My son is 8 and has just started cricket. His last school didn’t playa bus while we have watched some games on Sky, his mates who don’t go to private school don’t get the game at all.
If we go down the park or out camping with a cricket set, his age group look pretty blank. It’s a disgrace and can only be resolved I think by making as many games as possible free to air.
If the ECB can get their silly sounding structure on the tv for free, I’m with that. If they don’t, it’s rubbish.
Jos Buttler, Dom Bess set for England calls; James Vince faces axe
8:58 AM CT George Dobell Jos Buttler has earned a surprise recall to England's Test team at the expense of James Vince, while the Somerset spinner, Dominic Bess, was the beneficiary of his team-mate Jack Leach's misfortune, as the new national selector, Ed Smith, unveiled his squad for next week's first Test against Pakistan.
Buttler, who has not played red-ball cricket for England since the tour of India in November and December 2016, has found a rich vein of form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this month, with a tournament-record five consecutive half-centuries, including unbeaten scores of 95 and 94 in his last two innings.
"Jos Buttler is an outstanding talent, who is already a central part of England's white-ball teams," Smith said. "The selection panel feels that this is the perfect moment to reintroduce Jos to Test cricket, where he has already enjoyed some success, including a stint playing as a specialist batsman at number seven. Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team."
He will return to the middle order, with Jonny Bairstow retaining the wicketkeeper's role, meaning Vince is fall guy after a winter of false dawns, in spite of a timely Championship double-century for Hampshire against Somerset on Monday.
Vince, who was recalled to the Test squad for the Ashes, in spite of a mediocre start to his career against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, made an attractive 83 in his first Test innings of the winter, at Brisbane in November, and signed off with 76 against New Zealand at Christchurch last month. However, in between whiles, he made just one more score of fifty in nine innings, with a propensity to get himself out when well set costing him dear.
Bess, meanwhile, has leapfrogged to the front of England's spinning options, in the wake of a cruel injury for Leach in the nets at Taunton next week. A fractured left thumb means he will be out of action for both Pakistan Tests, and so will be unable to back up the promise he showed on Test debut in Christchurch last month. Moeen Ali was dropped for the final Test in New Zealand and has played no red-ball cricket since due to his spell at the IPL.
"Dom Bess has made an excellent start to his first-class career," Smith said. "He has impressed everyone with his performances for Somerset and when he has been given opportunities with England representative teams. With Jack Leach missing out due to injury, the selection panel wanted to invest opportunity in a young spin bowler. Dom's strong form, character and all-round abilities presented a compelling case for selection.
Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who was recalled in Christchurch, will compete for the final fast-bowling spot while Mark Stoneman has retained his place at the top of the order despite a lean start to the season. He had faced pressure from an in-form Nick Gubbins.
Joe Root (capt), Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Wasn't expecting Bess to be called up. He's promising, but at 20 is surely far too young and inexperienced, especially in something like spin bowling, where bowlers can be targeted
Agreed but I think that Bess with a First Class batting average of 25 and having scored 92 in his last match would be somewhat insulted to see Jimmy (average less than 10) above him in the order.
Buttler and Wood are even crazier calls than Bess I reckon
Very surprised they dropped Vince after his double century. Don't think Buttler is a test match batsman and would have preferred someone like Clarke or Lawrence given a shot about him.
My son is 8 and has just started cricket. His last school didn’t playa bus while we have watched some games on Sky, his mates who don’t go to private school don’t get the game at all.
If we go down the park or out camping with a cricket set, his age group look pretty blank. It’s a disgrace and can only be resolved I think by making as many games as possible free to air.
If the ECB can get their silly sounding structure on the tv for free, I’m with that. If they don’t, it’s rubbish.
Neil, I can promise you, if your son shows any skill in cricket then he will love it. There are plenty of local clubs with junior sections - Blackheath at Recory Field I would expect would be one - maybe someone can confirm, or there's always clubs like Bexley or Sidcup. Its a fantastic sport, and something he will take forward with him. Next thing , you will be taking him to Lords and Oval.
