Our total lack of a proper top 3 is going to be a major handicap in this Ashes. Starc'll be into our middle order with the ball less than 10 overs old with monotonous frequency this summer. :-(Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Our total lack of a proper top 3 is going to be a major handicap in this Ashes. Starc'll be into our middle order with the ball less than 10 overs old with monotonous frequency this summer. :-(Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Foakes for Buttler, I do like a proper keeper.....or push Root to 3 (whether he likes it or not, pity he's Captain) and play Buttler as a specialist batterQuote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Nah. In a team that contains Bairstow and Buttler, there simply is no excuse for playing a specialist keeper. It's just a waste of a batting spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
I agree about bringing Woakes back for the tail, but as you say, if he's not going to be used at the death, then keep bowling him if he's only going at 3-4 an over at the start.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
We just don't have a test top 3, though, and I don't see how you can hope to win a series without one.
Starc (famous last words) isn't actually that dangerous in English conditions though. Can't bowl with a Duke ball. Hazelwood may be more of an issue. Interesting, if seems likely, Roy opens. Just needs to come off once or twice and he could have a real effect on the series imo. Genuinely can't think of who we can pick at 3 (Joe? Joe? ARE YOU LISTENING JOE?). Mind you, Jimmy versus their top order shouldn't be a long contest eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by Burney
As regards Root, I find it odd that people are so happy to compare his average as a number 3 unfavourably with that when he bats 4 and put it down to place in the batting order, but ignore the fact that this decline also coincided with him becoming captain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
He was a pretty decent opener ffs. Also his decline is relative - still third most runs of any player in the world last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Burney
Almost an argument for Morgan to be brought into the team as captain. Any runs would be a bonus :)
Even if you haven't jinxed us to get skittled out by Starc, it doesn't matter. My missus would be too good for any of our contenders for top 3. She bowled against 8 year olds in the park in Mumbai with more talent than the likes of Burns and Vince.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
Do you really think Roy could open in an Ashes test? A FC average of 38, with a SR over 82. We need to see off the new ball and get to lunch, to allow our middle and lower-middle order to make hay in the late-afternoon sun.
I've honestly seen people posting on the Times and Graun saying the current odi side should be what we use for the test.
It's the Ashes, ffs. They can't be won simply by playing a bunch of slogging all-rounders. Cloud over and a lost toss and we'll be all out by lunch on the first day.
:nod: Specialist captain. These super-batters always seem to lose some of their powers when they become captain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda
It's a gamble and the figures don't stack up but sometimes momentum can be a key thing. Look at Trescothick who hardly had a stellar career pre-Test debut and was unorthodox. Got in on the back of great one-day form and was one of the finest openers we've had imoQuote:
Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult