Ashes 2021/22 and other cricket through the winter of 2021 thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Thought I'd start a new thread for the winter cricket of 2021 that we (covid depending) have ahead of us. Obviously the World T20, but that has it's own thread...

The main event being the Ashes, with the dates below

Men's Ashes schedule
First Test: 8-12 December - Gabba, Brisbane (00:00 GMT)
Second Test: 16-20 December - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (d/n - 04:00 GMT)
Third Test: 26-30 December - MCG, Melbourne (23:30 GMT, 25 December)
Fourth Test: 5-9 January - SCG, Sydney (23:30 GMT, 4 January)
Fifth Test: 14-18 January - Optus Stadium, Perth (02:30 GMT) (subject to change)

Women's Ashes schedule
Test: 27-30 January - Manuka Oval, Canberra (23:00 GMT, 26 January)
First T20: 4 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)
Second T20: 6 February - North Sydney Oval, Sydney (08:10 GMT)
Third T20: 10 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (08:10 GMT)
First ODl: 13 February - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (23:05 GMT, 12 February)
Second ODl: 16 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 15 February)
Third ODI: 19 February - Junction Oval, Melbourne (23:05 GMT, 18 February)

India have a busy winter, with New Zealand touring in November/December and then India head to South Africa for the boxing day test/January.
There's an interesting test series between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Bangladesh in Nov/Dec, which should be an entertaining watch. Unfortunately I don't see much cricket on the schedule for Pakistan/Sri Lanka (unless I am missing something!)
A few others on the future tours programme, but not confirmed yet as far as I see...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And some more squad news! The England Lions squad for their tour of Australia announced

Tom Abell
Josh Bohannon
James Bracey
Brydon Carse
Mason Crane
Matthew Fisher
Ben Foakes
Alex Lees
Saqib Mahmood
Liam Norwell
Matt Parkinson
Dom Sibley
Jamie Smith
Rob Yates

[JDizzle]

Not sure how Abell will work it, as he has been announced as playing for the Heat in the BBL today too! Vince is also playing BBL - but I can’t see Livingstone in any of the squads, so he looks to be well off the radar.

Sam Cook seems the harsh omission. They must not think he can make the jump up.

[guildfordbat]

Joey knew yonks ago about Smith's call up for the Lions.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Not sure how Abell will work it, as he has been announced as playing for the Heat in the BBL today too! Vince is also playing BBL - but I can’t see Livingstone in any of the squads, so he looks to be well off the radar.

Sam Cook seems the harsh omission. They must not think he can make the jump up.

Livingstone is taking some time off after the T10 league - read an article in cricinfo a week or so ago by Matt Roller I think. Not playing the BBL either

No Tom Haines is a tad surprising - youngster with a good year for Sussex with the bat, would’ve thought they might like a longer look at him

[sirfredperry]

Pleased that Crawley is in The Ashes squad. Despite a poor 2021 he is a class act and I'm confident, and hoping, that he will come good at test level.

Also glad the tour is going ahead and with England fielding a strong-ish squad. It would have been very disappointing if it had had to be called off and even worse if England had put out a weakened team and been annihilated.

No doubt some Aussies will be forecasting 5-0 (McGrath always does!) but I'm not sure the Aussie batting is all that strong. Of course it would be a great help if Stokes can feature at some stage.

[Duty281]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58958300

England's tour of the West Indies confirmed. A five-match T20 series in January (yawn), followed by a three match test series in March. I wonder what state the test team will be in by March after the inevitable mauling in Australia!

[Mind the windows Tino.]

but I'm not sure the Aussie batting is all that strong.

But almost certainly still stronger than ours, especially in home conditions. Then factor in the relative strengths of the bowling units as well. Again, especially in home conditions.

I'm genuinely a happy go lucky chap but we are going to get absolutely pulverised.

[alfie]

Optimistic lot , aren't you ?

