Random Cricket Thread (Domestic Cricket)

[captaincolly]

Surely just a matter of confirmation that Keets gets called to India to take Hameeds place. I'd bet he'll make the most of the opportunity and we're really in the mire next year.

According to The Daily Mail he almos certainly will be the replacement - although Lawrence Booth does provide himself with some wriggle room by writing that Jennings is the man " barring a late change of heart by the selectors."

[westoelad]

Jennings favourite according to Lawrence Booth
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricke ... order.html

PS Sorry-just seen capt's post.
And remember Stokes is becoming an increasingly influential voice in the touring party.

[andy]

Jenninngs is certainly a like for like replacement, and same as Hameed coming off the back of just one good season...give him a go and see what happens...Hameed should defo come back in when has recovered though..has earned his place

[captaincolly]

Jennings favourite according to Lawrence Booth
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricke ... order.html

PS Sorry-just seen capt's post.
And remember Stokes is becoming an increasingly influential voice in the touring party.

Sir Ian might have had a word as well!

[westoelad]

Now confirmed by FTECB that Keets and Dawson will join squad on March 5th
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/149301

[southwood]

Now confirmed by FTECB that Keets and Dawson will join squad on March 5th
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/149301

Not sure that's good news. Jenning's may be being persuaded, by influences connected with ECB, to ply his trade elsewhere this summer.The India call up could well push him that way. Apparently he is more highly rated than Hameed by many of his 1st class peers and should have selected in the first place.
No doubt Hameed's initial success should earn reselection, when fit, but Jennings could be seen as a possible solution to a lower slot instead of Ballance/Duckett.

[westoelad]

Now confirmed by FTECB that Keets and Dawson will join squad on March 5th
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/149301

Not sure that's good news. Jenning's may be being persuaded, by influences connected with ECB, to ply his trade elsewhere this summer.The India call up could well push him that way. Apparently he is more highly rated than Hameed by many of his 1st class peers and should have selected in the first place.
No doubt Hameed's initial success should earn reselection, when fit, but Jennings could be seen as a possible solution to a lower slot instead of Ballance/Duckett.

Exactly. Cook, Hameed and Jennings would form the best available top 3. Root is undoubtedly a world class 4 so should play there. I suppose if Jennings is successful you could equally use the counter argument that there'd be then no need for him to move and he's be less attractive to other Counties because of unavailability. Next season tests don't start until early July and the SAffer tests coincide with the domestic T20 so Keets would still be available for much of the CC programme.

[southwood]

Now confirmed by FTECB that Keets and Dawson will join squad on March 5th
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/149301

Not sure that's good news. Jenning's may be being persuaded, by influences connected with ECB, to ply his trade elsewhere this summer.The India call up could well push him that way. Apparently he is more highly rated than Hameed by many of his 1st class peers and should have selected in the first place.
No doubt Hameed's initial success should earn reselection, when fit, but Jennings could be seen as a possible solution to a lower slot instead of Ballance/Duckett.

Exactly. Cook, Hameed and Jennings would form the best available top 3. Root is undoubtedly a world class 4 so should play there. I suppose if Jennings is successful you could equally use the counter argument that there'd be then no need for him to move and he's be less attractive to other Counties because of unavailability. Next season tests don't start until early July and the SAffer tests coincide with the domestic T20 so Keets would still be available for much of the CC programme.

Much will depend on the advice he is getting from his Dad and how he gets on in India.

[Durhamfootman]

if he gets on, in India.

he might be swapping playing for the lions with drinks carrying for England

[Making_Splinters]

While Jennings had a good season last year, and arguably should have been given first crack at the opening berth this winter, he is completely unproven at Test level. To describe Hameed, Cook and Jennings as the best top three we have is nothing short of nepotism.

Should Jennings be a success in the two Tests he's got then where he bats for the summer, if he gets a spot of course, will be interesting. But right now the suggestion that he'll do a better job than Root is ridiculous.

[westoelad]

Not so sure why advocating the highest scoring opening batsman in CC 1st div. for an England place should lead to an accusation of nepotism but I always respect a conflicting opinion. Before the tour I advocated that same top 3 simply because all 3 have proven temperament at the next to highest level and there were 2 vacant positions in the top 3.
If you'd read the post you'd realise that I'd advocated Root to bat at 4 as he's a world class 4. Arguably also a world class 3 but he can't bat both positions.

[southwood]

Not so sure why advocating the highest scoring opening batsman in CC 1st div. for an England place should lead to an accusation of nepotism but I always respect a conflicting opinion. Before the tour I advocated that same top 3 simply because all 3 have proven temperament at the next to highest level and there were 2 vacant positions in the top 3.
If you'd read the post you'd realise that I'd advocated Root to bat at 4 as he's a world class 4. Arguably also a world class 3 but he can't bat both positions.

I concur - Meritocratic is a better description - who else is currently suited by current form and experience as an alternative.

[Making_Splinters]

The point was more, suggesting that the best top 3 England could field consists of 2 unproven players both in their debut series, is nonsense really.

I've said many times that Jennings was unlucky to miss out on the tour to Bangladesh, but Root has made a ton and two fifties this series at three. I don't see how any player could be said to be better in the role than him, let alone someone who's never played a test.

[westoelad]

The point was more, suggesting that the best top 3 England could field consists of 2 unproven players both in their debut series, is nonsense really.

I've said many times that Jennings was unlucky to miss out on the tour to Bangladesh, but Root has made a ton and two fifties this series at three. I don't see how any player could be said to be better in the role than him, let alone someone who's never played a test.

But that was never said nor implied. Root was moved up to 3 only because England,despite many experiments, couldn't find a suitable 3. I expressed the view that England's best top 4 would be Cook, Hameed, Jennings and Root. I think Root is best at 4 because,as our best batsman, he's better protected from the new ball at 4 and would do maximum damage there. I do happen to know Jennings personally ,well enough to be confident that he has the ideal temperament and ability to be a test No 3 batsman. I neither stated nor impied that Jennings was a better batsman than Root. I simply stated that Roots best position both for himself and the team was at No 4. That's not a fact, it's merely my opinion.

[Making_Splinters]

Again, Root has had a fantastic series at three, so why move him? It seems vaguely suicidal to have two batsman in their first series at 2 and 3.