Shock HORROR as England drop Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes!

[shaz619]

These two have literally been carrying the England team for YEARS on their back and in one of the most disgusting moves I have EVER seen in my life from an English set up they drop two of their greatest players and made them a scapegoat for the pathetic performance in NZ, they had many options to pick a scapegoat, for example a cricketer who almost killed another fellow human being in street. But NO, they demonized two of their best players who are not only fantastic performers, they have always maintained the SPIRIT of cricket

Moeen Ali:

2495 Test Runs

133 Test Wickets

2nd most man of the match awards out of the current England players

Chris Woakes:

Average of nearly 30 with the bat in Tests and almost under 35 with the ball

Incredibly utility

If this is how England treat those who give their blood, sweat and tears for you bunch of spineless yes men at the ECB HQ then they may as well announce their retirement and play international cricket for another team! maybe it should be Pakistan!



I don't support England anymore

[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

Ben Stokes recent performances:

A total of 0 wickets and 66 runs

Almost killed a man

ECB response:

[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

 

[ManFan]

Have always loved Woakes’ new-ball bowling.

Moeen is a batsman who can bowl a few.

Perhaps, the coaching staff and management feel that the former’s bowing is not good enough and the latter’s batting in NZ conditions.

 

[kingusama92]

Don't get dropping Woakes.

He's usually looked good when he plays and is incredibly handy with the bat.

 

[rhony]

Moeen got smashed in Ashes and his batting has been poor as well. He is not as incisive as earlier. Woakes is doing well in ODIs but has been bowling poorly in tests. He scored some runs but is in the team for his bowling.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Well I did mention somewhere in late 2016 that Moeen Ali must either be a proper full time batsman or bowler.....or else he may not have a test career for long.

Chris Woakes falls into the same category (for some reason he has simply stopped taking wickets these days).

Moeen has to concentrate on his batting and Woakes on his bowling to get back into the test side.

Same rule applies to other ARs like Hardik Pandya, Mitchell Marsh and even Ben Stokes (as amazing as his X factor may be).

If you look at the ARs who have been part of the test XI for years:

Shakib is a proper batsman.
Ashwin is a proper bowler.
Jaddu is a proper bowler.
Philander is a proper bowler.

 

[j_kazmi]

This reminds me of that over the top thread about Umar Akmal getting dropped a few years ago

 

[Gubol123]

Only it is shock and horror on PP for dropping Moeen... in the real world it was shock and horror on how he was playing.. for a period I thought England is going for quota selection...

Moeen is liked here for obvious reasons.. But he is as mediocre as they come.. he averages something 32 with bat and 40+ with ball.. that is the definition of bits and pieces players.. If he is critical to England that speaks volumes about England team.. Also failed for hte last 6 consecutive tst matches if I remmeber correctly.. the right decision as far as he considered

Woakes , I am surprised a bit.. he played a good hand atleast while batting. But he was quite average with the ball..

 

[Gubol123]

Well I did mention somewhere in late 2016 that Moeen Ali must either be a proper full time batsman or bowler.....or else he may not have a test career for long.

Chris Woakes falls into the same category (for some reason he has simply stopped taking wickets these days).

Moeen has to concentrate on his batting and Woakes on his bowling to get back into the test side.

Same rule applies to other ARs like Hardik Pandya, Mitchell Marsh and even Ben Stokes (as amazing as his X factor may be).

If you look at the ARs who have been part of the test XI for years:

Shakib is a proper batsman.
Ashwin is a proper bowler.
Jaddu is a proper bowler.
Philander is a proper bowler.

That should be true for each and every player.. very rarely you find a player who is devastating with bat and ball both at the same time and for a long duration.. even the great all rounders were specialists in one and contributed handsomely in their secondary skill set. They always made team based on their primary role.. Mooem makes no sense as a batsman or a bowler. If they want a good spinner groom someone. Kick the Counties and make them pick spinner for bowlig and not for their batting ability.. if they want a proper No 6/7 england should pick some batsman.. Moeen, in his current avatar, is pretty useless

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

There was a period when Moeen looked like a top top AR.