I agree Australia are going to be strong favourites at home ; but as Sir Fred says , their batting may also be a bit ordinary so they aren't exactly the powerhouse of the Hayden/Warne/Gilchrist/McGrath etc years. This time can hardly be any worse than the last couple of visits anyway

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58958300

England's tour of the West Indies confirmed. A five-match T20 series in January (yawn), followed by a three match test series in March. I wonder what state the test team will be in by March after the inevitable mauling in Australia!

If we can make it to the West Indies having not broken Root/Anderson/Broad, and Pope having made a fair few runs then I think I'd class that as fine. Anything else good would be a bonus

[Duty281]

Sibley's pulled out of the Lions squad to 'work on his batting at home', so there's zero chance of him featuring in the Ashes now. Harry Brook has taken his place in the Lions squad.

[GSC]

The postponed 5th test again India will be played next summer at Edgbaston so we can do away with the conspiracy theories now

[Duty281]

The right solution and it will form part of the test series (currently standing at 2-1 India) and Test Championship, it won't be a stand-alone test.

[JDizzle]

Stokes joins the Ashes squad! Glad he is feeling better mentally and physically and whilst it probably won’t affect the outcome it’ll be a huge lift to everyone else in the squad.

[sirfredperry]

Very good news about Stokes. His inclusion in the Test side changes so much. It takes the pressure off Anderson and Broad who won't have to bowl so many overs and it means England can play five front-line bowlers.

Agree with JD above that Australia will still be firm favourites. I'm still not convinced, though, of the Aussie batting. However, their bowling is so strong that they may not need to make that many runs.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Stokes joins the Ashes squad! Glad he is feeling better mentally and physically and whilst it probably won’t affect the outcome it’ll be a huge lift to everyone else in the squad.

Great news that he’s mentally well enough to make himself available again - hopefully he can build himself up physically to the point where he can be the Ben Stokes England need with bat and ball. Even if he can’t get himself right physically to bowl, his batting would be great to add to the mix!

Jack Leach certainly smiling most at this news you’d think from the other players - no excuse for him to not play if Stokes is back and can be that 4th seamer

[alfie]

Almost unbelievably good news ! I had hoped ; but I really didn't expect it. Can't say I agree with JD that it won't change things : if he is on song he increases England's chances by a huge amount. Sure , still on the slim side judged by recent results and playing strengths. But I think it moves them up from "negligible" to "who knows ? "

Seven weeks to get himself ready to go for Brisbane...

[Duty281]

Good news about Stokes, but coming back against Australia away is throwing yourself in at the deep end. Hope it doesn't backfire.

[king_carlos]

Brilliant news on Stokes. The balance he adds to the side is massive. That means no need for Woakes at 7 to squeeze an extra bowler in for starters.

The bowling is still a big issue of course. Wood being the only quick is a problem. Hopefully we still have Wood by the end of the T20 World Cup as well. I'm still surprised that Saqib Mahmood wasn't looked at.

No Sibley in Australian conditions still surprises me. I'm not his biggest fan and don't see him having a long term Test future without massive improvements to his game. As a horses for courses selection on fast pitches to blunt the Kookaburra which actually will stop swinging unlike the Dukes in recent times he could have had value. As an overall talent I rate Hameed much higher but he does play with low hands and has had issues with finger breaks. Those low hands in English and subcontinent conditions can be a great strength. In Australia I worry not so much.

That said it sounds like Australia will persist with Marcus Harris at the top given Will Pucovski's continued struggles with concussion which are such a shame to see. As an England fan I'd be more worried about Joe Burns or Usman Khawaja (who I really don't understand being out the side when Wade has played 36 Tests!) being in the top order.

With Warner's poor form, uncertainty on his opening partner, Wade not doing much at Test level and Paine not being the most dangerous no 7 the Australian batting lineup certainly has issues too. Even Cameron Green whilst very talented does have a tendency to plant his front leg across the line which will take time to work out of his technique.

