The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

They could plan Rehan in the all rounder role.

[paul_e]

This is my worry with Robinson. For all his talent he's never been particularly fit. By all accounts he is trying to get himself into better shape and hopefully he can get himself to the point where he can play a full series without any drop off but he's clearly not quite there yet and these sort of injuries are the result.

[Villan For Life]

Having another injury prone fast bowler around the squad is a worry. If Robinson doesn’t have the necessary fitness and stamina then don’t select him. We have wasted too much time waiting for the likes of Wood and Archer to be fit and it has cost us.

It suggests that the performance/conditioning side of things needs an overhaul.

[paul_e]

Having another injury prone fast bowler around the squad is a worry. If Robinson doesn’t have the necessary fitness and stamina then don’t select him. We have wasted too much time waiting for the likes of Wood and Archer to be fit and it has cost us.

It suggests that the performance/conditioning side of things needs an overhaul.

Well yes, this is why he didn't get any caps for a few years, but we need to find a functioning attack and that means giving some 2nd chances right now. Personally I'd like to see Sonny Baker get a bit of a run of games. He has the raw pace to become a really dangerous test bowler so lets get him in and experienced early-ish.

[PaulWinch again]

I would wait and see on this one, he’s not really had knee injuries I don’t think. This could be more unfortunate coincidence as much as anything.

But moving into this game, and more generally, we are again without two specialist opening bowlers. I think Archer is the only one who can truly be considered an opening bowler, and at a push Fisher?

[Meanwood Villa]

We're going to lose this next Test then Stokes the returning hero in the decider

[Villan For Life]

There are four changes to England's XI for the Test at The Oval, starting on Wednesday with Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker making their Test debuts.

Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer are also included, while James Rew will make his debut if Jamie Smith is unable to play as he awaits the birth of his child.

No spinner at the Oval would have been unheard of 20 years ago, but Surrey don’t have a full time spinner in their red ball side and the Oval pitches are not as spin-friendly as they used to be. Bashir dropped, he must wonder if he will ever get a decent run in the side.

[PaulWinch again]

Curious choices

[paul_e]

I think Bashir is a victim of Stokes being out as much as anything. I don't think they were willing to have 2 outright tailenders in there so with Baker coming in they've decided to cover the 5th bowler/spinner with Bethell and Root so they had room to bring in Cox.

If Stokes is available you've got a proper allrounder in there which means you only pick Fisher or Baker and have space for a spinner still.

[PaulWinch again]

Given his past issues I really hope Cox actually gets to make his debut. Interesting logic on him starting in front of Rew, but I kind of get it.

[PaulWinch again]

Rew in as well.

[paul_e]

no shock there, Smith always seemed unlikely to play.

[Gareth]

Looking forward to this test match, always interesting to see a few new boys in the side - idiot Key will probably get his first view of a few of them too