In the SA series at home.

Impactful runs lower down the order and wickets.

People thought he would go from strength to strength but everything started tanking from there on.

England also have been very unfair on him by asking him to be the primary spinner. Now he is neither a bowler or batsmen.

He needs to work on his batting. If that clicks, he can get back to the side.

Problem is that he averages only 37 with the bat in first class (includes international cricket stats too). Situation doesn't look too rosy.

 

[shaz619]

There was a period when Moeen looked like a top top AR.

In the SA series at home.

Impactful runs lower down the order and wickets.

People thought he would go from strength to strength but everything started tanking from there on.

England also have been very unfair on him by asking him to be the primary spinner. Now he is neither a bowler or batsmen.

He needs to work on his batting. If that clicks, he can get back to the side.

Problem is that he averages only 37 with the bat in first class (includes international cricket stats too). Situation doesn't look too rosy.

The SA series was only in the recent past, he hasn't been handled the best but has made the best out of the situations they put him in but the struggles overseas have continued because you need more specialists while the utility is best utilised at home. Woakes should have been given more oppourtunities as well but they have made a scapegoat out of these two when there are larger issues. Also, they continue to hypocritically back a guy that nearly killed a man; Woakes and Mo hardly cause any issues and maintain the spirit of cricket. Am sure both will be back but they deserve better treatment

 

[backfootpunch]

Given his persona and background an easy target for the England team who has been messed around badly. He's been made to bat as an opener, 6, 7 and 8 from what I can recall. England tried to shift his focus away from batting earlier in his career and focus on his bowling, which was never going to work. Shane Warne hit the nail on the head when he mentioned that "he doesn't think like a bowler", technically he is pretty decent and puts good revs on the ball but doesn't know how to utilise this off spin ability that he has.

Moeen Ali himself is also to blame because he puts himself down in front of the public eye during the pre and post match interviews when he keeps making statements along the lines of: "I never thought I'd play 50 tests" or "I never thought I'd be successful with the ball". When you have this kind of approach especially against top sides like Australia (as we saw in the Ashes), the opposition will think they've won the battle with this player before it has even begun. On BT he was also being criticised for his lavish praise of Nathan Lyon.

Thirdly, I also blame the English media + pundits especially from ex-players like Swann who before the Ashes were over hyping him - what they all had in common was that they all claimed he was a bigger asset than Lyon because he could also bat. I knew this was a poor argument because Australia is a graveyard for overseas finger spinners and Moeen Ali's batting wouldn't fire on bouncy tracks against tall, 145+ click bowlers. Now obviously these pundits were left red faced so they turned on Moeen Ali scapegoating him but in all fairness he was the worst player in the series. Perhaps he can't handle the weight of expectation who knows.

 

[KingKhanWC]

England have been so rubbish for months now, they had to make a scapegoat and its the Brummies

Cook has been pathetic, he will look more at home in a wheelchair with his footwork.

The rest of the batsmen have been poor.

Bowlers like Curran are over rated, he wouldn't even get into the Pakistan A side.
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] I was saying a few months ago, I hope Mo plays up the order. Coming so low down, he is either in pressure situation where the team has collapsed or when he has to hit out to score quickly. His bowling has been ok but Root has used him poorly. Not many off spinners have been successful in Australia or NZ.

Woakes should get the new ball, Broad has been average for years now.

Hope both continue to work hard and make a come back soon.

 

[shaz619]

England have been so rubbish for months now, they had to make a scapegoat and its the Brummies

Cook has been pathetic, he will look more at home in a wheelchair with his footwork.

The rest of the batsmen have been poor.

Bowlers like Curran are over rated, he wouldn't even get into the Pakistan A side.
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] I was saying a few months ago, I hope Mo plays up the order. Coming so low down, he is either in pressure situation where the team has collapsed or when he has to hit out to score quickly. His bowling has been ok but Root has used him poorly. Not many off spinners have been successful in Australia or NZ.

