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Prospective England openers

Parkside said:
Yeh, looks as if Stokes will have the team he wants with some feed in from Key. Also think Ben will consult his big mate Joe so he'll have unofficial input. I'd say there are 2 batsmen( they're make and they bat so they're batsmen)_who've made standout pick me i.e. Dickson and Brook.
They'll stick with Crawley so a top six of
Lees
Crawley
Malan
Root
Brook
Stokes.
Click to expand...
Given how his career has gone to date I can't imagine Dickson is close to selection. If he keeps it up all season maybe the Lions.
 

Parkside said:
Yeh, looks as if Stokes will have the team he wants with some feed in from Key. Also think Ben will consult his big mate Joe so he'll have unofficial input. I'd say there are 2 batsmen( they're make and they bat so they're batsmen)_who've made standout pick me i.e. Dickson and Brook.
They'll stick with Crawley so a top six of
Lees
Crawley
Malan
Root
Brook
Stokes.
Click to expand...

Dickson is nowhere near internatiional standard like
 
Parkside said:
Yeh, looks as if Stokes will have the team he wants with some feed in from Key. Also think Ben will consult his big mate Joe so he'll have unofficial input. I'd say there are 2 batsmen( they're make and they bat so they're batsmen)_who've made standout pick me i.e. Dickson and Brook.
They'll stick with Crawley so a top six of
Lees
Crawley
Malan
Root
Brook
Stokes.
Click to expand...
Surely not Malan?
 
Top 6 for me and I don't think I'd change this going into the first series of the summer, Crawley, Lees, Malan, Root, Brook and Stokes. Bairstow will miss the first test regardless so Foakes at 7.
 
HeroHurley said:
Same old. Brook should be in at 5 certainly.
Click to expand...

Don’t think you can say with any certainty like

Think it’s fair that someone like pope gets a break after 23 tests though

They do need some new blood mind, sends the wrong message just picking the same team
 
A lot easier picking a no 3 than an opener. Crawley looks more of a no 3 than an opener to me.

The trouble is who to open alongside Lees?

I like ....
Lees
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Malan
 
The Rat said:
It’s fair yeah but I just don’t think it’s the worse pick for a few years

No easy answer

Nobody can say “player A” HAS to be picked, it’s a punt

Just think it’s not as simple as picking top run scorer.
Click to expand...
Yep agree it’s not as simple as picking most runs or best averages otherwise would not need selectors.

Selectors get paid to make these decisions and you can never be sure.

Out of all options available would have Malan to start the summer.

If Root is going to bat 4 would rather Malan at 3 than a new player
 
Last edited:
Voice of fair play said:
Yep agree it’s not as simple as picking most runs or best averages otherwise would not need selectors.

Selectors get paid to make these decisions and you can never be sure.

Out of all options available would have Malan to start the summer.

If Root is going to bat 4 would rather Malan at 3 than a new player
Click to expand...

Burns n Sibley, who both did Ok to be fair, were 2 players who the public, especially online, said had to play, as they were scoring so many runs

Then you see them and realise why selectors might not have picked them

Bohanon has a good case but I’ve not really seen him, you really are relying on good selectors

It’s why I like cricket though there’s just no way of knowing for sure, mental, technical it’s all important

I do think there is something in picking lads who played white ball cricket in front of huge crowds. They know the pressure now.

They however need decent first class records too, which Malan n Vince do

Brook os a good example as he’s delivered in front of big crowds in Pakistan but has good fc pedigree

Livingstone iw another who could handle the pressure I think, but is just unselectable as you need some sort of red ball form.
 
The Rat said:
Burns n Sibley, who both did Ok to be fair, were 2 players who the public, especially online, said had to play, as they were scoring so many runs

Then you see them and realise why selectors might not have picked them

Bohanon has a good case but I’ve not really seen him, you really are relying on good selectors

It’s why I like cricket though there’s just no way of knowing for sure, mental, technical it’s all important

I do think there is something in picking lads who played white ball cricket in front of huge crowds. They know the pressure now.

They however need decent first class records too, which Malan n Vince do

Brook os a good example as he’s delivered in front of big crowds in Pakistan but has good fc pedigree

Livingstone iw another who could handle the pressure I think, but is just unselectable as you need some sort of red ball form.
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree with you to certain extent as confidence is massive in sport at the top level and if players are in form and confident in white ball not against giving them a go.

Sometimes it can go the other way and destroy their test career for example no way should Roy have been chucked in to open against a great Aussie attack.
 
Voice of fair play said:
Yeah I agree with you to certain extent as confidence is massive in sport at the top level and if players are in form and confident in white ball not against giving them a go.

Sometimes it can go the other way and destroy their test career for example no way should Roy have been chucked in to open against a great Aussie attack.
Click to expand...

Aye, I specifically am on about the pressures of playing in front of huge huge crowds, but really about the type of player they are like, attacking or whatever.

Obviously you need to be a good red ball player already

I can see why they got Pope in early as thy didnt wanna lose him to the white ball circuit

However if he had played 20 or 30 White ball games for England in full stadiums, would he have been better prepared for the pressures of test cricket? I think he would have.

Roy isnt the example I am on about, as he didnt have a strong red ball career, if that makes sense
 
The Rat said:
Aye, I specifically am on about the pressures of playing in front of huge huge crowds, but really about the type of player they are like, attacking or whatever.

Obviously you need to be a good red ball player already

I can see why they got Pope in early as thy didnt wanna lose him to the white ball circuit

However if he had played 20 or 30 White ball games for England in full stadiums, would he have been better prepared for the pressures of test cricket? I think he would have.

Roy isnt the example I am on about, as he didnt have a strong red ball career, if that makes sense
Click to expand...
I get what you’re saying, and inclined to agree. It’s hard tho as Roy doesn’t have a particularly bad first class record, averages more than Livingstone and not far off Malan
 
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