| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread 10:53 - Jan 31 with 77637 views | Superhoops2808 |
https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/
I've started a new thread for the 2026 season, and I've started it now because the T20 World Cup starts a week today. (And in fact 2 months and we will be chatting county cricket red ball)
In a group with Italy, Nepal and Scotland and a pretty solid squad I expect that we will progress beyond the group stage. After that who knows and will depend on fitness. Curran and Salt played very well in the first game warm up game v Sri Lanka but tougher tests are ahead. Anyway, here is the squad for England (albeit still provisional).
Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Be relying on Archer to stay fit (as per usual) - But hope that Brook finally stands up as captain, and Banton and Jacks perfom like we know they can at county level. If all that clicks should be a good watch. |  | | |  |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 16:57 - Jun 25 with 2065 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:12 - Jun 25 by TheChef |
Gonna be a long day tomorrow sat in 30 degree heat watching NZ go past 600... |
Glad I didn’t get tickets for this week instead.At least we saw wickets falling at the Oval. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:27 - Jun 25 with 1976 views | The_Beast1976 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:12 - Jun 25 by TheChef |
Gonna be a long day tomorrow sat in 30 degree heat watching NZ go past 600... |
This is awful from England.
I never want to see Jamie Smith in an England shirt again. He was absolutely woeful in Australia, and that drop today was just WOW. Unbelievable.
We really need McCullum and Key out IMHO. They were good for the 'recovery' when the team were down in the dumps but still had some senior lads who could turn it around. We need something more concrete now than those 2 jokers leading the ship. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 07:33 - Jun 26 with 1836 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 17:27 - Jun 25 by The_Beast1976 |
This is awful from England.
I never want to see Jamie Smith in an England shirt again. He was absolutely woeful in Australia, and that drop today was just WOW. Unbelievable.
We really need McCullum and Key out IMHO. They were good for the 'recovery' when the team were down in the dumps but still had some senior lads who could turn it around. We need something more concrete now than those 2 jokers leading the ship. |
Terrific effort by Stokes (typically) to keep them going when all seemed lost and to make sure, somehow, he was the one to start it all.
Sobering thought that when he goes we lose a middle order bat, a top bowler, a brilliant fielder and an excellent captain - all in one go.
Let's hope Joe keeps going for many years yet because I don't fancy this side much without Root and Stokes. Could be due a 90s style slump, I fear.
And changing Key / McCullum or whoever ain't going to make up for it. Lose this one and we might find that out sooner rather than later; which is a sliding doors moment as if we had won the toss I reckon we would have won the game, with NZ being without Henry especially. |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:00 - Jun 26 with 1788 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 07:33 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
Terrific effort by Stokes (typically) to keep them going when all seemed lost and to make sure, somehow, he was the one to start it all.
Sobering thought that when he goes we lose a middle order bat, a top bowler, a brilliant fielder and an excellent captain - all in one go.
Let's hope Joe keeps going for many years yet because I don't fancy this side much without Root and Stokes. Could be due a 90s style slump, I fear.
And changing Key / McCullum or whoever ain't going to make up for it. Lose this one and we might find that out sooner rather than later; which is a sliding doors moment as if we had won the toss I reckon we would have won the game, with NZ being without Henry especially. |
I don’t think Stokes would make this team on his batting at the moment.He has had a poor run of scores recently.
His bowling,fielding and captaincy is something you can’t argue about,but when was the last time he had a good score? | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:27 - Jun 26 with 1740 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:00 - Jun 26 by stowmarketrange |
I don’t think Stokes would make this team on his batting at the moment.He has had a poor run of scores recently.
His bowling,fielding and captaincy is something you can’t argue about,but when was the last time he had a good score? |
Form is temporary, class is permanent..... | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:08 - Jun 26 with 1710 views | Superhoops2808 |
I switched off at lunch. That performance was poor, but then whoever won the toss was going to bat, and bat long. This match is likely to be a draw I think.
The rumours of a rift in the camp does seem to be apparent with the body language of the players. I bet Rew was chuckling when he saw that drop from Smith. It has to be time for a change on that front. I was always a fan of Smith but he has failed to deliver and just feel that Rew should come in for the next series.
