Ashes, Third Test, Edgbaston, July 29-Aug 2

[Arthur Crabtree]

Moeen is a different case. He's there because the selectors don't think there's a better specialist spinner in the CC. They may be wrong, and it's an unusual circumstance, but he is there as the selectors' choice as the finest proponent of the spinning art. Just that this says a lot about the state of spin bowling in the country.

[hopeforthebest]

Batting will get you in the side ahead of a similarly capable bowler. But the other options to Tim weren't any better than him with the ball. Tim came in for Finn in Australia because Finn was giving runs away, not because his batting was crap.

Woakes came into the side at six, so batting certainly played a part in his selection, but I expect he'll be judged just on his bowling in the future, because he won't get back in at six.

That's assuming Stokes is a fixture at 6 which in my opinion is yet to be the case.

When I look at today's line up It concerns me that now Bell has joined the 'lets go to it boys brigade' we have no stabilizing batsman in the middle order. From Bell down to Moeen at 8 everyone wants to score quick runs. Poor old Buttler at 7 is like a lost soul, often forced against his nature to try and play that role. Where's Brigadier Block when you need him.

[dan08]

Had this discussion at the game today.

Have we actually had a seam/pace bowler that could warrant the no. 8 batting slot?

Woakes?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Going to TB, Arthur?

No, first one I've missed since the mid 90s. Apart from the two last Ashes Tests there, which sold out quickly and so I didn't go every day, I've not missed a day at TB for 20 years.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Had this discussion at the game today.

Have we actually had a seam/pace bowler that could warrant the no. 8 batting slot?

Woakes?

Woakes will only get in if he genuinely can be one of the best 4-5 pace bowlers. He won't get in because he'd look good on the team sheet batting at eight.

I'd guess he'll end up in the side on bowling merit in the next year or two, when Anderson drops out.

[mikesiva]

Moeen is a different case. He's there because the selectors don't think there's a better specialist spinner in the CC. They may be wrong, and it's an unusual circumstance, but he is there as the selectors' choice as the finest proponent of the spinning art. Just that this says a lot about the state of spin bowling in the country.

it's a bit unfair for the England selectors to judge moeen solely as a bowler. The only England batsman to score more runs and at a better average than moeen this ashes is root. Moeen should be pushed up the order to six and a spinner like Rashid brought in at eight.

[Gingerfinch]

Doesn't Moen open for Worcester? We could bring back Ballance, open with Ali and drop Lyth. Or stay the same!

[Durhamfootman]

Congrats to England. Easy win, in the end. Got a big cheer at the Riverside when the news came through. About the only thing we had to cheer about, as it happens

selection problems for both teams it seems. England could get away with just having to replace Anderson, but I have a sneaky feeling they might drop a bombshell before TB. Aussies will almost certainly drop one of MMarsh or Voges for, presumably, SMarsh, and they might feel they have to cull Mitch2, bring in the banana eater, and hope Mitch1 can take the new ball. They'll be missing Harris atm..... blimey they might drop both MMarsh and Voges, and bring in Twatto again

[Arthur Crabtree]

Doesn't Moen open for Worcester? We could bring back Ballance, open with Ali and drop Lyth. Or stay the same!

Bats at three.

With his batting fca, in Division 2, it's hard to see that he wold have got a Test call up for his batting. He had a couple of good seasons with the ball, in Division 2 of course.

Re, Mike's point, Stokes is doing well at six. And Mo is actually doing a lot better at eight than Stokes did there. Moeen could go above Buttler, though Jos is probably a better long term bet. It seems fine to me where they are. What's wrong with Moeen doing well at eight?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stokes averages 42 at six, with two tons and four fifties. Moeen averages 21 with one fifty. And credit to Stokes, he did that against Australia (including way) and NZ. Moeen batted there against India, SL, and (I think) West Indies.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Moeen opens in limited overs for Worcs.

[Alviro Patterson]

If Lyth gets dropped (which would be harsh), it makes sense for England to open with Moeen. Unlike bringing in a county player, he won't need to adapt to international pace bowling and has opened with some success in ODI cricket.

[Gingerfinch]

Lyth will get the series, imo.

[Arthur Crabtree]

How about bringing back Carbs or Compo or Robson? They're not having great seasons, but they have been exposed to international cricket, and didn't exactly fail.

Though the first two may well be unofficially excommunicated.

Though I'd give Lyth more of a go.

[Alviro Patterson]

Lyth will get the series, imo.

Just needs to sight the ball earlier, Nasser made a good point as Lyth sights the ball 3/4 after point of delivery compared to Root who sights the ball 1/4 after point of delivery.