Jack Leach ruled out of the entire series with a back injury. No real stand out spin bowler to call on. Ahmed only 19 and vastly inexperienced to call upon. Dawson and Parkinson aren't exactly international quality. Will Jack's? Or a recall for the retired Moeen Aii? With Stokes knee an issue and unlikely to bowl in the first test would it be worth calling up Liam Livingstone as another all-rounder and able to ball spin. Crawley Duckett Pope Root Brook Stokes Bairstow Livingstone Robinson Broad Anderson Or go a little left field and put Bairstow as opener at the expense of Crawley and play 4 seamers plus Livingstone. Bairstow Duckett Pope Root Brook Stokes Livingstone Robinson Broad Potts/Wood Anderson
I've a massive problem with the Captain not being fully fit and not commanding a place on merit. Also Bairstow has been shoe horned into the side when there wasn't a place for him. One good change would be Liam Livingstone coming in for Leach. Might pinch a wicker or two and weigh in with much needed runs down the order.
I reckon they may not play with a spinner in the first test and put reliance on Root who invariably gets a wicket or two. Tongue should play based on his performance against Ireland and the other bowlers should be Broad, Robinson and Anderson if fit. Woakes, Wood and Potts should get their chances later in Series and Bess may be considered for second test. McCullum was asked about whether Stokes would bowl and his reply was very much from a seat on the fence. His initial response was “ I certainly hope so” Crawley will stay as opener but shouldn’t !!!
His bowling average for home tests is about 20 His Test batting average is about 27. He’s got to be considered on these figures surely ?
I think he’ll go 4 seamers plus root as well. Though I wouldn’t put Woakes in if Broad, Anderson and Robinson are fit. And would want Tongue or Wood to give some extra pace as 4th seamer.
Can’t see that, if he keeps Bairstow as wicketkeeper, as his performances with the bat often seem to dip when he’s also keeping wicket
Wood should play the first test 100% and there’s no way Tongue has leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
It’s not an easy task for the selectors ( although it’s good having such a large choice of fast bowlers ). All five tests are squeezed into 6/7 weeks so we’re going to need a few to choose from, particularly with some being not so young and some injury prone. I just think it may be wise to actually play Tongue as he’s obviously on form and full of confidence. Anyway, bring ‘em on !!! I think it’s the Test championship final before the Ashes so let’s hope that India give them a good wupping
I think the Aussies will beat India this week but should be a great game. I’m sure there will be a load of rotation from both teams with the bowlers, could only potentially see Cummings and Robinson being the 2 seamers to play all 5.
Looks like Mooen Ali. Talked out of test retirement. Crawley Duckett Pope Root Brook Stokes Bairstow Ali Robinson Broad Anderson looks like it will be this 11 for Edgbaston.
Seems likely but an article on Cricinfo suggests that Moeen is not guaranteed to start at Edgbaston which has a poor record for spinners. Seems crazy picking him but not playing him but it’s a two match squad so they may put reliance on Root for the first one
I'd be tempted to give the young lad a go tbh. Ali had his chances and failed too many times, ended up being a walking wicket with the bat and bowling slow straight long hops. Right, thats Ali getting a five-for and 200 not-out.
