Ollie pope ruled out for the remainder of the series.

Move Bairstow up the order and bring in Foakes as WK ?

Ali will come in for Pope and all shift up one in the order.

Wood will come in for Anderson.

Zero chances Foakes comes in. He’s not even in the squad. Given Stokes comments this week it looks like we will line up something like:

Crawley
Duckett
Lawrence
Root
Brooks
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Wood
Tongue
Broad

The reluctance to call up Foakes is puzzling. Stubborn, stupid or both!

I would have definitely brought Foakes in as as Johnny wasn't great behind the stumps, i feel for Pope now with his shoulder.

If Jos Buttler had played like Bairstow for the first two tests ,the press would have hung him out to dry ,how many chances as Bairstow missed so far ?,as well as doing a Wandering Walter impersonation in the last match

Mondsley wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:00 pm

The reluctance to call up Foakes is puzzling. Stubborn, stupid or both!

It is even more puzzling when you take into account that Johnny, when keeping seems to be half the batter that he is when he is just purely a batsman, I think stats wise he averages less when keeping that what Foakes does.

For these tests I would have just moved from 5 up 1 and slotted johnny the batter at 5 stokes 6 and Foakes 7 then whichever bowlers we choose after that

Clive 1960 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:02 pm

I would have definitely brought Foakes in as as Johnny wasn't great behind the stumps, i feel for Pope now with his shoulder.

Or in front of them in the second innings for that matter.....

Carwin261 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:05 pm

If Jos Buttler had played like Bairstow for the first two tests ,the press would have hung him out to dry ,how many chances as Bairstow missed so far ?,as well as doing a Wandering Walter impersonation in the last match

The press did hang him out to dry

Amazed that people want Bairstow out at Leeds. Home ground and point to prove I would definitely play him

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:41 pm

Amazed that people want Bairstow out at Leeds. Home ground and point to prove I would definitely play him

Who is saying that they would drop Bairstow?

Bairstow was much improved with the gloves in the last test, but he's still likely to drop a clanger at a crucial moment.

Dan Lawrence = 38/2

Does Lawrence bowl some part time spin too?

Red Fox Rocks Socks wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 3:32 pm

Does Lawrence bowl some part time spin too?

Yes he does a bit of spin bowling

Just shows really that we do have limited quality options in this country.

The bowlers never seem fit, and the batsman can't seem to step up form bullying County bowlers. Says a lot about the County Championship to be honest..

Dan Lawrence averages 29 in 21 innings against WI/Sri Lanka/India/NZ
I don't think the Aussies will be too worried.
Agree, we are short of quality batting..

I would have called Sam Curran up for some bowling variation and extra batting - but I guess Foakes will have to do…

We have a real conundrum imo with our top order - I hate moving Root from #4 but I don’t know who else can play three convincingly?!

Anderson just looks off it imo and I don’t think Robinson is a top level bowler at all, I know he’s had a good year but he looks unfit, struggles through his overs and doesn’t look threatening to the top order batsmen.

I was impressed with Tongue who managed to get some good carry & bounce on a pretty dead track…

From the squad available:

Batting all the way down to 8 with two/three all rounders (dependent on if Stokes is bowling)

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:14 pm

I would have called Sam Curran up for some bowling variation and extra batting - but I guess Foakes will have to do…

We have a real conundrum imo with our top order - I hate moving Root from #4 but I don’t know who else can play three convincingly?!

Anderson just looks off it imo and I don’t think Robinson is a top level bowler at all, I know he’s had a good year but he looks unfit, struggles through his overs and doesn’t look threatening to the top order batsmen.

I was impressed with Tongue who managed to get some good carry & bounce on a pretty dead track…

From the squad available:

Batting all the way down to 8 with two/three all rounders (dependent on if Stokes is bowling)

From the squad selected I would agree I think but suspect we will just move Lawrence in at 3 and have a straight 2 from 3 of tongue, wood and woakes

JarrowClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:17 pm

From the squad selected I would agree I think but suspect we will just move Lawrence in at 3 and have a straight 2 from 3 of tongue, wood and woakes

I hope not but you’re probably right!

& just to clarify I meant to type Woakes not Foakes (lol)

If Foakes was in the squad I’d probably include him though as well…

They really are stubborn or thick . Foakes averages over 30 for England and Bairstow bats far better when he's not got the responsibility of keeping . Missed catches and stumpings cost us the first game and could easily happen again .

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:19 pm

I hope not but you’re probably right!

& just to clarify I meant to type Woakes not Foakes (lol)

If Foakes was in the squad I’d probably include him though as well…

If Foakes was selected he would be the 4th name on the list after Stokes, root, Bairstow and Broad the last 2 because I think they are now set up for the fight, it could go all wrong but hey I think we may have some fun along the way.

Telegraph reporting that Brook being moved to bat at 3 with Moeen, Woakes and Wood coming in. Anderson and Tongue dropping out.

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... -recall%2F

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:03 pm

Telegraph reporting that Brook being moved to bat at 3 with Moeen, Woakes and Wood coming in. Anderson and Tongue dropping out.

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... -recall%2F

Absolutely amazed tongue is dropping out after getting smith out twice

For all we know Foakes may have told them to do one. Be a bit surprised if they drop Tongue after his efforts at Lords. Also what's happened to Matt Potts? Looked great last summer then has barely been seen since.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:12 pm

Absolutely amazed tongue is dropping out after getting smith out twice

I’m also surprised. Looked our most threatening bowler.