Woakes should get the new ball, Broad has been average for years now.

Hope both continue to work hard and make a come back soon.

It's really easy, whenever there are problems point to birmingham! there's never anything wrong with Yorkshire and nor can a Yorkshireman do any wrong. Mo was winning Test matches for his country only recently but he gets the chop when many others have failed to deliver and poor Woakes gets the short end of the stick for just showing up! other high profile members have been given a free ride though.

Like SIF pointed out with Mo they've never really given him a role in the team, having followed him from the early 2000's when there's a specific goal / target to achieve Mo can strive for it and be successful, he went from not knowing where his off stump was to the best bat in the 2nd division ; that's hard work and mental fortitude, but one day he's a bat, next day he's a bat who bowls a bit and vice versa, it's effective at home but not away. Plus there's no consistency. With Woakes the situation is even worse because he only just made his return, if this is how they treat players I fear for the future of cricket in the Midlands because players will probably just seek other careers instead or strive for bigger pay days as mercenaries or LOI specialists.

 

[WildSwing]

Moen deserved to be dropped, never seen such a mediocre cricketer given such a long rope

 

[shane]

A couple of strange decisions already in this game. First of all, England dropping Woakes and then NZ choosing to bowl.

 

[Robert]

I think it is time that Moeen has a rest because he has done little for quite a while.

Dropping Woakee surprises me.

 

[babajee]

I think it is time that Moeen has a rest because he has done little for quite a while.

Dropping Woakee surprises me.

Yeah Moeen needs time away from the game imo.

 

[Big Mac]

Moeen's recent form has been terrible so him missing out is justifiable but there is no planet on which Overton is a better player than Woakes.

Woakes was just man of the series in the ODIs a couple of weeks ago so instead of giving him a go with the new cherry they've dropped him.

I will not stand for this anti-Birmingham bigotry and oppression one moment longer, the Hobbits have my sword, and little [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]'s axe no doubt.

 

[shane]

Moeen always comes across as such a humble, likeable person. I hope he gets back in the team, but dropping him is understandable in light of his recent performances.

 

[shaz619]

I think it is time that Moeen has a rest because he has done little for quite a while.

Dropping Woakee surprises me.

He never had the best prep for the Ashes and was played for the series despite him not being 100% fit and then gets booted out after their shambolic performance in the NZ Test, maybe he does need some time out but the treatment has been terrible.

And Woakes is a brilliant bowler with so much potential, he was only just coming back while others have been flopping for ages; this would surely boost his confidence right

 

[HuzaifaE]

Moeen deserves the boot, not investing in Woakes is a travesty. Day and night difference.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's really easy, whenever there are problems point to birmingham! there's never anything wrong with Yorkshire and nor can a Yorkshireman do any wrong. Mo was winning Test matches for his country only recently but he gets the chop when many others have failed to deliver and poor Woakes gets the short end of the stick for just showing up! other high profile members have been given a free ride though.

Like SIF pointed out with Mo they've never really given him a role in the team, having followed him from the early 2000's when there's a specific goal / target to achieve Mo can strive for it and be successful, he went from not knowing where his off stump was to the best bat in the 2nd division ; that's hard work and mental fortitude, but one day he's a bat, next day he's a bat who bowls a bit and vice versa, it's effective at home but not away. Plus there's no consistency. With Woakes the situation is even worse because he only just made his return, if this is how they treat players I fear for the future of cricket in the Midlands because players will probably just seek other careers instead or strive for bigger pay days as mercenaries or LOI specialists.

Woakes also batted pretty well, helping England to save some pride on a few occasions.

Now we have Broad batting at 8.

NZ win the toss seeing a weak batting line up, England will do well to score 250 first up here.

 

[shaz619]

Moeen's recent form has been terrible so him missing out is justifiable but there is no planet on which Overton is a better player than Woakes.

Woakes was just man of the series in the ODIs a couple of weeks ago so instead of giving him a go with the new cherry they've dropped him.

