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Ashes first test squad

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Comeback_Kenwyne said:
I'd give Burns another go. I don't see the options.

I think Roy is better at three, so I'd call for Sibley as he's the in-form next cab of the rank.

If Burns fails, I'd be tempted to put Curran in there at three and move Roy up. Madness, I know - but why the fuck not at this point. There's a test match batsman in Curran - remember Steve Smith started as a leg spinner.

I'd tell Cook to make sure his bats are polished too.
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All opinions and while we continue to struggle no ideas are daft ideas. I wouldn’t go for Sibley. To me he’s a completely unproven county player who has suddenly struck form. The difference from what he is facing is off the scale and if far better and more proven openers such as Lyth, Stoneman, Jennings, Burns etc cant make it I can’t see a player written off a year ago will. I would be happy to go Burns, Vince, Roy but appreciate it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
 

rentaghost said:
I agree. What would your top 3 be though? I bet you someone could argue the same with at least one of your choices.


Interesting. Based on what?
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Fair point. I’d probably make Root bat three with Burns and another (Stoneman I guess) opening.
 
Dexter said:
Fair point. I’d probably make Root bat three with Burns and another (Stoneman I guess) opening.
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I had a great chat with Stoneman’s best mate a couple of weeks ago. He was disappointed that he couldn’t get that one big score that would have supplemented his decent starts. He doesn’t have any complaints though and reiterated the huge gulf from CC. In Australia he said the constant level of high pace and accuracy was something he had never experienced. 90mph felt much quicker because of the extra bounce etc. Also at the time of the Pak series he was aware that their was complications with his unborn daughter which effected his focus. He would be the first to admit that he hasn’t done enough since to deserve a recall
 
rentaghost said:
I agree. What would your top 3 be though? I bet you someone could argue the same with at least one of your choices.


Interesting. Based on what?
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A solid if unspectacular few innings on grassy surfaces, a hunch too. No doubt he will need to improve considerably but he has a roughly similar average to Burns despite having played 10 or so test matches less.
 
rentaghost said:
I had a great chat with Stoneman’s best mate a couple of weeks ago. He was disappointed that he couldn’t get that one big score that would have supplemented his decent starts. He doesn’t have any complaints though and reiterated the huge gulf from CC. In Australia he said the constant level of high pace and accuracy was something he had never experienced. 90mph felt much quicker because of the extra bounce etc. Also at the time of the Pak series he was aware that their was complications with his unborn daughter which effected his focus. He would be the first to admit that he hasn’t done enough since to deserve a recall
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He looks a better bet than Burns to be fair.
 
Absolutely laughable dropping Leach while Burns, Bairstow, Denly and Ali still get picked.

Dexter said:
Denly won’t be in the team by the third test, honestly man how has he got this gig.
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Joe's human shield.
 
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Scotty 1978 said:
Root
Ali
Anderson
Archer
Bairstow
Broad
Burns
Buttler
Curran
Denly
Roy
Stokes
Stone
Woakes

Stokes vice captain
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Stone not good enough at international level, Wood would have been a better bet unless injured.
Denly not good enough
Roy not a test opener.
Burns terrible so far at international level.
Archer untested at test level and 5 day cricket. Seems to get tired quick.
Others were all a shoe in, maybe curran but they do love all rounders
 
SAFC11 said:
Stone not good enough at international level, Wood would have been a better bet unless injured.
Denly not good enough
Roy not a test opener.
Burns terrible so far at international level.
Archer untested at test level and 5 day cricket. Seems to get tired quick.
Others were all a shoe in, maybe curran but they do love all rounders
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Wood is injured

Stone has played one test and done well. That’s harsh
 
Broad to miss out for me, he’s been a brilliant bowler but I’d like Archer to get some overs in and when it’s not going well broad bowls absolute rank short stuff against the Aussies, we need a 90+ mph bowler just to get them to play backwards
 
smoker said:
Absolutely laughable dropping Leach while Burns, Bairstow, Denly and Ali still get picked.



Joe's human shield.
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And you would select a kid in county cricket that had had his first spell of form after 4 years of trying? Not saying you are wrong but Burns has scored more runs than any player on the county circuit in the last 5 years. I’m not saying he’s the answer but he’s proven over a long period to be a better player than Sibley. I would give Burns another go but if not we have no regular openers in the county game even close to consideration imo
 
Jack Torrance said:
Ali's record is pretty good
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Not this year. He's totally out of form.

About the only thing Smith is weak to is slow left arm orthodox...

rentaghost said:
And you would select a kid in county cricket that had had his first spell of form after 4 years of trying? Not saying you are wrong but Burns has scored more runs than any player on the county circuit in the last 5 years. I’m not saying he’s the answer but he’s proven over a long period to be a better player than Sibley. I would give Burns another go but if not we have no regular openers in the county game even close to consideration imo
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What you did years ago is pointless. Pick players on form. If Australia had our selectors they'd have sent Bangers back to Durham.
 
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smoker said:
Not this year. He's totally out of form.

About the only thing Smith is weak to is slow left arm orthodox...



What you did years ago is pointless. Pick players on form. If Australia had our selectors they'd have sent Bangers back to Durham.
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Too simplistic. Sibley ‘window of success’ against 80mph seam bowling is too short and no gauge for the challenge of opening the batting against Starc, Hazlewood etc. It’s Mark Lathwell and 1980 selection policy stuff. What do you do when fails in his first two tests looking completely out of his depth? Next cab on the rank?
 
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