England's Summer of Cricket 2023, Featuring The Ashes

by Duty281 Tue 21 Mar 2023, 1:12 pm

June 1st-June 4th: One Test v Ireland (four days)
June 16th-July 31st: Five Tests v Australia
August 30th-September 5th: Four T20s v New Zealand
September 8th-September 15th: Four ODIs v New Zealand
September 20th-September 26th: Three ODIs v Ireland

England try to wrest the Ashes back from Australia, in a series which could be the greatest since 2005. Australia have currently held the urn for just over five years, which is the longest spell of urn-holding since the 1989-2005 period.

Ireland also visit for a test before that, and then there's some limited-overs games squashed into the last days of summer.

by Duty281 Tue 21 Mar 2023, 1:14 pm

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/03/21/jonny-bairstow-miss-ipl-horror-leg-break-ashes-countdown-begins/

Thought we'd start with Bairstow. He will miss the IPL after not recovering in time, but he hopes to be playing four-day cricket for Yorkshire in late April, with a view to getting back in the England side for the Ireland test.

by Duty281 Wed 22 Mar 2023, 3:59 pm

Also about Bairstow, from the same link above - England want him to keep wicket for Yorkshire when he returns. Seems the biggest indicator that Foakes will be making way upon his return, with Bairstow in at 7.

When he does return, England are keen for him to keep wicket for Yorkshire – giving him the chance to stake his claim to replace Foakes as England's Test wicketkeeper against Australia. He seems set to bat in the middle order, not as an opener, where Zak Crawley is under pressure in the Test team.

by Duty281 Fri 24 Mar 2023, 1:39 pm

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/03/23/dukes-balls-will-back-best-summer-bad-news-bazball/

The Dukes balls have been sorted, so we should expect more potency from the seamers this summer.

Spoiler:

by VTR Fri 24 Mar 2023, 2:10 pm

Crikey, imagine how many Crawley won't make against a ball that actually moves!

by alfie Sun 26 Mar 2023, 3:38 am

Ha. I see that article has already generated scores of angry comments from the many fans of Foakes declaring that such a move would be a disaster/travesty/scandal etc etc... While I appreciate that Foakes has done pretty well recently with the bat and is certainly a fine keeper , I reckon his supporters go a bit OTT (one claimed his keeping skills meant you could "add thirty runs to his batting average " ! That would be handy in any team Smile

)

Seems to me England just want a bit of flexibility for what is likely to be a hard-fought Ashes series. I don't think they have already decided to change keepers - but in case they need to , they want the alternate to have had recent practice in the role. Not unreasonable , really.

Actually several options for using YJB (once fully fit and hopefully in good form). Apart from playing as keeper at seven , he could be employed :
A. As an opener in place of Crawley.
B. At three with Pope moving up.
C. At four or five : since either Brook or Root could take up that cursed opening position *
D. Six with Stokes opening (unlikely , I think ; although some critics fancy it. Two left handed openers , extra pressure on the skipper ? Not for me.)

* I do like "C" . Brook has been excellent where he has batted and I don't think it is too big a stretch to imagine him doing a great job at the top of the order. Certainly I reckon he could do the Crawley job of taking on the opposition opening bowlers from the start at least as well and probably rather better : is it not worth a try ? Like Root , years ago , if it didn't work he could move back down the order. Some might say it is "unfair" on Brook to push him out of the spot he's filled so well ; but one might also point out that YJB would be unlucky if he were forced into filling a problem position instead of the one he had seemingly made his own (wouldn't be the first time for him , either !) End of the day , it is less about "fairness" to individuals than getting the best overall result for the team.

And the other sub-option here is (do not laugh, please) to ask Joe Root to try opening again. Seems almost sacrilegious given his remarkable record at four - and we know he didn't do so well there in past years. But consider : when he opened before , it was in tough Ashes Series home and away ; and his career was then its infancy - he is a much more skilled player now and I fancy he is better equipped to deal with the challenge of top class pace bowling than most (or all ?) of his colleagues. And heaven knows he has had to face up very early in a lot of innings anyway so not that big a change...
Another point is that he isn't captain any more so a little bit less pressure - plus he might feel with several strong players to follow there is a little less weight on his shoulders. But in deference to his status I think it would be important to make sure he only took this on if he were totally happy with it . So it remains a "maybe" for me - though frankly the move I think might give England the best chance of success.
Root. Duckett. Pope. Brook. Bairstow. Stokes. Foakes + four bowlers doesn't look a bad line-up , I think. You could also vary it by budging Stokes up to space out the left/right hand combinations if you want...I think I will leave the decision to McCullum & co though as they haven't done too badly lately Smile

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Mar 2023, 9:47 am

All options look better than playing the almost constantly disappointing Crawley.....in fact any option.

