Ashes series 2015

A lot will depend on the pitch and conditions as to whether they play Ali and Rashid, England rarely play two spinners and i suspect they will adopt a safety first policy and play Bell, Ballance, and Ali, at the expense of Rashid.

(02-07-2015 22:01 )setter1000 Wrote:  Finn did play well in the one day internationals and I can see your point.
However one day cricket is about containing whilst test match cricket is about taking wickets. He looked innocuous last time he played test cricket. That is not to discount the fact that he might have improved since.

I'm glad you see my point but certainly I see your point too that he might have improved since he last played Test cricket.

(02-07-2015 22:08 )lancealot790 Wrote:  A lot will depend on the pitch and conditions as to whether they play Ali and Rashid, England rarely play two spinners and i suspect they will adopt a safety first policy and play Bell, Ballance, and Ali, at the expense of Rashid.

I don't think Cardiff would the right place to use two spinners probably either Lord's or Headingley would be better suited

It is futile playing two spinners unless Cooks captains in a positive manner!! I can see them playing Rashid, the australians going after him and Cook whipping him straight out of the attack. If we play Rashid he must be allowed to bowl a spell... In the odi series Morgan bowled him religiously, yes at times he was expensive, but he picked up wickets, the same must be done in the tests.

England will play Ali as the frontline spinner and use Root as back up.

(02-07-2015 22:09 )babelover48 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 22:01 )setter1000 Wrote:  Finn did play well in the one day internationals and I can see your point.
However one day cricket is about containing whilst test match cricket is about taking wickets. He looked innocuous last time he played test cricket. That is not to discount the fact that he might have improved since.

I'm glad you see my point but certainly I see your point too that he might have improved since he last played Test cricket.

My point was that test match cricket and one day cricket is a different game altogether. My reservations in regard to Finn is that he needs to prove he can force wickets. Therefore he is a definite starter for future one day internationals but at test match level he is a gamble.

To be honest i would pick a fit Plunkett over Finn & Finn over Broad... Yes it is different in odi cricket, but i liked how Finn held his nerve against McCullum... Warner will attack early, Finn would attack back.

I agree In regard to Broad. He needs to improve his form to justify his place.
He always been very mercurial. He either wins matches on his own or looks out of his depth. I personally think we will struggle to bowl them out whoever we go with. If pick Rashid at least selectors will show they appreciate bowlers with match winning attributes. Broad however will always be an enigma.

Broad is a talented but brainless cricketer, he constantly bowls short when most of his success has come when he pitches the ball up. There is no way the England coaches would not have pointed that out to him which means either he is stupid or stubborn.

Who knows what reasons are for Broads inconsistency?
His dad was of similar temperament. So could be stubbornness
Or petulance. I personally think it could be the fact that he sees himself as an enforcer. A self appointed hard man of the team. Rather rough batsmen up than get wickets. Like a midfielder who is more interested in mixing it with the opposition than creating chances for his team. Maybe he should be told either start getting wickets or he will be out regardless of how many batsmen he roughs up, or how impressive his Economy rate might be.