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[golders]

Isn't Sam Currant a bit too bits and pieces and lacking pace at the moment? perhaps he has grown over the winter..

[Big Mac]

But I think the biggest downfall is the neglect that England pay to test cricket away from home, they play barely any tour matches any more to help them prepare or go out in time to get used to conditions, instead they play more ODI's and T20 because of money, understandable it is a business, but doesn't help the players.

Not many tours get decent warm-up games nowadays, if you're lucky you'll get a game or two against some Prime Minister's XI made up of half-decent club players which is a waste of time. Better off just playing against each other in a practice match in training.

It means a 2 test series is a waste of time too. Pakistan will come over in the summer, probably get utterly trounced before they can properly get into the swing of things and England will learn nothing of value from the experience.

With regards to the number 3 spot, what about Cook? Can't be any worse than Vince. I imagine he'd fight against such a move though, as he'd see as the first step towards booting him out of the England team for good.

[Buzz]

I see us winning against Pakistan as they're coming early and they'll struggle with the seaming and swinging ball.

I see Pakistan winning because we will struggle with the seaming and swinging ball...

[ppccopener]

I see Pakistan winning because we will struggle with the seaming and swinging ball...

I actually think , and I hate to say this, over a five match series against India, a draw would be a good result. I can see a very motivated Indian side coming here in the second half of the summer and winning.

[six and out]

I actually think , and I hate to say this, over a five match series against India, a draw would be a good result. I can see a very motivated Indian side coming here in the second half of the summer and winning.

I think both Pakistan and India are going to cause us serious problems this summer.

Pakistan have a very potent seam attack and if the weather carries on there should be plenty in the wicket.

India's batting has improved alot Pujura will have spent 2 season's with Yorkshire. And Kohli is a completely different player than who toured here before. There seam attack is now not to shabby going by the S.A. series.

[Number4]

We could do this underhandedly - we rope in nz into the Sheffield shield via $$$$ . Then get nz players into oz based teams . Finally we make the comp go for 6/8 months ...however  long a person needs to stay in the country every year to qualify to play as a naturalized player, then sign them up to a big $ central contract .
Mwahaha .

I like your way of thinking master 🥋

[golders]

Much depends on whether Chef will retire/score early season runs.

1. Alastair Cook
2. H. Hameed
3. James Vince
4. Joe Root
5. D. Malan
6. Ben Stokes
7. Jonny Bairstow
8. Stuart Broad
9. Jack Leech
10. L.A. Quick/Gleeson
11. Jimmy Anderson

They may well go horses for courses with Woakes or Roland-Jones, thinking- crikey, we need a win here! I would say sod it, let's blood a quick.

I have to say I like Leech who looks decent! Could do with another left armer to help build rough patches for Leechey boy to bowl into fromt'other end...

[jamesisapayne]

Surprised anyone is putting Stuart Broad any higher than 10 on the batting line up. It's great that's he seems to have rediscovered some form with the ball but his batting really has gone downhill. He looks like a proper rabbit sometimes now, a far cry from his days as a Gary Sobers-like dasher.

[ppccopener]

Surprised anyone is putting Stuart Broad any higher than 10 on the batting line up. It's great that's he seems to have rediscovered some form with the ball but his batting really has gone downhill. He looks like a proper rabbit sometimes now, a far cry from his days as a Gary Sobers-like dasher.

Leach looks a far far better bat and too be honest Broad never really looked like being anywhere near his dad batting wise who was a very good player

He did score a memorable ton against Pakistan but it was just once, apart from that it's been a thrash and getting out of line

There's very few over the years who can do both well at test level, it's why stokes is such a diamond.

I quite like Golders team, I would still have Woakes in my side and Stoneman ahead of Vince all day long

The problem with both Stoneman and Vince is they have not really done enough, of the two Stoneman looks like he is tougher, pretty 20's don't work against good test sides

I have a feeling thou....Stoneman will not make the first test of the summer-just a gut feeling

[golders]

Having read Cooky lad's (yes he is a close friend of mine!;)) Column on the sky sports app-looks like he has the hunger and drive to carry on-i bet he scores a load of early season runs and keeps his place.
Also interesting how highly he spoke of both Leech-and particularly Vince-nada about Stoneman!
I am sure his thoughts still hold some sway.

So therefore I am sticking to my original selection of ruthlessly jettisoning Stoneman and keeping Vince at 3!

[Buzz]

I am still hungry and have the drive to do well.
Sadly that isn't enough to be an international sportsman (or woman).

Also of course he will say nice things about his teammates, he isn't KP. He is also a nice bloke. That also isn't enough.

If we keep doing the same things we will keep having the same results.

[golders]

I am still hungry and have the drive to do well.
Sadly that isn't enough to be an international sportsman (or woman).

Also of course he will say nice things about his teammates, he isn't KP. He is also a nice bloke. That also isn't enough.

If we keep doing the same things we will keep having the same results.

Yes but you don't have his record...

Anyway,I'm not sure why we actually bother discussing and speculating-Buzz you seem to be in on the selection meetings and in with the powers that be...which is great for us on the forum...cheers!

[19reading87]

Hameed batting at 3 for Lancs today..... Any bets on England telling him to bat there?