Their bowling led by Cummins should be incomparably better in the conditions though. Given how they tired over the India series they will surely be rotated though. With Pattinson retired from international cricket who that 4th seamer is will be interesting. Michael Neser is a different style of seamer but a very good one.

[JDizzle]

Almost unbelievably good news !  I had hoped ; but I really didn't expect it.  Can't say I agree with JD that it won't change things : if he is on song he increases England's chances by a huge amount. Sure , still on the slim side judged by recent results and playing strengths. But I think it moves them up from "negligible" to "who knows ? "

Seven weeks to get himself ready to go for Brisbane...

Haha - I think of it like a Daily Mail scare story. Red meat, tomatoes, sitting down, standing up (delete as appropriate) doubles your risk of heart disease. From 0.00001% to 0.00002%.

Stokes is definitely a big increase in England’s chances - I just had them so minimal in the first place it doesn’t make too much difference.

The bookies have England at 5.0 (around 20% chance) of winning the series. I wonder if Duty or Olly know how much (if at all) the Stokes news moved that? Would be interesting to know how they value him.

[Duty281]

England's chances have increased a little with the bookmakers, as you'd expect, but not by much. England were around 5/1 or 11/2 before the news, now they're around 4/1 or 9/2.

[Soul Requiem]

Stokes playing is the difference between losing 4-1 or 3-2 and a whitewash.

[sirfredperry]

Sad news from Australia today that Alan Davidson, 92, and Ashley Mallett, 76, have died.

Davidson was one of the Aussie scourges of my youth, breaking, with Richie Benaud, England hearts on that fatal last day at Manchester in 1961 with a match-turning 77 not out.

Mallett, known as Rowdy by team mates due to his quietness, was the spinner who could tie an end down allowing Lillie and Thommo to alternate at the other end.

[Duty281]

Confirmed today that BT Sport will be broadcasting the upcoming Ashes series, as they did in 2017/18, as well as the limited overs' games. England's follow-up tour of the West Indies will also be shown on BT, so nothing for Sky England-wise over the winter months.

https://www.bt.com/sport/cricket/the-ashes/bt-sport-to-show-ashes-2021-22-home-of-australia-international-cricket

[king_carlos]

That's a shame. I share a Sky Go account with my brother so was hoping Sky would secure it. Their cricket coverage is usually very good as well to be fair. We all have commentators we like and dislike but overall Sky's coverage and analysis is very good I think.

Will be interested to see who BT secure for the comms team.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Confirmed today that BT Sport will be broadcasting the upcoming Ashes series, as they did in 2017/18, as well as the limited overs' games. England's follow-up tour of the West Indies will also be shown on BT, so nothing for Sky England-wise over the winter months.

https://www.bt.com/sport/cricket/the-ashes/bt-sport-to-show-ashes-2021-22-home-of-australia-international-cricket

Also see in there BT have got rights for WI and NZ home internationals (I seem to think Sky had the WI rights most recently but might be wrong on that front).

BT also confirmed they’ll be taking the Australian commentary for the upcoming series, so make sure you can find that mute button in the dark of night this winter…

I’d suggest this is all pretty poor news for the viewer in this country (Sky’s cricket coverage on the whole is excellent, whereas BT’s has been shoddy at best in my experience).

[Duty281]

I wonder if BT not putting their own commentary team forward is pandemic-related, or just because they're not especially bothered/cutting costs. They did have their own commentary team for the last Ashes series in Australia.

I note Sky have the Big Bash this year (previously on BT), and they also have NZ's tour of India and India's tour of South Africa.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I wonder if BT not putting their own commentary team forward is pandemic-related, or just because they're not especially bothered/cutting costs. They did have their own commentary team for the last Ashes series in Australia.

I note Sky have the Big Bash this year (previously on BT), and they also have NZ's tour of India and India's tour of South Africa.