I don't watch too much CC these day, is there not any chance of young bolter coming through for the opening spot?

by Duty281 Sun 26 Mar 2023, 1:43 pm

I think, in order of probability, there are three likely options to get Bairstow back in the team:

1) Most likely, Foakes gets dropped, Bairstow comes in at 7. Foakes, for all his effort, doesn't fit into the Bazball mould.
2) Pope gets dropped, Bairstow in at 3. Pope has made a steady improvement under McCullum, but not so much that he has guaranteed his place in the XI.
3) Duckett gets dropped, Bairstow opens, or Brook or Stokes opens and Bairstow goes somewhere in the middle. Perhaps Duckett gets informed he's an away specialist, something along those lines, and gets removed.

What won't happen is Crawley getting dropped, and one of Bairstow/Brook/Stokes opening, which is what should happen (but please not Root). The management have put all their chips on Crawley becoming Hayden or Sehwag, and they won't turn away now. It's like the old management reposing all their faith on Buttler becoming the next Gilchrist, or Southgate believing that Maguire can be a top-class defender.

I saw Crawley came out with a passionate defence of his position recently. He stated that he was one of the top ten run scorers in test cricket in 2022. This is true, but it's also true to say that he had more test innings (29) than anyone else in test cricket in 2022! Crawley would have been well down the list if everyone had an equal number of knocks.

Don't think there's any young openers coming through in the County Championship. There was some hope about Lammonby, but he's had a couple of quiet seasons. If they want to put Bairstow in for Foakes/Pope, and maybe down the line insert a specialist opening replacement for Crawley/Duckett, it'll likely have to be Hameed.

by guildfordbat Sun 26 Mar 2023, 5:50 pm

Alec Stewart regularly tells sad Surrey members like myself who are more than happy to listen the story of how in an attempt to solve a problem, England created another.

This all revolves around the time of Jack Russell being dropped, Stewart taking on the additional responsibility of keeping and an extra batsman being brought in to try and put more runs on the board. Unfortunately, by his own admission, Stewart was an inferior gloveman and he scored less runs when playing as a keeper. Thus, despite the fiddling around with selection and roles, we ended up no better off and possibly worse.

So what's that got to do with the price of fish? Well, despite Alfie's commendably detailed analysis of possible options, I would try and keep choices and decisions as relatively simple and straightforward as possible. Unlike in Stewart's tale, England are currently doing (very) well and don't have too many problems. That doesn't mean that Bairstow doesn't come back in but if he does, for me it would be for Foakes as a straight swap rather than potentially overcomplicating things and running the risk of upsetting what is by and large working well.

So who of Foakes and Bairstow? Difficult decision but I would opt for Bairstow, subject to him proving his fitness, in the belief that he would further improve the side and that is of course what matters most by far. My main reasoning is that even though Foakes is so clean with the gloves, he struggles to take accurate command with reviews whilst his classical batting lacks the versatility and clear oomph of Bairstow.

That still leaves the question of ''what about Crawley?'' although I do regard that as a separate issue. I can't give Sarge Pooly an easy answer as to any young openers coming through but all counties will have six Championship matches before England's next Test squad (against Ireland) is named. That gives some opportunity for a newbie to make a first time case or an older gun - maybe eirebilly's man Burns - to establish a comeback and challenge Crawley for his spot.

by VTR Mon 27 Mar 2023, 12:04 pm

I think it will be Bairstow for Foakes. Harsh on Foakes in some ways, but it's also a sign of strength in depth, when a couple of years ago everyone was wondering if we could find more than two or three of the top seven who were actually decent, let alone anything above that

On Crawley, I don't see him being dropped before the Ashes, but I will predict that he will be dropped after the third Ashes test. Don't ask me who the replacement would be though!

by Duty281 Tue 28 Mar 2023, 3:14 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65101352

Stokes has had an injection in his left knee ahead of playing in the IPL. His franchise say he will be a specialist batsman, but they do want him to play some part as a bowler later on.

Doesn't sound good, ahead of a 12 months that feature The Ashes and a test tour of India, with a World Cup in between.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/03/28/exclusive-two-former-australian-captains-join-sky-sports-ashes/

And in even worse news, Kevin Pietersen is going to be part of Sky Sports' commentary team for The Ashes. But, apart from that, the commentary team doesn't seem so bad.

