Ashes squad

[scotch]

I think it’s reasonable to be honest. Assess it critically

a fragile top 3, 2 of whom are recent additions
missing stokes at 5, Pope and Lawrence yet to convince
Buttler and Bairstow both looking fragile with the gloves
No allrounder of note, we will play the keeper at 6 and Woakes at 7 probably
Right arm fast medium bar Wood. Broad potentially unfit
spinners who are untrusted
Warner, Smith and Labuschange who are exceptional at home
Genuine pace and class with Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood
An off spinner with 400 test wickets

I’d feel a bit better if Archer, Stone and Stokes had travelled and if Pope had kicked on last summer

Just realised Foakes has been left out

 

[TheRey]

Just realised Foakes has been left out

Gotta squeeze Golden Boy Jos in somehow. When he can be arsed to turn up, anyway

 

[The Rat]

Just realised Foakes has been left out

why would they take him?

 

[scotch]

why would they take him?

Best gloveman, most in form with the bat out of the three....both are true, but on a more serious level I think the squad is too small given the circumstances and would expect an A team to shadow the squad and be available to come in at short notice because quarantine will make it impossible.
If half the squad got close contacted/infected then the tests would have to be cancelled

Gotta squeeze Golden Boy Jos in somehow. When he can be arsed to turn up, anyway

I really hope the 2020 Joss turns up and does a Haddin job on them...if 2021 Joss continues then he'll be out come the 4th test

 

[TheRey]

Best gloveman, most in form with the bat out of the three....both are true, but on a more serious level I think the squad is too small given the circumstances and would expect an A team to shadow the squad and be available to come in at short notice because quarantine will make it impossible.
If half the squad got close contacted/infected then the tests would have to be cancelled

I really hope the 2020 Joss turns up and does a Haddin job on them...if 2021 Joss continues then he'll be out come the 4th test

He hasn't been bothered to turn up for 50% of our Tests in 2021. I wouldn't bank on him doing anything in Aus

 

[The Rat]

Best gloveman, most in form with the bat out of the three....both are true, but on a more serious level I think the squad is too small given the circumstances and would expect an A team to shadow the squad and be available to come in at short notice because quarantine will make it impossible.
If half the squad got close contacted/infected then the tests would have to be cancelled

I really hope the 2020 Joss turns up and does a Haddin job on them...if 2021 Joss continues then he'll be out come the 4th test

Most in form with the bat?

just gans to show the bizarre bias towards him on here, he has been injured all year

we have better.

 

[scotch]

Most in form with the bat?

just gans to show the bizarre bias towards him on here, he has been injured all year

we have better.

he actually scored 53* Sep 21st...most recent knock out of the 3 players. Higher score than Joss scored all series and highest since Bairstows knock in August.

Looks like an A squad is travelling out - Lees may be getting rewarded for his form with Durham, Sibley (who got his form back) and yates (5 hundreds) set to be included according to the daily fail

 

[TheRey]

he actually scored 53* Sep 21st...most recent knock out of the 3 players. Higher score than Joss scored all series and highest since Bairstows knock in August.

Looks like an A squad is travelling out - Lees may be getting rewarded for his form with Durham, Sibley (who got his form back) and yates (5 hundreds) set to be included according to the daily fail

Shush. It's only a southern myth that Foakes is any good

 

[The Rat]

he actually scored 53* Sep 21st...most recent knock out of the 3 players. Higher score than Joss scored all series and highest since Bairstows knock in August.

Looks like an A squad is travelling out - Lees may be getting rewarded for his form with Durham, Sibley (who got his form back) and yates (5 hundreds) set to be included according to the daily fail

Jeuss mate, talk about clutching at straws, one innings against an shite county attack on a flat pitch


I'll me muting anyone banging on about this bloke all winter

he had his chance in India and was worse than the majoruty of them

good player who will probs play in a few years time, but he is no magic bullet
sorry I know thats over the top, I just cant take any more Ben Foakes crack like. Its beyond belief the praise he gets!

 

[TheRey]

Jeuss mate, talk about clutching at straws, one innings against an shite county attack on a flat pitch


I'll me muting anyone banging on about this bloke all winter

he had his chance in India and was worse than the majoruty of them

good player who will probs play in a few years time, but he is no magic bullet
sorry I know thats over the top, I just cant take any more Ben Foakes crack like. Its beyond belief the praise he gets!

