England v New Zealand, 5xODI + 1xT20, 9-23 Jun, 2015

I suppose Plunkett is there for his pace, but I think I would rather have Willey there for the sake of variety. He can hit a long ball too.

beamer wrote:Attacking spinner with plenty of variations who isn't getting smashed around, and can bat as well.

I've been really impressed by Rashid, and I think his selection is one of a few that, rather than vindicating our selection process, goes a long way further in questioning it. I'm not saying Rashid is the complete package, but he looks a better player than Moeen Ali in terms of offering a match-changing influence, and I extend that beyond this format and into the Test arena. Moeen is a decent cricketer but he's a stop-gap spinner who England are trying to manufacture into something beyond his means. I'd question whether he'd make any England team as a specialist, whether looking at it from a batting or bowling perspective.

Rashid looks like one of a number of players who should have played in the West Indies - Lyth and Wood being the others.

beamer wrote:
So many weapons in this batting line-up, including a couple who didn't come off today. Root really could be our ABdeV - any format, any situation. Is there a more destructive lower middle order player than Buttler around anywhere? And Rashid just begs the question of why they weren't brave enough to try him sooner. Attacking spinner with plenty of variations who isn't getting smashed around, and can bat as well. Pace attack is work in progress but they've made the long overdue break from the Test line-up.

But we all know they won't hold their nerve if, say, Roy and Hales only come off once per series, or Rashid goes the distance in a couple of matches.

For whatever reason, England have a level of tolerable failure - if you're steady and orthodox and shite, you'll be retained for far longer than if you're a bit "other" in your approach and have a few poor games.

Yeah, Rashid certainly looks good enough to be a Test number 8, and if that's where your spinner is going to bat then you pick the bowler who can bat, not vice versa.

Wow, just wow. Well done the young guns.

Chivalry Augustus wrote:

beamer wrote:Attacking spinner with plenty of variations who isn't getting smashed around, and can bat as well.

I've been really impressed by Rashid, and I think his selection is one of a few that, rather than vindicating our selection process, goes a long way further in questioning it. I'm not saying Rashid is the complete package, but he looks a better player than Moeen Ali in terms of offering a match-changing influence, and I extend that beyond this format and into the Test arena. Moeen is a decent cricketer but he's a stop-gap spinner who England are trying to manufacture into something beyond his means. I'd question whether he'd make any England team as a specialist, whether looking at it from a batting or bowling perspective.

Rashid looks like one of a number of players who should have played in the West Indies - Lyth and Wood being the others.

He's had a good day today. I think he's very much a confidence bowler - he started quite stiff and tentative, no real oomph in his delivery, but has steadily improved. How he'll hold up when under the pump is open to debate.

But what will always count against him in the Test arena is that England/Cook want a spinner to dry the runs first and foremost, and Rashid won't be able to do that.

It'll be interesting to see if Bayliss, coming in from a culture that quite likes a leggie, can change the mindset in English cricket of what a spinner should bring to the party.

beamer wrote:Yeah, Rashid certainly looks good enough to be a Test number 8, and if that's where your spinner is going to bat then you pick the bowler who can bat, not vice versa.

Rashid averages 35 (9 x 100) in FC cricket. Moeen is only marginally better @ 38 (14 x 100).

Rashid can still come home and help us retain the championship if the ECB can't open up their myopic outlook.

See, 270 is enough to win! Bring back Cook and Bell!

Anyway, New England, as they're being dubbed... hope their promise isn't quickly deflated.

(NFL joke, for the uninitiated...)

Sweet Baby Jesus!!! 408!!!

Have England belatedly found the form that was sadly lacking in the recent World Cup?

Smashed.

aye...the sheep were well and truly smited...good to see a pom side that has a fresh look to it

To any other country but England, it would be a no-brainer to select Rashid for the first Ashes test. He can bat, he takes wickets, and can clean up the tail (a skill England have sorely lacked in the last few years). If they want a holding spinner, then Joe Root has shown he can do a job.

But of course we'll pick Rashid for the 4th test after we've already lost the Ashes at 0-3.

Welcome to the 21st Century , Pomgolian Jamodi team

I watched a bit of Buttler and Rashid batting

Buttler is a clean hitter of the ball...very dangerous ...if he develops consistency and ticker then he will be a Great jamodi finisher

Rashid batted well too

Kiwi bowlers and fielders were rattled though so hard to take a long term view on how good they were

So getting shot of Cook, Bell, Prior, Anderson, Broad, Bresnan et al, seems to have done more for England's fortunes than getting rid of KP.

Maybe the ECB had it wrong all these years.

taipan wrote:So getting  shot of Cook, Bell, Prior, Anderson, Broad, Bresnan et al, seems to have done more for England's fortunes than getting rid of KP.

Maybe the ECB had it wrong all these years.

Didn't you hear Broad? They haven't been dropped. They've been "rested". Because English cricket couldn't possibly survive without them......

Henry wrote:

taipan wrote:So getting  shot of Cook, Bell, Prior, Anderson, Broad, Bresnan et al, seems to have done more for England's fortunes than getting rid of KP.

Maybe the ECB had it wrong all these years.

Didn't you hear Broad? They haven't been dropped. They've been "rested". Because English cricket couldn't possibly survive without them......

. As in R.I.P.?

Broad is really going to struggle with the transition to international 'retirement'. I suspect he hasn't got long to wait.

Begs the question why, after such a showing, the selection panel can keep their jobs. Such 'vision' is 8 years too late. Sack the inept phone inners

The England no-names smashed the WC finalist. Bit of a turnup for the books!

Brass Monkey wrote:Begs the question why, after such a showing, the selection panel can keep their jobs. Such 'vision' is 8 years too late. Sack the inept phone inners

If rumour is to believed, Trevor Bayliss basically selected this squad.

If so, he won't be popular with the clique.

Henry wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:Begs the question why, after such a showing, the selection panel can keep their jobs. Such 'vision' is 8 years too late. Sack the inept phone inners

If rumour is to believed, Trevor Bayliss basically selected this squad.

Cool. Then fock the rest of those ignorant and naive regressive tossers off

I'd bring in Willey for Plunkett at The Oval, but we all know that England being England, a win means a 99% chance of an unchanged XI.