Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Anderson again reported to be unlikely to play in the first Test. If Stokes still isn't bowling, he has to be a doubt. Which puts Ball back in the picture.

Anderson now hopes to be fit, but won't have bowled since the SL series. Stokes will play for Durham as a batter only before the Pakistan series. Situation currently uncertain.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Anderson now hopes to be fit, but won't have bowled since the SL series. Stokes will play for Durham as a batter only before the Pakistan series. Situation currently uncertain.

No bowling at all for 3 weeks before 1st Test NZ, or 5 weeks before Ashes or 11 weeks before SA 2nd Test.
It will have been a month and 2 days since 3rd Test v SL. Not really recommended though.

A piece on the BBC website says Bayliss sees both Buttler and Stokes pkaying as batsmen in the test side. He mentions the middle order so that suggests Root must move to bat at 3.

Unless Vince goes there. The press seems to be all over the place on selection. Might be some guessing going on. Looks like Anderson will be fit though.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Unless Vince goes there. The press seems to be all over the place on selection. Might be some guessing going on. Looks like Anderson will be fit though.

Maybe no new players at all then, even if Jimmy is not fit:

Cook
Hales
Root
Vince
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Finn

Four bowlers. That'll never work. Two keepers though.

I think the idea is that Bairstow still keeps? So I'd guess Buttler will bat higher?

Wouldn't be my idea of a team either AC.

So is TB thinking Jos can be a test number 5 then...

Root
Buttler
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes

As a 4-9 this would have both opposition and home fans quaking in their boots...

100-2 could become 600-8 before afternoon drinks on day 2 or 10-2 could be 100-8 by tea on day 1

I've got a hunch Jos (JB2?) is being considered because he's got some box office value. A sensible route for him would be through playing for Lancs for awhile.

I don't know how it'll work. Every article I've seen has predicted a different plan. If he's coming back, I'd give him the gloves and bat JB1 at five. But journos are saying JB1 is going to keep.

ianp1970 wrote:Root
Buttler
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes

As a 4-9 this would have both opposition and home fans quaking in their boots...

100-2 could become 600-8 before afternoon drinks on day 2 :clap or 10-2 could be 100-8 by tea on day 1 :panic

Vince hasn't looked good, but it would be harsh in the extreme to drop him already.

Vince is at 3 in that model.

Is the squad announced on Sunday?

Cricinfo says 'this weekend's squad' so maybe. These things aren't predictable anymore though.