Form over reputation – why England must pick Jonny Bairstow‏

How rather timely that on the day England were bowled out for 103 at Lord’s and subjected to a 405 run thrashing by Australia, two Ashes hopefuls should score hundreds for their respective counties.

The most in-form batsman in the domestic first class game, Jonny Bairstow of Yorkshire, continued his fine run of form by scoring 139 against Worcestershire at Scarborough, while Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor amassed 163 unbeaten runs on day one against Sussex, before he was eventually dismissed for a career-best 291.

The pair were recently involved in the England’s squad which beat New Zealand 3-2 in their ODI series. Although Bairstow was not picked in the original squad, Jos Buttler’s finger injury meant he was called up for the final match in Durham. The 25-year-old from Bradford duly blasted England to victory with a match-winning 83 runs from 60 balls.

While Taylor’s knock at Horsham was his first championship hundred in an unusually inconspicuous summer for the 5 foot 6 batsman, Bairstow has been scoring heavily in red-ball cricket all season long.

Having made three half-centuries and two centuries prior to his England ODI call-up, Bairstow followed his T20I appearance at Old Trafford with a double-century (219*) against Durham, before hitting 108 at Edgbaston versus Warwickshire a week later.

The man who was cast aside by his country following his bit part role Down Under when England were whitewashed 18 months ago, has now tallied up 906 runs at an average of 100.67 and at an impressive strike rate of 75.44.

Unfortunately for Jonny and James, England’s typical reaction to a crisis is, don’t panic.  But why keep faith with out of nick batsmen when Bairstow is in the form of his life?

Occasionally England will pick a scapegoat and remove him from their batting unit, despite that individual not doing little wrong. Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and James Taylor himself will testify to that. Oh, and Kevin Pietersen of course.

If England do make any changes for Edgbaston, Gary Ballance will probably be the unlucky loser. Opener Adam Lyth has been catapulted into the deep end and not yet given enough of a chance to prove himself at Test level, so he will likely stay. As for Ian Bell, despite being increasingly run-shy efforts at international level, his past efforts will likely result in him keeping his place for his home Test.

Ballance is dreadfully out of form and thus may be the man to step aside, despite the fact that Bell or Root would subsequently have to shuffle up the order to No3, with Bairstow slotting in at No5.

Whether new coach Trevor Bayliss decides to act remains to be seen. But it is surely time for England to stop picking batsmen on reputation, rather than form. They cannot continue to persist with low-confidence batters purely on the basis that they’ve scored runs in the past.

After all, it didn’t hurt Australia to swap the diminishing old guard of Brad Haddin and Shane Watson for the younger, hungrier duo of Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill.

England must follow their opponents lead if they are to bounce back from their crushing defeat at Lord’s and revitalise their hopes of winning back the Ashes on home soil.

 

Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws T20 preview

While England’s footballers will explore the definition of a “must-win” game tonight in Brazil, two East Midlands teams meet at Grace Road knowing more than just local pride is at stake.

Leicestershire currently lie eighth in the North Group having won just one NatWest T20 Blast match this summer, while Nottinghamshire sit one place higher in seventh having won just two of their five matches. Both sides therefore know a win is imperative this evening if they harness any realistic hope of progressing in the competition.

The Outlaws are without batsman Michael Lumb, who is sidelined for four weeks with an arm injury. The opener capped 27 times by England in T20 internationals picked up the injury during Nottinghamshire’s remarkable six-wicket win over Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday. Australian Phil Jaques is drafted into the squad as his replacement, while former-Foxes stars James Taylor and Harry Gurney are likely to play against their old county.

The Foxes meanwhile welcome back seam bowler Nathan Buck, who made a successful return from injury in their County Championship defeat to Worcestershire this week. The 23-year-old injured a finger in the T20 match against the Rapids and missed the defeat to Lancashire, but he is back in the squad after taking five Worcestershire wickets in the second innings midweek.

Neither side will be particularly happy with their results in the competition so far this summer, Leicestershire having lost four on the bounce since they defeated Derbyshire by 27 runs in their opening fixture. Although Nottinghamshire also managed to beat Derbyshire at the beginning of the month, they will be pleased to be playing away from Trent Bridge, having lost three successive T20 matches at home – to Birmingham, Durham and Worcestershire.

The last time the two teams met was in the corresponding fixture at Grace Road last season, which the Foxes won by seven wickets thanks to a knock of 67* by their skipper Josh Cobb. Nottinghamshire won the other T20 match between the pair last year, chasing down Leicestershire’s 183-8 inside 18 overs at Trent Bridge. If these contests are anything to go by, the match this evening could be another run-fest, with both teams desperate for vital points.

