Topic: Ashes 2023 (Read 32430 times)

jonny77 · « **Reply #540 on:** July 17, 2023, 08:27:56 PM »

Quote from: Buzz on July 17, 2023, 07:09:24 PM

Why is it people always say so and so can't play the short ball.
There is no evidence that Woakes can't play the short ball.
People said the same about Foakes. Also nonsense.

Bairstow can't keep and bat three. A full fit and in form and not keeping Bairstow isn't really a number 3.

So someone has to put their hand up.

Root... Needs protection a bit as Cummins has his number at the moment.
Brook... Maybe one day, but not yet.
Stokes... Seems reluctant, but could do it, I think.
Mo... Has been handed the job.
Woakes... Probably too high for him, but I think he will score more runs at 3 than Mo.
Wood... Yes. The real Bazball choice.

He hardly looked comfortable in the last test against them short stuff, especially first innings. Even second innings, he looks very jumpy and unconvincing. I get what you're saying, but I just don't see him scoring any runs at three personally. Not that I think Mo is the answer either, but think he's better equipped than Woakes tbh.

If only Leach was fit! Solid number 3

Buzz · « **Reply #541 on:** July 17, 2023, 09:12:01 PM »

Quote from: elliss on July 17, 2023, 08:20:14 PM

Mo for 3.
There is no suitable choice but I dont think batting 3 will mess with his head. If he fails it wont impact is bowling or his test future, as he has none. I admire that he is happy to take one for the team. Best 'sacrifice' someone if it means Root and Brook are not worrying about stuff and play up to standard. Now and for the next 5 years.
Sounds crazy re a Test No.3 but its where we are.

This is of course the correct answer.

But if Mo can get one score of 40+ and take deliveries out of Cummings and Starc then he will have done his job.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #542 on:** July 17, 2023, 09:16:01 PM »

Quote from: golders on July 17, 2023, 07:54:51 PM

Stokes can hardly walk so can�t bat three. Also vulnerable against the short ball

Stokes scares the hell out of the Aussies and to put him at 3 would limit that as if they get him early with a newer ball then the fear factor middle order player goes. Certain players are just best left alone, Stokes at 6 brook at 5 and Root at 4. Pope is now a massive miss as currently the only real test quality No3 we have. Now there is some more real talent in the CC but it�s trying to fit them in. I personally would have liked to have seen an all round batting replacement for Pope such as the likes of Abel who has batted 3 and scored loads for Somerset, possibly also Rew but he is another keeper middle order batter but is averaging 70+ this season but given what we have Mo is the best from that list

procricket · « **Reply #543 on:** July 17, 2023, 09:40:14 PM »

Sam Hain would bat 3 more me and I feel he could be as good as Pope given a chance�.

Not sure if he fit but what a player Rew looked good too but Pope is like any player more he away better he becomes.

In fact in all forms I would look to have Hain in my side outstanding batter.

SD · « **Reply #544 on:** July 17, 2023, 11:16:03 PM »

I have a lot of time for guys like Mo who are prepared to do what is needed for the team even if it isn't the best for them. I think he could have had a far better test career than he has had if he had played it under Stokes and McCullum

edge · « **Reply #545 on:** July 18, 2023, 06:09:43 AM »

If you need a stopgap no3 it isn't the worst thing for the guy you throw up the order to be someone who bats there in first class cricket. For all the disadvantages Moeen is probably thinking he's finally in his preferred spot. Given Stokes' fitness the only other realistic option would have been for him to bat 3. For all the county batting strength at the minute there aren't a lot of top 3 players putting up a big case for a callup!

Buzz · « **Reply #546 on:** July 18, 2023, 10:19:30 AM »

Trying to do a 4th test prediction is tough, because both teams have had time off to lick wounds and recover.
Plus the weather forecast isn't great.

The Aussies have to work out where Can Green fits in (I suspect Todd Murfy will make way and Head will be the spinner). Marsh won't be dropped and nor will Warner.

The Eng team is as expected. Mo the sacrificial lamb at 3.
Jimmy back for a likely last test at Old Trafford. Eng have a balanced team (yes Foakes would add more but it isn't happening).

