Not sure what the wicket will like in next match but dont think 3 spinners (plus Root) adds much. Ansari only bowled 12 overs in match. Bairstow up to 4 with Buttler coming in seems obvious. Then that leaves Duckett or Ballance, which at the moment doesn't seem much of a choice; unless you bring in Woakes on justification he may get more runs than either of those 2 and is obviously a useful bowler.
With the squad available, they seem like the only options. Buttler & Woakes in for Duckett & Ansari.
I would rather have Hales as an option in the squad than Ballance. He could slot in at number 3 with Root moved down to 4.
Yes, Derek Hales would get more runs than Ballance!
Should Ian Bell have been brought on this tour? He's only 34, so hardly past it, and has useful experience in these conditions
As I mentioned earlier, this would be my line-up... "i would like to see Bairstow go up the order and bat at 4, with Buttler coming back in at 7, so line-up would be Cook,Hameed,Root,Bairstow,Ali,Stokes,Buttler,Woakes,Broad,Jimmy + 1 other" That's a very strong batting and bowling line-up. You have got to remember that in the sub-continent, if you lose the toss and have to bat 4th, then you are going to lose the Test 8 times out of 10. To me, this series is almost a write-off and experiment to get to the real Tests next winter for The Ashes - I think we're in good shape tbh - certainly in a better shape than Oz at the moment.
Although I still have grave reservations about him, you really can't be dropping Rashid, so there's your +1
Quite right too - as pointed out this morning by Athers the most wickets that Shane Warne ever managed in a series was 14. And Rashy has 13 with three Tests to go.
The difference with Rashid to our other bowlers is that he does have proper variations (and I am not talking about full bungers, long hops etc etc). And on this trip we have used Saqlain Mushtaq to help him whereas normally we only take a fast bowling coach.
He will still bowl his fair ration of bad balls he is relaxing now far more at the crease and not "over compensating" when he does bowl a bad one. He is a wicket taking bowler, even with those howlers and much as I love the likes of Treders for all he has done for Kent and others who are more orthodox, you do need something different at Test level. Moeen can complement Rashid by bowling a containing line at the other end if necessary and we do now have the opportunity to play the two in tandem - even at home.
They wont play 2 spinners in England nor in several other places. Rashid doesnt give Cook control, and will be disgarded as soon as conditions look remotely unfavourable.
Although I still have grave reservations about him, you really can't be dropping Rashid, so there's your +1
Quite right too - as pointed out this morning by Athers the most wickets that Shane Warne ever managed in a series was 14. And Rashy has 13 with three Tests to go.
The difference with Rashid to our other bowlers is that he does have proper variations (and I am not talking about full bungers, long hops etc etc). And on this trip we have used Saqlain Mushtaq to help him whereas normally we only take a fast bowling coach.
He will still bowl his fair ration of bad balls he is relaxing now far more at the crease and not "over compensating" when he does bowl a bad one. He is a wicket taking bowler, even with those howlers and much as I love the likes of Treders for all he has done for Kent and others who are more orthodox, you do need something different at Test level. Moeen can complement Rashid by bowling a containing line at the other end if necessary and we do now have the opportunity to play the two in tandem - even at home.
AA, I thought there's no chance Warne only had a best of 14 wickets in a series, so I looked it up. I believe you misheard and it's 40.
Herath has to be one of the most underrated international bowlers. He'd be great to have in this side.
Don't think Herath is underrated any more. Cricinfo can't stop writing articles about him, his pudgy unassuming figure and his phlegmatic demeanour. He'll be regarded as one of the best spinners of the last 50 years when he's done. He'll be spoken of in the same breath as Murali
Herath has to be one of the most underrated international bowlers. He'd be great to have in this side.
Don't think Herath is underrated any more. Cricinfo can't stop writing articles about him, his pudgy unassuming figure and his phlegmatic demeanour. He'll be regarded as one of the best spinners of the last 50 years when he's done. He'll be spoken of in the same breath as Murali
I can't see. Broad playing, the way he's been limping so Woakes will come in anyway. It's then a question of whether we replace Ansari with Batty or another seamer.
Although I still have grave reservations about him, you really can't be dropping Rashid, so there's your +1
Quite right too - as pointed out this morning by Athers the most wickets that Shane Warne ever managed in a series was 14. And Rashy has 13 with three Tests to go.
The difference with Rashid to our other bowlers is that he does have proper variations (and I am not talking about full bungers, long hops etc etc). And on this trip we have used Saqlain Mushtaq to help him whereas normally we only take a fast bowling coach.
He will still bowl his fair ration of bad balls he is relaxing now far more at the crease and not "over compensating" when he does bowl a bad one. He is a wicket taking bowler, even with those howlers and much as I love the likes of Treders for all he has done for Kent and others who are more orthodox, you do need something different at Test level. Moeen can complement Rashid by bowling a containing line at the other end if necessary and we do now have the opportunity to play the two in tandem - even at home.
AA, I thought there's no chance Warne only had a best of 14 wickets in a series, so I looked it up. I believe you misheard and it's 40.