Hadn't realised that re: NZ's tour of India and the SA/India series - thanks Duty. Also hadn't realised that NZ tour of India starts with a t20 on Wednesday next week

See the England players flew out to Australia last weekend, and are doing quarantine as we speak. Broad has been a good follow on social media as ever! They've been able to begin some light training today

[Duty281]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59305337

Didn't know where to put this, so I'll bung it on here. The ICC have announced hosts for various tournaments. The T20 World Cup, which I mistakenly thought was going to be every four years, has had its hosts confirmed for 2024 (USA/West Indies; interesting), 2026 (India and Sri Lanka), 2028 (Australia and New Zealand) and 2030 (England, Ireland and Scotland...no Wales?).

The 50-over World Cup will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027 (a rehash of 2003), and oddly back to India and Bangladesh in 2031 (even though the sub-continent is hosting the 2023 version).

I also thought the Champions Trophy was as dead as shillings and leaded petrol, but fear not, it'll be coming back in 2025 in Pakistan...I'm sure that event will have zero problems! The 2029 version will be in India.

It all reminds me of that Mitchell and Webb sketch - it will never be decided who has won the cricket.

[king_carlos]

Sounds like Marcus Harris will open alongside Warner in Pucovski's absence.

The number 5 spot is supposedly a shoot out between Head, Khawaja and Maddinson. From this series perspective I'd be most worried about Khawaja by a distance. Travis Head is a really dangerous batsman particularly in Australia but I just think Khawaja is a better player who I think really don't understand being left out since 2019.

1.Warner
2.Harris
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5.Khawaja/Head/Maddinson
6.Green
7.Paine (wk) (c)
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

Sounds like the Australia lineup for T1.

[alfie]

They have pretty much said Harris will open , so if Khawaja is to get in it will be at five...reckon he is the leading candidate on form although Maddinson has been rather impressive recently.
Possible also they might elect to go with just the four main bowlers and leave out Green - who really didn't do anything with the ball last year anyway. Depends on conditions I guess ; which at the moment look as if they could be a bit damp in parts...might make things interesting.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

They have pretty much said Harris will open , so if Khawaja is to get in it will be at five...reckon he is the leading candidate on form although Maddinson has been rather impressive recently.
Possible also they might elect to go with just the four main bowlers and leave out Green - who really didn't do anything with the ball last year anyway. Depends on conditions I guess ; which at the moment look as if they could be a bit damp in parts...might make things interesting.

Has Green been bowling much in the first class stuff so far Alfie? Seems like a fairly crucial option to avoid some burnout (well potential cos it would require England batting for lengthy periods of time...) for Cummins/Hazlewood/Starc like we saw in the India tour last year.

On a scale of 1-10, I am at a 9 on the concern level that we are the team Tim Paine scores his first test match hundred against. I can already foresee it, 2nd innings of the 3rd test....Aussies lead by 450 as Paine strides to the crease mid day 3 (England bowled out for 147) and racks up a hundred by lunch on day 4. I already hate it

[alfie]

He never seems to bowl many overs , Olly. Has put in some work in the Shield games , I guess but only five wickets over 5 matches.

He really wasn't used much against India - not sure Paine trusted him as it might have made sense to use him more and give the pace men a rather needed rest ; but the fact that he took 0/118 in total suggests the reason he was sparingly utilised...

Not very confident about this series , are you

[guildfordbat]

Yeah, I was less sure about Green than the other players when I saw Carlos' likely eleven.

My inclination would be for Australia to play six frontline batsmen and the quality bowling quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon. It's the quality that permits me to only pick four bowlers. For the first two Tests anyway. Then consider further in the light of results and individual fitness / performances. However - and this should also be on your bingo card, Olly - keep in mind that bowlers tend not to get too tired when they're taking wickets.

[king_carlos]

Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Steve Smith, David Warner.

Australia's squad announced for T1 and 2. Much as expected.

No Nic Maddinson so Khawaja or Head will presumably fill that middle order spot.