I feel the strike bowling is week, any team with Bashir in will be weak. And I also feel that Stokes should not have walked straight back in as captain, it just sends the wrong messages to the rest of the team. However, I appreciate the quandary that the England selectors have is that who could take over - Root really doesn't want it, and who else is captain material.
In the unlikely event that we lose this test and series then McCullum needs to walk. But think he's too arrogant to do that. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:19 - Jun 26 with 1693 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 08:27 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
Form is temporary, class is permanent..... |
Out of his last 12 innings,he has hardly scored any runs in 10 of them,so what is the point of having class in the side if it isn’t working? | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:35 - Jun 26 with 1654 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:19 - Jun 26 by stowmarketrange |
Out of his last 12 innings,he has hardly scored any runs in 10 of them,so what is the point of having class in the side if it isn’t working? |
Don't get it Stow, he's Ben Stokes. He's got enough credit in the bank with England to go through a rough trot with the bat. He's still capable of a match-winning ton at any point. Much more so than anyone who would replace him, that's for sure. Also, in most of these games he has not only been our captain but usually our best bowler. So I don't think you can say it isn't working, we desperately need him. Sure, I would rather he got more runs but I am confident he will do. | | | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:49 - Jun 26 with 1641 views | stowmarketrange |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:35 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
Don't get it Stow, he's Ben Stokes. He's got enough credit in the bank with England to go through a rough trot with the bat. He's still capable of a match-winning ton at any point. Much more so than anyone who would replace him, that's for sure. Also, in most of these games he has not only been our captain but usually our best bowler. So I don't think you can say it isn't working, we desperately need him. Sure, I would rather he got more runs but I am confident he will do. |
His last 12 innings scores are 0,12,1,0,2,16,5,83,50,19,2 and 6.A grand total of 196 runs ,which means an average of 16.3.
I appreciate that his other skills keep him in the side,but his batting has been a major let down since last summer.Maybe the answer is to move him down the order a space because when we’ve needed him to step up to the plate over the last 11 months he’s failed miserably. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:03 - Jun 26 with 1620 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:49 - Jun 26 by stowmarketrange |
His last 12 innings scores are 0,12,1,0,2,16,5,83,50,19,2 and 6.A grand total of 196 runs ,which means an average of 16.3.
I appreciate that his other skills keep him in the side,but his batting has been a major let down since last summer.Maybe the answer is to move him down the order a space because when we’ve needed him to step up to the plate over the last 11 months he’s failed miserably. |
Possibly, although I would argue he has always blown hot and cold with the bat, so for me we are just moving closer to one of his match-winning knocks. I like to dream anyway. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:41 - Jun 26 with 1579 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:03 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
Possibly, although I would argue he has always blown hot and cold with the bat, so for me we are just moving closer to one of his match-winning knocks. I like to dream anyway. |
I can't see Stokes being involved with England at all in a years time.
He is on his last days as an international player.
The more he puts into his bowling, the more likely he is to pushing his body beyond its limits and he could do no else. He is that type of competitor.
As a batsmen at this level, I think personally he is finished. And as a captain, I think the mental pressures of being a failing captain weighs heavy on Ben.
He has nothing to reproach himself for in my book. There will always be people that like to have a pop at the people who are at the top of the tree and hence incidents like with the Saracens rugby player will happen. And tbh, I dont begrudge them going out for a couple of beers after a good win. Its a release for them after experiencing such pressure but for Ben, its the world.
I personally fear for Ben when he can't play anymore. I do hope he can get into coaching at the highest level, because am sure he craves that more than most. He wouldnt do such as Stuart Broad and many others before him that have taken the less pressured route after playing, with moving into the commentary box.
But I can't see as you think GB, simply because I fear those days for Ben are past him.
But saying all that, it was inevitable that the two bowlers that removed the two opening NZ batsmen yesterday were Root and Stokes.
With regards to who will replace Stokes as captain when the time comes, Jacob Bethell is clearly a future England captain in waiting.
He is already chipping with a few wickets here and there now already and he does appear to be amazingly taking everything easily in his stride. My prediction with him, is that he will be the greatest player of all time for England. I think he is that good and combined with his temperament he has it all.
