World T20 Super 10 Group 1, SL, SA, WI, Eng, Afghan

[Alviro Patterson]

It's not just the bowling attack, our opening batters don't get us off to fast starts often enough.

Spot on, that is why Moeen needs to open ahead of Roy or Hales. For him to be utilised as a bowler/batsman at 7 is not only an insult to his batting credentials, but also as frontline spin bowlers in county cricket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Willey so often gets a wicket.

Don't agree that England have a bits and pieces attack. Only Stokes isn't in primarily as a bowler. It's just handy that they all bat, apart from Topley.

Still think that?

Yes, it's true. No spinners are being kept out by Moeen. Willey isn't in as a batter, he opens the bowling and bats (when he gets the chance) at ten. Jordan might be tempting as a fielder, but they believe in him as a bowler and his batting is negligible in practice. Rashid came in as a bowler with a T20 record. Topley can't bat. Only Stokes is kept in by his batting. Not to say they are all/or any of them, great bowlers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And besides, every side in the competition expects some batting from its bowlers.

[Dr Cricket]

TBH I don't think england are picking bowler because they can bat it is mostly because their are lefties, got good potential for the future world cups.

Just a question dan or anyone what 6 or 8 bowlers would you pick in the squad, I really can't pick anyone better barring the usual suspects of Broad or finn.

the only bowler that is bit and pieces player in my opinion is the crap jordan.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm reading Broad and Bresnan, the bowlers who were similarly criticised after the last WCT20 and have also been claimed to be bowlers in for their batting, in their time.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mo and Rashid have identical T20 econs and averages, so if one is in in for his batting, surely both are.

[Gingerfinch]

Any changes for the next game? I'd normally say "someone for Jordan" but his figures were ok, bar no wickets.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's another late game, so another wet ball game. I'm not sure it's any better an idea to play games in these conditions than it was two years ago in BD. If Rashid is having problems gripping the ball, that's a possible change. If the only option in the conditions is to bang it into the pitch, then Plunkett could come in. But it feels optimistic to expect the bowlers to win the game in the wet if defending only a decent total. England need to look to their batters.

[dan08]

TBH I don't think england are picking bowler because they can bat it is mostly because their are lefties, got good potential for the future world cups.

Just a question dan or anyone what 6 or 8 bowlers would you pick in the squad, I really can't pick anyone better barring the usual suspects of Broad or finn.

the only bowler that is bit and pieces player in my opinion is the crap jordan.

Would've picked Parry for sure and probably Tom Curran in the squad (Plunkett in the XI). I know they're not proven either. But I don't really see what Stokes, Moeen and Jordan ever offer this T20 side.

[Alviro Patterson]

Mo and Rashid have identical T20 econs and averages, so if one is in in for his batting, surely both are.

Rashid averages 5 less in T20 than Moeen (22.13 to 27.13) and better strike rate by 4.2 balls (17.9 to 22.1). Moeen's economy rate is marginally better (7.36 to 7.38)

Moeen has better batting figures (22.25avg @ 130sr v 13.52avg @ 105.3s/r)

[Arthur Crabtree]

My stats were for internationals. Mo is a different player now than when he was a regular in domestic cricket. If he has a better batting record it doesn't really impact on his bowling. They both have their qualities, but it's hard to look at them (in T20 or 50 over, where Moeen bowling record in ODIs is much better than Rashid's) and say one is in for his bowling and the other is being picked for his batting.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Afghanistan to bat. They're obviously not worried about bowling with a slippery ball. After what I've been reading on CMS, it feels a bit like Sri Lanka are the underdogs.

[Gingerfinch]

Good comeback, 150 could be on for Afghanistan.

[Gingerfinch]

Done well to get to 153. Competitive.

[mikesiva]

Stanikzai 63 from 47 gives Afghanistan a chance.