Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45605438 No surprise to see Rory Burns in - taking another spinner in Jack Leach. Joe Denly and Olly Stone called up for the first time
Just chucked some cash on Sri Lanka to win today - 2/1. Think England may struggle with the conditions.
I'm really surprised Denly is only 32 years of age. I thought he was mid-30's when he was at Middlesex a while ago - he seems to have been around for donkeys years!
Odd selection. Age > batting ave is not recommended. Not sure if he'll play & suspect he is utility back up/good man in dressing room.
That his leg-break bowling was successful last season must have played a part in his selection. I didn't notice what he did in the County Championship but he took wickets in 1-day stuff so I presume he could bat 3 and be a third spinner, maybe, in the Test side? I dunno anymore.
Aussies picked up a hard earn draw against Pakistan - pretty good effort I'd say. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45823192 As for England in Sri Lanka - sounds like rain might be the main winner!
Sri Lanka in the monsoon season. Straussy: Fab! Let’s have a bit of that! He’s not stupid but he is. Blazer syndrome.
Really hot favourites for the World Cup on home soil - which means we won't win. Bit like with the Champions trophy the other year.
Bairstow out of the first test after that ankle injury suffered playing football. I remember seeing a video of him having to basically hobble up the stairs by himself at the time - didn't seem a very professional way of dealing with the injury!
Shock horror the lower order saves us - although to be fair Jennings got some runs before getting himself out as ususl ! Great stuff from Foakes on debut .
Disappointing, though, that a chance was missed to play Stokes, Woakes and Foakes in the same team. Likely to happen soon.
Your lad Leach averaging 44 with the bat. Hoping his settles into his bowling. SL offers some proper spinning tracks (although batsmen who know how to play spin).
Yes. We will see. I am not totally convinced by him - he wasn't brilliant last season. I suspect, however, that I have an ulterior motive of wanting him to fail so that he doesn't miss too many CC matches for the Cidermen.
If Foakes goes to make his 100 and then keeps well there will be some complicated calls to make re wicketkeeping going fwd when Bairstow is fit !!
Need a full squad to help guarantee Zummerzet's perennial 2nd place. Btw, is Andy Nash still at SCCC? He was one the first people I met at my first job. (My surname isn't Botham, Richards or Garner, for the avoidance of doubt.)
No chance. Plenty have made a great debut but not kicked on. And we haven't even seen his keeping yet. Meanwhile Bairstow has proved himself over the long term
Exactly, this would solve a lot of problems but then again, I think Bairstow's record batting, when not keeping, is pretty average. I think, Sam Curran will probably end up batting a lot higher up in the next year or so.
Actually, Bairstow’s batting record is much better when not keeping (as is almost always the case). Jonny has been vocal in the press about demanding the gloves. The subtext is that he reckons this makes him less droppable. Mgmt, doubtless influenced by Root, have acceded. Foakes offers the opportunity to end this cosy chums’ club approach. He’s the best keeper. Who’s the better batsman, YJB or Buttler? It was Bairstow but I think he might have been a bit too pampered & lost his edge. I’d go Buttler. What of Bayliss? Thumb up his bum Ozzie who has plainly never given a toss about English test cricket, with even less ability to address the situation. The cricket brings out the Relegation Certs in me.
I remember when Danny Webber broke his arm in a game and bumped into him queing up in A and E at Shrodells with all the p1ssheads. Different club back then.
Re Englands opening batting problem. I reckon if we can keep Boycs off the morning sauce, he could do a job. Big if though.
