Quote Originally Posted by Rich View Post
Well the attack can certainly be described as green, that's for sure. Clearly Gus Atkinson will go in as the man to lead the attack and if he can stay injury free & then I'd imagine that will be great prep for going down under this winter.

Sam Cook isn't a very bazball selection and not seen much of him. I suspect he's seen as an option to try and beat India this summer rather than someone who will be on the plane to Australia.

I'd expect to see Archer and Wood play some red ball cricket too (think Wood back in July).

It's the spinner call that I don't get. Bashir is clearly not a test match spinner and we continue to ignore Liam Dawson who is on such good form and also adds depth to the batting order. But what do I know
He's not quick but isn't his FC average around 19? Got a ten-fer in the CC kookaburra game, I believe. Pity he can't bat though, given he'd be challenging Woakes for the classic English seamer spot. Bash is only 21 and has a better average in Asia than Dawson.

I do worry than in Blighty, you want a spinner who, like all WKs nowadays, can bat. Unless you have a Murali, you ideally want your one spinner to bat as well as Swann. In Asia, you can have a Monty batting at 11 as well.

Also, the final test is too early. You want the Oval much later so your spinner can hope to win that for you in the 2nd innings. ****ing 'Undred.