by sussexpob » Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:19 pm
And its not like we dont know the majority of this team now. There are few question marks about these players in the batting line up. I dont really know what Silverwood and his scouting teams are thinking; I mean, is the thinking that these players who are under-performing can elevate their game, and if so, what is that based on when the reality suggests otherwise? Or is it the fact, and I think its personally this, that the team management have sort of accepted that batsman averaging high 20s to very low 30s is enough. Neither is very comforting.
Take Burns. He has played 30 test matches now. He's had a run. Hes 31 and at his peak. He came from good form in the championship this year - average of 26 this series. Much was made about his work to the short ball paying off from the winter, but did he ever have a problem with the short ball? If so, I must be watching an alternative reality because to me, he cant defend his stumps to balls coming into him, and he constantly looses his offstump when the ball goes away. At 31, he isnt going to improve that, and doubly so when his batting stance and technique is totally based on eye dominance and the fact he cant see out of one eye well and has to take that technique to see the ball. He cant change that stance - it is what it is. And Burns has been restrained. This isnt a problem with will, he wants to be gritty - its his technique that lets him down.
In fact, the whole fallacy of England not being good under pressure or not showing application is long disproved - maybe under Bayliss England were aggressive, but under Silverwood they are not - most batters want to bat patiently, and set out to bat well - they just cant. They dont have the ability. Its hard to accept that sometimes, but thats the reality. These players are simply not good enough to survive long enough regardless of how much they try and stick in - Bayliss may have been right. Maybe he realised each player had a limited lifespan, and they may as well slog a few and get something in that 50 balls at the crease, rather than go nowhere.
You look at the others in the team ....
Hameed is a question mark. A really up and down series so far, but there is potential there with two strong innings. There is also real warning signs, with 3 ducks in 5 .... one being one of the most horrendous dismissals I have ever seen from a top 3 batter. He's there, I didnt agree with that, but he needs a run now. 10-15 tests (assuming he can make the most basic of returns to justify that length) to once and for all assess him as a cricketer.
Crawley - Just cant defend. I imagine he makes an Ashes squad and plays at some stage in that series, but he wont justify it. If he has a future, it is in 2 years time after he has proved he can score big runs.
Bairstow - Bats like a number 8 now. Average of 20 in his last 20 odd test - after nearly 80 tests in total, what is left to learn? He had one good consistent year, and for the rest he has been not good enough. Let him bugger off to the IPL and the other big money leagues, his test career is dead.
Malan - Interestingly his own test of note was at Perth, which was also one of the last times Bairstow looked a capable test bat - I guess the conclusion is the pitch was a total pancake (Australia made near 700 odd declared with half an innings left by memory, so yes, a total pancake). He had a decent run in OZ, but the key was Australia set out to bounce England out with pace and short stuff. While at times he was very lucky in that series, top edging hooks and pulls, and early in that Perth test he could have been out several times, but what Malan does well is play off the back foot, especially into the off side. When Australia pitched it up to him, it looked a different story, although they didnt do it enough. Other teams have, and frankly to fuller lengths he's been utterly rubbish most of the time.
Pope - I have said time and time again that Pope looks a quality player, but that he's is abnormally rusty when first at the crease. At the moment its been very up and down, but I am inclined to believe there is a lot of talent to come out of him, and he needs to be stuck with.
Moeen - Gone
Stokes - Walks back into this team even if he has a car crash and loses both arms. I wonder, however, if he will be back and whether or not his issues with health will mean we get the same player.
Buttler - No mystery left for me. I said in 2019 on paper he looked good, but he got very lucky. The luck run out, and with it so did the runs. He isnt a disaster keeper option for the team, but as a batter alone he cant be in the team. If Bairstow goes, then maybe Buttler at 7 works with the gloves - but I think Foakes deserves that spot.
Sibley - I salute his determination, but he's not good enough technically. Started finding very special ways to get out recently. 22 tests - we dont need more.
Jennings/Stoneman/Other similar picked players - See Sibley
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