The Current State - England's Test Team
As a brief follow-up to my last post, I wanted to share the Current State of England’s Test Team….
Batting Lineup
1. Ben Duckett
2. -
3. -
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes
7. Jamie Smith+
8. Gus Atkinson
9. -
10. -
11. -
Bowling Lineup
1. -
2. Gus Atkinson -
3. Gus Atkinson -
4. -
5. -
Of the 16 Positions in a Test Lineup, England have covered just 7. While this isn’t a problem against Weaker Opposition like Sri Lanka and the West Indies. This Roster and Lineup Construction is unlikely to drive positive results against Australia in Australia or against India at Home. This isn’t to say that England don’t have a Deep Talent Pool. England have in my opinion among the Deepest Talent Pools in International Cricket. But Having a Deep Talent Pool is one thing, Building a High Quality and Diverse XI is another thing. Finally, I suspect that people may be surprised not to see the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, and Shoaib Bashir in my Established Core. Allow me to address the absence of each player
One More Thing
I watched Jofra Archer the other day in the Blast and he was bowling in the Mid-80s. For Jofra Archer to be Jofra Archer his pace needs to be higher. It’s also important to remember that Archer hasn’t played a Test Match since 2021. Can you establish a Test Side around Archer, keeping in mind that he’s a major injury risk?
Mark Wood is a Core Player for England so long as Ben Stokes is operating as a Batting All Rounder. If Stokes isn’t bowling between 10-15 Overs an Inning, Can England risk Mark Wood keeping in mind his Injury History?
Chris Woakes is a Genuine Starter in English Conditions. In many ways he’s the ideal New Ball Bowler/No. 8. That argument loses steam outside England in less bowler friendly conditions. Should You Build a New Ball Bowling Attack Around a 35 Year Old Bowler who doesn’t travel?
I like Shoaib Bashir and believe he was an inspired choice for England’s Tour to India. That said, I don’t necessarily think Bashir has established himself as a Certainty in England’s Test Side. This is especially true keeping in mind England’s Depth at the Position. England are blessed with a Deep Pool of Spin Talent that includes but isn’t limited to Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, Farhan Ahmed, Matt Parkinson, Dom Bess, and Tazeem Chaudhry Ali.