The Cricket Thread

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Rashid had seven tests, on turning wickets, to stake a claim for a regular place in the team. I know that he still has a potential three further innings left, but ultimately he has failed. We don't return to the sub-continent until we play SL in Oct/Nov 2018, by which time Rashid will be almost 31. Not ancient by any means, but certainly not young either. You'd hope over those two years that one of the young spinners on the county circuit has progressed sufficiently to be worth a go.

In the meantime then, it's a case with sticking with Moeen (and Root). Whilst he is far from a top spinner, I don't think you can make a case for Rashid keeping his place. Early days for Jennings and Hameed of course (Robson and Lyth both scored a 100 very on in their careers as Cook's partner...), but if they do prove themselves, then a side of Cook, Hameed, Jennings, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Woakes, Broad, Anderson looks a very good one to play two years worth of cricket outside of the sub-continent*. At which point that will probably be it for Anderson's career.

*For anyone interested, the test series are SA home, WI home, Aus away, NZ away, Pakistan home, India home.
 
In terms of the 5th test though, surely they've got to give Dawson a go? Firstly to have a look, secondly because four seamers is ridiculous. Dawson for Ball. And if he's fit, Broad for Woakes.
 
st_brendy said:
Rashid had seven tests, on turning wickets, to stake a claim for a regular place in the team. I know that he still has a potential three further innings left, but ultimately he has failed. We don't return to the sub-continent until we play SL in Oct/Nov 2018, by which time Rashid will be almost 31. Not ancient by any means, but certainly not young either. You'd hope over those two years that one of the young spinners on the county circuit has progressed sufficiently to be worth a go.

In the meantime then, it's a case with sticking with Moeen (and Root). Whilst he is far from a top spinner, I don't think you can make a case for Rashid keeping his place. Early days for Jennings and Hameed of course (Robson and Lyth both scored a 100 very on in their careers as Cook's partner...), but if they do prove themselves, then a side of Cook, Hameed, Jennings, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Woakes, Broad, Anderson looks a very good one to play two years worth of cricket outside of the sub-continent*. At which point that will probably be it for Anderson's career.

*For anyone interested, the test series are SA home, WI home, Aus away, NZ away, Pakistan home, India home.
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Who's keeping in that side of yours?

As for the spinners, I think the opposite to you. Rashid has done just fine this winter. He's taken 29 wickets at 31 on these two tours. He's the leading wicket-taker in this series. An average in the early 30s isn't ideal but certainly isn't anything to be ashamed of. He's the first English leg spinner to take 20 wickets in a series for something like 70 years and only the second non-Indian leg-spinner to take 20 wickets in a series in India. In contrast Moeen, our first choice spinner, has taken 9 wickets at 51 in this series. Moeen's career Test bowling average is just under 40. That's Ashley Giles territory, except that Giles offered control - he conceded almost a run less per over than Moeen (and Rashid).

So for me it's time for Moeen to go. Moeen is older than Rashid and mainly takes wickets when the opposition treat him disrespectfully, his bowling average is poor and he doesn't control the flow of runs very well so you can't use him like Giles to tie an end up while you rest the seamers. As far as I can see the only thing Moeen offers that Rashid doesn't is consistent lower order runs. I say lower order runs because I'm not convinced he's good enough to play as a top order batsman. The only way I could see myself keeping him in the side is by giving him a last chance to bat in the top 6.

In summary, if you want an attacking spinner who'll take wickets I think you have to pick Rashid ahead of Moeen. If you want a spinner to tie an end up you have to look elsewhere.

I should probably add that I think England will keep Moeen in the side.
 
So. The fifth and final test, sadly despite my previous optimism, I cannot see anything Other than an Indian victory. Anyone else have any thoughts?
 
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