Final Ashes test and on to NZ!

[Oldhasbeen]

VG article by George Dobell on selections, and some of the pertinent injury / legal consideration

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21938876/last-chance-james-vince-mark-stoneman-impress

There's a strong case for giving some new blood a chance in NZ. I'm slightly surprised GD hasn't mentioned leaving out Moeen and taking a younger spinner (Jack Leach?) to NZ, or the possibility of giving Anderson and/or Broad a tour off.

Not that NZ will be a pushover, but some oldies may benefit from some time out and we need to find out what some of the young guns are capable of

[nat]

Ali is a spent force...in as much as he ever was one. Matt Parkinson looks a good leg spinner and may prove to be better than Crane.

[Andy]

Certainly, the trend has been to attempt incremental change to the team, hence we've soldiered on with the likes of Ali and Balance, so we probably would do no worse than to send most of the Lions to Kiwiland. Mind you, the only spinners who prosper over there sing folk songs about Liverpool...

[Oldhasbeen]

Wood not match fit. No Overton, no Woakes .... reprieve for Moeen    or will it be Ballance at 7  .... both wretched options at the moment IMHO

Starc probably back for Aussies.

Looks like 5 days of misery for us all. A draw would be a great result.

[Andy]

Wood not match fit. No Overton, no Woakes .... reprieve for Moeen    or will it be Ballance at 7  .... both wretched options at the moment IMHO

Starc probably back for Aussies.

Looks like 5 days of misery for us all. A draw would be a great result.

Make that 3.5 days of misery.

[Oldhasbeen]

Wood not match fit. No Overton, no Woakes .... reprieve for Moeen    or will it be Ballance at 7  .... both wretched options at the moment IMHO

Starc probably back for Aussies.

Looks like 5 days of misery for us all. A draw would be a great result.

Make that 3.5 days of misery.

Good joke Andy,

Not sure if correct response is  or 

[LeedsExile]

Possibly the weakest bowling attack to have represented England in ages. After Anderson and Broad nothing! Pretty sure neither Crane or Curran will feature at home next season. They should be developing with the lions not playing Ashes tests.

[JasonP]

Possibly the weakest bowling attack to have represented England in ages. After Anderson and Broad nothing! Pretty sure neither Crane or Curran will feature at home next season. They should be developing with the lions not playing Ashes tests.

I don't disagree that it's a weak attack but they have to pick someone.  If Crane and Curran don't play who does?  They obviously think these two are the best options available.

[LeedsExile]

Fair point JasonP but I am concerned at how we have arrived at the situation that the five going out tomorrow are our best left. Plenty of work ahead for the bowling coach it seems. Mr Silverwood what have you walked into?

[Slogger]

Pity Nats lad isn't out there. He'd do a job.....

[Andy]

Looks like 5 days of misery for us all. A draw would be a great result.

Make that 3.5 days of misery.

Good joke Andy,
Not sure if correct response is  or 

I wasn't joking. I think we know the correct emoticon, the smiling turd one, but it isn't one of the options above.

[IlfordEagle]

It looks like Eng have thrown away the initiative again today going from 228-3 to 233-5 in 10 crazy minutes with irresponsible shots from Root & Bairstow. Malan as always grafted well & has to have some support tomorrow if we are to get 300 as a minimum & then some. Stoneman looked like he was playing a 1 day match & Vince as always flattered to deceive, I think maybe Malan could move up to 3 soon, if not then Root at 3 & Malan at 4 but Vince isn't the answer (truthfully don't know who is!!), much as I admire Westley when he bats & as a stroke player he wouldn't have fared better as the Aussie pace bowlers would have quickly sussed his weaknesses out.
A big day for us tomorrow by the end of which we'll know if it's win or bust!!

[bwildered]

All to familiar on day two. At least Crane had a decent bowl (hope he can do what Virdi (?) did for Surrey at Chelmsford next day after finishing the day with similar figures ). Hard day in the sun for day three coming up.

[Oldhasbeen]

It looks like Eng have thrown away the initiative again today going from 228-3 to 233-5 in 10 crazy minutes with irresponsible shots from Root & Bairstow. Malan as always grafted well & has to have some support tomorrow if we are to get 300 as a minimum & then some. Stoneman looked like he was playing a 1 day match & Vince as always flattered to deceive, I think maybe Malan could move up to 3 soon, if not then Root at 3 & Malan at 4 but Vince isn't the answer (truthfully don't know who is!!), much as I admire Westley when he bats & as a stroke player he wouldn't have fared better as the Aussie pace bowlers would have quickly sussed his weaknesses out.
A big day for us tomorrow by the end of which we'll know if it's win or bust!!

Mostly agree with you bu I think it's fair to say that Stoneman got out to  a brute of a ball, whereas Vince waved his wand tamely at a wide'un. the latter is, IMHO, in the last chance saloon and should need at least a good 50 in the 2nd innings to be considered make the NZ squad. Time to give one of the younger guys a crack at number 5.
343 wasn't bad from the overnight score but still well below par for this pitch.  Can't see us dismissing the Aussies for less than 450 unless we get some very helpful weather.

[Perov]

Time to thank Vince for his efforts and dump him.
Being likened to Stan Laurel when fielding, is also not a vote of confidence.
I think  Foakes would have battled away, and spent more time at the crease than Vince, so I hope he gets a chance against New Zealand.