Jhye Richardson is very talented and seems the long term heir to Starc and Hazlewood but he hasn't played a massive amount of F-C cricket. Pattinson's international retirement has knocked the depth a bit there for Australia.

I'm pleased for Michael Nesser. He's a bowler I rate and I could see him being a handful with the pink ball in the D/N Test in particular.

[king_carlos]

Yeah, I was less sure about Green than the other players when I saw Carlos' likely eleven.

My inclination would be for Australia to play six frontline batsmen and the quality bowling quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon. It's the quality that permits me to only pick four bowlers. For the first two Tests anyway. Then consider further in the light of results and individual fitness / performances. However - and this should also be on your bingo card, Olly  - keep in mind that bowlers tend not to get too tired when they're taking wickets.

I think Australia will back Green's talent as a batsman regardless of the bowling. I think he has kinks in his technique he needs to iron out. He's definitely prone to planting his front leg. There's clearly a lot of talent there as a batsman though.

If being picked solely as a batsman I don't think there'd be as much focus on him not having a ton after 4 Tests, which seems to be the case for some in Australia. Especially with how good his F-C record is.

It's the nature of being an all-rounder that they get a lot of scrutiny though. It can often be a hero or zero role. If you end up doing both skills well enough to get in the team you're a hero. If either falls short they are often derided though.

Shane Watson is an interesting example there. Had he just been a batsman I think many would view his career more favourably. His white ball stats are outstanding and his Test stats whilst not as good are far from terrible. Especially when you factor in him moving up to be a makeshift opener to steady a poor side.

[guildfordbat]

No disagreements there, Carlos.

IF (it's a big ''if'' for me but mainly because I don't know enough about the player) Green can hold his own at number 6, I'm certainly not going to leave him out because he happens to bowl as well.

Also with you on Watson. Pretty sure I posted similar concerning the loss to Australia when he called it a day.

[Duty281]

What will England's team be, do we reckon? Something like:

1) Burns; 2) Hameed; 3) Malan; 4) Root; 5) Stokes; 6) Pope/Bairstow; 7) Buttler; 8) Broad/Robinson 9) Wood 10) Leach 11) Anderson.

Would rather Pope over Bairstow, but could go either way. Not inconceivable that Bairstow plays at 3 and Pope at 6, but surely Malan should be backed at 3 with his better overseas record?

Leach is ahead of Bess as the spinner, the seam bowling choices will probably be rotated throughout the five tests.  Wood perhaps gets this test, then is rotated out for the second test which is the pink ball game for one of Broad/Robinson, possibly Woakes.

Overall the balance looks a lot better with Stokes able to play, a bit like when Flintoff could play tests in the 2007-2009 period in between his various injuries.

Not very optimistic about England's chances. Root is in tremendous form and we can hope he keeps that going, but he needs support from the rest. There's a lot of pressure on the other batsmen - Buttler really needs a good series to justify the faith reposed in him over the last few years, he's had a few good innings here and there but nothing consistent; Stokes, shorn of proper practice and form, will be under immediate pressure to return to his prior form; and the top three looks very rocky against the highly dangerous Aussie new-ball attack. Will England make the regular 400 scores they need? It seems unlikely.

England's bowling looks very underpowered with the Kookaburra as well. Leach may have to prepare himself for some long spells. In tests that England are without Wood I think the attack is going to look very one-paced and ineffectual.

A big concern is Root's atrocious captaincy, after letting clear winning positions slip from his hand in two tests v India. For England to have any chance of regaining the urn that was lost almost four years ago they need to be ruthless and take their chances - their seems little chance of that unless Root and the leadership team have worked out you don't need half a dozen on the boundary when bowling to a tail-ender!  

I'm also concerned about England having no FC games as a warm-up going into this series - they could be caught cold and rolled out cheaply in the first test, especially taking into account England's usual slow start in test series.

