The International Cricket Thread

[Villan For Life]

The lack of a test quality spinner is the obvious weak link in the team

Stokes rates Leach and trusts him to tie down one end thus allowing him to rotate the seamers at the other end. I heard on TMS yesterday that since the start of the McCullum/Stokes era Leach has bowled a thousand balls more than any other bowler, that’s an awful lot of overs.

[dubont]

Leach is out of the Ashes with a stress fracture of the back.

[Meanwood Villa]

Leach is out of the Ashes with a stress fracture of the back.

This is bad. He might not be that potent but still our best spinner. With all the injury worries with the quick bowlers too this could get grim.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah big blow, feel sorry for Leach.

[taylorsworkrate]

Mooen Ali perhaps back in with a shout now?

[Gareth]

Mooen Ali perhaps back in with a shout now?

With Stokes in charge you know it will be asked…really want him to get those 11 wickets for 200

[PaulWinch again]

If they can convince him that’d be my option, but I’m sceptical of the chances.

[olaftab]

Rashid is a better spinner than both Leach and Ali.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not sure he’s a better Test spinner than either, and if Stokes struggles to bowl he’s not going to hold an end.

[Steve67]

I’m not sure he’s a better Test spinner than either, and if Stokes struggles to bowl he’s not going to hold an end.

I think that is key to this.  They need someone reliable.  The young lad, Reman Ahmed, who took the 5-for in Pakistan is a bit raw.  Moeen seems to be the better candidate, especially as he's a good fielder, has a cricket brain and can bat well.

[Gareth]

I’m not sure he’s a better Test spinner than either, and if Stokes struggles to bowl he’s not going to hold an end.

I think that is key to this.  They need someone reliable.  The young lad, Reman Ahmed, who took the 5-for in Pakistan is a bit raw.  Moeen seems to be the better candidate, especially as he's a good fielder, has a cricket brain and can bat well.

And won’t be destroyed if it goes wrong…Aussies will go hell for leather after Ahmed if he is picked & he is still learning

[olaftab]

Not picking Rehan Ahmed will be a cautious approach inline with previous England policy that has seen only two 18 year olds make their test debuts in the list of 100 youngest test cricketers. (those being this lad and someone called DB Close). This is not Bazball approach. Just pick him and let him have a go, let Aussies worry about him.

[paul_e]

Not picking Rehan Ahmed will be a cautious approach inline with previous England policy that has seen only two 18 year olds make their test debuts in the list of 100 youngest test cricketers. (those being this lad and someone called DB Close). This is not Bazball approach. Just pick him and let him have a go, let Aussies worry about him.

I agree, he looks like he has the tools and attitude to make it so lets focus on giving him the best chance to succeed. With our first choice out and the alternatives seemingly guys at the other end of their careers I don't see having him in the squad at the very least as being all that risky.

[Villan For Life]

I'd not risk Rehan Ahmed and I hope Moeen Ali changes his mind about playing red ball cricket.

Ahmed has played just ten first class matches plus one test match. Taking a 5-fer on a Karachi dust bowl is one thing, bowling against four of the current ICC ranked top 10 batsmen on an English green top in the heat of an Ashes series is quite another. They will look to target him and go about their usual mental disintegration tactics.

We could ruin the career of a good young prospect, come on Moeen your services are needed once again!

[Villan For Life]

I'd not risk Rehan Ahmed and I hope Moeen Ali changes his mind about playing red ball cricket.

Ahmed has played just ten first class matches plus one test match. Taking a 5-fer on a Karachi dust bowl is one thing, bowling against four of the current ICC ranked top 10 batsmen on an English green top in the heat of an Ashes series is quite another. They will look to target him and go about their usual mental disintegration tactics.

We could ruin the career of a good young prospect, come on Moeen your services are needed once again!

Moeen is back

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65831002