I will not stand for this anti-Birmingham bigotry and oppression one moment longer, the Hobbits have my sword, and little [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]'s axe no doubt.

It's a conspiracy originating from Yorkshire

Mo has never been given the best treatment, constantly shuffling him up and down the order, never really giving him a consistent role but despite that he did as well as he could, then wasn't fit but was forced to play the ashes due to Stokes almost killing a man and now made a scapegoat for a pathetic loss, when you're 58 all out you can't blame one man. The time out may benefit him but England need to treat Mo better and it is even more bizzare that Woakes is being kicked out, am not sure what these blokes are thinking

 

[Robert]

He never had the best prep for the Ashes and was played for the series despite him not being 100% fit and then gets booted out after their shambolic performance in the NZ Test, maybe he does need some time out but the treatment has been terrible.

And Woakes is a brilliant bowler with so much potential, he was only just coming back while others have been flopping for ages; this would surely boost his confidence right

I think they should give Moeen a run at #5. Tell him he is a test batter, and let him bowl as second spinner behind a more attacking option such as Crane. Not a bowler who hits seventies down at #8. They have to pick him for his strong suit and not keep on sacrificing strengths to plug weaknesses.

Going forward a year or so I think this could be a better side:

Hameed
Livingstone
Root
Bairstow
Moeen
Stokes
Foakes (w)
Woakes
Broad
Wood
Crane

 

[shaz619]

I think they should give Moeen a run at #5. Tell him he is a test batter, and let him bowl as second spinner behind a more attacking option such as Crane. Not a bowler who hits seventies down at #8. They have to pick him for his strong suit and not keep on sacrificing strengths to plug weaknesses.

Going forward a year or so I think this could be a better side:

Hameed
Livingstone
Root
Bairstow
Moeen
Stokes
Foakes (w)
Woakes
Broad
Wood
Crane

I feel Trevor Baylis approach to the team combination has seriously hurt the Test side , the combination and especially blokes like Mo; the first thing he should have done was differentiate between the distinct formats. Utility will only work for so long. That's a much better side but I would pick Anderson over the PP darling Barbie

 

[carbon11]

Moeen is not a test class batsmen imo his batting is suited to limited overs cricket where he showed a lot of flair and talent

As for his bowling I'm sorry I would place likes of shoaib malik and hafeez as better spinners .

 

[James]

Woakes should consider himself unlucky, seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction there. Moeen meanwhile is a fantastic lad but has fallen terribly out of form, this is the right moment for him to rest, reflect, and come back stronger.

 

[WengerOut]

This thread has the ring of [MENTION=134809]sensible-indian-fan[/MENTION] 's thread about Shastriji before SA series

 

[Adijazz1706]

England must be regretting the decision already, 5 down for 150 with little batting left

 

[Adijazz1706]

6 down and broad is out there )

 

[Big Mac]

6 down and broad is out there )

I was really confused in the back of my head when they kept showing Broad padded up, thinking it's too early for a night watchman.

 

[introvert]

Depends on how wood and leach perform with ball.
England struggling to take 20 wickets for a long time in away test matches and everybody knows that.

 

[Ab Fan]

I agree with [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION].

 

[Adijazz1706]

Wood has done a good job batting wise, time for the Leeeeeech now

 

[shaz619]

Timely bump
[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION] All the hopes are pinned on Woakes, he is likely to return for the second test

 

[HitWicket]

Timely bump

Very timely, just minutes after Moeen gets a duck in his first game back in England

 

[shaz619]

Bit rich ^ Little man syndrome from James Vince fans, this is why Hampshire can't produce international level talent; they have a problem in the mind.

 

[Big Mac]

Timely bump
[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION] All the hopes are pinned on Woakes, he is likely to return for the second test

England crawling back to the Brummies begging them to carry the country as always.

Bit rich ^ Little man syndrome from James Vince fans, this is why Hampshire can't produce international level talent; they have a problem in the mind.

