Print

[ppccopener]

Hearing the story behind why Anderson wasn't selected is a farce! Bowler, captain and coach all wanted him to play yet selectors thought he wasn't ready!

Tough call wasn't it....Bayliss and cook clearly peed off you would think Anderson himself is the best judge.
I think the selectors thought Jimmy has had a few injuries lately after having none at all and lords would e flat-which it was...

Tricky one that...

[Buzz]

Are people bigging up Rashid again?
Grim.
And what about moeens 160 from 2 tests ago?

Rather than rushing into fad like calls, look at form and the role of each player in the team.

[Felix Tito]

Are people bigging up Rashid again?
Grim.
And what about moeens 160 from 2 tests ago?

Rather than rushing into fad like calls, look at form and the role of each player in the team.

Do you really think the hopeless Sri Lankan bowling unit is in any direct comparison to Pakistan's bowling unit? If you do I think you need some medical attention...

Moeen might've slogged around a very ordinary attack, but Pakistan have genuinely world class bowlers and Moeen isn't remotely world class.

Secondly Moeen is in the side as a spinner but he's damn right sucks.

[Wills]

The very same 160 he had the best part of 3 reprieves in? He, eventually, made the most of his opportunity but it wasn't a knock full of class by any means.

In my eyes, Moeen Ali is only marginally better than what Joe Root offers with the ball. Wasim Akram got it spot on in the verdict, he isn't a specialist spinner and should only really be selected for his batting. Against a semi-decent attack, he hasn't really shown much in the way of temperament.

[Batbuddy99]

I think we need at least three spin options in the squad for Old Trafford. Obviously the woefully inadequate Moeen Ali will be one of them. Adil Rashid is next cab of the rank. But I'd like to see Simon Kerrigan in the mix. His first class record is excellent and OT is his home ground. Factor in slow left arm spin offers Cook the option to dry up an end whereas Rashid(probably more a wicket taking threat) is likely to leak more runs.

I'd also drop James Vince, looking pretty isn't necessary to have a good Test career. He seems out of his depth.

My side:
Cook(c)
Hales
Root
Bairstow(w/k)
Ballance
Stokes
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson
Kerrigan

Four seam options. A leg spinner and a left arm spinner

If that side happens I will never buy another cricket bat!

[smilley792]

Cook
Hales
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Ball
Anderson.

[ElPerro]

Are people bigging up Rashid again?
Grim.
And what about moeens 160 from 2 tests ago?

Rather than rushing into fad like calls, look at form and the role of each player in the team.

Moeens batting really shouldn't come into the question, he's picked as the frontline spinner. He should be judged on that first and foremost and his bowling has been poor for a long time

I can see the argument that he adds batting depth but with Woakes looking likes he's found his place that really negates the need for Moeens lower order runs, which before his 160 were few and far between.

[brokenbat]

Best Test match I have seen in a few years.

[Buzz]

Have had a comedy chat with the powers that be seems as if the team in Thursday will be
Cook
Hales
Root
Vince
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

Personally I tried to explain that this isn't the best use of our resources.

My team would be...

Cook
Hales
Root
Bairstow (best 4 batsmen in the top 4. Means that we need another keeper.
Ali
Stokes
Woakes
Ansari
Any other keeper, who can actually catch.
Broad
Anderson

[Felix Tito]

Have had a comedy chat with the powers that be seems as if the team in Thursday will be
Cook
Hales
Root
Vince
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

Personally I tried to explain that this isn't the best use of our resources.

My team would be...

Cook
Hales
Root
Bairstow (best 4 batsmen in the top 4. Means that we need another keeper.
Ali
Stokes
Woakes
Ansari
Any other keeper, who can actually catch.
Broad
Anderson

So instead of selecting a proper spinner, you'd select two average ones instead?

If we need a spinner is has to be a frontline one like Rashid or Kerrigan.

[northernboy1987]

I think my team would probably be:

Cook
Hales
Root
Vince
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

But I would like to point out that I don't think Jake Ball did anything wrong and looked very promising, but if Stokes and Anderson are fit they should play.

[Kulli]

I think Ali should be coming under pressure, but little I have seen from Rashid in an English shirt convinces me he would be any better.

[Manormanic]

Right, lets start with Ali.  He is clearly not deemed to be one of the best five batsmen in England (there are five plus YJB in the side ahead of him now) and has done very little in his test career to suggest that he is capable of anything more than late order counter attack.  So, he has to stand or fall on his bowling - and his bowling is quite fankly absolute pie.  So, for me, he goes.

Stokes and Anderson for Finn and Ball is a no-brainer.  That leaves the question of who bowls spin and whether any changes are needed in the top five.

Spinner is tricky - the options are limited.  Rashid is probably the most talented, but you do wonder how many first innings overs he would be good for.  Having watched Ansari against Yorkshire last week, I am sad to say he is nowhere near test class, though he is a bit more reliable as a guy to block up an end than Ali.  Who else is there?  Tredwell?  Batty?  Or do you go for another like Moeen who is really a batsman - Patel? Borthwick?

The batting places are equally tricky - three are up for grabs, as Hales still has the ??s out, Vince is starting to give the impression of impermanence and Ballance, well as he played, still gives the impression that the selectors recalled the wrong Yorkshire left hander. 

So...to

Cook
Lyth
Hales
Root
Ballance
Bairstow
Stokes
A Spinner. Pick the name from a hat.
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

[Kieron_BT]

Do we have to have a spinner in the side? Can't we just pack the team with enough seamers? Pakistan are clearly a lot more comfortable again spin that seem and especially a very average spinner in Ali.

Cook
Lees
Hales
Root
Bairstow
Vince
Stokes
Woakes
Broad
Ball
Anderson

5 out and out seamers with Root/Vince to ball some part time if required. Bat down to number 8/9.

I worry a bit that we have gone back to a bowling attack that is all very similar, 82-85mph right armers. Would much rather have a left armer in there somewhere. Possibly swap ball for Willey.

[ppccopener]

Right, lets start with Ali.  He is clearly not deemed to be one of the best five batsmen in England (there are five plus YJB in the side ahead of him now) and has done very little in his test career to suggest that he is capable of anything more than late order counter attack.  So, he has to stand or fall on his bowling - and his bowling is quite fankly absolute pie.  So, for me, he goes.

Stokes and Anderson for Finn and Ball is a no-brainer.  That leaves the question of who bowls spin and whether any changes are needed in the top five.

Spinner is tricky - the options are limited.  Rashid is probably the most talented, but you do wonder how many first innings overs he would be good for.  Having watched Ansari against Yorkshire last week, I am sad to say he is nowhere near test class, though he is a bit more reliable as a guy to block up an end than Ali.  Who else is there?  Tredwell?  Batty?  Or do you go for another like Moeen who is really a batsman - Patel? Borthwick?

The batting places are equally tricky - three are up for grabs, as Hales still has the ??s out, Vince is starting to give the impression of impermanence and Ballance, well as he played, still gives the impression that the selectors recalled the wrong Yorkshire left hander. 

So...to

Cook
Lyth
Hales
Root
Ballance
Bairstow
Stokes
A Spinner. Pick the name from a hat.
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

if nothing else, i'm glad there is someone else who thinks Adam Lyth should play as opener. Thanks !