We just then need to find ten players around him, because I fear the cupboard is a little bare currently especially with regards to test cricket. [Post edited 26 Jun 10:45]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:48 - Jun 26 with 1561 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 09:08 - Jun 26 by Superhoops2808 |
I switched off at lunch. That performance was poor, but then whoever won the toss was going to bat, and bat long. This match is likely to be a draw I think.
The rumours of a rift in the camp does seem to be apparent with the body language of the players. I bet Rew was chuckling when he saw that drop from Smith. It has to be time for a change on that front. I was always a fan of Smith but he has failed to deliver and just feel that Rew should come in for the next series.
I feel the strike bowling is week, any team with Bashir in will be weak. And I also feel that Stokes should not have walked straight back in as captain, it just sends the wrong messages to the rest of the team. However, I appreciate the quandary that the England selectors have is that who could take over - Root really doesn't want it, and who else is captain material.
In the unlikely event that we lose this test and series then McCullum needs to walk. But think he's too arrogant to do that. |
Regards the wicket keeper position Superhoops, England dropped Johnnie Bairstow, way before was needed and his runs would have been invaluable too, as Pope and Smith have not been that great behind the stumps, but equally they have performed below par for their definite batting talents. [Post edited 26 Jun 10:49]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:55 - Jun 26 with 1544 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:41 - Jun 26 by numptydumpty |
I can't see Stokes being involved with England at all in a years time.
He is on his last days as an international player.
The more he puts into his bowling, the more likely he is to pushing his body beyond its limits and he could do no else. He is that type of competitor.
As a batsmen at this level, I think personally he is finished. And as a captain, I think the mental pressures of being a failing captain weighs heavy on Ben.
He has nothing to reproach himself for in my book. There will always be people that like to have a pop at the people who are at the top of the tree and hence incidents like with the Saracens rugby player will happen. And tbh, I dont begrudge them going out for a couple of beers after a good win. Its a release for them after experiencing such pressure but for Ben, its the world.
I personally fear for Ben when he can't play anymore. I do hope he can get into coaching at the highest level, because am sure he craves that more than most. He wouldnt do such as Stuart Broad and many others before him that have taken the less pressured route after playing, with moving into the commentary box.
But I can't see as you think GB, simply because I fear those days for Ben are past him.
But saying all that, it was inevitable that the two bowlers that removed the two opening NZ batsmen yesterday were Root and Stokes.
With regards to who will replace Stokes as captain when the time comes, Jacob Bethell is clearly a future England captain in waiting.
He is already chipping with a few wickets here and there now already and he does appear to be amazingly taking everything easily in his stride. My prediction with him, is that he will be the greatest player of all time for England. I think he is that good and combined with his temperament he has it all.
We just then need to find ten players around him, because I fear the cupboard is a little bare currently especially with regards to test cricket. [Post edited 26 Jun 10:45]
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Bethell has huge potential, hope you are right that he reaches the stars. Needs to get some consistent playing time and leave IPL to later, he will easily become a millionaire in his own time over there.
I'm desperate to keep Stokes as long as we can. We've always needed the blockbuster all rounder - Botham, Flintoff, Stokes...although thinking about it we didn't have one when Flower and Strauss pulled off the miracle of 2010. Had a world-class spinner though. Maybe Bethell will be the next man, as you say. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:31 - Jun 26 with 1461 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:55 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
Bethell has huge potential, hope you are right that he reaches the stars. Needs to get some consistent playing time and leave IPL to later, he will easily become a millionaire in his own time over there.
I'm desperate to keep Stokes as long as we can. We've always needed the blockbuster all rounder - Botham, Flintoff, Stokes...although thinking about it we didn't have one when Flower and Strauss pulled off the miracle of 2010. Had a world-class spinner though. Maybe Bethell will be the next man, as you say. |
Well what do I know - Stokes doing Stokes things this morning.
Normal service is resumed. | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:34 - Jun 26 with 1456 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:31 - Jun 26 by numptydumpty |
Well what do I know - Stokes doing Stokes things this morning.
Normal service is resumed. |
Only Kapil Dev and Botham have 250 wickets and over 5,000 runs in Tests and now Stokes too. Legend. [Post edited 26 Jun 12:40]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 12:34 - Jun 26 with 1455 views | numptydumpty |
317 for 0
Completely out of the game
413 for 7
Game on. | |
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:49 - Jun 26 with 1407 views | The_Beast1976 |
Agreed that we need to keep Stokes for as long as we can. Key and McCullum though, I'd rather they were out.
