England squad to face Pakistan

England squad

Alastair Cook (capt), Alex Hales, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, James Vince, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, Steven Finn, Toby Roland-Jones


www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-pakistan-...t/story/1032969.html

No Stokes or Anderson is a blow.

Very surprised that Gary Ballance was chosen ahead of Borthwick, Buttler, Hildreth and Robson. Also surprised that Root is being pushed up to bat at no 3, especially given his comments earlier in the year.

Ballance has not had a good county championship season - an average of 33 with just 1 century. This was a real left field selection for me. Making his selection even harder to understand was Ballance's struggles with left-arm quicks last summer. Mohammad Amir must be salivating at the thought of bowling to him.

I feel bad for the likes of Borthwick, Hildreth and Robson who have scored at will in first-class cricket this year.

At least the dependence on Broadie and Jimmay : has been addressed !

Toby and Jake : on the Ball 

Yesterday Toby  played a key role in a notable Middlesex victory over Yorkshire

at Scarborough as he clubbed a quickfire unbeaten 79

and took three wickets in the second innings to finish with six in the match.

It's disappointing that Jimmy hasn't made it but Jake the Nottinghamshire seamer

is in the squad, started the season in fantastic form and against Sri Lanka !

dillinger I agree with you !  Ballance struck his first century of the season against

Middlesex this week - he is averaging 33.64 in the Championship -

and has fought off competition from the heavily tipped Scott Borthwick

whom averages 58.50 this season with three centuries.

As you know I have maligned Ballance so not a fan, especially since he has done nothing to break down the selectors' doors.


Hildreth time has come and gone sadly but I was anticipating a call up for him.


I think it is right to omit Stokes until he is fully fit and I understand Jimmey is injured.


I was also hoping for a Bell recall but alas not to be.


Are you going to any of the matches Dilly?