With only 12 months until the start of the next Ashes Series the selector's really need to start getting their act together.
Our Strengths
- Strong Top three in Cook, Hameed and Root
- Strong Seam Options
- Run scoring machine wicket-keeper
Weaknesses
- Really poor middle order batting options for 4 and 5. We really need stronger batsman at 4 and 5. We have tried so many here since the days of Bell and KP and only James Taylor and Joe Root ( before he moved up the order) have succeeded in these positions. I would not move Bairstow up the order long-term unless he shows his capabilities at five in the final two tests. Johnny has an incredible record at 6/7 whilst a shocking record at 5 and I just feel he is such a threat lower down the order. We really need to fill these positions.
- Picking players who would not get in the side just as merely a bowler or batter i.e a bit part player. To play test cricket you need to be so good at one discipline that you would still get in the side if you were useless at the other format. Flintoff got in the side because he was a fierce fast bowler but was also an incredibly useful batsman at 7. We need to stop selecting players like Moeen who has a batting average of 34 and a bowling average of almost 40. Clearly he would not get in the side on the basis of one discipline. Yes an allrounder is a great asset but only if his extra run's does not impact on the number of wickets we get.
- Do not have someone in the mould of Chris Tremlett, Finn has not been great in recent years. To win in Australia we need a huge fast bowler.
- Lack of spin options
Potential Test XI
1) Cook
2) Hameed
3) Root
4) Borthwick - Four years with 1000+ county championship runs in a row. Has earned his chance.
5) Bell - Purely on the lack of middle order options we have. No one on the county scene is doing anything. Only Cook, Bairstow and Root average over 40 in the side. Bell averages 43 and we could really do with another person who averages over 40 in the side.
6) Bairstow
7) Stokes
8) Rashid ( possibly leach if he has as good as season as he did last season)
9) Woakes ( Finn if he has a good season. Purely for his height.
10) Broad
11) Anderson
Discuss
Test XI for Ashes
posted on 29/11/16
Most Liverpool fans with an ounce of intelligence didn't write of either Henderson or Lovren..
Bell test career is over.. He will not get picked again.
posted on 29/11/16
What about Scott Borthwick anyone?
posted on 29/11/16
Borthwick is not good enough, soon as he was talked about getting picked he's form dropped considerably.
posted on 29/11/16
Completely agree regarding Bell. Great player but it would be a massive step backwards.
Duckett would be my choice as well, its been hard for the more experienced players to make runs, so Duckett can be forgiven for his performance in India. He needs a run in the team in time for Ashes
posted on 29/11/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 29/11/16
Can't believe bell is being pensioned off at 34. England need some experience in the middle order and would definitely have him in the ashes squad next winter. Misbah is 42 and Younis khan 39 so no way is bell too old. Cook hameed root bell billings stokes bairstow rashid wood broad Anderson.
posted on 29/11/16
Im not interest in this article I dont like cricket
posted on 29/11/16
I like Bell but he hasn't done enough in county cricket to earn a recall. Maybe he will next year....
posted on 29/11/16
Kp isn't too old either
posted on 2/12/16
Id defo have Bell in the team at his best posistion which is 4/5 not 3.
Cook, Hameed, Root, Bairstow, Bell,Butler, Ali, Stokes, Woakes, Broad, Anderson.
Rashid has no chances of playing any tests in england unless Ali goes completely off the boil