Aussies look in decent shape. I'm prepared to see Smith and Labuschagne score a mountain of runs, Warner has a big point to prove after the 2019 series, and the attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon looks delightful. They won't need it, but Australia will have extra incentive after their test series defeat to India, and I think they'll have learnt quite a few lessons in that time, particularly about rotation.

Series prediction 4-1 Australia, England getting a victory in the day-night test. If Smith has a shocking series and Root emulates Vaughan's 2002/03 effort, maybe England can pinch a draw, but I really struggle to see England winning the series - it would be an upset to rival India's test series win last year!

(Amusing to see that since February 2020, Australia have only played four tests...England have played 14 in the same time-frame.)

[alfie]

Interesting article here this morning (just a journalist , mind) suggesting that Australia might choose not to start their main four bowlers in Brisbane - resting Starc with an eye to the later Tests in favour of Richardson.
Can't see it , myself : think they'd want to go hard as possible and try and get one up straight away , worry about rotation later. But there is no question they are a bit concerned about overworking the bowlers after last year's loss to India.

The one advantage England might have in this series is that they appear to have more scope for rotating their attack , given there are a number of bowlers available with significant Test experience who are probably just about equally likely to do a job in the expected conditions. Australia would , I think , lose a lot of punch if forced to call in the substitutes.
Two advantages , actually. Regardless of his potential , I don't think Green can be compared with Stokes at present.

But clearly the batting unit of the home team has a far better pedigree. For all Khawaja's home numbers I don't rate him (or Head or Harris) in the same level as Smith Warner or Labuschagne ; but apart from Root none of England's bats have a record that inspires much confidence in their matching the Australians on their own patch. If they're going to compete , a couple more need to stand up - and at least one of the main Aussie trio has to be undermined.

So yes , Australia are logical favourites. (As they generally are anyway at home). I just don't think it is all over in advance , as many on here seem to assume. Neither does Greg Chappell judging from his own article in the paper a few days back : the lack of recent Test Match play , the possibly damper than usual conditions ... might conceivably add up to less home advantage than usual.

First Test is important : if Australia make their usual winning start at the Gabba they could indeed run away with the series ; but if England can match them there as they did in 2010 things could be much more closely contested. Though I am slightly bemused by the opinion I've seen expressed by a number of England fans that the day/night match could be England's best chance : everyone does realise Australia have a 100% record in that , no ?

Not too long to wait.

[king_carlos]

Root's record in Australia (average 38, 6 fifites, no tons in 9 Tests) is actually his worst in any nation bar Bangladesh. Even then Bangladesh is very small sample size with only 2 Tests in 2016.

I really hope Root can have a good away series not only for England's hopes but also as it would be a shame if such a brilliant batsman didn't have a good Ashes down under to his name. He will turn 31 during this tour which means he's likely to be 34 going 35 by the next away Ashes. By no means out of the question that he'll be playing then but he will have a lot of miles on the clock by that point given the rate at which England play Tests these days!

[king_carlos]

For England's potential side I think Pope will play. He plays seam and pace well so should like the conditions. Lyon could cause him issues though.

I think Woakes will play for his consistency and what he adds with the bat at 8. His away record isn't great but I think he has improved as a bowler and frankly the alternatives are no better with the ball in these conditions.

My guess is that Robinson and Wood will rotate, with Jimmy and Broad rotating in the other seamers spot. Robinson and Jimmy both looked goosed during T4 against India in home conditions, Wood has a glass ankle and Broad is just coming back. Those 4 are the bowlers I view as most needing rotating.

1.Burns 2.Hameed 3.Malan 4.Root (c) 5.Stokes 6.Pope 7.Buttler (wk) 8.Woakes 9.Robinson/Wood 10.Leach 11.Anderson/Broad

For the Tests Wood can't play we will be woefully short of pace but there's simply no way he bowls at full tilt for 5 Tests on the bounce. If buts and maybes with Archer and Stone sadly.

