Great knock from Malan in SA! What do we think our top 6 will be, with him in it? Clearly assuming we can get him over, in these COVID times.
Great knock from Malan in SA! What do we think our top 6 will be, with him in it? Clearly assuming we can get him over, in these COVID times.
Assuming Sibley, Stone and Woakes will be on England duty a lot:
Rhodes (c)
Malan
Yates
Hain
Mousley
Burgess +
Bresnan
Brookes
Briggs
Norwell
OHD
I think early in the season I might want to see 1 more batsman, someone like Lamb slotting in at 6.
I think with Rhodes ability to bowl, plus the bowler friendly nature of early season pitches, I’d back that side to get 20 wickets without 1 of Briggs, Brookes or Norwell.
Sibley and Stone should be available.
Sibley
Rhodes
Yates
Malan
Hain
Lamb/Mousley
Burgess
Bresnan
Briggs
Stone
OHD
We have some good options in my opinion. Malan may well open. I like us with 6 batsman.
I’m fascinated to see what approach Robinson is going to take tactically and the attitude players will have when batting.
Last season, it seemed everyone was all over the place, no coherent plan. Too often we were 4 or 5 down for not many, expecting Burgess and Bresnan with the tail to be saviours, which is unreasonable and destined for failure.
I’d like to see a return to the formula that worked well towards the back end of 2019. Top 4 just bat time, obviously easier with Sibley, put overs in the bowlers legs, then you’ve got the likes of Hain, Burgess, Lamb and Bresnan who can attack off a platform against tired bowlers.
Who's our back up keeper if Burgess ever gets injured? Ambrose now obviously gone too.
Vikai Kelley?
BluenoseBear wrote:
Who's our back up keeper if Burgess ever gets injured? Ambrose now obviously gone too.
Although Vikai is official back up keeper, I think if Burgess is out for a short period of time, we'll see Malan behind the stumps. He has been playing as keeper in recent white ball games in South Africa and has performed well. I reckon that was partly Farb's thinking in bringing him to Edgbaston; a good opener (and proven in English conditions in a few seasons in the Lancs Leagues), a decent part time seamer, I've been told a good slip fielder and some keeping experience.
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
BristolBear wrote:
I think early in the season I might want to see 1 more batsman, someone like Lamb slotting in at 6.
I think with Rhodes ability to bowl, plus the bowler friendly nature of early season pitches, I’d back that side to get 20 wickets without 1 of Briggs, Brookes or Norwell.
I agree about Lamb coming in, but possibly at 5, ahead of Mousley, at least to start the season
'The only good banker, is the Lickey Banker!'
I don't know much about Kelley admittedly.
Don't we have one more overseas player for the CC? Could try and bring in someone to compete with Burgess.
I'm going for the following
Sibley
Malan
Yates
Hain
Rhodes
Lamb
Burgess
Bresnan
Brings
Stone/Norwell
OHD
Quite like the look of that side with Mousley and Hose waiting for an opportunity
Bowing wise youd still have the likes of Sidebottom looking for a chance
BluenoseBear wrote:
I don't know much about Kelley admittedly.
Don't we have one more overseas player for the CC? Could try and bring in someone to compete with Burgess.
I think a second overseas is a financial constraint for a lot of teams that haven’t already had to turn Kolpaks into their second overseas. Probably more of an option next year when revenue from crowds and finals day is back.
I suspect the thought is, Kelly or Malan, can cover for injury. Burgess’s glove work was excellent last year, and they’ll want to see him get back into his 2019 batting form.