Ignore them, they couldn't recognise talent if it came up to them in broad daylight and smacked them in the face with a cricket bat while yelling "I AM TALENT!", wearing a t-shirt with the word "I AM TALENTED" printed on the front in big font and the word "TALENT" tattooed on their forehead.

That's why they keep having to import cricketers from Greenidge and Richards to Robin Smith and Shane Warne.

England will never be world beaters while they keep selecting players from these diddy teams like Hampshire, Yorkshire and Durham.

 

[Big Mac]

This is what happens with one Brummie, we should be thankful they didn't select two
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]

 

[hadi123]

I've rated Woakes since the 2016 series. Better than Wood with both ball and bat.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Woakes' exclusion was indeed surprising considering that he has been as good as Jimmy and Broad at home and a much better bat as well.

 

[Hasan123]

In typical English conditions, Woakes should play.

 

[shaz619]

England crawling back to the Brummies begging them to carry the country as always.



Ignore them, they couldn't recognise talent if it came up to them in broad daylight and smacked them in the face with a cricket bat while yelling "I AM TALENT!", wearing a t-shirt with the word "I AM TALENTED" printed on the front in big font and the word "TALENT" tattooed on their forehead.

That's why they keep having to import cricketers from Greenidge and Richards to Robin Smith and Shane Warne.

England will never be world beaters while they keep selecting players from these diddy teams like Hampshire, Yorkshire and Durham.

This is what happens with one Brummie, we should be thankful they didn't select two
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]

Beautiful posts mate, they just never learn do they
[MENTION=139981]HitWicket[/MENTION] has yolk on his face right now And he has the audacity to critique Mo when the best player his joke of a county provided to England was James Vince ) Oh man, I have a right giggle every time his name is pronounced

 

[HitWicket]

England crawling back to the Brummies begging them to carry the country as always.



Ignore them, they couldn't recognise talent if it came up to them in broad daylight and smacked them in the face with a cricket bat while yelling "I AM TALENT!", wearing a t-shirt with the word "I AM TALENTED" printed on the front in big font and the word "TALENT" tattooed on their forehead.

That's why they keep having to import cricketers from Greenidge and Richards to Robin Smith and Shane Warne.

England will never be world beaters while they keep selecting players from these diddy teams like Hampshire, Yorkshire and Durham.

Sorry, having to strain my neck to spot your talent from up here in divison 1 and top of our one day cup group table

 

[Big Mac]

Sorry, having to strain my neck to spot your talent from up here in divison 1 and top of our one day cup group table

We're taking a sabbatical in Div 2 to give your lot the chance to win half as many championships as we have.

 

[shaz619]

We're taking a sabbatical in Div 2 to give your lot the chance to win half as many championships as we have.

)

Burn [MENTION=139981]HitWicket[/MENTION]

And they may be in division one but they are playing like they are in division 8 this is reflected by the midgets who managed to get selected at the international level thanks to political connections, I hear James Vince is very popular amongst members of the old boys club, these Hampshire fellows would do anything for 2 minutes of TV time

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Looks like it's the end of his T20 career as well. Only an ODI player now.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Looks like it's the end of his T20 career as well. Only an ODI player now.

Not really. He'll be back when they play, Aus, SA, WI and NZ as a 2nd spinner. We saw how he was playing with the Australians.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Not really. He'll be back when they play, Aus, SA, WI and NZ as a 2nd spinner. We saw how he was playing with the Australians.

Got smashed in the T20 against Australia. he did well in the ODI's. Besides they really can't play both Stokes and Moeen. Was always gonna be one or the other.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Got smashed in the T20 against Australia. he did well in the ODI's. Besides they really can't play both Stokes and Moeen. Was always gonna be one or the other.

Anyone can have an off day. But let's see.

 

[shaz619]

Woakes only gets chances when the ginger bread man is in trouble, it's sad that people berate Woakes when he's hardly given a consistent run in the team; he is expected to perform in the little chances he is given or risk being in the dog house for extended periods.

