Road to the 2019 Ashes

[aussie tragic]

Btw, how does Pucovski get a gig in the one day squad? He has played only 4 List A games with 30 runs @ 7.50, SR 48

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I hope England opens with Roy because it is a completely stupid idea, like Australia trying to open with Finch, it will not work. Maybe he could be a middle order batsman but that is doubtful as well.

I do too, but admittedly their options aren't great. And in a low scoring series a quickfire 30 might do more damage than it otherwise would.

More chance of working than picking Denly.

 

[fredfertang]

More chance of working than picking Denly.

or indeed any other England qualified opener - I'd give him the gig, just till Baby Boycs is ready, obviously

 

[Bijed]

More chance of working than picking Denly.

Denly would presumably be at 3 anyway though, atlhough a combo of those 2 will still be better than one of them + Jennings

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

More chance of working than picking Denly.

There is an outside chance Roy might hit a couple of quick 50s and if the other opener can stay there while he does it might give England a decent start to the innings but overall he is not a long term prospect.

I think England should pick Balance, Root, Northeast, Stokes, Bairstow, Archer, Broad, Anderson, Leach but not sure sure who should open.

 

[PikeyB]

Ballance has had umpteen chances to cement a place in the England side , for some reason he can't convert his talent into Test performances. I'd see selecting him as more of a backward step than asking Cook to fill in for the Ashes .

The problem with Roy is he might end up as a very prolific 5-7 at Test level...but we got loads of those already . Half the squad could bat at 6 and do okay .

In recent history number 3 has been the English poison chalice . Now it's 1-3 . I would love to see how Roy deals with the moving ball ...but not during the Ashes . I thought Fairbrace was a bit daft to suggest it .

 

[Bijed]

Ballance has had umpteem chances to cement a place in the England side , for some reason he can't convert his talent into Test performances. I'd see selecting him as more of backward step than asking Cook to fill in for the Ashes .

Tbh I agree with you about Ballance, but if we did select him for the Ashes, I imagine we'd get a few failures, some stodgy 30s and probably a gritty/awkward half-century from him, which, worryingly, is still more than I'd expect from many of the other potential candidates we could go for

 

[social]

Has Ballance changed his technique?

Walking wicket if not

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Pretty much a southpaw Peter Handscomb is Ballance

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

If not Balance who should bat number 3?
Why would they be a better option than Balance?

 

[aussie tragic]

Peter Siddle not in the current Essex vs Hampshire game. Assume he's been added to the A squad but can't find any news.

Edit: 'Essex had rested Peter Siddle because of a few niggles'

 

[DravidFan]

Have the squads been announced?

 

[Toppy]

Is anyone here going to the Edgbaston Ashes test? If so, have you received your tickets in the mail yet?

 

[Burgey]

How good is it that the tests are all at traditional venues and wanker grounds like Cardiff, Durham or Southampton? I would have loved a return tot he old days and a first test at Nottingham, but with only five tests I suppose you can't have everything.

 

[aussie tragic]

Ashes County watch

Labuschagne made 51 and took 3-52 to continue his Ashes run. He is now the leading run scorer in CC with 704 runs @ 64.00 from 7 games and with 14 wkts @ 35.00 is making his selection hard to ignore (100 runs and 2 wkts per match).

Note: Balance is next highest run scorer with 663 runs @ 73.66 with 4 hundreds (and Div 1 vs Labu in Div 2).

In other news, Pattinson finally took some CC wkts in his 3rd game with 6-73 so he now has 6 wkts @ 28.00 (same wkt/match ratio as Labu) and Chadd Sayers played his first game for Gloucestershire taking 3-91.

 

[mr_mister]

Good timing for that haul of wickets from Patto. Might actually get to see him back in a test team.

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

Ashes County watch

Labuschagne made 51 and took 3-52 to continue his Ashes run. He is now the leading run scorer in CC with 704 runs @ 64.00 from 7 games and with 14 wkts @ 35.00 is making his selection hard to ignore (100 runs and 2 wkts per match).

Note: Balance is next highest run scorer with 663 runs @ 73.66 with 4 hundreds (and Div 1 vs Labu in Div 2).

In other news, Pattinson finally took some CC wkts in his 3rd game with 6-73 so he now has 6 wkts @ 28.00 (same wkt/match ratio as Labu) and Chadd Sayers played his first game for Gloucestershire taking 3-91.

Balance's runs are surely against strong attacks seeing he is play division 1 so his runs should be more highly regarded especially as they come at a higher average.

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

Good timing for that haul of wickets from Patto. Might actually get to see him back in a test team.

Pattinson should make the Ashes squad but whether he makes the first test team I am not sure about.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Good timing for that haul of wickets from Patto. Might actually get to see him back in a test team.

From what I have seen Patto always needs a few overs under his belt to be at full force, can tend to take a little while to hit his straps after returning from injury. He will finish this game and then play a couple for Aus A, hopefully he will be ready to tear **** up come Ashes time

 

[aussie tragic]

James Anderson currently has 25 wkts @ 8.88 with econ 1.68. This looks a worry for Aus, however Broad has only 14 wkts @ 28.57. Is Broad pretty much done now?