I have no idea why Rashid keeps being picked. He's incredibly lucky to have a Test career. Decent ODI bowler and nothing more.
Somewhat premature imo to drop him after just four Tests. His record isn't great with 11-669 but a certain Shane Warne had even worse figures at the very same point in his career of 4-386.
It's always a risk/reward scenario with leg spinners. His job isn't to contain but to entice which he does very well as he not only has the googly, top spinner etc etc in his armoury but also the full bunger and long hop!
Like Tuffer's said on 5 live earlier in the week, why is Rashid bowling to one day fields. Does Cook have no faith in him? Rashid should insist on attacking fields and not have defensive fielding positions for bad balls. If Tuffers moved out his point fielder then Gats would take him off in disgust.
Ansari in for Batty, Finn in for Broad. What number will Ansari bat?
8 I'd imagine...
Or even 9 behind Woakes! Other than Finn at 11, we have a ridiculously long batting lineup
He's a proper batsman. Should 100% be ahead of Woakes. He's not had a great year with the bat. His season was blighted with injury. But he is a proper batsman.
He might be me, but Woakes isn't a number 9 either! He's scored lots of runs for England and Warks this year.
What are the odds of Ballance failing again and Hameed making his debut in the far more pressurised India series?
What are the odds of Ballance scratching an unconvincing century forcing the selectors to pick him for the entire Indian series?
Ansari in for Batty, Finn in for Broad. What number will Ansari bat?
8 I'd imagine...
Or even 9 behind Woakes! Other than Finn at 11, we have a ridiculously long batting lineup
He's a proper batsman. Should 100% be ahead of Woakes. He's not had a great year with the bat. His season was blighted with injury. But he is a proper batsman.
He might be me, but Woakes isn't a number 9 either! He's scored lots of runs for England and Warks this year.
What are the odds of Ballance failing again and Hameed making his debut in the far more pressurised India series?
What are the odds of Ballance scratching an unconvincing century forcing the selectors to pick him for the entire Indian series?
Ansari in for Batty, Finn in for Broad. What number will Ansari bat?
8 I'd imagine...
Or even 9 behind Woakes! Other than Finn at 11, we have a ridiculously long batting lineup
He's a proper batsman. Should 100% be ahead of Woakes. He's not had a great year with the bat. His season was blighted with injury. But he is a proper batsman.
He might be me, but Woakes isn't a number 9 either! He's scored lots of runs for England and Warks this year.
What are the odds of Ballance failing again and Hameed making his debut in the far more pressurised India series?
What are the odds of Ballance scratching an unconvincing century forcing the selectors to pick him for the entire Indian series?
If the match is another low scoring match, then a scratchy 43 might be enough to keep his place
His best role seems to be as a specialist close to the wicket fielder. Leave him out, but bring him out to field when our bowlers need a rest!
I can't wait to see batts bowl in these conditions. Playing the best cricket of his life picked entirely on merit. And what a man!
I have a small wager that he will be top wicket taketh for us in the series. I expect there will be a few people wondering why we bothered with Moeen for so much of the last few years.
I can't wait to see batts bowl in these conditions. Playing the best cricket of his life picked entirely on merit. And what a man!
I have a small wager that he will be top wicket taketh for us in the series. I expect there will be a few people wondering why we bothered with Moeen for so much of the last few years.
Comments
It's always a risk/reward scenario with leg spinners. His job isn't to contain but to entice which he does very well as he not only has the googly, top spinner etc etc in his armoury but also the full bunger and long hop!
His best role seems to be as a specialist close to the wicket fielder. Leave him out, but bring him out to field when our bowlers need a rest!
We have bowled a load of dross today, their spinners will not do the same.
The problem is, England are no where near finding the spinners they need for India, Rashid has almost made himself unpickable.
A real problem for Cook though, you can't overbowl him as the last thing we want is to knacker him before the India series starts
I really can't recall an umpire get quite so many decisions wrong as Dharmesena has in this series.
215-9
Moeen Ali 19.5-5-57-5
I usually always agree with the DRS decision, but this series I have my doubts.
I have a little sympathy for Dharasema.
If Gary Ballance is the answer, what is the question?
Q - Who can anchor the middle order and allow our multiple stroke players the freedom to express themselves?
I'm not a fan of Ballance but we need someone who can construct an old fashioned innings given the fragility of our openers.