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[FattusCattus]

Possibly swap ball for Willey.

Fnnnrr Fnnnrr!!! Who wouldn't? 

[northernboy1987]

Possibly swap ball for Willey.

Ball lacks penetration in comparison to Willey

[edge]

Aside for the obvious swaps, I'd like to see an extra top order player come in, probably Robson. Maybe Lyth but given his struggles with left arm seam last time round, not sure he's the man to play vs Pakistan! Thought Ballance batted quite well so he stays and Vince, who hasn't, goes. Would like to see a left arm seamer in (footit ahead of Willey there) but they don't get in ahead of Anderson, Broad and Woakes.

Cook
Hales/Robson
Robson/Hales
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Rashid or Ansari
Broad
Anderson

[Big Mac]

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.

Yep, Rashid is less of a test spinner than Moeen is. He's fine in limited overs games where the onus is on the batsmen to attack him but he bowls too much filth in between the good balls and any half decent batting unit will milk him in tests with no problems. Fortunately Pakistan aren't actually that good at batting so who knows...

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.

That sounds like a good idea until Cook gets suspended for slow over rates

Just find any club level slow left arm pie chucker, doesn't matter who as long as they're cack-handed and the Pakistani batsmen will fall over themselves to gift him their wickets. It's a plan that has worked for as long as I can remember.

[Manormanic]

club level slow left arm pie chucker?  Samit it is then!

[ppccopener]

Dawson played a limited over game the other they must have their eyes on him. I really like Ali as a cricketer but 160 against SL which is no better than a County attack really doesn't cut it. I watched him bowl Thursday and there was no threat at all.

If it's going away from the right hand edge there is at least more of a chance.

Samit Patel..... TIN HAT ON. he's a good cricketer and could do a job. Yes he ate all the pies but I grew up watching botham,lamb,larkins and eddie hemmings. how about a bit of nostalgia?
 

[Jlscarroll17]

I can't see how Borthwick was overlooked, the way Ali got himself out was appalling showed no bottle he needs to go for an out and out spinner or rashid.

My line up would be:
Cook
Hales
Root
Ballance
Vince/borthwick
Stokes
Bairstow
Rashid/patel/spinner
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

[WalkingWicket37]

Ball lacks penetration in comparison to Willey

I wonder what the selectors prefer, Ball swinging or Willey  pounding in

[GoodLeave]

I wonder what the selectors prefer, Ball swinging or Willey  pounding in

I noticed yesterday that when it comes to batting. Ball's deep in his crease.

[rickjames]

Fraser is at Hampshire v Surrey today and has had the privilege of watching Foakesy ton up and Batty piling up the runs. Ah.

[brokenbat]

England is over-obsessed with spin. Just pick your best bowlers. If there isn't a Test match spinner ready, go with all seam and let Root bowl the 8 overs or so that MA got to bowl.

[ppccopener]

Fraser is at Hampshire v Surrey today and has had the privilege of watching Foakesy ton up and Batty piling up the runs. Ah.

Ben Foakes 390 not out Fraser has ruled him out not fit.... sorry couldn't resist   

[northernboy1987]

Fraser is at Hampshire v Surrey today and has had the privilege of watching Foakesy ton up and Batty piling up the runs. Ah.

Poor little Mason Crane getting a double ton up too, sounds like an absolute road at Southampton this week!

[northernboy1987]

I wonder what the selectors prefer, Ball swinging or Willey  pounding in

I think you have to play Ball with soft hands but you can go a bit harder with Willey.

[smilley792]

No sexual puns in my post. Sorry.


14 man squad announced. The 11 from yesterday plus Anderson stokes and ....... Rashid!!!!