Sky Sports' commentary team for the Ashes will include Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen and two former Australia captains in Ricky Ponting and Mark Taylor, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Dinesh Karthik, Kumar Sangakkara and Mel Jones will also join the team alongside Sky regulars Ian Ward, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher. Sir Andrew Strauss will work on the Lord’s Test, which will again have a fundraising day for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

by alfie Wed 29 Mar 2023, 4:46 am

Duty281 wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65101352

Stokes has had an injection in his left knee ahead of playing in the IPL. His franchise say he will be a specialist batsman, but they do want him to play some part as a bowler later on.

Doesn't sound good, ahead of a 12 months that feature The Ashes and a test tour of India, with a World Cup in between.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/03/28/exclusive-two-former-australian-captains-join-sky-sports-ashes/

And in even worse news, Kevin Pietersen is going to be part of Sky Sports' commentary team for The Ashes. But, apart from that, the commentary team doesn't seem so bad.

Sky Sports' commentary team for the Ashes will include Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen and two former Australia captains in Ricky Ponting and Mark Taylor, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Dinesh Karthik, Kumar Sangakkara and Mel Jones will also join the team alongside Sky regulars Ian Ward, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton and Mark Butcher. Sir Andrew Strauss will work on the Lord’s Test, which will again have a fundraising day for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

Amen to the part in bold Smile

Less bothered about Stokes. If he didn't feel confident about his knee and the recovery process I doubt he'd be going. The cortizone injection seems like a sensible measure and this IPL will likely give a better idea if it is going to settle things down for him to bowl without pain.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 29 Mar 2023, 10:31 am

Ponting is always good value, and I enjoyed Karthik when he was over here (want to say summer 2021?) - not your usual indian cheerleader commentator.

I have seen reports that Stokes is not planning on playing the World Cup, and sees that as his time off. Hopefully his knee will hold up during the summer, but it is definitely a concern for the balance of the XI

by king_carlos Thu 30 Mar 2023, 3:49 pm

I think it will be YJB for Foakes as a straight swap. I've been a massive fan of Foakes for a long time but his keeping hasn't been quite as immaculate at Test level as hoped. His batting whilst containing many good knocks is limited too. I don't think he's done enough to warrant keeping Bairstow out after the run he had before injury. Meanwhile I really don't think YJB at the top of the order is a good idea. He's a middle order batter with a really decent record from 5-7 where he averages 38.1 with 11 tons.

That doesn't mean I'd keep Crawley as I wouldn't. I'm honestly not sure who I'd recall though. Probably Burns for me but he does have technical issues that Australia's very accurate seam battery should target very well.

by Duty281 Wed 12 Apr 2023, 12:18 pm

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ashes-2023-england-captain-ben-stokes-requests-fast-flat-wickets-for-the-ashes-1368293

Stokes, unsurprisingly, wants 'fast, flat wickets' for the summer. I think this may negate England's natural swing/seam advantage over Australia. Australia haven't won a series over here since 2001, and part of the reason for that is they struggle to adapt to the moving ball. Fast, flat wickets sounds a bit Australian, and their top order might just love it.

Concerningly, Archer has missed the last two IPL games with discomfort in the right elbow. Doesn't sound good...

by VTR Wed 12 Apr 2023, 2:38 pm

Glad you said it first, it's lateral movement that has exposed the Aussies repeatedly over the years, not flat wickets, which England have tended to fare badly on at home against them. Of course this is a different England approach to before, but it sounds risky or might actually be a bluff

by king_carlos Wed 12 Apr 2023, 6:39 pm

It depends how much these Dukes balls swing for me. They are meant to be 'back to normal' this season after last seasons duds. If that normal is the normal of many recent years though then they were absolute boomerangs at times and swinging conventionally for 60 overs quite frequently.

Another thing to consider is England potential having the deeper seam 'stables' as well even if lacking the pace, height and top level left-arm option of the Aussies gun trio. Anderson, Robinson, Broad and (hopefully) Woakes in the seamers who excel with the Dukes category then Wood (on fire in the IPL just now), Jof (hopefully but this absence is a worry) and Stone in the potential quicks bracket.

Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood have all had issues recently. Boland I can see being really good in England but I believe won't have bowled with the Dukes in a competitive match? Neser is a top red ball bowler here and someone I champion but he's played just 2 Tests and is clearly more limited than their top choice trio. After that though they've got Richardson who's body sadly isn't holding up, Morris who is extremely raw. Sean Abbott probably next after that? Again a good bowler (five-fer for Surrey in R1) but yet to debut in Tests and again far more limited than the first choice.

If England can get Woakes playing well (I'd back him to do that with Warks) plus two of the three genuine quicks fit I'd say there is merit in slightly flatter tracks to mitigate seam movement a bit then backing that depth and skill with the swinging ball over the course of a condensed series.

There are merits in both arguments I think and plenty of variables (largely fitness) yet to play out before T1.

