Ashes predictions | Bristol Rovers F. C.

Ashes predictions Jul 22, 2015 22:52:55 GMT

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Post by jackthegas on Jul 22, 2015 22:52:55 GMT

Jul 22, 2015 15:42:49 GMT irishrover said:

Jul 21, 2015 18:11:11 GMT absent said:

Yorkshire must feel hard done by, we've stop the badly out of form Ballance for the in-form Bairstow.

If Bairstow does well that'll put Buttler under pressure, I reckon.

I agree- I'm a bit surprised Buttler isn't under a bit more pressure already. He's never entirely convinced in the longer format of the game and so far has not shown much at Test level beyond an ability to score eye catching 30s. A terrific and innovative one day player but he needs to show he can deliver as England's Test keeper.

Problem with Bairstow is that he's not much cop with the gloves. Buttler is far from a natural either but Bairstow is generally considered to be barely up to it at County level.

Yorkshire seem to carry on regardless no matter how many players England take away from them - strolling to the Championship again.

I've seen a fair bit of Bairstow this season and I think his keeping has improved immeasurably. He's not in the Read / Foster / Bates league but I think he's a better stumper than Buttler. Good bat too and I think he'll do well although I'd like a Ballance type figure in the middle order as 5-10 are all flashy. Good sides tend to have a Thorpe or Collingwood type in the middle order.

On balance I think I'd keep Buttler in the side as he hasn't done much wrong but I do think there is an argument for replacing him with Rashid. Moeen would be a good 7 and Rashid a good 8. Stokes and Moeen are both inconsistent so having another option isn't a bad idea and a spinner who turns it the other way to Root and Moeen would give us nice variety. Adil is also a dab hand At getting rid a tail enders which is something England are dreadfully inept at.