Although I still have grave reservations about him, you really can't be dropping Rashid, so there's your +1
Quite right too - as pointed out this morning by Athers the most wickets that Shane Warne ever managed in a series was 14. And Rashy has 13 with three Tests to go.
The difference with Rashid to our other bowlers is that he does have proper variations (and I am not talking about full bungers, long hops etc etc). And on this trip we have used Saqlain Mushtaq to help him whereas normally we only take a fast bowling coach.
He will still bowl his fair ration of bad balls he is relaxing now far more at the crease and not "over compensating" when he does bowl a bad one. He is a wicket taking bowler, even with those howlers and much as I love the likes of Treders for all he has done for Kent and others who are more orthodox, you do need something different at Test level. Moeen can complement Rashid by bowling a containing line at the other end if necessary and we do now have the opportunity to play the two in tandem - even at home.
AA, I thought there's no chance Warne only had a best of 14 wickets in a series, so I looked it up. I believe you misheard and it's 40.
It's a curio why Wayne struggled in India when he did so well in less helpful conditions elsewhere in the world. Obviously India had some great players, but it's not as if they had a team of 11 Sachins and Dravids
I can't see. Broad playing, the way he's been limping so Woakes will come in anyway. It's then a question of whether we replace Ansari with Batty or another seamer.
The Batty/Ansari selection dilemma is quite depressing. It's like a tallest dwarf competition. Our spin options are shocking.
I can't see. Broad playing, the way he's been limping so Woakes will come in anyway. It's then a question of whether we replace Ansari with Batty or another seamer.
The Batty/Ansari selection dilemma is quite depressing. It's like a tallest dwarf competition. Our spin options are shocking.
Surely Surrey have another spinner England could have picked? What about the boy from Bickley, Freddie van den Burgh. He's played six first class games after all.
As I mentioned earlier, this would be my line-up... "i would like to see Bairstow go up the order and bat at 4, with Buttler coming back in at 7, so line-up would be Cook,Hameed,Root,Bairstow,Ali,Stokes,Buttler,Woakes,Broad,Jimmy + 1 other" That's a very strong batting and bowling line-up. You have got to remember that in the sub-continent, if you lose the toss and have to bat 4th, then you are going to lose the Test 8 times out of 10. To me, this series is almost a write-off and experiment to get to the real Tests next winter for The Ashes - I think we're in good shape tbh - certainly in a better shape than Oz at the moment.
I can't see. Broad playing, the way he's been limping so Woakes will come in anyway. It's then a question of whether we replace Ansari with Batty or another seamer.
The Batty/Ansari selection dilemma is quite depressing. It's like a tallest dwarf competition. Our spin options are shocking.
Surely Surrey have another spinner England could have picked? What about the boy from Bickley, Freddie van den Burgh. He's played six first class games after all.
Even I will say no to that. Although watch out for Amir Virdi. Young spinner coming through at Surrey.
As I mentioned earlier, this would be my line-up... "i would like to see Bairstow go up the order and bat at 4, with Buttler coming back in at 7, so line-up would be Cook,Hameed,Root,Bairstow,Ali,Stokes,Buttler,Woakes,Broad,Jimmy + 1 other" That's a very strong batting and bowling line-up. You have got to remember that in the sub-continent, if you lose the toss and have to bat 4th, then you are going to lose the Test 8 times out of 10. To me, this series is almost a write-off and experiment to get to the real Tests next winter for The Ashes - I think we're in good shape tbh - certainly in a better shape than Oz at the moment.
Not sure I would ever agree to writing off a test series, although in reality with the players available there aren't a lot of options. Your core is pretty much the same. I would like to see Hales given a chance at 5 or 6. His talents are much better suited to this outside of ODI's (actually must admit it was boycott who put this idea in my head).
I also think it would unfair to totally write off Duckett. Whilst I don't think it would do him any long term good keeping him in the team in India, batting in India is very different to anywhere else in the world
got to be Cook, Hameed, Root, Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for the next test ... up in the north so should be better for the quicks and less of a spinners paradise though still hot ..
(remember the Indian flag has a spinning wheel in the centre) ((:>)
got to be Cook, Hameed, Root, Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for the next test ... up in the north so should be better for the quicks and less of a spinners paradise though still hot ..
(remember the Indian flag has a spinning wheel in the centre) ((:>)
It's not being played in Headingley!
Moeen at 5 just seems too high, has a cricketer had so many batting positions as he has! If Buttler is being played purely as a batsman, he needs to be above Bairstow really, imagine keeping for 8 hours then coming out to bat at 4, that's a tough call.
The trouble is, we have no natural no 4s in our team, but a surplus of no 6s and 7s.
On another note, I feel that Jimmy Anderson has got away scott free from any criticism. Just when we needed him to dig in, he "succeeded" in being the first batsman since 1906 to be dismissed for a king pair. He used to be our night watchman and let's not forget this is the man who took 54 Test innings to register his first Test duck. Now he's struggling to hold down the no. 11 spot - poor Gary Ballance must wonder what it takes to get back into the team.
got to be Cook, Hameed, Root, Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Anderson for the next test ... up in the north so should be better for the quicks and less of a spinners paradise though still hot ..
