Ashes -2019

[bwildered]

Already lost a first ever semi in World Cup . England unable to find a decent couple of openers.
All to play for .

[mawallace]

Heard Peter Siddle's name mentioned by Jim Maxwell on TMS yesterday - tipped to be chosen as he is "in form"

[Andy]

Heard Peter Siddle's name mentioned by Jim Maxwell on TMS yesterday - tipped to be chosen as he is "in form"

Yep. Sadly I heard this as well. Would make sense to pick him for the Ashes, although whether taking wickets at county level (certainly this season) is any indication of potential success against Test batting line ups is a moot point.

[Perov]

If Siddle gets picked could we  keep Amir for the Championship games?
As far as I can see Pakistan have no fixtures in Aug and Sept.

[mawallace]

That may be fine for Kent.

but I do recall that last time Amir was here there were mummerings from the PCB that we over worked him - I wonder if he comes with some supervsion re the number of overs he can bowl!

[IlfordEagle]

Given Amir's effectiveness for us in CC last time that might be better than not having him, I'd hope he'd jump at the chance to play for us again.

[JasonP]

The Carribbean Premier League starts early September.  I'm almost certain Amir is playing in that.

[Oldhasbeen]

Just seen the squad - I am puzzled why Leach is out and Moeen is in.

Rory Burns is a lucky boy. I wondered if the selectors would gamble on Dominic Sibley on his home ground given Burns wretched form and poor batting in the Ireland Test

If the weather's looking helpful to seamers, what odds us going in without Moeen and have Sam Curran in to prop up the batting and offer variety with his left-armers?

[nat]

Just seen the squad - I am puzzled why Leach is out and Moeen is in.

....

A close call but suspect Ali is considered more of a threat against left handers.

[honkytonk]

Without checking, Alis bowling record at home is pretty good I think

[Oldhasbeen]

Just seen the squad - I am puzzled why Leach is out and Moeen is in.

....

A close call but suspect Ali is considered more of a threat against left handers.

Valid point.
 I just hope the selectors aren't expecting any runs from him. The Aussie quicks will exploit his airy wafts outside off stump mercilessly

[Heisenberg]

Still don't get the Joe Denly hype.

[nat]

Still don't get the Joe Denly hype.

It ain't hype. One of the best of a poor bunch.

[Oldhasbeen]

Still don't get the Joe Denly hype.

I haven't heard any, but the Independent's cricket reporter summed it up nicely by saying that Denly's achievement of being top scorer in the first innings against Ireland was like  winning the Tallest Gnome competition. Given that he did achieve that small feat, and was idiotically run out by Root in the second before he could get a decent score, I can't blame the selectors for sticking with him, even if I'm not convinced he's a Test number 3.

[Andy]

Tallest gnome? Fletcher would’ve applied himself better on that first morning.