Ireland succumb to Pakistan in a five-wicket loss. Couldn't be prouder though - that was a great contest, and hopefully there will be plenty of successes to come (especially once the further funding to grassroots and youth cricket pays dividends).
As for the England squad though - Bess is an interesting call, and I'm intrigued as to the decision to play Bairstow as a specialist batsman when he averages several runs more when also keeping. If I wanted a keeper I'd have Foakes rather than Buttler - but Jos is currently proving me wrong in the IPL...
Ireland succumb to Pakistan in a five-wicket loss. Couldn't be prouder though - that was a great contest, and hopefully there will be plenty of successes to come (especially once the further funding to grassroots and youth cricket pays dividends).
As for the England squad though - Bess is an interesting call, and I'm intrigued as to the decision to play Bairstow as a specialist batsman when he averages several runs more when also keeping. If I wanted a keeper I'd have Foakes rather than Buttler - but Jos is currently proving me wrong in the IPL...
Two years ago Seb's Kent age group played Munster - and lost. It really took our lot my surprise because they were very good. Got talking to one of the dads of the Irish players and it turns out that he was a sports commentator by the name of Tector and that, in addition to his son playing in that game, he had two others - one at Glamorgan and the other at Somerset I believe. Then last year we played N. Ireland and they were worse than a lot of Club colts sides!
Butler is a stupid call. T20 form means nothing in tests. Pointless selection.
Should have been Foakes to keep and Bairstow moving up the order.
Still England's loss is Surrey's gain. They have picked our worst performing batsman and ignored the 4 we have in the top 6 England qualified runscorers this year. If Rocky doesn't find form and whoever comes in for him does then he could find himself in a position where he is dripped by England only to carry the drinks for Surrey.
Only other surprise is Bess. Don't know much about him tbh.
Would expect Stokes will bat at 5. Bairstow will bat at 7 if keeping, Buttler at 6. Wood maybe instead of Woakes.
I would be very surprised if Buttler bats above Bairstow.
If Buttler has been brought in as a specialist batter then there is no other logical reason. They wont bring him in as a batter and then bat him at 7. Now, if they have brought him back as keeper then I agree at 7 , and maybe Bairstow at 4.
My son is 8 and has just started cricket. His last school didn’t playa bus while we have watched some games on Sky, his mates who don’t go to private school don’t get the game at all.
If we go down the park or out camping with a cricket set, his age group look pretty blank. It’s a disgrace and can only be resolved I think by making as many games as possible free to air.
If the ECB can get their silly sounding structure on the tv for free, I’m with that. If they don’t, it’s rubbish.
Hi Neil
your son maybe a bit on the young side to get involved in competitive colts club games but id expect hed be warmly welcomed by local clubs with a colts set up for training and coaching ..i know all of the major cricket clubs in our area maybe inbox me and let me know where you live ...i ll be able to recommend the best local club and give e-mail addresses etc
Would expect Stokes will bat at 5. Bairstow will bat at 7 if keeping, Buttler at 6. Wood maybe instead of Woakes.
I would be very surprised if Buttler bats above Bairstow.
If Buttler has been brought in as a specialist batter then there is no other logical reason. They wont bring him in as a batter and then bat him at 7. Now, if they have brought him back as keeper then I agree at 7 , and maybe Bairstow at 4.
I agree, but this is England.
I also think he will keep wicket, and having Bairstow at 7 is a waste
Would expect Stokes will bat at 5. Bairstow will bat at 7 if keeping, Buttler at 6. Wood maybe instead of Woakes.
I would be very surprised if Buttler bats above Bairstow.
If Buttler has been brought in as a specialist batter then there is no other logical reason. They wont bring him in as a batter and then bat him at 7. Now, if they have brought him back as keeper then I agree at 7 , and maybe Bairstow at 4.
I agree, but this is England.
I also think he will keep wicket, and having Bairstow at 7 is a waste
If Buttler keeps, then I would expect Bairstow to be in top 5. Maybe Malan at 3, Root 4.
