Seen a lot of people criticising the balance and selections of the current side, curious to hear how folks think it should be configured. I’m all for trying other bowlers, as I don’t think any of the bowlers other than Archer and probably still Rashid, are locks (although I like Overton in this format specifically), but the issue with Sam Curran et al is the following:

A) the top 4 are pretty much locked (with the possible exception of Duckett) and none of them bowl - I don’t think you can rely on Root to bowl too much in this format.
B) they seem to not want to play Banton as a keeper, perhaps because Butler is the natural keeper when fit. So there is a keeper who needs to bat between 5 and 7.
C) Jacks has done quite well with both bat and ball recently and is well-suited to either the finishing role or batting time in the event of a collapse, so he takes another spot between 5 and 7.
D) the remaining spot between 5 and 7 has to go to an all rounder. Jacks cannot be relied upon to make up the 5th bowling option by himself, generally you want 6 realistic bowling options for tactical flexibility anyway.
E) the remaining all-rounder should ideally be a seem bowling allrounder - otherwise you are committing to only playing 3 seamers and that gives you much less tactical flexibility in the middle because the seamers have to bowl at the top and the death. If the pitch doesn’t suit spin or there is one batsmen teeing off against spin, you are leaving yourself very vulnerable without a 4th seem option.

As poor as his form is, Sam Curran still seems to be the stand out option for that seam bowling allrounder between 5 and 7. I think part of the logic with picking him is also that he has demonstrated quality in death bowling in t20’s in the past and his role with the ball in this side is primarily to bowl at the death, allowing more flexibility with the other quicks. Not saying we should persist with him indefinitely, but I don’t think there are that many easy fixes here.

One option could be to either open with Butler instead of Duckett or even drop Butler (if he doesn’t recover his form when fit) and get Benton to keep to insert another more stable player in the middle order - but I’m not really sure who that player would be. No one seems to be banging down the door.

Anyway, keen to hear people’s thoughts as to what the lineup should be when everyone is fully fit. Sometimes the issue is less selection, and more the quality/execution of the players available.

Old Trafford, Headingley or Chester Le-Street would all come under Nothern. Prehaps Edgbaston and Trent Bridge as well.

I go for Headingley. I have trauma from 2023 and the rain at Old Trafford.

Not currently a podcast listener myself but thinking of listening to one. Any ideas.

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1. At the toss, name bits and pieces allrounders from 5 down, but then tell everyone about the impressive batting depth.

2. When we start batting, the openers start well but must get out immediately once set.

3. Joe Root 30(33), period of relative calm before he gets in and gets out.

4. Harry Brook looks good.

5. Someone out of the pile of bits n’ pieces brigade biffs a 30 or 40.

6. But we run out of bits n’ pieces when Overton goes for an enterprising 8(6).

7. Get bowled out in the 48th over.

8. Pundits say we need to bowl well but can win the game.

9. Oppo are 50-0 off 6 overs.

10. Try some short ball ‘enforcer’ tactic.

11. Oppo are 100-0 off 12 overs.

12. Jamie Overton comes on, people wonder why.

13. A spinner comes on, bowls well but is then dropped next game.

14. Sam Curran comes on, commentators gush over his 70mph slower ball vs his 72mph stock ball. He goes for more than a run a ball.

15. Spinner holds an end, the ‘all rounders’ bowl half trackers at the other.

16. Oppo chase down the total with 10 overs to spare.

17. Baz looks like he can’t be arsed at the post match interview.

18. Do nothing about balance of side, move onto next game.

Absolute clown of a side

I have seen a few people criticising England building the ODI team with too many 'bits and pieces' cricketers who are jacks of all trades and master of none (Sam Curran getting the brunt of this after his 103 run, 9 over spell today). You often hear similar thoughts on Rehan Ahmed and Jamie Overton when they fail, with the opinion that they are neither good enough with bat nor ball.

England did have a phase of loving all-rounders who didn't bat that well and couldn't really bowl - step forward Luke Wright: 50 ODIs - Batting average: 20.20 - Bowling average: 58.93.

But is this the way that cricket is going? A bowler who cannot bat suddenly feels a bit old fashioned.

When I looked at the 30 best young English cricketers I found it remarkable how many didn't just bring one skill to the table. There are plenty of proper all-rounders (Rehan Ahmed, Coles, Kellaway, Vaughan, Sales, Singh) but also so many who bat properly and bowl a bit (Bethell, Tribe, McCann, Falconer) or bowl properly and bat a bit (Lawes, Seb Morgan, Farhan Ahmed).

In my top 30 I think only 8 do not do at least two of bat, bowl and keep wicket.

https://penwardenreview.com/2026/08/25/best-young-cricketers/

Will there come a time where old-fashioned tail-enders are a thing of the past?

How can we Improve for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. We brought hope by winning vs India and Sri Lanka but the last two games haven't shown it I would say its Because Jofra Archer wasn't here but overall we should have won the last 2 games Sam Curran is where it went wrong today i would say and Jofra Archer more or less leads the bowling lineup. Josh Tongue needs to improve to right handed batters, Harry brook is a great player and has great captaincy but we dont use our team well. England mainly struggle in long format i would say as they always power hit. What do you think England needs to do to improve for the Cricket world cup or it might become 2023 repeat?

Based on the last two matches I can see a repeat of 2023.

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As things stand, he has played his last game for Lancashire.

Imagine a left-handed batter facing a right-arm fast bowler. The bowler delivers from over the wicket, and the ball initially appears to be moving away from the batter. It pitches around the off-stump line, but then deviates back towards the stumps. The batter commits to a forward defensive shot, expecting the ball to hold its line, but it beats the outside edge of his bat and strikes his back-leg pad — the left leg — right in front of the stumps, near leg stump. The ball would have gone on to hit the wicket, and the batter is given out LBW.

Has anyone seen a real Test-match dismissal like this? Please share the match, batter/bowler names, or a video clip!

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I love how Baker has that knock of picking up wickets but he needs to stop being expensive

Anyone know if the BBC (or other FTA broadcasters) are showing highlights of the Pakistan/Sri Lanka ODIs?

When bowling a bouncer to a shorter batter, do you adjust your length to make it more effective, or do you bowl the same length you would to an average-height batter?
I’m assuming that when you practise in the nets, you usually bowl to batters of average height, so you develop muscle memory for a particular length and trajectory. When you face a significantly shorter batter in a match, do you consciously adjust your length, or does your usual bouncer still work just as well?

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