Print

[FattusCattus]

The to-ing and fro-ing in the batting is fine - lots of young talent to blood, and very exciting too.

However - can anyone name 3 x spinners for both tours? There are not 3 outstanding candidates I'm afraid.

Mo = makes an excellent 2nd spinner, but I worry how he will do under assault, and unable to keep an end quiet.
Rashid = erratic and expensive, but also a wicket taker and exciting prospect, and unable to keep an end quiet.

and then the next person banging on the door is.....................................................................
My team (and squad) for Bangladesh would be:

Cook
Bell-Drummond
Root
Hales
Bairstow
Stokes
Butler+
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Plunkett

Hameed
Rayner
Wood
Ansari
Ball

[Kieron_BT]

The to-ing and fro-ing in the batting is fine - lots of young talent to blood, and very exciting too.

However - can anyone name 3 x spinners for both tours? There are not 3 outstanding candidates I'm afraid.

Mo = makes an excellent 2nd spinner, but I worry how he will do under assault, and unable to keep an end quiet.
Rashid = erratic and expensive, but also a wicket taker and exciting prospect, and unable to keep an end quiet.

and then the next person banging on the door is.....................................................................
My team (and squad) for Bangladesh would be:

Cook
Bell-Drummond
Root
Hales
Bairstow
Stokes
Butler+
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Plunkett

Hameed
Rayner
Wood
Ansari
Ball

No Anderson or Broad? Big call!

[FattusCattus]

Rest 'em - they are both struggling to recover adequately from niggling injuries so no point in dragging them round the featherbeds of Bangladesh.

[joeljonno]

- Cook
- +1
- Root
- +1
- +1
- Stokes
- Bairstow
- Ali
- Woakes
- Broad
- Anderson

I don't think most people will argue massively against that 8 as being pretty much nailed on for the first test, barring injury.

As for the spaces, I think they'll only change a maximum of one or two, so someone gets a lifeline.

Opener - what about Sam Robson?  He was dropped for only averaging 30 at the opening spot. Hales doesn't average that and not yet had a ton at 21 innings of test cricket. Robson is averaging 55+ in CC for Middlesex.

Middle order - Nick Gubbins is averaging over 60. Liam Livingstone is up over 55 as well.  Livingstone has taken 22 catches, so must be a decent (slip) fielder too.

There is also the second spinner to include in the team.  I'd move Bairstow up to 5, Ali to 7 and bring in Rashid.

Cook
+ 1
Root
+ 1
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

Therefore two to fill.  Hales averages less than 20 against Pakistan, so unfortunately he makes way for Robson (if fit) for me, but could see Habeeb or other, meaning Ballance gets another shot to impress.

Cook
Robson
Root
Ballance
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

I'd take a decent old/eperienced third spinner.  Probably Samit or Batty who knows they will not be in the team barring injury and can come in a do a job if needed.

Then have Finn, Plunkett et all as the backup seamers.

Backup basmen is an interesting one, not much to pick, either a youngster or and old pro.  Get some experience on tour or someone who knows their role and job.

[Johnny]

Doesn't Livingstone bowl too? Sure he was a decent leggy when I played against him as a kid

[Johnny]

Bayliss making noise that Dawson might be the 3rd spinner

[northernboy1987]

Bayliss making noise that Dawson might be the 3rd spinner

Been around the squad for a while now so they should have an idea about how he'll go, didn't have a great game at Cardiff in the ODI, could just have been nerves/bad luck I guess?

[Johnny]

I didn't watch the whole odi, but the overs of Dawson I did see it was obvious that Pakistan were trying to go after him. Bayliss seemed to like his attitude though

[mattcoll12491]

Middle order - Nick Gubbins is averaging over 60. Liam Livingstone is up over 55 as well.  Livingstone has taken 22 catches, so must be a decent (slip) fielder too.

One of those catches was... shall we say... controversial

[Johnny]

Another big score for Duckett. Could he be the opener we're looking for?

[ScottParko]

Just looking at the photo of tomorrow's Cricket paper, England plan to rest Root, Stokes and Ali in the ODIs against Bangladesh, possibly opening up a fourth spinner to tour?

[ppccopener]

Just looking at the photo of tomorrow's Cricket paper, England plan to rest Root, Stokes and Ali in the ODIs against Bangladesh, possibly opening up a fourth spinner to tour?

if that's correct it might throw up an awkward situation for those that are reluctant to go on the tour in the first place. Pretty obvious Morgan is going to need his arm twisted.

[Buzz]

I appreciate these leaks represent good journalism, but the selectors being leakier than a culindar is unimpressive.

[Johnny]

So if Morgan jibs and Root is rested, who would you have skipper the team?

[Woodyspin]

So if Morgan jibs and Root is rested, who would you have skipper the team?

Jos