Worth noting too that the thing which sets Aussie pitches apart is really bounce rather than flatness and pace. They are quick of course and some grounds start very flat but we see quick pitches in parts of the Windies and SA (though they are turning more and more there already with climate change making it hotter which is both interesting and terrifying). We can see flat pitches anywhere. The bounce is what sets Aussie pitches apart and gives them such giant home advantage though. It really is unique in a way no other pitches are and England won't be replicating that no matter how hard they try. As Jarrod Kimber very nicely put it during the recent India vs Oz series, "Australia don't have to worry about doctoring their pitches because they come pre-doctored" Laugh

.

by Mind the windows Tino. Wed 12 Apr 2023, 6:57 pm

I reckon VTR has it about right. I suspect there is more than a hint of bluff in all this. They'll be as normal a bunch of pitches as we always see in this country.

Adds to the excitement (if the Ashes even needs any more) and is right in Stokes wheelhouse but I don't expect the pitches to be much different to any other year.

by Duty281 Wed 12 Apr 2023, 9:22 pm

I don't think it is a bluff. We saw flatter wickets last summer which England enjoyed, and then again in Pakistan the same. Added to that, we're supposed to be seeing flatter wickets in the County Championship this season, alongside counties now needing to score 450 in 110 overs for maximum bonus batting points, rather than the old 400 in 110 overs. And there's also the Kookaburra being trialled later on in the year. Just seems to indicate a desire for complete change. England's approach is now to try and score 450+ in a day, and let time, scoreboard pressure and Anderson and co to do the rest. Getting the best possible batting conditions feeds into that.

I think it's the most interesting Ashes series since 2005. I could genuinely see any range of result happening. England have the potential to smash Australia by a distance, but equally Australia could do similar to England, or it might land somewhere in between. It's all up for grabs. Very open. The battles between England's new approach to batting against Australia's world-class fast attack, and the mastery of England's seamers v, predominantly, Smith and Labuschagne, will be great viewing.

Australia will also be getting superb preparation going into this series. A number of their players are getting county cricket stints, and then they've got the WTC final v India. No blundering in ill-prepared after just a three-day game v Worcestershire or something. In fact, the WTC final may only finish four days before the first Ashes test, due to the Ashes being squashed into June and July just so the Hundred gets the best chance of being successful.

by alfie Thu 13 Apr 2023, 2:11 am

You can try to do what you want in pitch preparation but how it all plays out is always going to be somewhat dependant on the weather. And the balls , I guess.

Not sure about "fast and flat" as a prescription . Too flat and you risk a bore draw - though less likely given the Stokes/McCullum game style. And to be honest , I prefer a bit of variation between pitches over a five match series : suspect we will still see that whatever Stokes might be saying in the build up.

As for the pace stocks : you'd think England should have more options on hand unless we see a rash of injuries. Currently seem to be quite a number of bowlers with either movement skills or sheer pace so you'd hope Stokes' wish for a stable of eight to pick from can be maintained - though I am not at all confident of seeing Archer making an
appearance , noting a couple of IPL games seem to have him back in the casualty ward. May be wrong but I do feel his future lies in the white ball stuff at which he excels rather than attempting to force his body through five days of cricket - especially if the pitches are "fast but flat...

by guildfordbat Thu 13 Apr 2023, 12:10 pm

Duty281 wrote:I don't think it is a bluff. We saw flatter wickets last summer which England enjoyed, and then again in Pakistan the same. Added to that, we're supposed to be seeing flatter wickets in the County Championship this season, alongside counties now needing to score 450 in 110 overs for maximum bonus batting points, rather than the old 400 in 110 overs. And there's also the Kookaburra being trialled later on in the year. Just seems to indicate a desire for complete change. England's approach is now to try and score 450+ in a day, and let time, scoreboard pressure and Anderson and co to do the rest. Getting the best possible batting conditions feeds into that.

I think it's the most interesting Ashes series since 2005. I could genuinely see any range of result happening. England have the potential to smash Australia by a distance, but equally Australia could do similar to England, or it might land somewhere in between. It's all up for grabs. Very open. The battles between England's new approach to batting against Australia's world-class fast attack, and the mastery of England's seamers v, predominantly, Smith and Labuschagne, will be great viewing.

Australia will also be getting superb preparation going into this series. A number of their players are getting county cricket stints, and then they've got the WTC final v India. No blundering in ill-prepared after just a three-day game v Worcestershire or something. In fact, the WTC final may only finish four days before the first Ashes test, due to the Ashes being squashed into June and July just so the Hundred gets the best chance of being successful.

I went to a ''Glenn McGrath with Aggers'' evening at a local theatre last week. The Aussie came across well and made some good points including how the WTC final would considerably aid the tourists' preparation for the Ashes.

