Aggressive fast bowler Craig Overton, 20-year-old leg spinner Mason Crane and tried-and-failed batsman James Vince were the shock selections in England’s Ashes squad announced yesterday.
The names of Overton and Vince rarely had been mentioned by English pundits attempting to predict this 16-man squad in recent weeks, while Crane would be one of the youngest players to debut for England in Test history.
The other faces in the England squad who would be relatively unfamiliar to Australian fans include back-up wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, paceman Jake Ball, and incumbent Test batsmen Mark Stoneman and Dawid Malan.
Here are my assessments of these seven lesser-known players in the England squad.
Ben Foakes (24 years old) – 3882 runs at 43 in first-class cricket
Foakes is a gun and would walk into either the Australian Test or ODI teams. He should be in England’s Ashes XI but he won’t be. At just 24 years of age, Foakes has a better batting record than batsmen Dawid Malan, James Vince or Mark Stoneman, with almost 4,000 runs at an average of 43, and is averaging 42 in county cricket this season.
Most significantly, he is not a batsman-first keeper-second – Foakes is renowned in England as a superb gloveman. To my mind, England should give Foakes the gloves and play Jonny Bairstow as a specialist batsman at four, with Joe Root at three. This would give them a far stronger top order to counter the new ball threat of Australia’s brilliant pace attack.
But this seems unlikely to happen because Root does not want to move up from four to three and Bairstow apparently is loath to give up the gloves. As a result, the prodigiously-talented Foakes will probably sit on the sidelines, only making an appearance if there is an injury or if England have already lost the Ashes.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Mark Stoneman (30 years old) – 120 runs at 30 from three Tests
Stoneman is the latest in a long line of batsman to be trialled as Alastair Cook’s opening partner, with 12 different players getting a crack at that spot since Andrew Strauss retired five years ago.
The left hander was given the easiest possible introduction – a three-Test series at home against the feeble bowling attack of the West Indies.
Even still, Stoneman laboured, with only 80 runs from his first four innings, before saving his place with a knock of 40 not out in England’s final innings of that series. Stoneman came into Test cricket with a reputation as an assertive opening batsman who liked to take on the new ball. That aggression has yet to be sighted at Test level.
Batting with a heavy bottom-hand, Stoneman loves to whip or muscle the ball through the leg side, or slice it away square of the wicket on the offside, but is not particularly strong down the ground. Mitchell Starc’s full out swingers will present Stoneman with a difficult task.
Craig Overton (23 years old) – 186 wickets at 26 in first-class cricket
This 196cm-tall right armer is arguably the most intimidating bowler in English cricket, capable of earning steepling bounce and having been clocked at up to 150kmh. It is for this reason that he has been chosen in the Ashes squad. England’s first-choice pace attack of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes lacks variety, with all four men bowling in the 130-140kmh bracket.
Overton will not usurp any of those bowlers to make the team for the first Test, and is also unlikely to feature in the second Test at Adelaide, with the pitch for this day-night match likely to favour accurate medium-fast bowlers.
The youngster will only come into calculations over the course of the final three Tests, particularly if England’s pace attack struggles for penetration at Brisbane and Adelaide.
Mason Crane (20 years old) – 70 wickets at 42 in first-class cricket
Crane’s inclusion was the most baffling selection by England. It is almost as if their selectors did not notice the massacre last summer of the world’s best leg spinner, Yasir Shah.
Shah is leagues ahead of Crane as a bowler, as evidenced by his Test average of 29 compared to Crane’s first-class mark of 42.
Yet even Yasir was butchered by the Australian batsmen last summer, averaging 84 across the three-Test series while conceding an incredible 4.53 runs per over.
Crane doesn’t even have good form behind him this county season, having averaged 44 with the ball from seven matches.
If England were desperate to include a leg spinner they should have picked the vastly more-experienced Adil Rashid. Not only does Rashid have almost 500 first-class wickets to his name, but he’s also troubled the Australians in recent ODI encounters, having taken 11 wickets at 25 from his past six matches against them.
Crane is a wonderful young talent and may one day become a fine Test spinner, but he is not even close to being ready for an Ashes series on the spinner-killing pitches of Australia.
Realistically, though, we are unlikely to see him on the field unless England find themselves in a desperate or hopeless situation.
James Vince (26 years old) – 212 runs at 19 from seven Tests
England fans were left scratching their noggins yesterday when Vince was bizarrely included in this squad despite a dire first Test stint and being in poor form in county cricket this season. During his time in Test cricket Vince became known as a batsman who made pretty starts – he is an elegant batsman – but consistently wasted them.
Across seven consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan the last English summer, Vince never passed 42. His weakness was linked to his strength – Vince is a delightful timer of the ball through the offside from the front or back foot, but too often flashes at deliveries better left alone.
