I listened to the SportNationNZ radio commentary rather than TMS. He appeared regularly. Started off a bit nervously but improved massively. The insight have gave in respect of the bowling process was superb. TMS had Alex Hartley dribbling on about her period and where she'd been the previous day.
To be fair to the England management (and I can't believe I'm saying this), Bashir made himself unselectable once the team reached Australia.Bethell should be left as number 3. Crawley has had his chances and needs to move on. Duckett and Smith should remain in the team I think. Pope could return much later on but not at 3 and may even be the keeper down the line. As exciting as Wood and Archer are as bowlers, I don't think their body can hold up to test cricket anymore. Jacks played as well suspected when he got called up, an old fashioned bits and pieces player who is more suited to white ball cricket.. he showed signs but not skilled enough in either discipline to play tests. Potts looked the shadow of what he has, the warning was there last county season like.
Bashir is the one I feel sorry for as he lost his county and looked ok last summer before his injury. I just don't get the mindset of backing him for years when he was getting a lot of stick, only to bottle it when they went down to OZ. Carse did ok and was expensive but had a decent wickets return and kept charging in.
A few of positives were the previously mentioned Bethell, Root and tongue.
Based on the last few years, I'd respectfully disagree. If we persist with openers who think it is their job to get 50 between them in eight overs, then the number 3 effectively becomes another opener. I'd argue that this has ruined Ollie Pope. I'd hate to see Bethall go the same way. I want openers who can regularly bat for 20 overs, knocking the shine off the new ball, getting it to soften up which surely makes it easier for the others to score more runs in the next 60 overs. If your openers can get through the four main bowlers' opening spells, that is a job well done, particularly in hot climates. I don't care how fast the openers score. if the openers are regularly together at 12.30/45pm in a home test match then for me they have done their job.
Bloody hate this obsession the ECB have with picking the fastest bowlers possible while ignoring everything else.
Agree with most of this.
He's awful
He's pretty much learnt to play red ball cricket at test level. Yet is the highest wicket taking spinner along with Jadeja in tests since his debut.
If only there was some sort of long form red ball competition where he could learn his trade.
He played in it and was crap
This was the chat from George Dobell too regarding Bashir.
If we hadn't been idiots and given him the 1 day job this would be much simpler.
Why do you think that was mate? feeling the expectation or may be a lack of a home on a domestic level
, I see what you mean but I feel Pope wasn't capable of playing the Innings JB did, he has a completely different temperament IMHO. Pope was too skittish to be at 3.You'd have to ask Bashir!
You'd have to ask Bashir!
Sad thing is mate, I think there's a player in there somewhere.. definitely Lyon vibes but he's been so mismanaged it could wreck any chance he had
Smith’s keeping concerns me more than his batting, but since when has top class glove work mattered for England?
and this lot fell short sadly.