He gets praise because he is a very, vert good cricketer. He's just not a golden boy so gets shat on.

 

[The Rat]

He gets praise because he is a very, vert good cricketer. He's just not a golden boy so gets shat on.

jesus mate

he gets more praise than any cricketer I can rememebr, its ridiculous. Didnt take his chance in India.

unless he can bat in the top 3 its a complete non issue too.

England;s problem is not runs from number 7 is it, and anyone suggesting it is, is just lying.
lets not spend all Ashes talking about a bloke who would probs average 30 from number 7, its not a problem that needs sorting

Unless he can score 100s from the top 3, or take wickets on flat pitches, then lets leave it there

 

[scotch]

jesus mate

he gets more praise than any cricketer I can rememebr, its ridiculous. Didnt take his chance in India.

unless he can bat in the top 3 its a complete non issue too.

England;s problem is not runs from number 7 is it, and anyone suggesting it is, is just lying.
lets not spend all Ashes talking about a bloke who would probs average 30 from number 7, its not a problem that needs sorting

Unless he can score 100s from the top 3, or take wickets on flat pitches, then lets leave it there

I'd fancy his chances over Bess in Oz

jesus mate

he gets more praise than any cricketer I can rememebr, its ridiculous. Didnt take his chance in India.

Foakes in india, 3 tests, 78 runs @15
Buttler in England, 3 tests, 72 runs @14

 

[The Rat]

I'd fancy his chances over Bess in Oz

Foakes in india, 3 tests, 78 runs @15
Buttler in England, 3 tests, 72 runs @14

So?

Why was he so poor if he is so much better than Buttler then?

the obsession on here with him is absolutely mental like, it really is.

Only on the SMB would they blamed a number 7 for our top order woes.

 

[Voice of fair play]

If you picked a combined XI to play in Australian conditions (assuming Stokes doesn't go)...

Warner
*Batter
Labuschagne
Root
Smith
*Batter
*Keeper
Cummings
Hazlewood
Lyon
Anderson

It's 6 of theirs, 2 of ours and the other three spots are up for grabs. You'd probably have Buttler over Paine (but there's not much between their test records) and the other two batting spots could be filled by subpar players from either side. Some convicts would have Starc over Jimmy in their conditions as well.

You never know with test cricket, but I fear the worst.

Yeah of course you would have to fancy them, but like you say cricket a funny game at times.

We need to go in with a positive and fighting attitude because if the players don’t believe we beat before we start.

 

[NorthCountryBoy]

So?

Why was he so poor if he is so much better than Buttler then?

the obsession on here with him is absolutely mental like, it really is.

Only on the SMB would they blamed a number 7 for our top order woes.

Its marginal gains though. Even if he’ll average you, say, an extra three over a ten match period it’s worth doing. Plus his keeping is excellent, albeit less relevant when keeping to seamers in Oz.

All England can do is play the cards they have and while no gun top order player is waiting in the wings the number 7 spot is fair to debate.

 

[Jack Torrance]

Reaction on here will be great when Bairstow and Buttler are at 5 & 6 first test

 

[Steak Pie]

Yeah of course you would have to fancy them, but like you say cricket a funny game at times.

We need to go in with a positive and fighting attitude because if the players don’t believe we beat before we start.

I don't think my opinion, as invariably accurate as it is, will affect the player's mindset.

If Stokes goes then it's a different ball game, but the squad as it stands has slim to no chance. I suspect Big Ben is desperate to go as it will be the last opportunity while he's in his prime.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Reaction on here will be great when Bairstow and Buttler are at 5 & 6 first test

I’ll say it again. Fine for either at 7. But not both and not at 5 and 6

 

[cooky]

Reaction on here will be great when Bairstow and Buttler are at 5 & 6 first test

Think that is almost guaranteed aswell. Think it will be a long old series With Archer and Stokes out I genuinely think there is only Root who gets in their side in Aus conditions.

 

[Voice of fair play]

I don't think my opinion, as invariably accurate as it is, will affect the player's mindset.

If Stokes goes then it's a different ball game, but the squad as it stands has slim to no chance. I suspect Big Ben is desperate to go as it will be the last opportunity while he's in his prime.

I don’t think Australia currently a great side and think it will be closer than the 5 0 some are predicting but obviously they are favourites