The Indian attack for the Gabba lacked quality pace though. Siraj, Natarajan, Thakur and Saini. Admittedly for T2 that India won they did have Bumrah and Yadav alongside Siraj though. And a much better batting lineup. And two world class spinners in Ashwin and Jadeja. And Jinx made a magnificent hundred. Maybe I'll stop looking at that series for hope...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

He never seems to bowl many overs , Olly. Has put in some work in the Shield games , I guess but only five wickets over 5 matches.

He really wasn't used much against India - not sure Paine trusted him as it might have made sense to use him more and give the pace men a rather needed rest ; but the fact that he took 0/118 in total suggests the reason he was sparingly utilised...

Not very confident about this series , are you

I do usually try to veer towards the optimistic/positive end of the spectrum Alfie, but the only time England have been remotely competitive in Australia in my lifetime was when we had arguably our greatest ever test XI go up against an Aussie side that was playing made up cricketers like Michael Beer and Xavier Doherty.

As for potential England XIs, will post what I think below but as we should always note...there is likely to be a breakdown or two before we get to the first test, and also we're still unsure if Stokes will be fit to bowl too. But for the purposes of this conversation, I will assume he can, and everyone gets there fit and firing!

England XI;

Burns
Hameed
Malan
Root
Stokes
Pope
Buttler (wk)
Robinson
Leach
Wood
Broad/Anderson

Is what I would go with.

- I am concerned about Hameed big time in Australian conditions as posted beforehand. He plays with incredibly low hands, has looked iffy against short stuff and is easy to bog down...personally think Crawley is more suited to the conditions but he won't get a go until someone plays themselves out of the XI in the top order.

- Would be very surprised if Malan isn't the number #3 - the only way I could see it not being the case is if Stokes can't bowl and they need to drop a bat to get an extra bowler/all rounder in.

- Pope has to play over Bairstow. It's a no question, no brainer for me. Bairstow as backup keeper is fine in the squad (albeit would rather Foakes, but if it is a non-playing role then it makes more sense for Foakes to play with the Lions to you know, actually play cricket). There is no way Bairstow should be playing as a batsman over Pope, he's not better than him now and Pope clearly needs to be given a run of cricket to hopefully establish himself in the XI and fulfills his clear talent. It would be *mental* to me if Bairstow was played over him at #6 (the only time Bairstow has averaged more than 26 in a test series since 2017 (!) is in totally different conditions in Sri Lanka twice).

- The seam bowlers are all much of a muchness to me - and would say all need to be rotated amongst each other (King Carlos I see you haven't included Woakes in your rotation stuff, for me he very much has to be in that conversation with his dodgy knee). I think we're all well aware that with no Archer/Stone through injury, and bizarrely not including Mahmood in the squad, that a lot rests on the glass body of Mark Wood for any sort of real pace...so England need to pick and choose which games he plays carefully.
I do fancy Robinson to go ok in Australia...as has been noted, it isn't about pure pace getting wickets here contrary to popular narrative, and a good line and length seam bowler like him should go well if on form.

- Well trodden ground on Jack Leach, but whatever outcome now Stokes is back (tbh even if he wasn't I would be saying this), I think he has to play. I'm not convinced about his ability in non-subcontinental conditions, and it is quite frankly ridiculous that considering everything with the test side for the last two years has apparently been built towards this series, we go in with our best spinner having barely played outside of Asia (Chris Silverwood genius again ) but this is where we are, so play him and hopefully he goes well. If England can get through the openers by the time he is on to bowl, he should prefer there more right hand heavy middle order at least.

- I see Alfie has made a point about the day/night test and the Aussies record in it, and would very much agree. While the pink ball and lights no doubt helps the likes of Anderson and co...it also helps Cummins and Hazlewood in particular! They're lethal with it.

