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rentaghost
Striker
You shouldn't get pelters but it all depends on the make up of your team. If the make up of your team is 6 batsmen pure and simple then you are looking for someone that will average you 45+ in test cricket. Stokes in my view is short of that but the make up of our team is the number 6, 7 and 8 are all rounders and in that context Stokes is fine - he will score plenty of runs and when he scores them he is putting his team in a winning position.
As mentioned by others hes a better bat than Freddie ever was.
100% this
Freddie himself claims Stokes is a far better player than him. If he could just tighten up his bowling I think we have a genuine star on our hands
Aleem Dar
Striker
Understand people's trepidation over Ali as an opener, however, he didn't do a bad job in a woeful Worcestershire side there. And as has been proven the case, if the batsmen are leaving the short balls, the bowler will get bored. If we could teach Moeen this, then we could have a decent opener. In my opinion.
rentaghost
Striker
To be honest a lot of Johnsons short balls are very hard to leave. Very straight, very fast and right at your body /head. I think for example if Bairstow or Stokes could have left their short balls they would have done.
smoker
Striker
Bats 3 for Worcestershire doesn't he?
J
johnson
Guest
nonsense
he will bat even higher in the long term
he would be in the team as a batsman even if he couldn't bowl
no idea what you are basing that on
I couldn't disagree more
Stokes is one of the 6 best batsman in England, absolutely no doubt about that.
You won't name 6 better batsman in England like
Aleem Dar
Striker
Has also opened on numerous occasions.
rentaghost
Striker
Accept of course it was you more than anyone else that was telling everyone that Buttler was the one absolutely world class player we have after his one day knock and that we shouldn't be frightened of shouting it from the rooftops. Others were suggesting caution but oh no you were full on! Is Stokes now better than him? I certainly think so.
Also don't use the get out that you were referring to ODI's only as you weren't
J
johnson
Guest
Accept of course it was you more than anyone else that was telling everyone that Buttler was the one absolutely world class player we have after his one day knock and that we shouldn't be frightened of shouting it from the rooftops. Others were suggesting caution but oh no you were full on! Is Stokes now better than him? I certainly think so.
Also don't use the get out that you were referring to ODI's only as you weren't
We were talking about the ODIs to be fair, he is our best ODI bat.
I just think its a lack of confidence and attitude that has held him back in tests. As he has all the shots. Got a big future ahead of him like, just needs to express himself like Ali does.
Stokes has the best technique of all 3, plays proper shots, but just very hard, great to watch
ProfessionalMackem
Striker
Bold. Very bold. I like it mind.
I think it was nasser who said it. When Ali is going for it he looks much better against short balls, as he's more aggressive. It's when he's in his she'll, the short one makes him unstuck.
I'd definitely have him opening in both shorted formats with hales. Ali has been sensational at County level this season.
Tests is a different kettle of fish. I'm with you mate. Give him a go. My only concern is if it's goes tits up it may effect his confidence and then we've lost a great lower order batter too.
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rentaghost
Striker
That's not really the argument. I doubt you will find 6 better batmen in Zimbabwe than the Zimbabwe number 6 but that doesn't make him a test match number 6.
Just to clarify my point on Stokes - I have no doubt that Stokes is a test match number 6 and will only get better. The point I'm making is you get number 6s with different roles in the team. Some sides will have a number 6 that will be purely run accumulators may average high fourties and be in the team purely because of weight of runs. I don't think you will get that from Stokes, he will score plenty of runs at a good average but his big asset is that he will score them in a game changing way at times.
smoker
Striker
You sure about that? He's had a good T20 season but averaging mid to low 30's in other formats.
His best FC performance was for England at Cardiff.
I am a fan like, but steady on!
Mr Redknapp
Striker
If Ali could learn to vary it a lot more he could be a handy bowler.
ProfessionalMackem
Striker
T20 mate.
He's smacking it about in that format.
I'm just a sucker for long beards and flamboyant play. He's turning into my favourite player.
smoker
Striker
Ali can bowl the Doosra but hasn't been using it over concerns he could get banned. Nowt to lose at the Oval mind...
Mr Redknapp
Striker
Not necessarily bowling Doosra's mate, Maybe experimenting with different seem positions and varying his pace as top class spin bowling can just be subtle variations.
J
johnson
Guest
long term England have a decision to make, I really like the lad and he is fantastic to watch when batting, but his bowling has gone seriously down hill this series. He leaks a lot of runs.
We did the right thing sticking with him but I wouldn't be surprised if he is given a go in the top 3. Pakistan tour coming up so there is an opportunity to mix things up a bit.
I think Stokes should be in the team as the (slight) deficiencies he may have with the bat are made up for tenfold with the ball. Also, as Rentaghost says, his rate can get you impetus.
My point was more to say that Id back, say, James Taylor ahead of him if I had to go for a bloke purely on runs at 6 rather than all round contribution to the team.
J
johnson
Guest
Fair enough all about opinions
I think Stokes is a better bat at that level than Taylor personally
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