a one match series) since 2012 in Abu Dhabi.

Your average doesn’t state that he scored 35 in the first innings of the second test in a low scoring total. He’s played 5 tests and averages over 40 with the bat.
It utterly stinks that he’s been discarded so quickly. Bairstow was shocking with the gloves yesterday.
I’m not sure but I think we’re in agreement that Root needs to move up to three.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Your average doesn’t state that he scored 35 in the first innings of the second test in a low scoring total. He’s played 5 tests and averages over 40 with the bat.
It utterly stinks that he’s been discarded so quickly. Bairstow was shocking with the gloves yesterday.
I’m not sure but I think we’re in agreement that Root needs to move up to three.

If he played in the Ashes he'd be averaging in the 20s after 10 tests. See also Jennings who scored runs v Sri Lanka but is not the answer v Australia either.

When was the last time Bairstow kept prior to this match? Don't think he's played for Yorkshire this year, he doesn't keep in one matches for England and I think Foakes played a warm-up match when Buttler was rested. Has he kept since February? No wonder he's rusty behind the stumps.

The real issue here is England's scheduling. England are treating this as a tour warm-up match rather than a test match. Why wasn't the Ashes pushed back? They were happy enough to move it forward last time it clashed with a World Cup. They should have pushed it back a year. This could then have been a 3 match series against Ireland (or Bangladesh who are shamefully treated by the schedulers) and they could then play a 5 match test series against Australia next summer.

My dark horse for number three (especially as he doesn't bat there for his county) is Sam Hain. Otherwise it's got to be between Root and Roy (who makes more sense at 3 than opening).

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

If he played in the Ashes he'd be averaging in the 20s after 10 tests. See also Jennings who scored runs v Sri Lanka but is not the answer v Australia either.

When was the last time Bairstow kept prior to this match? Don't think he's played for Yorkshire this year, he doesn't keep in one matches for England and I think Foakes played a warm-up match when Buttler was rested. Has he kept since February? No wonder he's rusty behind the stumps.

The real issue here is England's scheduling. England are treating this as a tour warm-up match rather than a test match. Why wasn't the Ashes pushed back? They were happy enough to move it forward last time it clashed with a World Cup. They should have pushed it back a year. This could then have been a 3 match series against Ireland (or Bangladesh who are shamefully treated by the schedulers) and they could then play a 5 match test series against Australia next summer.


My dark horse for number three (especially as he doesn't bat there for his county) is Sam Hain. Otherwise it's got to be between Root and Roy (who makes more sense at 3 than opening).

Not sure international schedules would have allowed for this.
Back to the team. I think there’s a good case for Roy to bat four as in theory the new ball has been negotiated and the stroke players can get going. This of course requires Root to move up the order.
A middle order of Roy, Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow would be (on paper) pretty formidable.
As for Foakes failing in the Ashes, no one has a crystal ball.Foakes would bat six or seven, totally different to opening the innings.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Not sure international schedules would have allowed for this.
Back to the team. I think there’s a good case for Roy to bat four as in theory the new ball has been negotiated and the stroke players can get going. This of course requires Root to move up the order.
A middle order of Roy, Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow would be (on paper) pretty formidable.

The international schedules would have allowed it the problem is probably more the TV schedules.

All that middle order needs to succeed is a top three who can blunt the new ball and tire the opposition attack.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Bairstow out for a pair...

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

The international schedules would have allowed it the problem is probably more the TV schedules.

All that middle order needs to succeed is a top three who can blunt the new ball and tire the opposition attack.

You’re right, unfortunately we’ve been looking for two of the three since Strauss and Trott retired. Now Cook’s gone we’re looking for all three!

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

First test team gets selected today. Been watching the Sky pundits pick theirs, I would go, and bear in mind I’m taking injuries into account.

1. Denley
2. Roy
3. Root
4. Malan
5. Stokes
6. Buttler
7. Bairstow
8. Leach
9. Woakes
10. Broad
11. Anderson

Wanted to find room for Vince but gave it to Malan who England discarded way way way too early.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

1. Burns
2. Sibley
3. Hain
4. Root
5. Stokes
6. Buttler
7. Bairstow
8. Woakes
9. Ali
10. Archer*
11. Broad

*Subject to proving his fitness tonight for Sussex rather than being captain

Hopefully Jimmy can prove his fitness before the 2nd test and he'd then probably replace Broad.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Jimmy looks like he’s going to be fit.
They ain’t dropping Broad that much I do know.
Sibley being spoken about on Sky and if he’s picked (big if) then my guess is Burns makes way. Hopelessly out of touch.

 

[ESG]

No spinner

 

[Blueronron]

No spinner

Yep we have Ali in squad and Root can turn a ball if needed, though whether Test match standard is another thing for young Joe

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

No spinner

Other than the guy who's 4th on the list of most test wickets by an England spinner.

 

[ESG]

Was being slightly sarcastic and have a lot of time for Mo. Didn't realise he had that many wickets although would like to see how many against lefties. Lets hope he gets in some batting nick PDQ.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Root batting three apparently.
Sky sports update.

 

[ESG]

Root batting three apparently.
Sky sports update.

Good news. Assume as Burns is so badly out of touch that Denly will open and there is room for Woakes.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Good news. Assume as Burns is so badly out of touch that Denly will open and there is room for Woakes.

I believe Burns opens with Roy with Denly coming in at four.

 

[Blueronron]

Good news. Assume as Burns is so badly out of touch that Denly will open and there is room for Woakes.

Woakes must surely play, especially as home ground

Me personally would drop Broad, saying that watch him get 5 for Thursday ......

Do wonder what Northeast has done wrong, not to get in the squad again, but then feel that way about Porter, though he has a few fair bowlers in good nick so understandable

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Archer makes way. Couldn't see Broad being dropped TBH.
With the tests tightly scheduled, I would expect at least a couple of injuries to bowlers (both sides) so Archer should get his chance.
Rest of line up pretty much as expected although I would have opened with Denly and moved Roy down the order to four.
As always, we shall see.
My prediction for what it's worth is a resounding thumping with the Aussies taking the series 4 nil. Their bowling unit is very impressive and they have a far superior spinner in Lyon.