Think my main realistic hopes for this series are;
- Win a test. Please win just one test for the love of god
- Don't break Anderson and Broad for good.
- Stokes to come back in and show us glimpses of Ben Stokes (I am not expecting him to be fully himself)
- Pope to get through five test matches, to score at least one century and average circa 45-50ish. I think he can do it, in fact I think he will do it...man do England need him to do it for both this series and the future.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Tim Paine resigns as Aussie captain - a “sex” scandal dating back to 2017/18 (which CA knew about and covered up, even after the “improved culture” of sandpaper gate, so much for that elite honesty eh lads)

Not a banner few weeks for the game of cricket

[alfie]

Tim Paine resigns as Aussie captain - a “sex” scandal dating back to 2017/18 (which CA knew about and covered up, even after the “improved culture” of sandpaper gate, so much for that elite honesty eh lads)

Not a banner few weeks for the game of cricket

Didn't see that one coming !  

Not ideal timing with the first Test only a couple of weeks away. Cummins presumably takes over ; but is Paine worth his spot as keeper if he isn't in charge ? (Some might say at least drs calls would be in better hands if he's replaced)

Upcoming practice match might become a bit more significant now...

[alfie]

On the subject of practice matches I suspect England's might also help them fine tune their actual first Test selections. I won't attempt to predict exactly what they will come up with (though I will be surprised if they don't make a change or two throughout the five matches anyway !) except that I'd like Woakes at 8 for Brisbane ; as I'd want maximum batting cover for that first game.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I see there is on article on BBC Sport about Olly Stone considering his test/red ball future following this latest injury setback - can't say I blame him, I believe that is three stress fractures of the back now in his career, along with the ACL injury and numerous minor muscle injuries...28 years old, how many more times can one continue to do these "comebacks" mentally, let alone physically.

Would be a shame from an England fan perspective, clearly has great talent with the ball.

[VTR]

There has to come a point I think where we accept 90mph Test bowlers in the England team just isn't ever going to happen for a prolonged period

[VTR]

And in response to the Tim Paine issue:

There has to come a point I think where we accept Australian Test captains with integrity just isn't ever going to happen for a prolonged period

[Pal Joey]

I'll have to differ from you on both points, VTR.

There has to come a point I think where we accept 90mph Test bowlers in the England team just isn't ever going to happen for a prolonged period

Wouldn't worry too much about the need for express speed for this series. Given the probability of some moisture in some of the pitches (Brisbane, Sydney especially... and maybe Melbourne - alfie will have a better idea) good accuracy, line and length and some guile could produce the required results. For both sides.

Perth and Adelaide (early session) would be the harder pitches more suitable for the quicks on hot days but even WA has been getting some large rain fronts coming through. It's all a bit hit and miss really. Could be scorching hot or also affected by rain.

I know it's still a long way out but 7 out off 31 days are expected to be wet in Perth during January; 24 days are expected to be hot/fine.

And in response to the Tim Paine issue:

There has to come a point I think where we accept Australian Test captains with integrity just isn't ever going to happen for a prolonged period

If it turns out to be Pat Cummins, then I'm sure we'll have nothing to worry about. He's squeaky clean. Pretty sure there's no skeletons in his closet.
He's just what Australia needs at this point. I like Labuschagne (he has captaincy potential... maybe later on) but he needs to present himself more seriously and lose the joker tag if he is to be considered. I think Pat Cummins would come across a lot better and has a more reserved personality.

[VTR]

Yes, agree on the need for speed. When England won ten years ago, it wasn't really express pace, though as Olly rightly pointed out earlier, facing the likes of M Beer and X Doherty are as big a factors as the bowling stocks England had. Seems though to be the way many in England are convinced they have to go if they will ever compete. I will always counter that with names such as Mcgrath and Clark for Australia and also how the express pace (down the legside) of Saj Mahmood went for England

On the second point, I wasn't being all that serious. The Paine stuff doesn't bother me if I'm honest, doesn't have anything to do with what's happening on the cricket field

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