I think the best thing for everyone who enjoys watching cricket is merely to accept what we are. We can shuffle things round, but until we value technique and determination and coach it effectively, we're pretty much stuck with a lot of players who in most eras of the sport wouldn't have got close to our test team, and certainly not all at the same time. It doesn't feel cohesive and a good coach and a good captain may get a bit more out of what we have. For many it's not stroke play and shot capability that's the problem. It's much more serious. The ability to leave. To play straight. And to maintain concentration.
I don't know about the legitimacy of this, but my father in law is a Surrey member and suggested that Foakes is struggling like Stokes is and has been granted indefinite leave. I'm just hoping the names sounding similar confused him, but he did also reference Stokes in the same sentence.
Possibly. I think he just takes a bit too long to get his movements right and his eye in, rather than need the shine off the ball. But he's probably better off at three than either Crawley or Hameed, who I think would both be better off opening.
I’ll keep saying it until I’m blue in the face. 3 skills not required for T20 or the hundred. those who are looking for answers it’s staring them in the face.
apply the basics better. Undoubtedly one day cricket has improved cricket and the spectacle of it. the players need to apply themselves better
Maybe we should be looking at the fact that India does not allow any of its players to play franchise cricket outside of India. If we didn't have the IPL and Big Bash to worry about would that help us develop better test players?
Malan in, Crawley and Sibley out for 3rd Test. Leach released as reserve spinner. It's not hard to see what side they're picking from that. It's just a case of whether Wood is fit I imagine
Hameed replaced Crawley in second test so basically a straight swap for Malan and Sibley. Do we think Hameed will open ?
I think so. Malan at 3 and the rest of the batters the same. Possibly Mahmood for Wood and maybe even Overton for Curran?
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/2223281/...quad-for-the-third-test-at-emerald-headingley Malan deserves his call up, but it puts a dent in the Yorkshire line up for their 20/20 quarter final next week.
Yes I’m sure you’re right. Malan is perfectly capable to open but we always go for left and right handed combinations where possible. Malan has never looked back since joining Yorks. although it’s not really helped us (as with many !)
I can see a recall for Keaton Jennings, James Vince or Mark Stoneman at some point too. If the selectors are going down the avenue of taking another look at players not given enough time in the past. I'd look to the future and the likes of Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Kohler Kadmore and Ben Duckett.
We tried injecting a bit of youth with Sibley and Crawley but it failed so who knows ? Going back to Jennings etc is not the way forward but is bringing in the one day boys ? Interesting times for the selectors.