With regards to fearing for Ben after cricket, he'll be fine as long as he finds something to challenge him and keep him achieving. Loves his golf and is apparently very good, so could go down that road | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:13 - Jun 26 with 1368 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 13:49 - Jun 26 by The_Beast1976 |
Agreed that we need to keep Stokes for as long as we can. Key and McCullum though, I'd rather they were out.
With regards to fearing for Ben after cricket, he'll be fine as long as he finds something to challenge him and keep him achieving. Loves his golf and is apparently very good, so could go down that road |
After that Bashir wicket, another brilliant aspect of Stokes' captaincy. Furious with Archer for not coming to join the celebrations - especially as Bashir had just dropped one off Archer's bowling. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:35 - Jun 26 with 1344 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:13 - Jun 26 by GaryBannister86 |
After that Bashir wicket, another brilliant aspect of Stokes' captaincy. Furious with Archer for not coming to join the celebrations - especially as Bashir had just dropped one off Archer's bowling. |
Telling you mate, the camp is not a happy camp
Just a point on Stokes, lets be clear, we tried to defend Crawleys batting and that was a better average than Stokes has been - Stokes can deliver on the bowling front but I cant remember when I sat back and enjoyed a Stokes batting masterclass... Now watch he'll deliver this test | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:39 - Jun 26 with 1335 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 10:48 - Jun 26 by numptydumpty |
Regards the wicket keeper position Superhoops, England dropped Johnnie Bairstow, way before was needed and his runs would have been invaluable too, as Pope and Smith have not been that great behind the stumps, but equally they have performed below par for their definite batting talents. [Post edited 26 Jun 10:49]
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I'm not sure if I am missing something here but Pope whilst he has the Wicket Keeper skills he was not primarily selected as keeper was he??
But we are way moved on from the Bairstow discussion. Are you saying we shouldn't drop Smith? | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:56 - Jun 26 with 1316 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 14:39 - Jun 26 by Superhoops2808 |
I'm not sure if I am missing something here but Pope whilst he has the Wicket Keeper skills he was not primarily selected as keeper was he??
But we are way moved on from the Bairstow discussion. Are you saying we shouldn't drop Smith? |
No Smith is not the choice I would make. Smith is a t20 player for me.
Pope was tried a few times as keeper but his batting form had fallen through the floor.
Personally i would never have dropped Bairstow. He could still have been more competitive and effective than our recent selections. And i think with consistency of selection and backing Bairstow is from the Stokes mould of cricketer. A great competitor. A decent wicket keeper and a good batsman on his day.
But yes you are right.Bairstow wont be selected at all now. [Post edited 26 Jun 14:58]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:19 - Jun 26 with 1293 views | Hunterhoop |
I'll jump in.
Stokes is a very good captain but he's also a player who makes things happen. Again, this morning, in blinding heat he bowls 8-3-13-3. That is special. Don't see Archer, Atkinson, Tongue, or frankly many other bowlers in the world pulling that out of the bag to keep their side in the game. He is a serious, serious cricketer and competitor.
BUT, his batting has been nowhere near good enough for a long time now. Hopefully he can get it back or he'll end up at 8 and as one of the bowlers, not the all rounder. I'm hoping his 95 for Durham the other day might be a sign he's coming back into some nick. I wonder if the reason for his drop off is that he simply isn't getting enough time in the middle because he plays so little cricket. It's another example of getting him more time playing for Durham, even as a pure batsman, might be in England's interest.
No idea why anyone thinks Bethell is captaincy material?! He *could* be a very good batsmen - his ton downunder and the wider view of those who've seen his rise through the youth levels point to that - but there's nothing there that says "captain". Equally, I remain unconvinced his technique is bullet proof. Some of his dismissals in the last 12 months he has missed the ball by miles, which suggests there is something off with his alignment. He also hasn't played enough cricket for any of us to know how good he can be. He should be playing county cricket when not playing for England. Mad he isn't.
The issue with this England set up is they pick based on talent, and try to get the most talented 11 (available, that is) in their view into the side. They don't pick the best side, and by that I mean one with balance of skillset and balance of character, to create the best overall cricket side. Captaincy is very much a specialist skillset. It's akin to the head coach in football. This England team lacks leaders and, bar Stokes, lacks captains.