Comments
If we go down the park or out camping with a cricket set, his age group look pretty blank. It’s a disgrace and can only be resolved I think by making as many games as possible free to air.
If the ECB can get their silly sounding structure on the tv for free, I’m with that. If they don’t, it’s rubbish.
Jos Buttler, Dom Bess set for England calls; James Vince faces axe
8:58 AM CT
George Dobell
Jos Buttler has earned a surprise recall to England's Test team at the expense of James Vince, while the Somerset spinner, Dominic Bess, was the beneficiary of his team-mate Jack Leach's misfortune, as the new national selector, Ed Smith, unveiled his squad for next week's first Test against Pakistan.
Buttler, who has not played red-ball cricket for England since the tour of India in November and December 2016, has found a rich vein of form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this month, with a tournament-record five consecutive half-centuries, including unbeaten scores of 95 and 94 in his last two innings.
"Jos Buttler is an outstanding talent, who is already a central part of England's white-ball teams," Smith said. "The selection panel feels that this is the perfect moment to reintroduce Jos to Test cricket, where he has already enjoyed some success, including a stint playing as a specialist batsman at number seven. Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team."
He will return to the middle order, with Jonny Bairstow retaining the wicketkeeper's role, meaning Vince is fall guy after a winter of false dawns, in spite of a timely Championship double-century for Hampshire against Somerset on Monday.
Vince, who was recalled to the Test squad for the Ashes, in spite of a mediocre start to his career against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, made an attractive 83 in his first Test innings of the winter, at Brisbane in November, and signed off with 76 against New Zealand at Christchurch last month. However, in between whiles, he made just one more score of fifty in nine innings, with a propensity to get himself out when well set costing him dear.
Bess, meanwhile, has leapfrogged to the front of England's spinning options, in the wake of a cruel injury for Leach in the nets at Taunton next week. A fractured left thumb means he will be out of action for both Pakistan Tests, and so will be unable to back up the promise he showed on Test debut in Christchurch last month. Moeen Ali was dropped for the final Test in New Zealand and has played no red-ball cricket since due to his spell at the IPL.
"Dom Bess has made an excellent start to his first-class career," Smith said. "He has impressed everyone with his performances for Somerset and when he has been given opportunities with England representative teams. With Jack Leach missing out due to injury, the selection panel wanted to invest opportunity in a young spin bowler. Dom's strong form, character and all-round abilities presented a compelling case for selection.
Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who was recalled in Christchurch, will compete for the final fast-bowling spot while Mark Stoneman has retained his place at the top of the order despite a lean start to the season. He had faced pressure from an in-form Nick Gubbins.
Anderson
Bairstow
Bess
Broad
Buttler
Cook
Malan
Root
Stokes
Stoneman
Woakes
Wood
Joe Root (capt), Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Stoneman
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Bess
12th: Wood
That's my guess.
Next thing , you will be taking him to Lords and Oval.
As for the England squad though - Bess is an interesting call, and I'm intrigued as to the decision to play Bairstow as a specialist batsman when he averages several runs more when also keeping. If I wanted a keeper I'd have Foakes rather than Buttler - but Jos is currently proving me wrong in the IPL...
Wood maybe instead of Woakes.
Should have been Foakes to keep and Bairstow moving up the order.
Still England's loss is Surrey's gain. They have picked our worst performing batsman and ignored the 4 we have in the top 6 England qualified runscorers this year. If Rocky doesn't find form and whoever comes in for him does then he could find himself in a position where he is dripped by England only to carry the drinks for Surrey.
Only other surprise is Bess. Don't know much about him tbh.
Now, if they have brought him back as keeper then I agree at 7 , and maybe Bairstow at 4.
your son maybe a bit on the young side to get involved in competitive colts club games but id expect hed be warmly welcomed by local clubs with a colts set up for training and coaching ..i know all of the major cricket clubs in our area maybe inbox me and let me know where you live ...i ll be able to recommend the best local club and give e-mail addresses etc
I also think he will keep wicket, and having Bairstow at 7 is a waste