As regards the pitches for the Ashes, the cynic in me would point out that the County Club hosting each Test is always keen for it to run well into the fifth day so as to maximise revenues.

by dummy_half Thu 13 Apr 2023, 12:41 pm

This is England in the earlier parts of summer. For all Stokes might desire fast and flat pitches, what the groundasmen are able to deliver will largely depend on the weather in the days before the match start , and the cloud cover during the match.

As others have said, it's probably to the benefit of the series to have some variation in the playing surfaces - a quickish true surface that takes a bit of spin later sets both sides a different challenge from one with seam movement or one with a bit of low bounce.

by Duty281 Wed 19 Apr 2023, 11:44 am

The Aussies have named their squad for the WTC final and the first two Ashes tests (apparently they will reassess after the second Ashes game):

Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Main talking point seems to be the inclusion of Warner. There's also the absence of Morris and Richardson through injury. Hazlewood is included despite a succession of injury problems. There's not many seamers in the squad, but Abbott and Neser are playing in the County Championship and can presumably be called upon if necessary. Marsh hasn't played a test since 2019, but has a chance here.

Possible starting XI: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood. But I imagine we'll see rotation of the seamers with the tests wedged so closely together.

by dummy_half Wed 19 Apr 2023, 12:09 pm

That Aus team looks pretty strong in the seam bowling and in the middle order (Head has been in really good form), but Warner has rarely shone in England, and similarly Khawaja.

Should make for a competitive series.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 19 Apr 2023, 12:11 pm

Duty281 wrote:The Aussies have named their squad for the WTC final and the first two Ashes tests (apparently they will reassess after the second Ashes game):

Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Main talking point seems to be the inclusion of Warner. There's also the absence of Morris and Richardson through injury. Hazlewood is included despite a succession of injury problems. There's not many seamers in the squad, but Abbott and Neser are playing in the County Championship and can presumably be called upon if necessary. Marsh hasn't played a test since 2019, but has a chance here.

Possible starting XI: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood. But I imagine we'll see rotation of the seamers with the tests wedged so closely together.

I would be very surprised if they don't call up Neser or Abbott later in the series - as you mention, 5 tests in 6 weeks is going to be a massive workload on the seamers for both sides, and in particular the Aussies have experienced some injury issues to the main three recently, and obviously they also have the WTC in fairly close proximity.

by king_carlos Wed 19 Apr 2023, 2:38 pm

Basically 6 Tests in 7 weeks for Australia including the WTC final. A brutal work load, especially when all 3 of their senior seamers have a lot of miles on the clock and recent injuries.

How Boland fares with the Dukes ball and English conditions will be vital for their rotation. He should in theory have the skills to succeed. I believe the WTC final, if he plays, will be his first time bowling in a pro game with the Dukes though.

Australia will need Cam Green to adjust quickly as well you'd presume. In Australian conditions he can pretty much just hit a length at his height and pace. He was topping out at over 90mph in the Ashes. With the bounce on those pitches that will do more than enough to trouble many batters, particularly as a 4th seamer. On less bouncy pitches he'll likely need more in terms of accuracy and seam movement.

Variables such as that uncertainty in the conditions makes it such an interesting series to call. Likewise with Head and Green's batting for instance. Looking at their techniques I'd expect both to struggle against regular seam movement.

by king_carlos Wed 19 Apr 2023, 3:10 pm

I was delighted to see Woakes have a good return with Warks is his first red ball match for a long time as well. He didn't get to bat but poles in both innings at a decent economy and from reports he seemed to be bowling unencumbered by the recent injuries barring the expected journey back to full match fitness.

by alfie Thu 20 Apr 2023, 7:09 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
Duty281 wrote:The Aussies have named their squad for the WTC final and the first two Ashes tests (apparently they will reassess after the second Ashes game):

Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Main talking point seems to be the inclusion of Warner. There's also the absence of Morris and Richardson through injury. Hazlewood is included despite a succession of injury problems. There's not many seamers in the squad, but Abbott and Neser are playing in the County Championship and can presumably be called upon if necessary. Marsh hasn't played a test since 2019, but has a chance here.

Possible starting XI: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood. But I imagine we'll see rotation of the seamers with the tests wedged so closely together.

I would be very surprised if they don't call up Neser or Abbott later in the series - as you mention, 5 tests in 6 weeks is going to be a massive workload on the seamers for both sides, and in particular the Aussies have experienced some injury issues to the main three recently, and obviously they also have the WTC in fairly close proximity.

In fact this is officially just the Australian squad for the WTC Final and the first two Ashes Tests. It is proposed that the squad will be re-assessed and potentially altered for the remaining three - which is when I would expect to see additional pace resources (rather handily already in country in the persons of the afore mentioned pair) drafted in. There could be other changes too.

