Why do so many of England's current Test batsmen have poor first-class averages?

[AlizeeFan]

Stoneman 35
James Vince 38
Malan 37
Moeen 38
Bairstow 46
Woakes 35
Overton 22
Broad 21

Cook (48) and Root (51) are saving grace.

Traditionally England have fielded line up filled with first class giants. How come mediocre batsmen averaging 30s in FC are finding place in their test team? On paper this may look deep batting, it is nothing but group of 2nd grade batsmen. Probably WI and Bangladesh only field so many 30s batsmen.

 

[Abdullah719]

The one guy who has a high FC average (Ballance) is also rubbish.

Don't think Malan is cut out for Test cricket either.

 

[Big Mac]

Trescothick didn't have a great first class average when he was selected, Vaughan's first class average was 30 or thereabouts when he was selected iirc and was still below 35 when he retired (If you exclude his test stats)

There's more to being a selector than just looking at the list of averages.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The one guy who has a high FC average (Ballance) is also rubbish.

Don't think Malan is cut out for Test cricket either.

Malan to be fair has shown some fight and tried to improve his overall game by knuckling down which can be tough for such a normally aggresive player.

Ballance is indeed a very poor player though.

 

[ads101]

England simply don't have many good batsmen that's why. The good players Cook, Root, KP, Bairstow (I don't know how 46 is bad) all have good averages. Really the only excuse for a poor average, is if you were selected for international cricket so early you didn't have time to rectify that domestic average. If you can succeed in internationals, you'll be able to succeed in domestic. They're forced to select guys who have poor averages, but have a recent good run of form, hoping it was because they've significantly improved, which is usually not the case, it's just a run of good form.

England mitigate the fact they carry quite a few average test batsmen in their team with a long batting line up.

England are missing another middle order bat to help out Cook, Root and Bairstow. And a spinner. They yet really to replace Trott, KP and Swann. Cook, Root, Bairstow, Broad and Anderson are all quality though.

 

[Mamoon]

England simply don't have many good batsmen that's why. The good players Cook, Root, KP, Bairstow (I don't know how 46 is bad) all have good averages. Really the only excuse for a poor average, is if you were selected for international cricket so early you didn't have time to rectify that domestic average. If you can succeed in internationals, you'll be able to succeed in domestic. They're forced to select guys who have poor averages, but have a recent good run of form, hoping it was because they've significantly improved, which is usually not the case, it's just a run of good form.

England mitigate the fact they carry quite a few average test batsmen in their team with a long batting line up.

England are missing another middle order bat to help out Cook, Root and Bairstow. And a spinner. They yet really to replace Trott, KP and Swann. Cook, Root, Bairstow, Broad and Anderson are all quality though.

James Taylor has been a huge loss. He was set for a decade long Test and ODI career.

 

[Zahid87]

I struggle to see Malan, Vince and even Stoneman as long term solutions. When you think Cook may start to call time on his career soon, you do wonder what that batting line up will look like in a few years time.

Root is the only batsmen that is there, and has solidified his place. Poor succession planning by the ECB.

But to be fair, they did try and blood the likes of Ballance, Buttler, Hales, etc. Its just no one has managed to hold down a place.

Best solution is to make Bairstow a proper top order batsmen, and give the gloves to someone else.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Trescothick didn't have a great first class average when he was selected, Vaughan's first class average was 30 or thereabouts when he was selected iirc and was still below 35 when he retired (If you exclude his test stats)

There's more to being a selector than just looking at the list of averages.

This is common argument given in favor of players with mediocre FC records.

Those successful players are exceptions and not norm. Moreover they averaged 40 at test level, not 50.

Thing is most of the successful batsmen have great FC record with averages between 45-60. Selctors can promote one talented batsman with poor FC record. But if your whole line up is filled with such players then it's just a weak side.

 

[babajee]

Cricket is a dying sport in England, from what i’ve seen the majority of young generation don’t care for the sport at all.

 

[The_Odd_One]

England's middle order is terribly weak. Both Vince and Malan should be kicked out. Bairstow should give up gloves and play as a specialist middle order batsman.