1st TEST :: New Zealand v England

[smoker]

Another zany selection. I swear Trevaskis had a better record at the same age.

Sibley, Burns and Hameed for that matter had better CC averages than Duckett and Crawley iirc, yet the former two have done miles better.

Crawley has an average of 31.98 and 4 hundreds from 50 tests
Burns had an average of 30.32 and 3 hundreds from 32 tests
Sibley had an average of 28.94 and 2 hundreds from 22 tests

Not a lot in it.

 

[Lumley End]

It’s not 100% about the numbers though, we already know that otherwise Robinson would’ve been picked over Smith. I get it doesn’t always have to be solely about the numbers too, that’s fair. Surely though a players figures still needs to be part of the conversation when picking a player for a test squad.

 

[Inside Forward]

What the fuck are they looking at when selecting players? And not just when selecting players but deciding who goes where in the batting order?

They must be disenfranchising a lot of very good county cricketers who are being overlooked for inferior players and there isn’t any explanation of why.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

It almost feels like they’re trying too hard to be funky now

A ridiculous selection

 

[Voice of fair play]

Another zany selection. I swear Trevaskis had a better record at the same age.


Crawley has an average of 31.98 and 4 hundreds from 50 tests
Burns had an average of 30.32 and 3 hundreds from 32 tests
Sibley had an average of 28.94 and 2 hundreds from 22 tests

Not a lot in it.

I think it’s more than fair to say without checking any stats that Crawley and Duckett have been a lot more successful as an opening partnership and ratio of test match wins than the other two.

The wider point been is the likes of Burns,Sibley, Hameed, Vince, and Jennings all high up in county championship averages and all previously failed at international level.

Not many candidates currently in the CC a lot better than those so it’s far from as straightforward as picking the highest run scorers or averages in the CC for the test team.

I probably do agree with a lot of posters that some selections now getting too left field but at the same time making the point that there is no standout candidate in the CC and several at the top of the runs and averages have failed before so they looking for who they think can make the transition.

 

[Durham-Mackem41]

It’s a dreadful squad 3 out of former batsman. 3 spinners on pitches that offer nothing for spinners.

A back batsmen who has done nothing is Pope undroppable it appears so!

 

[Aidan11]

Wasn't impressed with Bethell in the white ball games.

Could turn out to be an inspired pick but will more likely spend the series carrying drinks.

 

[Voice of fair play]

I genuinely think there is a lack of decent alternatives to the current set up.

Plenty of possibly correct criticism knocking about for who they have picked but not many offering any named alternatives.

Which kind of suggests not many kicking the door down for selection.

We could go back to Bairstow he is as good as anyone else out there probably?

It’s a dreadful squad 3 out of former batsman. 3 spinners on pitches that offer nothing for spinners.

A back batsmen who has done nothing is Pope undroppable it appears so!

Is there better alternatives in the batting? I think Pope should be dropped of form but not convinced anyone will do any better tbh

 

[mackembhoy]

I genuinely think there is a lack of decent alternatives to the current set up.

Plenty of possibly correct criticism knocking about for who they have picked but not many offering any named alternatives.

Which kind of suggests not many kicking the door down for selection.

We could go back to Bairstow he is as good as anyone else out there probably?

Is there better alternatives in the batting? I think Pope should be dropped of form but not convinced anyone will do any better tbh

There is a wealth of number 4-6 batsman in England I'd have picked ahead of Bethell.

I think because they've said Cox may not be able to keep all 3 it's a concern there isn't a backup keeper in the squad.

Ollie Robinson is massively unlucky not to be called up. At the point of Smith being called up(even though I had no arguments at the time)

He was averaging 95 with and 85 batting SR. Even though his form fell off he still ended the season with a 84 SR.

Bethell career SR in FC cricket is 44, so doesn't even play red ball the way they want to select batsman!!!

 

[Voice of fair play]

There is a wealth of number 4-6 batsman in England I'd have picked ahead of Bethell.

I think because they've said Cox may not be able to keep all 3 it's a concern there isn't a backup keeper in the squad.

Ollie Robinson is massively unlucky not to be called up. At the point of Smith being called up(even though I had no arguments at the time)

He was averaging 95 with and 85 batting SR. Even though his form fell off he still ended the season with a 84 SR.

Bethell career SR in FC cricket is 44, so doesn't even play red ball the way they want to select batsman!!!

I was more on about better alternatives to the current people in the side and playing, if dropping Pope, Crawley etc don’t see many better alternatives.

Like I said earlier Bethell probably too much left field, but can see why they looking for someone to make that step up rather than just going from CC runs and different test

 

[chopsfc007]

I genuinely think there is a lack of decent alternatives to the current set up.

Plenty of possibly correct criticism knocking about for who they have picked but not many offering any named alternatives.

Which kind of suggests not many kicking the door down for selection.

We could go back to Bairstow he is as good as anyone else out there probably?

Is there better alternatives in the batting? I think Pope should be dropped of form but not convinced anyone will do any better tbh

Robinson,bohannon, hain, root to 3

 

[Voice of fair play]

Robinson,bohannon, hain, root to 3

Yeah would not be averse to that, but don’t think either of the above should bat 3

 

[chopsfc007]

Yeah would not be averse to that, but don’t think either of the above should bat 3

Root bat 3 brook 4 hain 5

 

[mackembhoy]

I was more on about better alternatives to the current people in the side and playing, if dropping Pope, Crawley etc don’t see many better alternatives.

Like I said earlier Bethell probably too much left field, but can see why they looking for someone to make that step up rather than just going from CC runs and different test

Yeah I dunno why people have even wasted their effort discussing changing the top 6 for the NZ series.

It was never going to happen with less than a month notice. If the pressure ramps up on say Pope after the NZ series.

Then a 5 month break until Zimbabwe and 6 month break to India is a time for the England setup to re-evaluate.

 

[Aidan11]

I hope Stokes finds form with the bat. Only played a couple of tests since his injury so it's understandable he's finding his feet again.

 

[scotch]

4 spinners
0 full time Wicketkeepers
0 reserve Opener
Back up batsman is a number 7 all rounder
+ Half our batters are out of form.

Is this one of the most bizarre squads we've ever picked for a tour

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Next Wednesday I think?

 

[VenisonsMullet]

Next Wednesday I think?

Seems like cricket is on all year round these days. No wonder the players are complaining about burn out...

 

[Parkside]

Seems like cricket is on all year round these days. No wonder the players are complaining about burn out...

We see far more red ball cricket in winter than in summer nowadays thanks to FTECB and their obsession with the folly

 

[Hetty]

Wednesday 10pm TNT Sports 4