And of course , if injuries were to strike early on , nothing to stop them calling up spares from among those Aussies plying their trade in the CC. Saves on air fares too Smile

Squad much as expected , Marsh perhaps the slight surprise but I guess they want some all round cover for Green - seems sensible. And not having extra pacemen around just to run drinks and net also makes sense as the obvious reserves can get proper cricket in for their County sides. Some thought Bancroft was a chance but appears he is well down the queue with both Harris and Renshaw preferred as spare openers. Only one spare spinner because this is England not India. Overall I think it is a pretty logical selection.

by Duty281 Tue 25 Apr 2023, 8:14 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65386678

Bairstow has made a return, scoring 97 for Yorkshire's second XI, although he was dropped on 21. Wasn't the easiest opposition attack to face, as Olly Stone was featuring for Nottinghamshire's second XI. Bairstow should be in for Yorkshire's next County Championship game against Glamorgan, starting on May the 4th. That would give him two first-class games before the Ireland test.

by alfie Wed 26 Apr 2023, 8:53 am

Makes for a useful workout for Jonny on his way back - and for Stone. I see Wood is coming back early from the IPL so he should get some CC action before the Test "window" opens...have to wonder whether Joe Root might as well come home soon too as he is just getting a nice rest sitting on the bench so far.
Archer seems to be missing more games than he's playing (latest one is for "illness" apparently.) Not really adding up to much of a preparation for possible Test action , is it ? Honestly doubt he is going to play much part in the Ashes Series : and I suppose it may be that he is more important for the ODI WC anyway...
As for Stokes : well we hear he felt OK after his first run out ; but he's been sitting out now for a while so I will feel a lot happier when he gets back on field and we see whether he is truly able to bowl without pain. (Would feel even better if he would cut his IPL season short and get ready for the proper cricket !)

Hope the weather is a bit more cooperative when the Tests start than it has been for some of these early CC games .

by guildfordbat Wed 26 Apr 2023, 9:41 am

alfie wrote:Makes for a useful workout for Jonny on his way back - and for Stone. I see Wood is coming back early from the IPL so he should get some CC action before the Test "window" opens...have to wonder whether Joe Root might as well come home soon too as he is just getting a nice rest sitting on the bench so far.
Archer seems to be missing more games than he's playing (latest one is for "illness" apparently.) Not really adding up to much of a preparation for possible Test action , is it ? Honestly doubt he is going to play much part in the Ashes Series : and I suppose it may be that he is more important for the ODI WC anyway...
As for Stokes : well we hear he felt OK after his first run out ; but he's been sitting out now for a while so I will feel a lot happier when he gets back on field and we see whether he is truly able to bowl without pain. (Would feel even better if he would cut his IPL season short and get ready for the proper cricket !)

Hope the weather is a bit more cooperative when the Tests start than it has been for some of these early CC games .

Hi Alfie - useful for Jonny indeed. As Duty mentioned, he got a 'life' on 21 but commendable credit to him for taking the chance and going on.

It attracted little coverage but Foakes missed Surrey's last Championship match with what the Club referred to as 'a minor back complaint'. Nothing heard since but it's hoped he'll play in the 4 dayer starting tomorrow at Edgbaston - however, if he doesn't make that, we can expect even more focus on Bairstow.

As regards the weather and the start to this season - even when play has been possible, it's often been cold which doesn't help cricketers ... or spectators!

by Duty281 Thu 27 Apr 2023, 11:09 am

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/26/jofra-archer-hits-out-after-press-reports-emerge-of-latest-elbow-operation-england-cricket

Jofra's had another elbow operation, albeit a more minor one.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 27 Apr 2023, 11:59 am

https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1651496419088556037?s=20

I have to agree with the great man. And the one before that where they definitely weren't using the reverse swing tactics they got busted for two months later, doesn't count either.
13/14 is debatable, not sure about the spectacle of a series that happened three months after the last one.

2010/11 the last overseas one to truly count

by king_carlos Thu 27 Apr 2023, 2:19 pm

I've almost got to respect Broad for the lack of subtlety in how he's using his remaining time as a player to help position himself as a McGrath type pundit. Some sublime opportunism.

The preparation for lots of touring teams during covid was woefully sub par though that's absolutely true. It's also true that many sides, mostly poorer ones, coped rather better than England did in the Ashes.