Likewise, Mo has never been given a consistent role in the Test side either and has done quiet well especially at home despite what he is asked to do. Mo and Woakes should be undroppable at home especially. Woakes showing his class in this Test with bat and ball, he should never be dropped again after this game but I expect it especially seeing how the ginger bread man can get away with even murder ! hypocritical ECB run by ignorant yorkshireman

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When Chris Woakes came in, England were 131-5. &#55357;&#56399;&#55357;&#56613;<br><br>A century later, they're now 309-5 thanks to his partnership with Jonny Bairstow. &#55357;&#56399;&#55357;&#56613;&#55357;&#56495;<br><br>&#55357;&#56562;<a href="https://t.co/0s9H3nSDUn">https://t.co/0s9H3nSDUn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbccricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbccricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/JyAVkgFPgt">pic.twitter.com/JyAVkgFPgt</a></p>— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/1028317717022089216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">11 August 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Runs in the second Test at Lord's:<br><br>Chris Woakes - 107*<br>India - 107 <a href="https://t.co/kOK5FQhOxr">pic.twitter.com/kOK5FQhOxr</a></p>— bet365 (@bet365) <a href="https://twitter.com/bet365/status/1028321397452546049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">11 August 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

Don't hate Woakes! hate the runs he scores and the wickets he takes


[MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

 

[KingKhanWC]

Don't hate Woakes! hate the runs he scores and the wickets he takes


[MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

Fantastic innings by the local lad today! His maiden test century came when his team were in a little bit of trouble but he showed his character.

 

[James]

Perhaps he will become everything that Broad should have become.

 

[Red Devil]

Ben Stokes recent performances:

A total of 0 wickets and 66 runs

Almost killed a man

ECB response:

[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

Lmao almost every team has that golden boy that is inexplicably over hyped without the performances to match the reputation. Stokes is that player from England.

Woakes has been brilliant with both bat and bowl in this game. Turning out to be an excellent player tbh.

 

[shaz619]

Fantastic innings by the local lad today! His maiden test century came when his team were in a little bit of trouble but he showed his character.

Without a doubt, he was under immense pressure just coming into this game replacing the ginger bread man. He's a very proud man and incredibly honourable, playing for his country means the world to him and he delivered on so many fronts today.

He just doesn't get consistent chances despite earning a long rope, he bowled exceptionally well in the Pakistan series in 2016 but that also overshadowed his fantastic performance with the bat against some very dangerous bowlers, Mo did very well with the bat to, it's never easy for an England team facing Pak bowlers at home or away but they did well.

 

[shaz619]

Lmao almost every team has that golden boy that is inexplicably over hyped without the performances to match the reputation. Stokes is that player from England.

Woakes has been brilliant with both bat and bowl in this game. Turning out to be an excellent player tbh.

Stokes gets treated like the best thing since Jesus walked on water! he's just an angry ginger nothing more! it will be a blessing if he is banned for a long time because it is the only way Woakes will be given a longer run in the team instead of being treated like a bench warmer / lota carrier

 

[Big Mac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When Chris Woakes came in, England were 131-5. ����<br><br>A century later, they're now 309-5 thanks to his partnership with Jonny Bairstow. ������<br><br>��<a href="https://t.co/0s9H3nSDUn">https://t.co/0s9H3nSDUn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbccricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbccricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/JyAVkgFPgt">pic.twitter.com/JyAVkgFPgt</a></p>— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/1028317717022089216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">11 August 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Runs in the second Test at Lord's:<br><br>Chris Woakes - 107*<br>India - 107 <a href="https://t.co/kOK5FQhOxr">pic.twitter.com/kOK5FQhOxr</a></p>— bet365 (@bet365) <a href="https://twitter.com/bet365/status/1028321397452546049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">11 August 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION]

Imagine the beizzati if Moeen had played as well, Brummie power simply too strong.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Stokes gets treated like the best thing since Jesus walked on water! he's just an angry ginger nothing more! it will be a blessing if he is banned for a long time because it is the only way Woakes will be given a longer run in the team instead of being treated like a bench warmer / lota carrier

