The Ashes 2023

Moeen out of retirement into the Ashes squad.
Are England really so threadbare in the spinner stocks?

Blackadder wrote:Moeen out of retirement into the Ashes squad.
Are England really so threadbare in the spinner stocks?  

Well, the alternatives are either completely raw or just not very good. Would be a lot to ask of young Rehan Ahmed at this stage despite a promising debut on the subcontinent, and there’s nobody else we could even rely on to play an “Ashley Giles role” (which is what we need, really). The likely alternative was not playing a spinner at all (which may be considered on some pitches anyway).

He also fills the all-rounder role if Stokes can’t bowl, possibly allowing an extra seamer to be picked.

What the flying hell are MerdeMedia playing at with their Ashes coverage? Their on-screen program guide is still showing historical/hysterical Ashes moments right through the week and I suddenly can't find any single-syllable confirmation that they are covering the Ashes at all.

Like Blackadder could always smell Baldrick was about to broach his latest 'cunning plan', I am feeling very strong vibes of 'for a few dollars more' emanating from the Big F. Which might be the last straw

Norfolk Ian Goode wrote:

Blackadder wrote:Moeen out of retirement into the Ashes squad.
Are England really so threadbare in the spinner stocks?  

Well, the alternatives are either completely raw or just not very good. Would be a lot to ask of young Rehan Ahmed at this stage despite a promising debut on the subcontinent, and there’s nobody else we could even rely on to play an “Ashley Giles role” (which is what we need, really). The likely alternative was not playing a spinner at all (which may be considered on some pitches anyway).

He also fills the all-rounder role if Stokes can’t bowl, possibly allowing an extra seamer to be picked.

What he said, basically. It's either green could be's or older never have's. At least with Moeen, you have an experienced calm head and he can play with freedom with the bat. The different fields we now set could make a huge difference, previously he'd get smacked for a few boundaries and the field would meekly spread, whereafter he could get milked for 6+ an over without risk. He's likely to fail, but that will relieve the pressure on whoever replaces him. It's a win/win. It's also a lose/lose. At this point, it's best to shrug. As is the way for this brave new England team.

England now have a very long batting side (although some would say Lyon gets Mo out for fun).

But is the bowling side short??

skully wrote:England now have a very long batting side (although some would say Lyon gets Mo out for fun).

But is the bowling side short??

Without Stokes I think it is. We’ve got two seamers with an average age close to 39, another who has had fitness issues, and a spinner who hasn’t really bowled in red ball cricket for a couple of years. I do fear a flat pitch and ex-captain COARIAB having to turn his arm over for 20 overs when all else fails. I’d have liked to see a strike bowler with a bit of extra pace in there but seems we can’t accommodate that. Mo could surely bat 7, but then there’s the question of who to leave out above him, surely it could only be Crawley at the moment which means someone else putting their hand up to open (Pope, Root, Brook, even the skipper?)

They'll be rotating anyway, 5 Ts in 6 wks.
Sooner, if England lose this T1.

PeterCS wrote:They'll be rotating anyway, 5 Ts in 6 wks.
Sooner, if England lose this T1.

I think Eng have already eliminated that possibilty, Peter.

While Head stays strong, going down and lashing the bowlers, Green stands tall and perhaps Khawaja too cashing in, applying the uzi as time goes on, Carey caretaking then haring away, and Skipper Second no mean bat either, flogging the flagging OAPs and Mr Gobby, milking P/T LO twirler Mo like a moocow, this innings is far far from done. 550?

If only

Savage reverse woofing, Peter.

Only Head gave himself his head, lost it, and went down.

The rest still stand(s)!

horace wrote:I tip Mere will get a go. Ferkin lol.

Glad he did.