(remember the Indian flag has a spinning wheel in the centre) ((:>)
It's not being played in Headingley!
Moeen at 5 just seems too high, has a cricketer had so many batting positions as he has! If Buttler is being played purely as a batsman, he needs to be above Bairstow really, imagine keeping for 8 hours then coming out to bat at 4, that's a tough call.
The trouble is, we have no natural no 4s in our team, but a surplus of no 6s and 7s.
very droll .. Mohali .. Average temperatures
Summer: The temperature in summer may rise to a maximum of 47 °C (117 °F) @2014. Temperatures generally remain between 30 and 40 °C (86 and 104 °F). Autumn: In autumn, the temperature may rise to a maximum of 36 °C (97 °F). Temperatures usually remain between 16 and 27 °C (61 and 81 °F) in autumn. The minimum temperature is around 13 °C (55 °F). Winter: Average temperatures in winter (November to February) remain at (maximum) 7 to 15 °C (45 to 59 °F) and (minimum) 1 and 5 °C (34 and 41 °F). Spring: spring temperatures vary between (min) 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F) (max).
Cook Hameed Root Bairstow Stokes/Ali (5&6 in either order) Buttler (wk) Woakes Rashid Finn (if Broad unavailable) Anderson
Agree that we need a proper number 4. And that Ali needs to step up big time but we are somewhat hamstrung by the conditions. I imagine Rashid would be the man to get the chop for a specialist batsman if we were playing at home and that would push Ali down to 7 or 8. Rather than batting at 5 or 6.
As it is, we can't go into an Indian test match with Ali and Root as our only spin options.
Comments
Should Ian Bell have been brought on this tour? He's only 34, so hardly past it, and has useful experience in these conditions
"i would like to see Bairstow go up the order and bat at 4, with Buttler coming back in at 7, so line-up would be
Cook,Hameed,Root,Bairstow,Ali,Stokes,Buttler,Woakes,Broad,Jimmy + 1 other"
That's a very strong batting and bowling line-up.
You have got to remember that in the sub-continent, if you lose the toss and have to bat 4th, then you are going to lose the Test 8 times out of 10. To me, this series is almost a write-off and experiment to get to the real Tests next winter for The Ashes - I think we're in good shape tbh - certainly in a better shape than Oz at the moment.
The difference with Rashid to our other bowlers is that he does have proper variations (and I am not talking about full bungers, long hops etc etc). And on this trip we have used Saqlain Mushtaq to help him whereas normally we only take a fast bowling coach.
He will still bowl his fair ration of bad balls he is relaxing now far more at the crease and not "over compensating" when he does bowl a bad one. He is a wicket taking bowler, even with those howlers and much as I love the likes of Treders for all he has done for Kent and others who are more orthodox, you do need something different at Test level. Moeen can complement Rashid by bowling a containing line at the other end if necessary and we do now have the opportunity to play the two in tandem - even at home.
Rashid doesnt give Cook control, and will be disgarded as soon as conditions look remotely unfavourable.
Herath has to be one of the most underrated international bowlers. He'd be great to have in this side.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/122207.html
:-)
Murali took wickets everywhere.
I also think it would unfair to totally write off Duckett. Whilst I don't think it would do him any long term good keeping him in the team in India, batting in India is very different to anywhere else in the world
up in the north so should be better for the quicks and less of a spinners paradise though still hot ..
(remember the Indian flag has a spinning wheel in the centre) ((:>)
Moeen at 5 just seems too high, has a cricketer had so many batting positions as he has! If Buttler is being played purely as a batsman, he needs to be above Bairstow really, imagine keeping for 8 hours then coming out to bat at 4, that's a tough call.
The trouble is, we have no natural no 4s in our team, but a surplus of no 6s and 7s.
Mohali .. Average temperatures
Summer: The temperature in summer may rise to a maximum of 47 °C (117 °F) @2014. Temperatures generally remain between 30 and 40 °C (86 and 104 °F).
Autumn: In autumn, the temperature may rise to a maximum of 36 °C (97 °F). Temperatures usually remain between 16 and 27 °C (61 and 81 °F) in autumn. The minimum temperature is around 13 °C (55 °F).
Winter: Average temperatures in winter (November to February) remain at (maximum) 7 to 15 °C (45 to 59 °F) and (minimum) 1 and 5 °C (34 and 41 °F).
Spring: spring temperatures vary between (min) 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F) (max).
Hameed
Root
Bairstow
Stokes/Ali (5&6 in either order)
Buttler (wk)
Woakes
Rashid
Finn (if Broad unavailable)
Anderson
Agree that we need a proper number 4. And that Ali needs to step up big time but we are somewhat hamstrung by the conditions. I imagine Rashid would be the man to get the chop for a specialist batsman if we were playing at home and that would push Ali down to 7 or 8. Rather than batting at 5 or 6.
As it is, we can't go into an Indian test match with Ali and Root as our only spin options.