Ashes 2025-26.

[andy]

To be fair Atkinson hasn't looked himself however I'm surprised carse has survived as well....surely they can't keep saying bashir is still there no 1 spinner now?!

[Durhamfootman]

....surely they can't keep saying bashir is still there no 1 spinner now?!

I hope you aren't suggesting that they've been talking utter sh1te? I'm sure they would never do that

[Durhamfootman]

I'll bet the England boys are licking their lips with relish at the prospect of playing again

I know I am

[Durhamfootman]

Somehow MPV has managed to make the mass shootings on Bondi all about him

[backfootpunch]

So weve got no spinner and two quicks who struggle to land it on the cut strip in carse and tongue.

Just chalk up the 3-0 now and move on to boxing day.

[Durhamfootman]

are you referring to this year or 2029?

[sussexpob]

I would attempt to rationalise England's selection decisions, but that would give the false impression that I believe there is some sort of thought process behind them.

Only 3 test matches ago, England's faith in Bethell was so strong that they based their whole tactical blueprint at the Oval on his ability to function as a front-line spin option. One test after, he was deemed so trustworthy that he was the only back up brought, and they even went as far as to essentially prepare for his selection by stripping Pope of his leadership role in preparation for dropping him.

Two test matches later, Pope has done his side of the bargain by being suitably rubbish, but Bethell has become unpickable - the reason being he hasn't made any runs in recent times. Of course, when he made no runs before being capped in the first place, we were told he was an insta-classic legend who didn't need to thrash around crappy county attacks, so what changed?

Does form or prodigious talent matter, then?

Well it seems form - which is why the only Lions player getting elevated to the squad averages 125 a wicket on this tour in 3 games. And when England could do with a few changes, he of course wont get a game at Adelaide, because I am guessing picking a guy who is bowling like a drain makes him unselectable.

And then Bashir has become unselectable based on his form and his performance - dropped for a spinner who averages 42 in FC and has barely played in the format - so you know... again, a few weeks ago England decided Bashir was the best option available, subsequently decided he was unselectable after not playing, and then decided someone with no FC and no form was more on form and better than him based on... er... a pot luck guess.

Conclusion? Form doesn't matter, until it suddenly does, even when someone has played no more matches to judge it on. Scoring runs in lower formats does not matter, until it does... but at the same time have a horror tour with the ball, and welcome to the team.

[Durhamfootman]

based on... er... a pot luck guess.

lengthening the dismal batting

[andy]

....surely they can't keep saying bashir is still there no 1 spinner now?!

I hope you aren't suggesting that they've been talking utter sh1te? I'm sure they would never do that [/quote

They've confused themselves now it's utterly ridiculous