I'd want to Stokes to stay as long as he can, because his captaincy is miles better than anything else available. However, I think England need to reconsider the squads they're selecting. They need to bring in a nuggety batsmen, and ideally he'd be captain material (as a reserve or eventual successor). Trying to shoehorn Bethell at 3, Brook at 5, and Smith at 6 is unbalanced in approach. It's feast or famine. One of those, if not two, needs to be a nuggety character who could also captain, especially given you have Stokes out of nick at 7, Duckett as an opener, and a tail of bowlers who like swinging too.
Cricket is not about fielding the best XI, just like football isn't about getting the best XI players on the pitch. It's about selecting the best player for each role in your team, and ideally, having a mixture of experience and youth and aggressive and resilience across the XI. England, under McCullum and Key, feel one dimensional in terms of approach: it's just subjective talent assessments disconnected to any actual stats, even though they are there to help quantify performance in the sport. The opposite of "data-led". |  | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:24 - Jun 26 with 1284 views | numptydumpty |
For cricket fans on here, what does everyone think about this young boy Sooryavanshi. Was bought for IPL when was only 13. Hit his first ever IPL ball faced for a huge six.Got at t20 century at aged just turned 14.
This IPL i believe he scored 776 runs and at strike rate 237, which are figures never achieved ever and he is doing it at just age 15.
He scored 175 in an under 19 world cup final for India also.
I know he has been selected now for India in the t20 but will he be just as effective at test level.
He could literally be the ultimate bazball cricketer for. decades !!
And totally nerveless also.
When I was 15, I was still playing kiss chase and i was ineffective at that also !!! [Post edited 26 Jun 15:27]
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| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:40 - Jun 26 with 1250 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:19 - Jun 26 by Hunterhoop |
I'll jump in.
Stokes is a very good captain but he's also a player who makes things happen. Again, this morning, in blinding heat he bowls 8-3-13-3. That is special. Don't see Archer, Atkinson, Tongue, or frankly many other bowlers in the world pulling that out of the bag to keep their side in the game. He is a serious, serious cricketer and competitor.
BUT, his batting has been nowhere near good enough for a long time now. Hopefully he can get it back or he'll end up at 8 and as one of the bowlers, not the all rounder. I'm hoping his 95 for Durham the other day might be a sign he's coming back into some nick. I wonder if the reason for his drop off is that he simply isn't getting enough time in the middle because he plays so little cricket. It's another example of getting him more time playing for Durham, even as a pure batsman, might be in England's interest.
No idea why anyone thinks Bethell is captaincy material?! He *could* be a very good batsmen - his ton downunder and the wider view of those who've seen his rise through the youth levels point to that - but there's nothing there that says "captain". Equally, I remain unconvinced his technique is bullet proof. Some of his dismissals in the last 12 months he has missed the ball by miles, which suggests there is something off with his alignment. He also hasn't played enough cricket for any of us to know how good he can be. He should be playing county cricket when not playing for England. Mad he isn't.
The issue with this England set up is they pick based on talent, and try to get the most talented 11 (available, that is) in their view into the side. They don't pick the best side, and by that I mean one with balance of skillset and balance of character, to create the best overall cricket side. Captaincy is very much a specialist skillset. It's akin to the head coach in football. This England team lacks leaders and, bar Stokes, lacks captains.
I'd want to Stokes to stay as long as he can, because his captaincy is miles better than anything else available. However, I think England need to reconsider the squads they're selecting. They need to bring in a nuggety batsmen, and ideally he'd be captain material (as a reserve or eventual successor). Trying to shoehorn Bethell at 3, Brook at 5, and Smith at 6 is unbalanced in approach. It's feast or famine. One of those, if not two, needs to be a nuggety character who could also captain, especially given you have Stokes out of nick at 7, Duckett as an opener, and a tail of bowlers who like swinging too.
