Third test squad?

[smoker]

Don’t start that shite
Picked loads who averaged well and they all failed

Buttler was quality 2 tests ago and now he’s shite

Typical SMB

Typical straw man argument. It's not about Buttler being shite, it's about who is performing least well so gets dropped.

I'm a big Buttler fan but unless Bairstow can be persuaded to hand over the gloves, he's in the team as a batsman and needs to justify his selection as such. He's currently on 25 runs against the current opposition while Curran has 127. As a batsman Curran is a better selection, even without the options his left arm bowling gives.

Against pakistan who are one of the lowest ranked test teams. The point is moot anyway. He is vice captain (somehow, i guess lack of experience and choice) so unlikely to be dropped

A bizarre decision given he still needed to cement his place in the side.

 

[The Rat]

Against pakistan who are one of the lowest ranked test teams. The point is moot anyway. He is vice captain (somehow, i guess lack of experience and choice) so unlikely to be dropped

Ahhh shit

I forgot runs against Pakistan don’t count

 

[SAFC11]

Ahhh shit

I forgot runs against Pakistan don’t count

I didnt say they didnt. But he has struggled v india and has an average of just over 30. Curran has scored well against a stronger attack. I like him. Just dont the he has contributed enough to say he should sit out

 

[smoker]

Ahhh shit

I forgot runs against Pakistan don’t count

We're not playing Pakistan. Curran is averaging 42 for this series, third highest run scorer. Stokes averaging 13.5, Buttler 8.5. Baffling when you consider our batting is fragile as fuck and reinforces all the old rumours about pecking orders.

 

[Mrjardine]

I didnt say they didnt. But he has struggled v india and has an average of just over 30. Curran has scored well against a stronger attack. I like him. Just dont the he has contributed enough to say he should sit out

He sits out as Stokes is a better player and Buttler is a better batsman.

All this don’t change a winning team stuff is a load of shite. The lads done well but this is top level sport not a knock about with ya mates on a Saturday afternoon.

 

[smoker]

Buttler is a better batsman.

Moot point in this format. He needs to prove he can bat higher and score consistently

 

[The Rat]

We're not playing Pakistan. Curran is averaging 42 for this series, third highest run scorer. Stokes averaging 13.5, Buttler 8.5. Baffling when you consider our batting is fragile as fuck and reinforces all the old rumours about pecking orders.

Pecking orders? Fuck sake

Stokes is one of the best players in the world

He gets in every team in world cricket

And you don’t need 5 Seamers

It’s Woakes or Curran

You choose

The way we go on is crazy sometimes

He sits out as Stokes is a better player and Buttler is a better batsman.

All this don’t change a winning team stuff is a load of shite. The lads done well but this is top level sport not a knock about with ya mates on a Saturday afternoon.

I’m amazed by the reaction, didn’t expect it

People have opinions

Criticism of Buttler is harsh though

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Pecking orders? Fuck sake

Stokes is one of the best players in the world

He gets in every team in world cricket

And you don’t need 5 Seamers

It’s Woakes or Curran

You choose

The way we go on is crazy sometimes



I’m amazed by the reaction, didn’t expect it

People have opinions

Criticism of Buttler is harsh though

Criticism of Buttler is fair. He has a lot to prove. And whilst I’m happy he gets a run once picked, the vice captaincy is bizarre.

He’s gonna go back to 7, and I still don’t think you play a specialist batsman at 7

 

[Ageing trundler]

Nice to be talking about who we leave out rather than scratching our heads thinking where the next player is coming from. Cook, Jennings, Root, Pope, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for me with the brilliant Sam Curran, Ali and Porter missing out this time. All 14 will go to Sri Lanka + Leach and another batsman.

 

[The Rat]

Criticism of Buttler is fair. He has a lot to prove. And whilst I’m happy he gets a run once picked, the vice captaincy is bizarre.

He’s gonna go back to 7, and I still don’t think you play a specialist batsman at 7

Fair point but I think people are judging too much on this series, it’s very very tough conditions, 2 tests ago he was class

I want him in my side

Curran isn’t competing for Buttler’s place

So I don’t get why people are bringing him up

There were 2 spots between Ali, Curran, Woakes and Stokes

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Nice to be talking about who we leave out rather than scratching our heads thinking where the next player is coming from. Cook, Jennings, Root, Pope, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for me with the brilliant Sam Curran, Ali and Porter missing out this time. All 14 will go to Sri Lanka + Leach and another batsman.

