Max Power Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Is there a reason why we need another seamer? Not that familiar with every Sri Lankan pitch but I presume it'll be another slow turner? I'd keep the 3 seamers and 3 spinners - unless Stokes isn't fit to bowl. Bairstow will probably come back in for Burns - even though that's a little harsh. We're incredible unbalanced though - we've got 2 top order batters and about 6 number 5s. Bit like my club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted November 10, 2018 Author Paid Members Share Posted November 10, 2018 When South Africa toured there they said that bowling seamers in Sri Lanka was pointless. Three is plenty. I'm really not sure who they leave out for Bairstow - maybe they'll take a dip and leave him out. Otherwise it would have to be Burns but fuck knows who opens. They might stick Foakes up there after he looked technically better than anyone in the first test. Or Buttler, but only because he's done it in some limited overs stuff. Basically, haven't a clue what they'll do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Lion_of_the_Midlands Posted November 10, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 10, 2018 Buttler to open with Jennings. YJB at 3. Moeen back down the order. That's how I'd go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Cod Eye Posted November 10, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 10, 2018 I wouldn't mind seeing how Bairstow does as an opener(especially if they keep the gloves off him). He's got the technique and concentration needed for it, it's just a question of his temperament and patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted November 10, 2018 Author Paid Members Share Posted November 10, 2018 I don't think he has the technique for it, really, but what England opener does? At least he's done it a few times in ODIs now and if he's not going to be keeping then at least he doesn't have the extra mental burden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Cod Eye Posted November 13, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 Just been reading in the press that England are pleasing ahead with making Buttler into a "specialist" No.3, and that he would have batted there in the first test if England had bowled first at Ali had bowled a shitload of overs. I'm not sure about it personally. We have already been too gung-ho with our top order batting in the last few years(how many time have we been 50-3 or worse?), so putting a player like Buttler in could be compounding the issue.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Lion_of_the_Midlands Posted November 13, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 England unchanged and Stokes to bat at 3 with Moeen at 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Gus Mears Posted November 13, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 (edited) Think it's probably a marginally better team with Stokes at 3, but it's still square pegs in round holes. Almost the entire team feels like a lower middle order! Edited November 13, 2018 by Gus Mears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Lion_of_the_Midlands Posted November 13, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 Sorry for Tildeguying that last post. As Max said a bit back England are essentially a club side now. All the batsmen are essentially 5/6 in the order apart from the openers. Stokes will have to bat responsibly, and also he's probably not going to bowl a lot either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Cod Eye Posted November 13, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 I don't think Stokes in the answer to the No3 spot either, but if it's a choice between him and Buttler, I'll go for Stokes. I like the idea of having Buttler coming in down the order, allowing him to counter attack if the upper order fails or freeing him up to take a score from par to huge with a bollocks to the wall thrash if the top order finally does its job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted November 13, 2018 Author Paid Members Share Posted November 13, 2018 (edited) They should have stuck with Moeen there. It would have been a chance to give him a run there but they gave him three tests and that's it. The guy never knows what his role with the bat is, how's he supposed to put up consistent scores if he's up and down like a yo-yo? The idea of just slinging somebody at three who's not really suited works better in Sri Lanka, and probably will in the West Indies too. The new ball isn't as much of a factor, spinners often bowl with it, so Moeen or Stokes or Buttler would feel like they're batting in the middle order anyway. They're not going to do it against Mitchell Starc over here though, let's face it. Edited November 13, 2018 by Devon Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Lion_of_the_Midlands Posted November 14, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 14, 2018 That was an absolute Bunsen today. Buttler and Curran batted very well, Curran in particular. Poor old Foakes needs to remember he has DRS. If the umpire gives it but you don't knick it you don't need to walk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PowerButchi Posted November 18, 2018 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2018 Leach isn't bad for a 9 fingered zummzetter is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted November 18, 2018 Author Paid Members Share Posted November 18, 2018 Great pitch, that. Enough in it for the batsmen and pretty much the perfect Asian test pitch. One of the best tests I've seen for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Gus Mears Posted November 23, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted November 23, 2018 (edited) Sky's commentary has fallen off a cliff. Listening in this morning and we've had what feels like 3 hours of Ian Ward, they've replaced Shane Warne with Brad Hogg (I can only assume management thought 'we need another Aussie spinner' and chose one at random) and David Lloyd sounds comatose. Rubbish. Edited November 23, 2018 by Gus Mears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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