He is the best all-rounder in the world by a country mile and England know that very well. Don't get carried away by Woakes's century. It was a very good innings but a) he's primarily still a bowler and b) it's India. Even Anderson scored 81 against them. Anderson who averages 9.8 with the bat

 

[ChuckLee]

He is the best all-rounder in the world by a country mile and England know that very well. Don't get carried away by Woakes's century. It was a very good innings but a) he's primarily still a bowler and b) it's India. Even Anderson scored 81 against them. Anderson who averages 9.8 with the bat

Best in the world I’m dying with laughter . Carlos says hi.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Best in the world I’m dying with laughter &#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56834;. Carlos says hi.

Same one hit wonder who averages 242 with the ball in test cricket?

 

[Pete Rose]

I am happy to know that Chris Woakes has not turned out to be a Pakistan specialist

 

[RainMan_]

He is the best all-rounder in the world by a country mile and England know that very well. Don't get carried away by Woakes's century. It was a very good innings but a) he's primarily still a bowler and b) it's India. Even Anderson scored 81 against them. Anderson who averages 9.8 with the bat

Stokes is the best allrounder in ur own tiny world where pigs fly in the sky. He might have been doing great off late, especially on doctored wickets of England but if we take his overall career as an allrounder into consideration, we'll see that he isn't fit enough to hold a candle on front of the great shakib Al hasan.

 

[RainMan_]

Stokes gets treated like the best thing since Jesus walked on water! he's just an angry ginger nothing more! it will be a blessing if he is banned for a long time because it is the only way Woakes will be given a longer run in the team instead of being treated like a bench warmer / lota carrier

Correct. But what else do u expect from Ex English players. They always big up their players. I personally feel that Stokes's presence in the team disrupts the team harmony. Furthermore, he's also a bad influence for the young English players. I m expecting Stokes to get a harsh punishment, nobody is above the law.

 

[Pete Rose]

He is the best all-rounder in the world by a country mile and England know that very well. Don't get carried away by Woakes's century. It was a very good innings but a) he's primarily still a bowler and b) it's India. Even Anderson scored 81 against them. Anderson who averages 9.8 with the bat

Well yes, even broad has a 169 against Pakistan. So I agree that we need to see more of Woakes. Having said that, he batted well against Pakistan in 2016

 

[leatherface58]

Shaz bhai with the astute keen eye. Yet he is on this forum while duds like Iqbal Qasim make the Pakistan selection panel.

 

[ChuckLee]

Same one hit wonder who averages 242 with the ball in test cricket?

Same guy who smashed 4 sixes of the last over to win his team the world T20 cup. One is a national hero the other a reckless drunk facing charges.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Stokes is the best allrounder in ur own tiny world where pigs fly in the sky. He might have been doing great off late, especially on doctored wickets of England but if we take his overall career as an allrounder into consideration, we'll see that he isn't fit enough to hold a candle on front of the great shakib Al hasan.

Unlike Shakib Stokes's performances actually matter because he actually ends up winning his team matches with both bat and ball. And can take games away from from oppositions whether it's by smashing sixes or by dialing it up to 140 and playing the enforcer role with the ball. He blasted 258 against South Africa in Cape Town, something few batsmen can dream of doing let alone all-rounders. He has a centuries and 5 wicket hauls in India and Australia so his overall career as an all-rounder is already light-years ahead of Shakib who barely averages double digits in South Africa and will likely never even play in Australia.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Same guy who smashed 4 sixes of the last over to win his team the world T20 cup. One is a national hero the other a reckless drunk facing charges.

Yes and since then he has been dropped from the ODI side and captained his side to a home-series loss against 9 ranked Bangladesh. It's hilarious to even read Stokes and Braithwaite compared as all-rounders. One is an all-rounder who performs in all formats, other is a tullaybaaz who swung his bat once 2 years ago and has done nothing since

 

[Hasan123]

Woakes is a must in English conditions.