That batting line up certainly looks weak

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:12 pm

For all we know Foakes may have told them to do one. Be a bit surprised if they drop Tongue after his efforts at Lords. Also what's happened to Matt Potts? Looked great last summer then has barely been seen since.

Potts is similar pace to Robinson I imagine he is behind him in the pecking order. You could be right about Foakes but seen as Stokes was saying he was the best WK in the world not long ago I’d be very surprised

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:12 pm

Absolutely amazed tongue is dropping out after getting smith out twice

Exactly how I feel tbh. You need bowlers that can take the wicket of top order batsmen - I don’t think Robinson will ever cause the Aussie top order many problems

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:12 pm

For all we know Foakes may have told them to do one. Be a bit surprised if they drop Tongue after his efforts at Lords. Also what's happened to Matt Potts? Looked great last summer then has barely been seen since.

Why would a player ever turn down a chance to represent their country?

JarrowClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:17 pm

From the squad selected I would agree I think but suspect we will just move Lawrence in at 3 and have a straight 2 from 3 of tongue, wood and woakes

Tongue deserves to keep his place........showed a lot of character!

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:29 pm

Exactly how I feel tbh. You need bowlers that can take the wicket of top order batsmen - I don’t think Robinson will ever cause the Aussie top order many problems

The way Robinson threw away his wicket in the 2nd innings was unforgivable ......he needs to sit out Headingley & have think about it.

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:36 pm

The way Robinson threw away his wicket in the 2nd innings was unforgivable ......he needs to sit out Headingley & have think about it.

If we're leaving people of for playing shite shots in the Lord's test match we'll be playing with 3 men at Headingley..

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:31 pm

Tongue deserves to keep his place........showed a lot of character!

Agreed but looking like he has been replaced after doing nothing wrong a big lie Foakes

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 1:41 pm

Amazed that people want Bairstow out at Leeds. Home ground and point to prove I would definitely play him

Be more than happy to see JB play in Leeds....with the bat.

Andreshotboots wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:18 pm

If we're leaving people of for playing shite shots in the Lord's test match we'll be playing with 3 men at Headingley..

But isn't the idea of Bazball to try and hit every delivery for either a four or six?

JarrowClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:20 pm

Agreed but looking like he has been replaced after doing nothing wrong a big lie Foakes

Not enough middle initials in his name?....went to the wrong school?

Tongue has been hit hard with injuries so maybe they're thinking another short turn around test is just too soon for him?

That would be the only reason I'd consider leaving him out as he's been quite impressive..

How big a reach is the Ashes having for Cricket, when even on here there's a thread about it, with 40 replies, two days before the start.

My mate said he wanted to go on safari in Africa to see some lions and cheetahs.
I told him to save his time and money by going to the third test at Headingley on Thursday.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:17 pm

How big a reach is the Ashes having for Cricket, when even on here there's a thread about it, with 40 replies, two days before the start.

I suspect that the tickets for all 5 Test Matches were sold out even prior to Australia arriving. A big money spinner for both the ECB and ACB which is why both Boards have always been insistent on retaining it as a 5 Tests Series. Large numbers go in tour groups hosted by ex Test Match players both from Australia and England.

Crawley
Duckett
Brooke’s
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Wood
Robinson
Broad

Interesting line up. Batting looks pretty weak

Lots of pontificating around team selection here.

For me, however, what is going on between the ears of our batsmen in general far outweighs these musings over the merits/demerits of individuals. That's about leadership..theres no shortage of batting talent..pointing their noses in the right direction for a 5 day ashes test is what's needed.

Playing with a pub wicketkeeper is just a massive inexplicable brain fart..an attempt to blag an extra batter that no serious cricketer Ive ever known would support.

I've seen nothing yet to convince me that Anderson isn't still far and away our best opening bowler if supported by high class work behind the sticks. There's a reason he's got more wickets than any other seam bowler and he hasn't started doing anything different this year.

kentonclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:12 am

I suspect that the tickets for all 5 Test Matches were sold out even prior to Australia arriving. A big money spinner for both the ECB and ACB which is why both Boards have always been insistent on retaining it as a 5 Tests Series. Large numbers go in tour groups hosted by ex Test Match players both from Australia and England.

Yeah I know that.

I was just meaning of the people who just have a partial interest in cricket.

With Trent Bridge missing out, how do the ECB decide which ground gets to host a test match for a five game series when there are six historic venues.

Lord's obviously, but Headingly always seems to get one despite the recent controversy. How do they pick the remaining three venues.

I still think that they have missed a trick not selecting Foakes, plus surely Jimmy would have been suited by Headingley or are they going to let him bow out at Old Trafford.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:35 am

Yeah I know that.

I was just meaning of the people who just have a partial interest in cricket.

Point taken, but I suspect the majority of the posters contributing to this thread have a genuine interest in cricket commenting on the merits of individual players and final team selection.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:22 am

Crawley
Duckett
Brooke’s
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Wood
Robinson
Broad

Interesting line up. Batting looks pretty weak

The batting is far stronger than previous tests, Broad at 11 is evidence. They just have to produce.

It would be an interesting move to put Robinson ahead of Broad after Sunday.