If you have a British passport like not sure can be much argument
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If you have a British passport like not sure can be much argument
When you play SA U19s I reckon there can be a debate. A few think that should be the line in the sand. Let’s leave it there mate, not going to convince each other
When you play SA U19s I reckon there can be a debate. A few think that should be the line in the sand. Let’s leave it there mate, not going to convince each other
I do broadly agree, I just think its tricky when someone has british parents and a passport thats all
Morgan is Irish for example, he is the most dodgy one
Comeback_Kenwyne
Striker
f***ing hell, what a question.
For West Indies I'd go:
Libby,
Burns,
Malan,
Root,
Stokes,
Livingstone,
Foakes,
Robinson,
Wood,
Parkinson,
Anderson (c)
I just maybe think Jimmy can have a swansong summer as skipper and buy us a season.
By end of the season we will see if there are better options than Burns at the top and/or he shows himself to be durable enough for us to give him the job. Or, alternatively, Stokes has recuperated more and started looking like himself, so he gets it. Or, or, Foakes takes to it so well, he gets it. Whatever.
Point is on form, the only players who are worthy of a place in the team are Anderson, Root and Robinson. And one of them is callow, the other stepping down. So Jimmy it is. By default.
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smoker
Striker
This whole 'not British' crack was started - without a shadow of irony - by the Australians to try and discredit our Ashes victories in 2009 to 2015, because they're sore losers. Cricket in England has always been played by the jet setting commonwealth elite, not working class larrikins like in Australia, so its hardly surprising many are born overseas. You'll notice they've mostly shut up with that crack since having Labuschagne in the team.
Comeback_Kenwyne
Striker
Not to mention Steve Smith who is at least as English as Ben Stokes.
scotch
Striker
6 players leaving the big bash early to prepare for the Windies short form tour, so they won't be able to be parachuted in for the 5th test...it's almost like England don't view test cricket as the most important form.Clarke, duckett and billings are all currently playing the big bash
Cases rising and letting any potential replacements fly home before the 5th test
rentaghost
Striker
Unfortunately when you can take the piss out of any suggestion of England openers. Much easier doing that than having realistic, workable alternatives.
I can't agree with this point mate
I think this idea has slowly come into English cricket that you just need to keep picking players who aren't scoring any runs, "show faith in them"
Atherton made the simple point, if they arent scoring runs, then try someone else
doesnt mean they will be better but you have to try
Someone will stick eventually
I mean Burns performed so badly he got dropped in India and Australia, whats the point of picking him?
You wouldnt pick bowlers for 30 tsts who take no wickets, you wouldnt pick a keeper who couldnt catch a ball, but for some reason we have conditioned ourselves to keep picking batsman even when they dont score runs
If a batsman is a class act with runs behind him, then you stick with them through a bad patch, but not when they have no record at all.
Clarke, duckett and billings are all currently playing the big bash
Joe Clarke is probably the best technical player in England yet to have any international caps
had his off field issues, but he is a pretty pure player with 100s behind him
I'd be looking at him ahead of Ollie Pope, or even at number 3.
Not too interested in his recent record, just think he has no real outrageous faults.
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rentaghost
Striker
It isn't as simple as that IMO. Burns playing 30 tests is a reflection of him doing relatively well in his first 17/18 or so (averaging 35+
) and then sticking with him through his drop off in the last year as result of his decent start. If now is the time to discard him then that's fine and if we can get another opener that averages 35 in their first 18 tests it would be a really pleasant surprise because I cant see them. I hadn't heard Atherton's quote on if they aren't scoring runs try someone else but to me that's exactly what they have done when discarding Lyth, Stoneman, Robson, Jennings, Hameed, Sibley and others I have no doubt missed out. I think they were right to as well.Clarke may be worth ago but players can often appear to have few technical faults until they are exposed against quality international bowling. Be interesting to see how he and any other new players get on.
Voice of fair play
Striker
There is still a very viable argument to suggest Rory Burns is the best opening batsman in this country.
There’s not
He made 6 ducks in a year
Just picking anyone who can literally stay in for a bit would be an improvement
He’s also getting worse and worse
If he wants to come back he needs to completely change his technique
He’s not working hard enough
It’s lazy
Butcher made the point on Wisden, that’s people like burns just think I’ve made it this far with this technique it will be enough. Wrong. It’s a different game and you have to adapt and change your technique
It annoys me that they think they can just play the way they do in county championship cricket against Cummins n hazlewood.
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Ashley In!!
Striker
And that despite him having 6 ducks in 16 innings. Like I said.....
Voice of fair play
Striker
Yep
Imo Rory Burns is the best opening batsman in this country.
He is a better player than Hameed, he is a better player than Sibley, he is a better player than Lees and he is better player than Crawley.
Looking back in English cricket over the last 50 years they has probably not been a worse best opening batsman in this country but that still does not change my opinion that he is at moment.
If you saying he is not mate you need to suggest who is, never seen that on your post?
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Jack Torrance
Striker
Alastair Cook
Voice of fair play
Striker
I have heard worse shouts mate!!
Maybe I should correct myself and say best opening batsman in this country available for selection
I don’t need to suggest anything I’m not a selector
But We’ve just lost the most tests ever in a year and he has 6 ducks. 6!!!
He’s played 30 tests and his average is about to go under 30
You also didn’t read my post
He’s not working hard enough, it’s lazy. “This is the way I play”
Remember the criticism Ballance got for not changing his technique, despite doing much better than burns
It’s just lazy by him.
And I haven’t got a problem with him more than others it’s just he’s a good example of how we’ve gone wrong. We just accepted that a batsman with that technique and that bad record was fine to Carry on
No pressure on his place no calls for him to change a technique which clearly doesn’t work
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Voice of fair play
Striker
You just stating everything we already know, I am not disagreeing with any of the above.
In fact I agree with all you have said and still think he better than the rest
You disagreed with me by replying to me saying he was not the best option opening the batting.
Therefore surely you must think somebody is a better option?
If so not sure why you can’t name them?
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I don’t have to name anyone
That’s literally not the point I’m making
The point is you don’t keep picking players who are failing and not working on their game at all
Just as you wouldn’t pick bowlers who don’t take wickets
