England's possible Ashes cast
Oh, and some predictable selections from European Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald.
I wrote earlier in the week on the perceived intricacies of player selections in sports. The primary focus was to highlight the challenges that the Australian (Men's) cricket team will face this summer. Their side is similar to a two-speed bike; one speed being reliable and repeatable, the other not. Their capable management will have to work hard to get the gears in the proper order.
Because it's topical—the upcoming Ryder Cup was offered as a comparison, matching the U.S. and captain Keegan Bradley’s dilemma with that of the Australians.
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Today it's the turn of the European Ryder Cup team and England's Ashes squad. First, let's hear from Luke Donald and his predictable picks.
From the bleeding obvious playbook: spin conjecture, then land the obvious.
European captain Luke Donald picks six returning players, choosing the safe route over the no-tolls option. Totally understandable.
Clearly, Donald wants combative players who can handle both home and away conditions. The New York crowd will be loud and hostile, he knows that, most of his preparation being centred on this critical variable.
Of the six picks, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, and Jon Rahm shape as the enforcers, ready to bop any misbehaving New Yorker on the nose—and caddy if repeated. At the same time, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland will form the negotiating team, buying the enforcers time to get into position. And, if all of the above fails, Matty Fitzpatrick will assume the role of smiling assassin, full of Sheffield steel and guile.
No, seriously, both teams are set, and as mentioned, I am looking forward to the matches with great anticipation.
So, who is making the decisions on England's side of the aisle?
Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key form the primary caucus, with National selector Luke Wright rounding out the team.
England's win/loss record has steadily improved since Stokes and McCullum took office. Additionally, speculative selections have enabled the likes of Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith to become permanents, all in essential positions—Brook being the standout.
Interestingly, Luke Wright, when questioned on a Sky Sports podcast, explained the process around picking players; he said, "character and playing the short ball are key traits." A narrow yet straightforward criterion; one being subjective, the other very measurable.
The England set-up continues to wrestle with the domestic game. The counties believe—or convince themselves—that county cricket and form matter little when selecting the national team. Key and Co. tow the party line—like all career politicians—not lowering their guard, they assure the masses that county cricket does matter, it's just not visible. But, hey, it's their team!
Personally, I was left wondering at Lancashire when half the team were on national contracts. Stupidly, I concluded the others might get paid more, with the ECB picking up the majority of the wage bill at 'Gold Trafford.' I should have been content to be employed! I can’t recall who told me that!
So what does a National selector actually do?
My guess is Wright will have spent the English summer filtering briefings from his scouts on the ground—a key component of any selection funnel. At the same time, back-office analysts will be mining data, speculating, and hoping to find a new spin on old news. But the reality remains, the central decisions will be made by the top-dogs, in this case, Brendon McCullum, and the captain, Ben Stokes. Remember, Team England presents as a fixed-model template that leans unevenly into their leadership.
Optus Stadium, Perth, is the venue for the first Ashes Test, with tickets at a premium. The England XI that played out an extraordinary final Test with India at the Oval will not return as a whole in Perth. Chris Woakes will be convalescing, and the pace attack could look very different with the visitors set to enjoy the luxury of both Mark Wood and Jofra Archer fit and available.
I believe Woakes inability to play will hurt England. The dependable Warwickshire all-rounder would be a ways down the Australians' threat chart. Still, he balances the England ledger with his all-round skills, and as Luke Wright has mentioned, his character and resolve. Essex's Sam Cook is a possible replacement.
England's batting looks set, despite some below-par career stats carried by Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. Pope still looks a player to me, less so Crawley. Ben Duckett shapes as a loose cannon at the top of the order; he possesses the capacity to score quickly in unorthodox areas and then the terminal propensity to miss straight balls, which Australia can supply in spades. I like Ollie Pope, but he gets out. Joe Root and Harry Brook form the best four/five combo in World cricket. Stokes' batting output depends heavily on his bowling; as a stand-alone batter, he will find it hard. Jamie Smith will have moments, like his counterpart, Alex Carey. For England to consistently make 300+, they will need Smith to outperform Carey from the number seven spot.
Jacob Bethell is the spare batter who directly challenges Ollie Pope. He spent much of the summer serving drinks, until there was a Test to be won at the Oval. He squandered that opportunity, but he should be better for the experience. This Ashes tour comes at an excellent time in Bethell's development as an international player.
And to spin, or the lack of.
Shoaib Bashir will likely carry the torch for England. At best, his height and overspin should create bounce, and if he can locate Mitch Starc's oversize footmarks later in the game, spin should follow. I doubt that Australia will play Nathan Lyon in all five Tests, so Bashir might also spend time on the pine. I do wonder what happened to Tom Hartley? And Jack Leach, the green-fingered twirler from the West Country—didn't he help win an Ashes Test not so long ago? And, and, Rehan Ahmed, the diminutive leg-spinner who is now making county runs from a top-order spot—yes, county runs!
In conclusion, when messers Key, McCullum, Stokes, and Wright convene to assemble their combine, there is one thing as sure as the obvious: this administration is painfully loyal to its own. Play away, Mr. Crawley—prove me and many others wrong.
As always, thank you for making it this far :)
