HUW TURBERVILL, SAM MORSHEAD, KISHAN VAGHELA and THOMAS BLOW make their selections ahead of England's clash with Australia at Lord's...
It is amazing how a defeat by Australia sends England scurrying back to the drawing board. Three weeks after becoming world champions, the tourists are doing their best to provoke an outbreak panic, such was the beasting they handed out on the last two days. It was ever thus – think England’s 29 in 1989, and the 2001 Ashes drubbing, straight after probably their greatest winter ever, winning Test series in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Moeen Ali went into the first Test at Edgbaston as the leading wicket-taker in Tests in the last 12 months. One bad match with the ball and he is a goner. His batting looks shot though. The Australians – Nathan Lyon in particular – have high-tackled him home and away in Tests now. Jack Leach should present Steve Smith with a new challenge (he averages 34.9 against left-arm orthodox, 48.7 against leg-spin, 92.9 against off-spin).
Jofra Archer, presuming he survives a three-day Sussex 2nd XI match, must play now in place of James Anderson. Yes, it is a gamble, although not as big a one as Anderson playing at Edgbaston… hopefully Archer, being younger, heals quicker. England need his firepower to fight back. The attack looked samey in Birmingham (how many times have we said that before?).
Joe Denly does not convince as a Test No.4, even if Kent fans say he is being scapegoated. Try Jason Roy there where his technique and gung-ho approach is clearly better suited.
Dominic Sibley has earned his chance now with some superb domestic form. He will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Jonathan Trott, Graham Thorpe, Ranjitsinhji, George Gunn, RE Foster and the Nawab of Pataudi, and score a century on debut against Australia.
With Ben Foakes carrying a niggle (even though he played in a T20 for Surrey over the weekend), stick with Jonny Bairstow as keeper for now. He struggled at Edgbaston, but the ball was keeping so low. Yes he has only averaged 23 in the last 18 months, but his overall average of 36 is decent enough. He has failed in his last five Test innings, but struggling to switch from white-ball mode to red is understandable after such a long, all-engulfing World Cup.
My XI: Burns, Sibley, Root, Roy, Buttler, Stokes, Bairstow, Woakes, Archer, Broad, Leach
Jofra Archer in action for Sussex 2nds
Well now. Another selection panic. Who saw this coming in the middle of day three at Edgbaston, with England opening up a healthy lead and Australia only in the game because of their erstwhile captain?
Joe Root talked about the need for rational thought when the selectors sit down to discuss plans for Lord's after their 251-run defeat in Birmingham (the squad is likely to be named on Friday or Saturday this week) and that is a mighty fine sentiment. It is easy to rush to judgement after all.
The problem with this England side is that critics have not necessarily formed their opinions on certain players based on one game. Jonny Bairstow averages less than 23 since the start of 2018 in Tests - this is a stat that will not stop following him around - and managed 14 runs in two innings at Edgbaston. It's a long dry spell, punctuated just the once by a gritty century in Sri Lanka.
He's now batting at No.7, having talked himself down the order, but absolutely cannot drop any lower. And there is a better gloveman waiting in the wings, in the shape of Ben Foakes. Is the answer not logical? Moeen Ali was the most prolific Test wicket-taker on the planet over the previous year going into the first Test, but a combination of his poor World Cup and a timid performance with bat and ball in Birmingham has intensified the calls for his head. Bairstow's form is much worse, all considered, than Moeen's.
Steve Smith's average against left-arm orthodox spin is certainly a good reason to consider Leach, though the Somerset man is not the same sort of strike bowler as Moeen. He will, however, offer a much more miserly economy rate - Moeen typically goes at fours. Maybe Moeen needs a fortnight in the loving embrace of Worcestershire to bolster confidence.
As for the top two, there's been much discussion about Roy dropping down the order but the selectors must back their conviction here. Instead, the notion of Sam Curran replacing Denly enthralls me, and replaces a third spin option with more reliable left-arm seam.
My XI: Burns, Roy, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Foakes, Woakes, Curran, Archer, Broad, Leach
That was some margin of defeat for England, 251 runs. How many changes will be brought about remains to be seen, but it seems emotions are running high after a rather chastening experience at Edgbaston. Joe Root said there will be no kneejerk reaction during the decision-making process for Lord’s, but England require changes and desperately.
Jason Roy needs to play his natural game is the repetitive message being broadcast from the England dressing room. With that in mind, he should adopt a position that would allow him to do so, not the cut-throat opening spot which he occupies currently. Joe Denly would be the victim of Roy being moved to No.4, it must be an alteration England should consider.
What more could Dom Sibley have done this season in red-ball cricket? Score centuries and absorb pressure? Check. It is time he is given a go, even if the situation he is being thrown into is intense.
Jack Leach might have considered himself unlucky to miss out at Edgbaston and now he should get his chance with Moeen Ali surrendering with the bat and lacking verve with ball in hand. James Anderson will miss the second Test and so Jofra Archer should be his natural replacement.
My XI: Burns, Sibley, Root, Roy, Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow, Woakes, Archer, Leach, Broad
If England pursue with Jason Roy first up, they may damage his Test career upon repair (think Alex Hales in 2016). Now Root has relinquished his spot, he should bat at four – where he bats destructively for Surrey.
Dom Sibley should be brought in as he’s been the top opener in county cricket this year with 940 runs at 62.67. Jofra Archer will come in for Anderson. If he’s not fit, Sam Curran will get the nod.
Jack Leach should also be picked ahead of Moeen Ali as he’s clearly low on confidence. Moeen will still have a big role to play in the series and some time away from the team will do him well.
Finally, it’s clear that Jos Buttler cannot bat five in Test cricket. He needs to go back to seven, the spot where he starred for England last summer. Ben Foakes should come in and bat five ahead of Jonny Bairstow as he is another player out of nick.
My XI: Burns, Sibley, Root, Roy, Foakes, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Archer, Broad, Leach
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