Well that’s very true but the all rounders paper over the cracks somewhat

Cook and Jennings look unconvincing to say the least
Root is never a 3. But we don’t have one
Bairstow can’t bat 4 with the gloves
Pope is 1 test in

So the batting is bailed out by a middle order.

Bowling wise Anderson is just a god. But he has surely only got 18 months left.

 

[Ageing trundler]

Criticism of Buttler is fair. He has a lot to prove. And whilst I’m happy he gets a run once picked, the vice captaincy is bizarre.

He’s gonna go back to 7, and I still don’t think you play a specialist batsman at 7

Ordinarily though, your all-rounder (Stokes) and keeper (Bairstow) would be 6 and 7. And we have both who are capable of batting 4 and 5.

 

[The Rat]

Nice to be talking about who we leave out rather than scratching our heads thinking where the next player is coming from. Cook, Jennings, Root, Pope, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for me with the brilliant Sam Curran, Ali and Porter missing out this time. All 14 will go to Sri Lanka + Leach and another batsman.

Wouldn’t be so sure on that judging by Smith’s approach

We will bring some pace

We can’t just pick the same attack as in England as we will lose

Well that’s very true but the all rounders paper over the cracks somewhat

Cook and Jennings look unconvincing to say the least
Root is never a 3. But we don’t have one
Bairstow can’t bat 4 with the gloves
Pope is 1 test in

So the batting is bailed out by a middle order.

Bowling wise Anderson is just a god. But he has surely only got 18 months left.

A lot of that is fair but jimmy will be around a lot longer than in my view

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Fair point but I think people are judging too much on this series, it’s very very tough conditions, 2 tests ago he was class

I want him in my side

Curran isn’t competing for Buttler’s place

So I don’t get why people are bringing him up

There were 2 spots between Ali, Curran, Woakes and Stokes

I’d love to see him come good as he is super talented and would be so dangerous coming in at 6/7.

Given our stock of all rounders, he’s a luxury at the moment.

I know stats aren’t everything but out of the team for the next test, only 2 players will have few first class tons than him. Broad and Anderson. He’s not a kid, and he’s played plenty of games. Needs to score big runs now

Ordinarily though, your all-rounder (Stokes) and keeper (Bairstow) would be 6 and 7. And we have both who are capable of batting 4 and 5.

Possibly. Remember that Bairstow is still sub 40 and Stokes is 35 ish. Talent wise, yes. But I’d still like a proper batsman in there. Someone solid.

A Thorpe or a Colly.

 

[Ageing trundler]

Well that’s very true but the all rounders paper over the cracks somewhat

Cook and Jennings look unconvincing to say the least
Root is never a 3. But we don’t have one
Bairstow can’t bat 4 with the gloves
Pope is 1 test in

So the batting is bailed out by a middle order.
Agreed. We desperately need another opener. No idea who though. Rocky was unlucky to be dropped but I don't think he is the answer long-term. Who is out there who can open and stay there for 4 hours+?

Bowling wise Anderson is just a god. But he has surely only got 18 months left.

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Wouldn’t be so sure on that judging by Smith’s approach

We will bring some pace

We can’t just pick the same attack as in England as we will lose



A lot of that is fair but jimmy will be around a lot longer than in my view

He’ll be 37/38 soon. He’s one shoulder injury away. He’s a bloody legend mind

 

[The Rat]

He’ll be 37/38 soon. He’s one shoulder injury away. He’s a bloody legend mind

His action is just so so easy though

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

His action is just so so easy though

Oh yes. And he looks better than ever. And he seems fit.

I guess it’s just a binary thing. One injury and he could be finished. Or he could play til 40

 

[MrBraithwaite]

I think it sends out a canny shite message to the other lads in the team who have come into the side and grabbed their chance with both hands.

Stokes is a superb cricketer, truly fantastic. But I don’t agree with him walking back into the side, it sends out a shit message to everyone else.

Completely understand why people will say he must be in the team, can see that totally. But for me personally, I think it would have been good to leave him out for this test. Give him a chance to clear his head, and also send out a message to all players that you don’t just walk back into the side.

Incredibly harsh on Curran, as it would have been on any player suggested to miss out

The twat should get sent to jail!

 

[rentaghost]

I didnt say they didnt. But he has struggled v india and has an average of just over 30. Curran has scored well against a stronger attack. I like him. Just dont the he has contributed enough to say he should sit out

I don't think they have a stronger attack at all. I was more impressed with Pakistan's bowling unit.