My instinct will be for either a Draw or and Aussie win, but due to Eng going too hard to win the match as they did in the first game.

What I really want though is some Jimmy magic under overcast skys and to see some grump Aussies moaning about English weather, again...

alba caerulea · « **Reply #547 on:** July 18, 2023, 01:13:44 PM »

Quote from: Buzz on July 17, 2023, 07:09:24 PM

Why is it people always say so and so can't play the short ball.
There is no evidence that Woakes can't play the short ball.
People said the same about Foakes. Also nonsense.

Bairstow can't keep and bat three. A full fit and in form and not keeping Bairstow isn't really a number 3.

So someone has to put their hand up.

Root... Needs protection a bit as Cummins has his number at the moment.
Brook... Maybe one day, but not yet.
Stokes... Seems reluctant, but could do it, I think.
Mo... Has been handed the job.
Woakes... Probably too high for him, but I think he will score more runs at 3 than Mo.
Wood... Yes. The real Bazball choice.

Woakes has been weak against the short ball his whole Test career and was bullied by the Indians a few years ago. This Aus attack is just as good.

Where does he bat for Warwickshire? And theres a reason for that

Jimbo · « **Reply #548 on:** July 18, 2023, 01:58:08 PM »

Can't say I remember Woakes looking particularly accomplished against the short ball, weak is maybe overselling it a touch but it's certainly not a strength of his game. He's an excellent bat but much more value down the order.

edge · « **Reply #549 on:** July 18, 2023, 02:02:25 PM »

Quote from: alba caerulea on July 18, 2023, 01:13:44 PM

Where does he bat for Warwickshire? And theres a reason for that

Not that he plays for Warwickshire much these days (or that I think he's a good shout to bat 3), but bear in mind this is a guy who has 10 first class tons at an average of 33 (context: Stokes averages 35 and Crawley 30) and made his test debut batting in the middle order - Chris Woakes is quite good at batting. As for bullied by the Indians a few years ago - do you mean the series where he made a ton against them?

alba caerulea · « **Reply #550 on:** July 18, 2023, 03:07:09 PM »

Quote from: edge on July 18, 2023, 02:02:25 PM

Not that he plays for Warwickshire much these days (or that I think he's a good shout to bat 3), but bear in mind this is a guy who has 10 first class tons at an average of 33 (context: Stokes averages 35 and Crawley 30) and made his test debut batting in the middle order - Chris Woakes is quite good at batting. As for bullied by the Indians a few years ago - do you mean the series where he made a ton against them?

I think that was the previous series (2017?) when Indias pace attack was still a work in progress.

My abiding memory of the series in question was Woakes backing away to the square leg umpire ala Tufnell when anything short came down. That is definitely not the technique of a top order bat.

Chris Woakes is a very good Test match 8 and excellent bowler in England. Test match 3 - not close.

Buzz · « **Reply #551 on:** July 18, 2023, 03:51:43 PM »

As I said... Probably too high for him, but I think he would score more runs there than Mo.

rickjames · « **Reply #552 on:** July 18, 2023, 04:03:36 PM »

Australia not playing a spinner. Quite surprising considering they haven't done that since 2012 - even with conditions it's still a spin friendly ground

Kulli · « **Reply #553 on:** July 18, 2023, 04:04:20 PM »

That said they might as well hand their match fees back to the ICC in advance, the over rate of that team will be so slow.

Buzz · « **Reply #554 on:** July 18, 2023, 04:24:24 PM »

Quote from: Kulli on July 18, 2023, 04:04:20 PM

That said they might as well hand their match fees back to the ICC in advance, the over rate of that team will be so slow.

It's OK, Uzzie will go back and negotiate a refund like last time.

Author Topic: Ashes 2023 (Read 32430 times)

jonny77

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Buzz

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SOULMAN1012

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procricket

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SD

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edge

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Buzz

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alba caerulea

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Jimbo

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edge

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alba caerulea

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Buzz

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rickjames

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Kulli

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Buzz

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