alistair Smallman1 Play Butler as an opener. Can’t be any worse than Hameed and Burns and will at least be positive.
Along_the_Wire alistair it’s not even about being positive, it’s about lasting long enough to take the edge off the new ball and then stepping on it. How on earth Burns is still there is fucking beyond me - I’ve said it before, we’re better off blooding some new, younger players - they definitely wouldn’t have been worse.
Along_the_Wire Smallman1 disagree with Butler - he’s just having a wobble. Burns should be set on fire - that could make a decent headline.
alistair Along_the_Wire I also don’t see anything in Hameed that gives me cause for optimism either. I remember the big debate about whether Warner, at the time a white ball specialist, should open for Australia. The rest is history. Take the gloves of Buttler and he can open.
rhouses alistair Not making excuses for my boy Has, but he’s a youngin playing his first Ashes, and the supposedly experienced bloke/chav at the other end isn’t really instilling any confidence. Having said that, he’s no Shubman Gill/Prithvi Shaw.
Smallman1 Buttler has been dining off his white ball reputation for far too long. Has made 2 tons in 95 innings at an average of 32.89. Get rid.
alistair Smallman1 before you do that, why not try him at opener. Unless you have got someone else in mind!
rhouses Massive catch from Jos to get Smith and his spirits up. Poor fella looks like he’s been weeping all night.
rhouses alistair my mind said Malan, my heart said Hameed, and I’ve paid the price for it. Do you guys have fantasy 11 for cricket?
Hank_Solo Bizarre to wake up at the mid session interval not to hear the TMS team wrapping up their coverage. Buttler and Woakes showing some grit against the new ball. Not getting excited until the last hour of play though…..
alistair Fair play to Buttler, a guy who can score 100 in less than 50 balls playing such a disciplined, rearguard innings. Not only is he a much better stroke player than Hameed and Burns, he has a more solid technique/defence
baggers44 alistair he can’t catch - well not consistently - i can not remember an English wicketkeeper of my youth ever dropping a routine chance - knott, taylor, downton - even the gaffer who was a bit dodgy to spinners usually caught them.