Cricket is not about fielding the best XI, just like football isn't about getting the best XI players on the pitch. It's about selecting the best player for each role in your team, and ideally, having a mixture of experience and youth and aggressive and resilience across the XI. England, under McCullum and Key, feel one dimensional in terms of approach: it's just subjective talent assessments disconnected to any actual stats, even though they are there to help quantify performance in the sport. The opposite of "data-led". |
Excellent post, Hunter. I was a fan of Key and McCullum's efforts in trying to snap out of the norm, but in a way all they ever do now is revert to their own norm, if you know what I mean. We are now one dimensional in a different way.
And yes, the heart that Stokes displays is awesome, just like Flintoff before him. Sheer will and guts to make things happen. I wish all our bowlers could replicate his effort, we would be far better off.
I have higher hopes for Bethell that you, I think this one call England have got right, but it will take time. | | | |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 16:08 - Jun 26 with 1227 views | numptydumpty |
| Cricket 2026 County/International Thread on 15:19 - Jun 26 by Hunterhoop |
I'll jump in.
Stokes is a very good captain but he's also a player who makes things happen. Again, this morning, in blinding heat he bowls 8-3-13-3. That is special. Don't see Archer, Atkinson, Tongue, or frankly many other bowlers in the world pulling that out of the bag to keep their side in the game. He is a serious, serious cricketer and competitor.
BUT, his batting has been nowhere near good enough for a long time now. Hopefully he can get it back or he'll end up at 8 and as one of the bowlers, not the all rounder. I'm hoping his 95 for Durham the other day might be a sign he's coming back into some nick. I wonder if the reason for his drop off is that he simply isn't getting enough time in the middle because he plays so little cricket. It's another example of getting him more time playing for Durham, even as a pure batsman, might be in England's interest.
No idea why anyone thinks Bethell is captaincy material?! He *could* be a very good batsmen - his ton downunder and the wider view of those who've seen his rise through the youth levels point to that - but there's nothing there that says "captain". Equally, I remain unconvinced his technique is bullet proof. Some of his dismissals in the last 12 months he has missed the ball by miles, which suggests there is something off with his alignment. He also hasn't played enough cricket for any of us to know how good he can be. He should be playing county cricket when not playing for England. Mad he isn't.
The issue with this England set up is they pick based on talent, and try to get the most talented 11 (available, that is) in their view into the side. They don't pick the best side, and by that I mean one with balance of skillset and balance of character, to create the best overall cricket side. Captaincy is very much a specialist skillset. It's akin to the head coach in football. This England team lacks leaders and, bar Stokes, lacks captains.
I'd want to Stokes to stay as long as he can, because his captaincy is miles better than anything else available. However, I think England need to reconsider the squads they're selecting. They need to bring in a nuggety batsmen, and ideally he'd be captain material (as a reserve or eventual successor). Trying to shoehorn Bethell at 3, Brook at 5, and Smith at 6 is unbalanced in approach. It's feast or famine. One of those, if not two, needs to be a nuggety character who could also captain, especially given you have Stokes out of nick at 7, Duckett as an opener, and a tail of bowlers who like swinging too.
Cricket is not about fielding the best XI, just like football isn't about getting the best XI players on the pitch. It's about selecting the best player for each role in your team, and ideally, having a mixture of experience and youth and aggressive and resilience across the XI. England, under McCullum and Key, feel one dimensional in terms of approach: it's just subjective talent assessments disconnected to any actual stats, even though they are there to help quantify performance in the sport. The opposite of "data-led". |
Likewise agree with nearly all that you say there Hunter, but I definitely feel Bethell is the FEC in waiting. Much more level headed than Brooks who when things dont go his way i feel can lose composure. I can't quite get my head around why Brooks is still internationally placed as the number two batsmen in the world.
Bethell is still very young and agree he is getting zero experience in the longer forms of the game, but the class is there for me.
I think the fact he is decent at all forms of the game works against him and cricketers in general.
I always liked Jos Buttler as a player and a man, but the fact he was totally focused on the one day game only for many years was why he was so successful.
Its extremely difficult to do all three versions and they do require very different skills.
Stokes was bl**dy minded enough to realise his total focus was to be successful in the test arena alone eventually.
But I fear there are not many contenders replacing the likes of Broad, Anderson , Wood and Woakes as bowlers, our spin department is very bare and we do not have many long term options coming forward as yet to replace the irreplaceable Joe Root, when he finally hangs up his gloves. [Post edited 26 Jun 16:13]
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