Interestingly there are some rumours drifting out now that all teams were actually ball tampering in one very specific way prior to that scandal. Apparently lots of teams were coming out after a break, getting the ball from the umpires, then getting into those little huddles they do so nobody could see anything and one player would do what needed doing to the ball whilst the captain basically pretended to give a team talk. Umpires now don't give the players the ball as they run out onto the field, very deliberately do it when the bowler gives them their cap for that reason. In the last few months I've heard that on 3 podcasts and also from some journalists in person at a charity do. Really interesting that something specific like that is seeping out now. The details of that specific scandal will come out in the wash eventually.

by Duty281 Fri 28 Apr 2023, 6:31 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/28/strauss-exits-ecb-with-new-t20-format-on-table-and-hundred-on-the-rack

Strauss has left the ECB, which means his direct changes to the format of county cricket are highly unlikely to ever be implemented. We'll never see Yorkshire v Zimbabwe in August...

In better news, the ECB is finally figuring out that the Hundred is a waste of time. They might scrap it for a new T20 competition.

The announcement came on the day it emerged that the men’s Hundred could be abandoned in favour of a new Twenty20 competition, with the ECB said to be concerned the new format has failed to catch on internationally and was not as appealing to the cream of international talent as the widely played alternative.

Both Gould and the ECB chair, Richard Thompson, were prominent critics of the Hundred while working together at Surrey, which was the only county not to vote for the creation of the new tournament, before they moved to Lord’s last year. Gould had said before taking his new role in October that the county’s “preference was for a two-division T20”, and that is indeed one of the options now back under discussion.

by alfie Sat 29 Apr 2023, 10:11 am

I guess most on here hate the Hundred : and indeed I wouldn't be sorry to see it binned. But if it is simply to be replaced with another city based t20 comp I can't see how the change does anything to fix the scheduling problem. And surely that is the biggest issue ?

by Duty281 Sun 30 Apr 2023, 9:58 am

If there's only one T20 competition going forward - the Blast being replaced by this new T20 tournament, and the Hundred binned entirely - then it should fit fine on the scheduling. Hopefully it'll be spread fairly evenly through the calendar, rather than dominating one month as the Hundred is set to do this year.

In the first year the Hundred generated only 41.8% of the income predicted and even a generous assessment would put its losses at £9m.

Utter idiocy by the ECB to create the Hundred. A bonfire of money just after the Covid losses.

by alfie Sun 30 Apr 2023, 11:04 am

Yes . IF a new t20 show replaced the Blast and was spread over the season...

But the hinted suggestions (City based teams - though corresponding to FC Counties ) and that it would seek to attract overseas "names" don't strike me as ending up that way. Still think they would want it to be a big TV deal - so requiring a "window". Might end up as just another t20 : The Hundred and Twenty ?

Hope I am wrong.

by guildfordbat Sun 30 Apr 2023, 11:25 am

I would trust Thompson and Gould better than many others to more or less get it right although sadly they won’t be able to achieve even that overnight.

by Duty281 Sun 30 Apr 2023, 5:00 pm

Well I could be wrong, but I thought the intention would be one T20 competition, the city-based one replacing the Blast and it somehow linking to the counties to keep them financially sated and content.

Two T20 competitions would be madness, and I wouldn't have thought there's a market for that.

by alfie Mon 01 May 2023, 9:35 am

Duty281 wrote:Well I could be wrong, but I thought the intention would be one T20 competition, the city-based one replacing the Blast and it somehow linking to the counties to keep them financially sated and content.

Two T20 competitions would be madness, and I wouldn't have thought there's a market for that.

Well yes : I suppose it would mean the end of the Blast ; which would relieve some of the fixture pressure overall. But since they would presumably want the new competition to be a Big Deal and attract International stars as well as employ top England players , it would still require its own "window" : so since they ain't clashing with the IPL , bang goes a month of the English proper summer , no ? Which means although the silly gimmick is gone you still have the Test programme messed about...

Also : would a month be enough with 18 teams playing ? And since the Counties are then losing their money from the Blast , this has to first replace those funds before it even starts on making the money the Hundred was supposed to generate.

Maybe there is a way to rearrange things - if not perfectly , at least much better than the present setup. But it won't be easy and it will take a smarter man than me to design it Smile

by Lowlandbrit Mon 01 May 2023, 4:31 pm

I wonder if this is also a reaction/anticipation to the idea of players getting offered full-time IPL+affiliates contracts in the near future. Think you could probably have a 'proper' T20 league alongside the CC, try to compete with them that way.

by king_carlos Mon 01 May 2023, 8:38 pm

If it's going to be 16 sides then that same old issue of lower quality and too many games will likely stop it from being much of a competitor.

Whilst I disliked many things from the Hundred there were also good things. The smaller number of teams I think did see an increase in quality. I love changing ends less and think most cricket should do that. The double headers and general alignment with the women's competition was fantastic for the women's game of course but also brought a different, in my opinion welcome, atmosphere to the men's games I saw. Women's sport also brings a new advertising market which is vital commercially too.

