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[ppccopener]

ESPN are reporting that Jack Leach is unlikely to be fit for the 2nd Test, with Bess likely to play if England decide they need a spinner.

It looks like Matt Parkinson has dropped down the pecking order somewhat. More alarmingly, in Leach's absence England have the choice of two blokes who couldn't hold down a place in their county sides.

It makes you realise how much we miss Moeen, now he's not available

Well...newspaper reports pre tour were and I sure they are right, Giles visited MO to sound him out about the tour, not sure how usual or unusual that is, guess is it's not common, you could imagine some arm twisting was done,  it to no avail and he has signed up for some 2020 overseas I think for part of this winter.

Mo was dropped after some poor form and by his own admission a loss of confidence. England removed his central contract as he had 'a break'

Whether anyone thinks he is top class or not and should be in before leach is debatable on this fine forum.

Being the gossip monger I am I smell a bit of a rat and the removal of his contract may have something to do with it.

Could be completely wrong but I do like a conspiracy story or two.

Clearly England want him back, that much is obvious, could they of still paid his contract if he was having an extended break?

Difficult one that, Bairstow has a contract for red ball, perhaps they could of used that money to attempt to get Mo back a bit earlier? 

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Says something that you can be released by a county but 'missed' by England.

Players in the past have been released by a County and moved on to be successful elsewhere, don't see why that can't happen today or in the future, they make judgement calls based on the opinion of coaches and management.

Lancashire have done Hameed a big favour, he needs time and patience and some hard work himself to make it back to test level.
Sometimes you have to back potential, Lancashire chose not to.

[WalkingWicket37]

I doubt Moeen would hold down a place as a bowler in many county sides.

No, but he'd  walk into most (if  ot all) as all rounder, which is the role he's selected in for England.
While his stats (they don't tell a full story, but people like to quote them...) aren't world class on their own with bat or ball, put the two together and you have a handy player. Just the kind England could do with right now.

Lets be honest, Moeen is something of a bits and pieces player statistically,  bit are there any better options available?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Players in the past have been released by a County and moved on to be successful elsewhere, don't see why that can't happen today or in the future, they make judgement calls based on the opinion of coaches and management.

Lancashire have done Hameed a big favour, he needs time and patience and some hard work himself to make it back to test level.
Sometimes you have to back potential, Lancashire chose not to.

Let's see if he can find success at another county before we consider if he has an international future?

[Bats_Entertainment]

I like Moeen Ali and think he's been a good servant to England. But I hope they look to move on and invest in real bowlers.

[FattusCattus]

No, but he'd  walk into most (if  ot all) as all rounder, which is the role he's selected in for England.
While his stats (they don't tell a full story, but people like to quote them...) aren't world class on their own with bat or ball, put the two together and you have a handy player. Just the kind England could do with right now.

Lets be honest, Moeen is something of a bits and pieces player statistically,  bit are there any better options available?

Are you sure Camquat? He was dropped for a reason,

Do we really need a player who couldn't buy a run and couldn't tie up an end at the moment?

We shouldn't be pinning our hopes on a shot bolt right now. We've got enough all-rounder, how about we find the best spinner?

[Jimbo]

Leach has been the stand out English spinner in FC games in the past few years, no?

[WalkingWicket37]

@FattusCattus where do we find this next spinner from though?

Jack Leach is the man at the moment but unable to play due to illness.

Dom Bess - loaned out by Somerset last season
Matt Parkinson - can't hold down a place in the Lancashire Championship team
Mason Crane - seems forever ago he was picked now. Back injuries have limited his game time
Liam Dawson - keeps Mason  Crane  out of Hampshire's side. Steady if unspectacular
Moeen Ali - currently unavailable
Brad Taylor - Hampshire's back up offie, very limited game time
Amar Virdi - lot of noise about him a couple of years ago, is he still destined for big things?
Simon Harmer - is he English yet?

[FattusCattus]

Yes, but I wouldn't say he's convinced me that he's a test match wicket-taker

[FattusCattus]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28396552/england-not-afraid-leave-stuart-broad-james-anderson-chris-silverwood

I'll bet this is lip service to pacify the media

[nivaga]

@FattusCattus
Simon Harmer - is he English yet?

Can he be eligible? He played 5 tests for SA already? Only took some 20 wickets so clearly wasn't worth keeping anyway 

[Mister Le Chiffre]

Can he be eligible? He played 5 tests for SA already? Only took some 20 wickets so clearly wasn't worth keeping anyway 

Pretty certain Harmer can't play for England until November 2022 - at which point he'll be around 33-34.

We'd be better off developing Bess as he's a mere baby at 22 and secondly he's actually English

[mo_town]

@FattusCattus where do we find this next spinner from though?

Jack Leach is the man at the moment but unable to play due to illness.

Dom Bess - loaned out by Somerset last season
Matt Parkinson - can't hold down a place in the Lancashire Championship team
Mason Crane - seems forever ago he was picked now. Back injuries have limited his game time
Liam Dawson - keeps Mason  Crane  out of Hampshire's side. Steady if unspectacular
Moeen Ali - currently unavailable
Brad Taylor - Hampshire's back up offie, very limited game time
Amar Virdi - lot of noise about him a couple of years ago, is he still destined for big things?
Simon Harmer - is he English yet?

Wow!....those are the best spinners in the country and not one would be a shoo in if one had to pick (except Harmer who doesnt qualify). Glad England arent touring the sub continent at the moment...maybe its time to get back Adil Rashid!

[alexhilly1492]

Why can I see us playing Bess and South Africa dropping Maharaj

[edge]

Quite keen for Bess if Leach can't play, really rated him in his short first test spell but his bowling obviously wasn't quite there. Couple of years later you'd hope he's come on from there, look forward to seeing how he goes if he does play.