Comeback_Kenwyne
Winger
Yeah, I know what you were saying with Pope. If there was a natural number 3 putting his hands up then fine (Livingstone is done for the season with his thumb), but I can't see one anywhere. Jennings has played some superb innings for Lancs this year but just can't seem make the step up, he's running out of chances.
For the last couple of years we've had the 6/7/8 powerhouse of Ben/Jonny/Modern to bail the top order out, but now that's gone it's just highlighting the problems. I'd be tempted to restore it (injury notwithstanding).
Pulling up trees at the moment, get him back - outstanding cricketer.
Also think bringing Buttler back has added an unnecessary complication. At test level, Stokes and Ali are better batters. And Woakes.
We need a total overhaul. I'd pick Gubbins and Burns for the next two tests, drop Root to four, Pope to five, bring in Ali at seven, give Buttler the gloves at eight and tell him to tee-off regardless of the situation (ok, maybe not if its a rearguard acton, but you get the picture: simplify the game for him), Woakes at nine. If that doesn't get runs somewhere well, then I'm stumped (though on form Stokes would probably be down at nine!!).
Long-term, would be telling Bairstow to get in some nets appropriate for an opening batsman - to replace Cook (or one of the other two if they look completely out of shorts and/or Cook rediscovers himself). I'd also be getting Pope to wicketkeeping practice - I just don't think Buttler has it at this level, but he can see out the series - and ready Clarke to come into the middle order.
So conceivably it could be this for the winter:
Gubbins/Cook
Bairstow
Burns
Root
Clarke
Pope (*)
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
God knows who the second spinner would be to come in for Woakes on turning surfaces, Rashid bowls too many bad balls, Leach not enough threatening ones.