I really think the pitches will suit Crawley but he needs runs in the warm ups for me to justify getting in the team
him and smith will be the big two again, keeping Warner quiet would be good too
Not sure its about justifying though is it, and dont think thats the right way to pick a team for this series
Pick a team that you think can win in these conditions, dont try and be "fair" to Hameed for example as he did OK. Just pick who you will think will score more runs
I wouldnt assume that Leach will play btw.
I would probably pick him, certainly in some of the tests.
People will view him not playing as a negative, safe move and while I wouldnt agree with keeping him out, I dont think its a negative move.
England have lost 9 of their last 10 tests their by picking 1 spinner and usual seamers. If they think Woakes will take more wickets than Jack Leach for example, its not a negative move
Whether its the rght move is a different question, if that makes sense.
Woakes is the biggest loser from the Stokes recall, and Leach is the biggest winner. But i can see how its very very tempting for Root to pick them all, especially when Woakes could score big runs over there in theory.
My own view is you need variation and leach is a very good spinner IMO.
But Stokes, Woakes, Robinson, Wood, Jimmy, with a bit of Root
thats a pretty good attack like.