TheRey
Winger
Saw it on the Beeb, and for a bit of fun, I thought I'd see what the SMB thinks.
The way I'd go:
1. Burns - only opener who's looked anywhere near competent during the series
2. Denley - aside from Burns, outperformed any other player who's opened the batting
3. Labuschagne - think he's looked a very good player.
4. - Smith. Gotta have him at 4; he's just been a run machine.
5 - Root. Hasn't quite fired, but still been the "best of the rest", so to speak. Got him at 5 as I don't think he's suited to 3, but you can't dislodge Smith from the place where he's absolutely battered England.
6 - Stokes.
7. Buttler (WK) - Paine, IMO, has had a poor series; Jos hasn't been brilliant but outperformed the other 2 WKs IMO. (interesting stat, too - since coming back into the side, only Root has faced more balls than Jos, and he has got a higher average and more 50s than any other batman)
Yes I know he's not kept, but I'm having him.
8. Hazelwood - just, just keeps out Jofra. I think their bowlers have outperformed ours, and that's the sole reason he sneaks it over Jof.
9. Cummings - tremendous bowler this lad. None better IMO
10. Leach. Tight, but apart from the first Test, Lyon has been naff - Leachy hasn't pulled up trees, but has been consistent and he's also not a c*nt!
11. Broady - been absolutely excellent.
12th man: Jofra.
The way I'd go:
1. Burns - only opener who's looked anywhere near competent during the series
2. Denley - aside from Burns, outperformed any other player who's opened the batting
3. Labuschagne - think he's looked a very good player.
4. - Smith. Gotta have him at 4; he's just been a run machine.
5 - Root. Hasn't quite fired, but still been the "best of the rest", so to speak. Got him at 5 as I don't think he's suited to 3, but you can't dislodge Smith from the place where he's absolutely battered England.
6 - Stokes.
7. Buttler (WK) - Paine, IMO, has had a poor series; Jos hasn't been brilliant but outperformed the other 2 WKs IMO. (interesting stat, too - since coming back into the side, only Root has faced more balls than Jos, and he has got a higher average and more 50s than any other batman)
Yes I know he's not kept, but I'm having him.
8. Hazelwood - just, just keeps out Jofra. I think their bowlers have outperformed ours, and that's the sole reason he sneaks it over Jof.
9. Cummings - tremendous bowler this lad. None better IMO
10. Leach. Tight, but apart from the first Test, Lyon has been naff - Leachy hasn't pulled up trees, but has been consistent and he's also not a c*nt!
11. Broady - been absolutely excellent.
12th man: Jofra.