Given that English captain Joe Root refuses to take on the troublesome first drop spot, it appears Vince may well bat at three in the first Test. The only other options to take first drop are Gary Ballance and Dawid Malan. Ballance was dropped after failing in that position in his recent Test stint and seems far more likely to bat in the middle order if picked. Malan, meanwhile, is a middle order batsman – he has batted at five for England so far in his Test career and is positioned at four for his county team.
Dawid Malan (30 years old) – 189 runs at 23 from five Tests
This journeyman batsman has had a scratchy start to his Test career, being dismissed cheaply in six out of eight innings. His two half-centuries came against the awfully-weak attack of the West Indies. Faced with the far superior bowlers of South Africa, Malan floundered, making scores of 1, 10, 18 and 6 from his two Tests against the Proteas.
Malan was a surprise selection to make his Test debut this July, having been regarded as more of a limited overs batsman. Many England fans at the time speculated that his eye-catching knock of 78 on T20 debut for England in late June was a contributing factor in Malan getting picked in the Test team just weeks later.
Opposed to Malan, South Africa’s quicks exposed the same weakness that Vince possessed in Tests – poor shot selection outside off stump. Malan is a batsman who loves to feel bat on ball, which is not surprising for a player whose strength has been short form cricket. The unrelenting accuracy of Josh Hazlewood will severely test Malan’s patience.
Jake Ball (26 years old) – two wickets at 114 from three Tests
Among the England bowlers, Ball is most similar in style to Stuart Broad. Like Broad, he is a beanpole (197cm tall) seamer who does not swing the ball or have unsettling pace, but rather tends to angle his deliveries in towards right handers seeking to get the ball to nip off the pitch in either direction.
For such a subtle method to be successful, accuracy is paramount. Broad boasts the required precision, which has helped make him an elite Test bowler, but Ball lacked it during his three-Test stint. Bowling in the 133-140kmh range without swing or tremendous accuracy makes it very difficult for a bowler to flourish at Test level.
Ball has been in great nick in county cricket this season, with 27 wickets at 25 from seven matches. But he is not in the same class as Broad, Anderson or Woakes and, like fellow back-up bowlers Overton and Crane, will likely only play if England find themselves in significant trouble.
ColinP
Guest
I don't even think it's a debating point Chris, I'm utterly sure he won't be going, unless some other video turns up which shows something earlier or from a different perspective....but let's face it all that might do is keep him out of jail, there is nothing that can provoke the response he gave.....frankly it was scary, he would have clocked hales if he had really tried to stop him and it looks like hales knew that. Backlash is falling on hales now, because turns out he checked out of the hotel went to play golf 150miles away the next day, while stokes was held in the cell and didn't inform the ECB of what happened. Now the likelihood is that if the ECB knew earlier enough they would have contained the story better, apparently england players are not happy with him. There is a bit of an unwritten rule within England side that stokes needs to be looked after, he's an unbelievable talent but finds some of the other things in life difficult, he's vulnerable in some ways....that's why he and root get on so well, watch media stuff they have done together, root protects stokes when questions get tougher etc..... Now clearly stokes has no one to blame but himself, but I think the England side will be blaming hales, because they all know you have to look after stokes if you are with him, and hales seems to have just lit the fire and then sloped off in the morning
W G GRACE
Guest
You convict colonials will win only one test- England will retain the ashes with a 3-1 series win with 1 draw. The convict colonials are England's whipping boy. Thrasher Stokes will be on the plane too.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Thanks ColinP. Good to have a bit more of a rundown from someone more acquainted with the British side of things. It will be interesting to see what happens with Stokes. It's certainly a tough decision for anyone in English cricket to make. On one hand they will want to really crack down hard on that sort of behaviour, but on the other hand they know that if they do they are significantly crippling their own side. But yet, that's likely a call that they are going to have to make.