 

[Big Mac]

With talk of Ian Bell making a temporary comeback, Moeen has just scored 219 and outscored Yorkshire all on his own. Get them both into the team for Southampton
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]

 

[mkyawar]

With talk of Ian Bell making a temporary comeback, Moeen has just scored 219 and outscored Yorkshire all on his own. Get them both into the team for Southampton
[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]

Well , I disagree. Moeen Ali’s batting has been pathetic as of late . Secondly Ishant Sharma and Ravi ashwin will be the happiest people on earth if Moeen Ali plays. Cook, Jennings, ali , and stokes are all vulnerable against bowlers coming around the wicket . There is talk about Rory burns coming in and unfortunately he is left hander as well . It is going to be a huge blow for England if Bairstow is unfit because he is their best batsman and secondly sly he has scored runs and thirdly he is a right handed batsman. R replacing him with a left hander batsman will be a distaster and will lead England to get all out less than 200. If you closely analyze India’s bowling they bowl better to left handers around the wicket . No wonder apart from curran( he had a catch dropped) , woakes and Bairstow have scored effortlessly against them .
For England to win they DO NOT NEED. A LEFT HANDER and find a way to get a temporary right hand. Batsman. The talk about Ian bell has resurfaced simply because he is right handed and the fact he is scoring runs.

 

[Varun]

Our bowling for decades has been crapola and all of a sudden we can bowl elite to left handers and not so flash against right handers?

Heh, I'll take that I guess.

 

[adzzy786]

Well , I disagree. Moeen Ali’s batting has been pathetic as of late . Secondly Ishant Sharma and Ravi ashwin will be the happiest people on earth if Moeen Ali plays. Cook, Jennings, ali , and stokes are all vulnerable against bowlers coming around the wicket . There is talk about Rory burns coming in and unfortunately he is left hander as well . It is going to be a huge blow for England if Bairstow is unfit because he is their best batsman and secondly sly he has scored runs and thirdly he is a right handed batsman. R replacing him with a left hander batsman will be a distaster and will lead England to get all out less than 200. If you closely analyze India’s bowling they bowl better to left handers around the wicket . No wonder apart from curran( he had a catch dropped) , woakes and Bairstow have scored effortlessly against them .
For England to win they DO NOT NEED. A LEFT HANDER and find a way to get a temporary right hand. Batsman. The talk about Ian bell has resurfaced simply because he is right handed and the fact he is scoring runs.

Moeen just scored 200 and something runs in his last innings. He’s in good form. I have to disagree with you.

 

[Sherlock]

I'd be shocked if Moeen doesn't replace Bairstow [if the finger injury hasn't healed] in the 4th Test.

If it was up to me and Bairstow was fit enough to play, I'd have Pope replaced too.

 

[light]

Ben Stokes recent performances:

A total of 0 wickets and 66 runs

Almost killed a man

ECB response:

[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

TBH who would you bank your money on? A proper allrounder like Stokes or a bits/piece player like Ali - he is not in good form atm eitherway? Before you start saying that he is a proper allrounder, he is not. A proper allrounder is a rare comodity these days.

 

[the_outsider]

A proper all rounder is a rare commodity these days.

Unfortunately that's true. Shakib is the only genuine and proven all-arounder in the test circuit today.

Stokes, Hardik, Ashwin, Moeen, M Marsh are a few people who can get there in the next few years.

But currently test cricket has only one genuine all-arounder and he is from Bangladesh. Who would have thought!

PS: also goes to show how underrated Shakib is.

 

[Napa]

I'd be shocked if Moeen doesn't replace Bairstow [if the finger injury hasn't healed] in the 4th Test.

If it was up to me and Bairstow was fit enough to play, I'd have Pope replaced too.

You do realize that Moeen took 10 wkts at an average of 64.9 when England toured India recently. And Indian pitches are supposed to help spinners more than English pitches. The selectors rightly feared that Moeen would once again be slaughtered by Indian batsmen.

Also, given his well-known fear of the short ball (check his recent performance in NZ and Aus), the pace of Shami, Bumrah and Pandya will likely prove too much for him.