Key Men

With Michael Lumb absent through injury, the onus to provide the impetus at the top of the batting order will fall on England T20 specialist Alex Hales. The 25-year-old is far from a one-trick pony however, as he demonstrated this week by posting scores of 96 and 94 in Nottinghamshire’s impressive County Championship victory against Middlesex. The in-form batsman has also made runs in the T20 Blast this summer, including a destructive 63 from 32 balls versus Derbyshire and 30 off 16 balls against Birmingham Bears last week.

Despite their poor run of form in the competition of late, the emergence of 21-year-old Tom Wells has been a big positive for the Foxes. A promising all-rounder, who is currently unable to bowl due to a side strain, Wells’ powerful strokeplay (eight sixes in five matches) has led to him becoming a key man in the Foxes middle-order. Currently averaging 70 in the competition this year, Wells made a half century (51) from 30 balls versus Warwickshire and 45* off 28 balls against Worcestershire at home this month.

Team News

Foxes seam bowler Nathan Buck returns to the squad for tonight’s match after his successful return from injury against Worcestershire this week. Dan Redfearn also comes into the squad, with batsman Michael Thornley and spinner James Sykes dropping out.

Leicestershire Foxes squad: Niall O’Brien, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Boyce, Dan Redfern, Tom Wells, Ben Raine, Rob Taylor, Anthony Ireland, Jigar Naik, Nathan Buck, Charlie Shreck.

Outlaws Director of Cricket Mick Newell has added three players to the eleven he selected for last week’s home defeat to the Birmingham Bears. Australian batsman Phil Jaques replaces Michael Lumb, while Luke Fletcher and Sam Kelsall are also in contention.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws squad: Alex Hales, Phil Jaques, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Sam Kelsall.

Form 

Leicestershire: LLLLW

Nottinghamshire: LWLLW

Weather and Conditions

A cloudy start to the day is expected in Leicester, however sunny intervals could intervene in time for the match. Highs of 19 degrees celsius.

Date: 19^th June 2014

Ground: Grace Road, Leicestershire

Time: 5.30 pm

Odds: Foxes (7/4) Outlaws (1/2)

 

 

Why KP’s absence would be a good thing for everyone (but him!)

England’s decision to throw James Taylor into an Ashes tour match for Sussex against Australia on Friday seems to suggest that Kevin Pietersen’s calf strain is a serious one. The injury could keep him out of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford beginning on August 1^st and 23-year-old Taylor could be the man to replace him. The Nottinghamshire batsman – who has played in two Test matches for his country – has thus been given the opportunity to prepare for a potential Ashes debut.

Taylor, who averages 47.83 in first-class cricket, could make his third international appearance one year on from his England debut, which came against South Africa on August 2^nd last year. The former England Lions skipper has been in good form in all formats this summer, averaging over fifty in the county championship and over a hundred in the YB40 competition. Although he only made 48 runs from his three innings against South Africa last summer, it is believed that Taylor is the next in line for KP’s slot, with the prodigal Ravi Bopara just behind him.

From an English perspective, should Pietersen be unfit to play at Old Trafford next week, it may be no bad thing at all. Taylor is an in-form young player with plenty of potential and on the basis of his domestic form, deserves a chance again at international level. KP meanwhile has looked far from his majestic best in the series so far, having made just 85 runs from four innings at an average just over 20. His much awaited return to the team has not quite gone according to plan for the South African-born batsman, having been absent over the past year due to personal differences and injury. The team dynamic would certainly not be affected by the absence of Pietersen’s ego, even if his undoubted talent leaves the batting line-up a touch short of experience.

This will be the opinion of the Australians – that an England side without Pietersen is a weaker one. Lehmann and co. will feel that Taylor’s lack of experience at international level is something they can exploit and having toured Australia with the Lions back in February, the Aussies should have some footage of him batting to analyse as well. One might suggest that Taylor’s lack of height (5 foot 6 inches) probably means that “Titch” will receive a polite welcome to Ashes cricket through a barrage of short pitched chin music.

England’s batting line-up, although not as bad as the Australians, have already shown frailties in the first and second Test matches, and without KP’s experience and “x-factor” ability, the Aussies will feel they can continue to unsettle the hosts relatively inexperienced top-order. Alongside the youthful Root, Bairstow and Taylor, Pietersen’s absence will put pressure on Cook, Trott and Bell to stand up and perform.

So let’s all hope that Pietersen’s injury keeps him out of the Old Trafford. It could be a good thing for everyone (apart from KP!) – for Englishman, for Australians and even more so for the neutrals, the cricket fans all over the globe who are hoping for a slightly less one-sided contest come August 1^st at Old Trafford.