English cricket fans never cease to amaze - there genuinely seems to be a fair number of people out there who'd leave out Stokes and Root.
The fun bit of course is that I think we don't play another ODI before they select the squad? Which makes the choice of a few spots a bit interesting given there's a few candidates who've barely played ODIs recently.
Root, Buttler, Moeen, Rashid, Archer and Wood would seem absolute nailed on 1xt XI picks. Brook is probably 90% likely.
Two from Bairstow/Roy/Malan, right now you'd probably guess Bairstow and Malan but Bairstow's fitness and Roy's importance to England in big games in the past could both come into it.
Stokes if he's available, which looks less likely right now given he's off to ruin his knee further at the IPL. If not then it's Livingstone vs Jacks for no 6.
Woakes vs Curran - tricky. Woakes better with the new ball or at coming in and supporting a top order bat, Curran more versatile with the ball and a bigger hitter.
That's your 1st XI, plus whoever didn't make it from Woakes/Curran makes 12. Three spots left - you'd think we'll take a spare spinner, so Rehan or Dawson. Another seamer, which would seem the most open spot (I'd be very tempted by an in form Mahmood). Then pick one spare batter from the non-selected opener and all-rounder. Looks a strong squad!
What's the side if all of those get avian flu at the last minute? Maybe something like:
Salt
Hales
Duckett
Hain
Vince
Billings
Abell
Willey
Carse
Stone
Crane
Looks alright that...
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Topic: An Embarrassment of Riches (Read 7605 times)