Post by jackthegas on Mar 26, 2018 21:57:09 GMT
This has kind of gone under the radar hasn’t it! I cannot believe we picked the same side that have basically lost the majority of their last 15 tests abroad.
I know we were all out for 58 but our batting options are pretty limited on this tour. We don’t have any reserve openers. Root and Malan are certain picks (although I don’t think Malan has a technique suited to swing bowling) as are Stokes and Bairstow. So unless Stokes can bowl, in which case I’d give Livingston a go, the batsmen will all get a reprieve.
I think Mo needs some time out of the side. He’s played 50 tests now and is basically the same player he was 4 years ago. Decent number 8 who averages 30 odd with the bat and a partnership breaker with the ball. Neither economical enough nor incisive enough to be a front line bowler. So Leach has to play. I think Wood does too although the signs suggest to me that injuries have caught up with him. I think I’d leave Broad out. I just can’t bring myself to have an 8-11 of Wood, Leach, Broad and Anderson. It really would feel like the 90s! He strikes me as the kind of player that responds well a bit of a kick up the backside every now and again. If Stokes can bowl a few overs then it’s a 5 man attack with Livingston in the middle order.
If he can’t then we’re buggered cos it’s either a 4 man attack of Leach, Wood, Anderson and Woakes which is terrifying or a 5 man attack with Woakes at 7 and then 4 number 11s. Not even worth playing 3 quicks, Leach and Mo as he can’t buy a run at the moment.
I know we were all out for 58 but our batting options are pretty limited on this tour. We don’t have any reserve openers. Root and Malan are certain picks (although I don’t think Malan has a technique suited to swing bowling) as are Stokes and Bairstow. So unless Stokes can bowl, in which case I’d give Livingston a go, the batsmen will all get a reprieve.
I think Mo needs some time out of the side. He’s played 50 tests now and is basically the same player he was 4 years ago. Decent number 8 who averages 30 odd with the bat and a partnership breaker with the ball. Neither economical enough nor incisive enough to be a front line bowler. So Leach has to play. I think Wood does too although the signs suggest to me that injuries have caught up with him. I think I’d leave Broad out. I just can’t bring myself to have an 8-11 of Wood, Leach, Broad and Anderson. It really would feel like the 90s! He strikes me as the kind of player that responds well a bit of a kick up the backside every now and again. If Stokes can bowl a few overs then it’s a 5 man attack with Livingston in the middle order.
If he can’t then we’re buggered cos it’s either a 4 man attack of Leach, Wood, Anderson and Woakes which is terrifying or a 5 man attack with Woakes at 7 and then 4 number 11s. Not even worth playing 3 quicks, Leach and Mo as he can’t buy a run at the moment.