If he has failed a concussion test ICC protocol then he cant play for 7 days. Australia havent said he has failed any test just he woke up dizzy with a headache Personally I think its cheating if they can play him on the technicality as they had a sub to concussion sub. Subs are only allowed for players suffering from concussion.
Smith not available for next test then. Do we stick with Roy though that's the question. For me: 1. Burns 2. Denley 3. Root 4. Roy 5. Stokes 6. Bairstow 7. Butler 8. Woakes 9. Broad 10. Archer 11. Leach I think we may as well stick with him as two tests is not a lot of time. Maybe drop him to 4th and move Denley up who looks to have a better technical ability. Its not ideal with Root remaining at 3. At least Roy would then be better placed to score some runs. If I here another suggestion of Bairstow opening I think I'll give up on cricket! Tempting to move Woakes higher up the order.
I would go Burns Denly Root Stokes Roy Buttler Bairstow Woakes Broad Archer Leach If our top order performs it give Roy and Buttler more freedom to play their natural game Bairstow wont ever open in test cricket. Partly because he has the gloves and its too big a workload. And secondly it wouldnt suit his game
Moving Stokes up 4th? Didn't think of that. Could work actually as he does have genuine test ability and can dig in unlike most of the other plums. Agreed regarding Bairstow. When we experimented with him up the order last year it was abysmal. He just hasn't got the ability above 5 yet its amazing how many people think he should be given a go as opener
Aside from Root, Stokes is our best batsman. He proved during the world cup and the other day when he needs to anchor an innings he is more then capable. Personally I would have Bairstow batting at 5 or 6 and give the gloves to Buttler or even Ben Foakes. Bairstow’s average would climb if he focused on purely being a batsman I think this test is do or die for Denly. If he doesnt get some scores I would drop him for the 4th test. But **** me what a catch the other day
I think Foakes should never have been dropped last year when he scored runs and was clearly a better keeper than Bairstow. Bairstow threw a strop and got his own way in the end. I think Denley has looked okay so far. Getting starts. Hopefully he converts one and grabs his place. Bottom line though is not enough people play test cricket to a good standard to be able to open regularly. That's the effect of T20 money and our own emphasis on odi. I liked Sam Curran when he batted last year against India. Looked like he had genuine test batting characteristics and its a shame he seems to be adrift of the team.
I really like Sam Curran and would have played him from the start. He is more then decent with the ball and offers something rare as a left hand swing bowler. Bairstow is a strange one. He is adamant he wants to keep the gloves but he is more then good enough to get in the team as a batsman alone. Foakes is the best keeper of the 3 but isnt explosive enough with the ball for white ball but he should be the keeper in tests Burns and Denly had huge question marks. Burns has answered his, time for Denly to do his
Fingers crossed for today. We really need to make the most of Smith being out. Think we have a good chance now. Both teams now missing a key player - we've done alright without Anderson, lets see how they get on without Smith.
Their first innings we did okay. Second we came unstuck on a flat pitch - not sure how much Anderson could do with that pitch.
We would have had a bigger lead after the first innings if Jimmy had bowled. That then applies more pressure in the second innings
****ing rain. Finally start. Bowl 4 cracking overs and were back off Broad has Warner on toast Archer gets Harris caught behind and then were back off for rain