Any idea why Woakes would still have had an over left if the Aussies had gone the distance? Seems silly to me.
He's really proving himself as an ODI bowler.
There was an article in the Times or Graun saying Joffra must play in the Ashes. But if both JA and SB are fit and firing, and Stokes is going to play, are they really suggesting we should drop Woakes?
Or could be go into a test match with 5 quicks and just Root's twirlers, a bit like the WIndies used to but with Stokes as well.
It's a pity YJB isn't good enough as a test no.3 as I'd like to see Foakes keep. But we have too many all rounders and no test top order.
Don't think Broad is an automatic pick so maybe an opportunity there (wrong in my view). Woakes isn't guaranteed a start - there is Wood as well. I fancy there may be a bit of rotation but I would start at Edgbaston with:
Burns
Roy
??? (won't score any runs anyway)
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler (these three in any order)
Ali
Archer
Broad
Anderson
Re Woakes in the ODI - don't think Morgan likes to bowl him in the middle overs. Really seen as just a new ball bowler. Could almost bowl him out from the start. Fair enough to bring him back for the tail though
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 either
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.
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.