Ashes, Third Test, Edgbaston, July 29-Aug 2

[hopeforthebest]

I think the worry the selectors have with Rushy is his pace.

He can swing the ball similar to Anderson but he's not as quick.

Surely if you can move the ball sideways you don't need to be quick, I'm pretty sure most of Anderson's wickets are taken at no more than low-mid 80's.

[captaincolly]

I think the worry the selectors have with Rushy is his pace.

He can swing the ball similar to Anderson but he's not as quick.

I'm sure that's it. There was an interview with Ryan Sidebottom during a Yorkshire BBC radio commentary and he said he retired from test cricket because the selectors effectively told him he would no longer be considered because they thought he wasn't quick enough. He said he flat out disagreed that pace is essential.

[hopeforthebest]

I think the worry the selectors have with Rushy is his pace.

He can swing the ball similar to Anderson but he's not as quick.

Surely if you can move the ball sideways you don't need to be quick, I'm pretty sure most of Anderson's wickets are taken at no more than low-mid 80's.

I see cricinfo lists him as fast medium which is the same as they list Anderson at.

[captaincolly]

I think the worry the selectors have with Rushy is his pace.

He can swing the ball similar to Anderson but he's not as quick.

Surely if you can move the ball sideways you don't need to be quick, I'm pretty sure most of Anderson's wickets are taken at no more than low-mid 80's.

That's pretty much exactly what Sidebottom said and I agree with both of you!

[Arthur Crabtree]

UAE next. Is Stoneman a player who will score in Asia against mystery spin?

[captaincolly]

UAE next. Is Stoneman a player who will score in Asia against mystery spin?

Might well struggle but most English openers will. My hunch is that if Lyth doesn't secure his place in the next games then it'll either be Hales or Stoneman to partner Cook.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hales is a classy player. He could step up.

[hopeforthebest]

Hales is a classy player. He could step up.

Haven't we got enough one day players players in the team.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes! Just got to pick your best players. I wouldn't mind Compo back, but I don't think he'll return, even if for non cricketing reasons.

[hopeforthebest]

Lyth couldn't have been chosen in a more difficult time to start his test career having to face two of the stongest pace attacks in world cricket, New Zealand and Australia, I hope he can get some runs at TB which is nat a bad pitch for batting.

[DiligentDefence]

Lyth couldn't have been chosen in a more difficult time to start his test career having to face two of the stongest pace attacks in world cricket, New Zealand and Australia, I hope he can get some runs at TB which is nat a bad pitch for batting.

Which is why he should have played in the West Indies rather than try the ill-fated experiment with Trott.

[Durhamfootman]

UAE next. Is Stoneman a player who will score in Asia against mystery spin?

depends whether he plays for every ball going straight on!

the only mystery bit about mystery spin is why they call it spin

[Durhamfootman]

Lyth couldn't have been chosen in a more difficult time to start his test career having to face two of the stongest pace attacks in world cricket, New Zealand and Australia, I hope he can get some runs at TB which is nat a bad pitch for batting.

Which is why he should have played in the West Indies rather than try the ill-fated experiment with Trott.

[Arthur Crabtree]

UAE next. Is Stoneman a player who will score in Asia against mystery spin?

depends whether he plays for every ball going straight on!

the only mystery bit about mystery spin is why they call it spin

Their main bowler now is a leggie, so he should be legit.

[Durhamfootman]

Hales is a classy player. He could step up.

I have Hales in my county fantasy manager team, and trust me... he had 2 good games in April, went off an IPLing for a week or so at the ko stages, and since he came back he's been rubbish in the county championship. not just rubbish..... consistently rubbish. I've stopped picking him for my team, so certainly wouldn't ask him to step up a level