The England squad for the forthcoming test matches against Pakistan has been announced with Root as captain, recalls for the previously discarded Pope and Lawrence and an underwhelming bowling attack other than Archer… thoughts?
To be fair both the returnees have had good seasons in the County Championship.
Back to the future
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Pope has had 64 Test Matches and an average of below 35 after such a lengthy run suggests despite his form at County level, he’s too often worked out by Test class bowlers. Despite the occasional flash of brilliance that average isn’t enough. I also think his past status as Vice-Captain will complicate things. Obviously at one point he was seen as the likely successor to Stokes as Captain, but got overtaken by Brook who is now deemed not ready for the red ball post, despite being the white ball incumbent.
As for Lawrence, I reckon he deserves another go. Last time out he was pushed in as an opener and batted frenetically a la Crawley. If he plays his normal game he should do well against a less then stellar Pakistan attack.
Rob Key last week (on Pope and Crawley not being appointable as captain)
‘the shame is that their form got in the way of them being able to stay in the side’
Rob Key this week: Pope is in the side.
This perhaps – perhaps – will be just good enough against Pakistan in England. But a million miles away from the Ashes.
Also Rob has just discovered that form is quite important in elite sport. Who knew.
Are you expecting the side to employ the use of a flux capacitor?
The pace bowlers might be somewhat erratic, but I am not sure they are underwhelming. Robinson and Atkinson have 80 odd wickets at an average of 21 and 23 respectively. Tongue and Carse both average around 30, slightly behind Jofra Archer.
All decent championship bowlers but a step below test standard for me….hopefully I will be eating my words in a few weeks though !
still can’t believe that Bashir is the best spinner in the country
Indeed, not sure why they’re so fixated on him.