ColinP
Guest
Then they are insane.....woakes does have a good technique, but it's six at best, or a v v good seven, an awesome 8, or frankly the best player in modern cricket ever to come in at nine....where he bats now
ColinP
Guest
Stokes won't play, he won't travel to oz. If that was hales sticking the boot in he won't play again for England, they'll find a form reason for him. Strauss is a class act, and the best thing to ever happen to the ECB, I'd be astonished if he doesn't call it soon, doesn't matter the circumstances, you can't do that, and they won't condone it even if it is stokes. I have to say Ronans description of the England players in this squad suggests he's never seen them play, stoneman is all off side and a lovely attacking player....don't know where nonsense about bottom hand has come from, but will probably struggle because it's a tough ask. I've never seen foakes bat, so I've no idea how you guys can all suddenly claim he should be playing, yes decent stats but the oval is a featherbed....he is well thought of though, but hold your horses a bit....watch some footage first. Ballance is crap, but has a granite temperament, Malan is just crap and should be no where near the side, but Bayliss loves him for some reason. I'm delighted Vince is in the squad, imo he is probably the second most gifted batsman in England behind root, all the shots he's a stunning player. Yes he's not had an amazing season, and didn't do v well in his first run in the side....but he can play, I'm hoping he'll be similar to khawaja on Aussie decks. The big thing this summer was seeing windies persist with shai hope, because he's obviously got the game, and it paying off.....all I remember thinking was I wish England had done that with Vince, and voila they have recalled him. He really can play. Overton is not quick, he's an all rounder who will bowl at 85 mph, Ronan you've got confused with his rapid twin brother Jamie, who is 90+mph but is wayward. Jake ball I really like, don't underestimate him, he's tall and probably the quickest bowler in the squad (bowling at 88 mph in last ODI, in freezing England in late September...that's another few mph in a climate where your body is not freezing), and will be a handful. But all this is a moot point, because without stokes, arguably best player in the world, we are screwed.....unless moeen suddenly learns how to play the short ball, and mason crane does turn into Shane Warne, like all the NSW coaches have been telling Bayliss he will and why he's been picked. Other than those minor errors, perfectly accurate article
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I'm not surprised that Joe Root doesn't want to bat at 1st drop against Australia in Oz. The last time that Joe Root toured Australia, he was so frazzled after a few tests that he was dropped for the 5th test in Sydney. Sure England were blitzed by Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris, but of the batsmen for the whole tour, Root was the lowest total scorer (less than 200 runs in 8 innings at average of 27.47). Once home in England, Michael Carberry was the token sacrifice despite being 2nd total runs behind Keven Pietersen and 3rd in the averages.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Stokes has been suspended from selection until "further notice": https://twitter.com/bbctms/status/913406551783821314
Bakkies
Guest
Does he enter Australia on a UK or NZ passport?
Bakkies
Guest
Not sure what the current Australian immigration law is in regards to pending criminal charges and court cases. Surely that has to be declared
Dan in Devon
Guest
i am inclined to think he will be fined and given a suspended sentence
JoM
Roar Rookie
Wasn't it Hales that put the boot in to a guy who was on the ground?
JoM
Roar Rookie
He swings to the left. He swings to the right. Benny Stokes, his fighting is shite. Totally agree with you Will but if he somehow does get to play, maybe the Ritchies could sing this to him over and over like the poms did to Mitchell Johnson. If he does play, the crowds are going to absolutely give it to him. He also only has 1 point, which if given by the judiciary means he will be suspended for a test.
Ouch
Guest
Dan, you think the ECB will give him no punishment at all?
Dan in Devon
Guest
He will play. Would be a good six months before the CPS sort this out and get a hearing. And I cannot see him going to jail. Mitigation will see him get community service etc. especially after a recent case here of GDH where a judge refused to impose a gaol sentence on an Oxford student because it would harm her future career as a surgeon. British justice works in mysterious ways.
JamesH
Roar Guru
It's not the bit where he steps in that is damning, since you can probably justify him defending his mates. It's what happens next. The two guys he took on are backing away and he just keeps on swinging, then puts one of them down with a brutal punch even after his mates are trying to call him off. That blow could have killed his victim. If he plays in the first test then what everyone already suspected will have been confirmed: the ECB is a joke.
Mark L
Guest
Foakes, Stokes and Woakes. Reminiscent of Lillee, Willey and Dilley all in the same game!
matth
Guest
Could certainly be interesting for Lyon in that case.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It's an interesting thing to see what they'll do. Outside of possible criminal charges, the people who would be deciding on things like suspensions from cricket and the like are the same people trying to put together a team to win the Ashes in Australia. So unless it's taken out of their hands with the police investigation finishing quickly and charges being laid, it's a real conflict of interest in them applying sanctions to him while also really wanting him in their team because he is a vital cog in their team. Are they going to be willing to make the tough call, or are they going to try to talk it down a bit so they can give him some sort of punishment that is a bit of a slap in the wrist while still allowing him to play. It is pretty damming video. I've heard the term "self-defense" used, but, while we don't know what's gone on before hand that's lead to this, the footage clearly shows him being the one who's advancing at the others and throwing the punches. He's on the attack. If someone ran at him to attack him and he landed a punch that flattened the guy, that would be self-defense, but surely the way he's going after these guys like that the idea of any "self-defense" type of legal defense couldn't stand.
George
Guest
Exactly.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
If Stokes is out that puts a massive hole. With England's current attack I'd say they really need him there as that fourth seamer. Losing him would make things tough. They would probably have to drop a batsman. Effectively Mooen Ali takes the "allrounder position" at #6 that Stokes has been in and they play 4 quicks. But with 3 other big holes in their top 5, losing that length to their batting lineup becomes quite a big thing.