England tour of the Caribbean 2015, April 13-May 5

[dan08]

Last time, Ajmal Khan made his debut. That was a strange turn of events.

*Amjad.

And now he's playing for Denmark.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Thanks. I felt it wasn't right but hoped it was.

A couple of players who really stood out, in terms of seeing them for the first time at international level, and me wondering how they got selected, were Amjad Khan and Ian Blackwell.

[KipperJohn]

I think Rashid is worth a punt. Tredwell is fine in ODIs but I'd rather we put someone younger in to gain some experience.

Tredwell is fine in ODIs- when he plays ...........

Agree about Rashid - it's about time.

[Aidan11]

Looks like Cook is ready then

[Durhamfootman]

30 off 7 balls sounds much better than 5 off 19

focus on the positive

[westoelad]

I think Rashid is worth a punt. Tredwell is fine in ODIs but I'd rather we put someone younger in to gain some experience.

Paul Nixon who was in charge of Jamaica in the CPL has this to say about Caribbean pitches " I couldn't believe the quality of the pitches. Apart from Barbados, which is still a road, they were all difficult to bat on... It won't just turn it will rag square". Claims we should play 2 spinners-wonder if Moore's data bank has picked up this gem?

[m@tt]

I think Rashid is worth a punt. Tredwell is fine in ODIs but I'd rather we put someone younger in to gain some experience.

Paul Nixon who was in charge of Jamaica in the CPL has this to say about Caribbean pitches " I couldn't believe the quality of the pitches. Apart from Barbados, which is still a road, they were all difficult to bat on... It won't just turn it will rag square". Claims we should play 2 spinners-wonder if Moore's data bank has picked up this gem?

I think the initial plan was to play Moeen and Rashid. But with Moeen out injured, I'm not sure they'll have the confidence to play two spinners.

That said, if we're going to see repeats of the long innings we saw in 2009, we need to be prepared to be in the field for a long time and that might lead to them picked both Rashid and Tredwell, with Buttler moving up to 6. If we do get those long innings, I'm sadly don't have much confidence in Cook being able to manage the quick bowlers' workloads.

[mikesiva]

I would think it would be a good idea to field two spinners in Antigua and Grenada, but one in Barbados....

That said, I'm sure neither side will do that.

[Durhamfootman]

do we know how long Moeen is out for?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I seem to be an unreliable source of info at the moment, but I've read he may be able to join the tour to the Caribbean.

[Durhamfootman]

would that affect Rashid's chances, do you think?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Certainly. But I'm reminded of the plans which don't survive contact with the enemy. England will go in (as they did in UAE and India) with seam heavy attacks whatever the conditions. If the pitches are very slow, then they might just have to face the unavoidable truth, that there's nothing there for the seamers, and spin, even lesser spin, might be more effective.

Hell, NZ played three spinners in UAE and won. they have better seamers than spinners, but embraced an unpalatable truth.

My hunch is that England will lack confidence in Rashid (he was expensive in South Africa, admittedly on shirt fronts). I can see a possibility that they may be more likely to play Rashid as a pair with Moeen, who will bowl dry in the first innings, and Rashid play mainly as a second innings bowler. So Moeen being there might help AR. If they have to play a lone spinner in the first Test, i think they'll pick Tredwell. Who can't get picked for Kent. But could be relied on not to go at five an over; and in the first Test they will convince themselves that they will win with pace.

[Slipstream]

Think Jordan will be ahead of Plunkett even though Jordan was a replacement for Plunkett last summer. He was the one who got the central contract and also has more experience bowling in West Indies. Then I worry about him sweating so much that we can't get the ball to reverse-swing.

[Durhamfootman]

Certainly. But I'm reminded of the plans which don't survive contact with the enemy. England will go in (as they did in UAE and India) with seam heavy attacks whatever the conditions. If the pitches are very slow, then they might just have to face the unavoidable truth, that there's nothing there for the seamers, and spin, even lesser spin, might be more effective.

Hell, NZ played three spinners in UAE and won. they have better seamers than spinners, but embraced an unpalatable truth.

My hunch is that England will lack confidence in Rashid (he was expensive in South Africa, admittedly on shirt fronts). I can see a possibility that they may be more likely to play Rashid as a pair with Moeen, who will bowl dry in the first innings, and Rashid play mainly as a second innings bowler. So Moeen being there might help AR. If they have to play a lone spinner in the first Test, i think they'll pick Tredwell. Who can't get picked for Kent. But could be relied on not to go at five an over; and in the first Test they will convince themselves that they will win with pace.

I'm quite excited at the prospect of Rashid playing, but I suspect you are right and he either won't play, or will play but won't get used until it's too late, and then get blamed for England losing a series because he didn't take a hat trick in any of his 5 overs.

[Durhamfootman]

Think Jordan will be ahead of Plunkett even though Jordan was a replacement for Plunkett last summer. He was the one who got the central contract and also has more experience bowling in West Indies. Then I worry about him sweating so much that we can't get the ball to reverse-swing.

I think you might be right, too

I'd actually like to see them both play, and drop Broad.