rich1uk wrote:reports that both Hameed and Buttler will miss out on the squad when its named on Sunday
dont think they usually name a backup keeper for home tests do they ?
Hard to argue. Neither have been performing in red ball cricket.
This presumably means there will be a batting slot open? If Bairstow takes the gloves, you've got Cook, Jennings, Root, ? Bairstow, Stokes, Moeen, with an obvious gap in the middle order.
Would they go back to Ballance? He's been scoring very heavily and would be the obvious choice on form, but after previous experiences it's hard to imagine England would return to him. Robson's an outside chance - had some good knocks this summer. Otherwise, there's likely to be a debut. Any guesses? Sam Northeast is a possibility, or maybe one of Essex's other in-form batsmen (Westley or Browne)? Thoughts?
As for the bowling attack, if you play Moeen at 7 there's room for 4 bowlers - Woakes is injured, and Anderson and Broad are obvious if fit, but then there are two more spots to fill. Wood looks likely, but who takes the fourth spot? Rashid? Two spinners in July doesn't seem likely. Ball? Finn? Is it too early to call up Ben Coad
?
Or do you drop Moeen down to 8 and play another batsman, given that you'll have Mo, Stokes and 3 quicks which should cover it. Without Woakes, a tail starting with Mo at 7, Broad at 8 looks a bit shaky.