Farce and future?

What a farcical end to the Test summer, whatever the spokespeople say the series was curtailed so players didn’t have to risk missing their IPL pay days.  Test cricket is less important than T20, in the eyes of the BCCI at least.  It’s frustrating because the series isn’t over; an excellent Indian side has not had the chance to gain a rare series win in England.  They may be leading but cannot claim the series win because the series isn’t over!  When the game is finally played, probably next year, we may well have our strongest team available in which case I’d expect a comfortable home win.  We’ll have to wait and see.

Before that happens there is the small matter of an Ashes series but in light of what’s just happened I’m not going to get too excited, it might not happen after all.  But assuming it goes ahead… This year with its rotations, withdrawals and injuries has given everyone a chance to see what strength England have in depth, or maybe how shallow the pool is.

Joe Root has been our best player all year, brilliant with the bat and has shown that at his best he is one of the modern greats and I think he’s going to get better still.  His bowling is handy at times too and I seem to remember him taking 5 for in India earlier this year.  I’m still not convinced he’s a great captain but he’s improving slowly and in reality there is no one else to do the job. 

This series has been typical of Rory Burns career, it has seen him consistently do just enough to hang onto his place in the team and with nobody knocking on the door he should hang on for a while longer.  At times he looks like he could push on to cement his place but so far he hasn’t done so.  I think he deserves to keep his place at least until there is a credible replacement.

Haseeb Hameed has come back into the team and so far done quite well, especially when compared to more experienced players batting in more friendly positions.  But unfortunately  Lawrence, Crawley and Sibley have all shown that at this moment they are not good enough to play Test cricket.  I think the first two being younger can improve and will get more chances in the future but the older Sibley has serious work to do and some commentators believe he’s reached his level and been found out. 

Dawid Malan currently holds the number three position and probably done just enough to book a ticket to Australia.  Ollie Pope returned after injury and looked pretty good in the one match.  All the pundits say he’s a star of the future so let’s hope they’re right.  If not the cupboard is bare.

Four wicket Keepers have been used this year due to all kinds of excuses.  Bracey had a chance but didn’t take it, you sense he’s better than what his returns suggest but will he ever get another chance?  Ben Foakes is our best gloveman and a joy to watch but is probably down the pecking order behind Buttler who has been indifferent with the bat lately and Jonny Bairstow who consistently proves he’s a decent keeper/batsman but his record with the bat after seventy odd caps is not good enough to play in the top six.  He shouldn’t be in future squads, not even as a reserve, we know what he does so what’s the point?  Great white ball player but thanks Jonny, you’ve played your last test.

We have seemed blessed with all-rounders in recent seasons but now I’m not so sure; a fit Stokes would walk into any team in the world and Chris Woakes would get into most, especially when the ball moves around.  Unfortunately Sam Curran is simply not test class with either bat or ball.  I’ve said that since the beginning and for a while he seemed able to prove me wrong but not anymore.  Bye Sam, close the door on your way out. Then there’s Moeen Ali who is as frustrating as he is loveable.  At times he looks world class but he has never been consistent and his impact seems to be waning.  His was an understandable selection in the circumstances this year but enough is enough.  He is still worth his squad place in Asian conditions though.

Our best spinner is undoubtedly Jack Leach who the selectors seem reluctant to pick lately but must be in our first choice team for the Ashes, whenever that series takes place.  Dom Bess has potential if he can get his mind on track but on recent form I imagine him getting hammered down under.

Our best bowler is still the great James Anderson but he can’t go on forever, nor can his partner Stuart Broad who has suffered injury this year.  The future may well be Jofra Archer but he too is injured and unlikely to play in Australia.  Find of the season has been the tall, controversial figure of Ollie Robinson (c’mon, who didn’t act like a twat when they were a teenager?) who may be a long term fixture in the side and has out bowled the more experienced Craig Overton who looks set to remain just a squad member.  Mark Wood has been injured too but could have played at the Oval and his extra pace may have made a difference.  Then we have another fast bowler with both injury and potential, Ollie Stone has looked good when given the chance.

Squad for Australia if everyone is fit and available.

Root first name on the sheet and captains the side. 

The batting line up - Burns, Hameed, Malan and Pope all start.  Buttler keeps wicket (Pope for spare keeper) and in reserve I’ll have Crawley.

Stokes is obviously our all rounder with Woakes as cover.                            

The seam bowlers should be picked as a squad and rotated to suit conditions; Anderson, Broad, Robinson, Archer, Wood, Stone.                  

Leach is the best English spinner and I’ll pick Parkinson in reserve, unless someone has a word in Simon Harmer’s ear as I believe he’s now eligible to play for England.  (Poaching another Saffer import isn’t really cricket but Australia started it, England have done it for years and the Kiwis are virtually a bi-lingual team now.)