Having bowlers able to bowl two overs in a row I think adds interesting tactical options in the shortest format too.

If we want the quality of the domestic T20 league to compete with the PSL and CPL, realistically the best of the rest after the IPL now the BBL has declined and BPL fallen apart, then it will need to be fewer than 16 teams though. Therein lies the problem once again.

by Duty281 Sun 07 May 2023, 8:56 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/07/england-handed-ashes-scare-after-olly-stone-suffers-hamstring-injury

Olly Stone with another injury issue, this time a hamstring, and he'll go for a scan to assess the damage. With continual doubts over Archer, this may limit England's true pace options in the Ashes to just Mark Wood (who himself is not a beacon of fitness).

Robinson also hobbled out of his county game, but that was just cramp.

by king_carlos Mon 08 May 2023, 9:39 am

This condensed Ashes will need that 'stables' of seamers and quicks as much as just about any we've seen I'd guess. Especially if we are going to see flatter pitches to work in favour of England's batting tactics. Stokes has spoken about wanting 8 fit seamers. I'd presume on ability the 7 below are obvious ones. Maybe Potts as the final.

Anderson
Broad
Robinson
Woakes
Archer
Wood
Stone

Big question marks over Jof and Stone from that, sadly. Woakes seems to have returned promisingly though. If he can keep getting overs and wickets (maybe some runs too) under his belt at for Warks then that'd be ideal as at his best in English conditions he can fill several roles. As an option to bat at 8, rotate Robinson he's pretty ideal.

Australia similarly have issues with their quicks though. Neser is once again showing his skill in English conditions in the CC, I could definitely see him playing a role as backup to their big three and Boland.

I'm expecting fire works against both sides spinners. Australia clearly didn't rate Leach in the last Ashes and just went after him over and over. England will rate Lyon higher than that but will attack just as much if not more given how they're playing these days.

by Jetty Tue 09 May 2023, 1:53 am

king_carlos wrote:This condensed Ashes will need that 'stables' of seamers and quicks as much as just about any we've seen I'd guess. Especially if we are going to see flatter pitches to work in favour of England's batting tactics. Stokes has spoken about wanting 8 fit seamers. I'd presume on ability the 7 below are obvious ones. Maybe Potts as the final.

Anderson
Broad
Robinson
Woakes
Archer
Wood
Stone

Big question marks over Jof and Stone from that, sadly. Woakes seems to have returned promisingly though. If he can keep getting overs and wickets (maybe some runs too) under his belt at for Warks then that'd be ideal as at his best in English conditions he can fill several roles. As an option to bat at 8, rotate Robinson he's pretty ideal.

Australia similarly have issues with their quicks though. Neser is once again showing his skill in English conditions in the CC, I could definitely see him playing a role as backup to their big three and Boland.

I'm expecting fire works against both sides spinners. Australia clearly didn't rate Leach in the last Ashes and just went after him over and over. England will rate Lyon higher than that but will attack just as much if not more given how they're playing these days.

I don't think there will be much rotating. Last Ashes here Broad played 5 Tests and Archer and Woakes played 4. Woakes or Curran could play if Stokes can't bowl as happened last time in the 5th Test.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue 09 May 2023, 9:42 am

Archer sent home from the IPL to rest his elbow injury - really sad news, poor bloke just cannot catch a break.

by Duty281 Tue 09 May 2023, 10:46 am

Can't imagine how frustrating it is to know you have the ability, but for your body to continually let you down. Not expecting Archer to play tests ever again. Maybe he can get back for the ODIs in September, with a view to making the World Cup squad? But even then he has apparently struggled for form in the IPL this year.

by VTR Tue 09 May 2023, 12:29 pm

Shame about Archer, I personally couldn't see him playing The Ashes anyway, but was hopeful he could come back in the shorter forms. Really hope he has some kind of future, even as T20 specialist

by alfie Tue 09 May 2023, 1:47 pm

I reckon he may well make it back for the ODIs - and bailing from the IPL early is a smart move with that in mind. Bit of proper rest instead of going in and out of action every few days.

Never really had any confidence that he'd be up for the Tests. Even if he had been apparently fit : how could anyone be confident he would last a five day game after not having any multi-day cricket for years ?

Some bowlers just aren't built for multiple long course cricket - especially in this age of matches close together , no rest days , etc. A pity ; but if he can get back to the white ball scene on a regular basis he can still have a notable career even if he never takes the ball in a Test again.

Might need to be careful about how many franchise comps he signs up for. Let's hope this little break will enable him to get back on the field sooner rather than later.

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