Ben Stokes and Brandon McCallum have a few choices. Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Ashes' delightful return from England continues. a notable trend in recent years: an outstanding team record when they selected five bowlers in addition to Ben Stokes. Since the summer of 2018, England have won 11 out of 12 Tests to take that balance to their side, with the only draw coming from rain at Old Trafford in Test 4.
On the one hand, the record is a little quirky. But he held his own against many different adversaries and conditions; at home in India in 2018, away in Sri Lanka in 2018, in the final ash trial in 2019, summer 2020, in Pakistan last year and in the last three trials. As such, England have never had a better chance of revisiting their most common balance with Stokes in the team, choosing him along with four bowlers, especially with the England captain looming in danger of injury.
Here are the different ways. in which England can line up ahead:
If the Stokes are unable to serve or England choose an extra bowler
Call this balance, which features four batsmen, Stokes, a wicket batsman and five bowlers, «Stokes + 5 option. England took this option after Ollie Pope's injury, opting to rebalance the team rather than bring in Dan Lawrence as a replacement. The exhilarating results of the last three tests suggest this is an option to pursue going forward, especially given Stokes' role in the side switching. Stokes made just 29 overs in five Tests, but was England's third-highest scoring player.
Ollie Pope dislocated his shoulder diving with the ball during Ashes' second Test at Lord's. Photo: Reuters/Peter Cziborra. ; Will Jacks, his potential successor; left Sam Curran; and Chris Wakes, the Ashes player on the show. With five bowlers alongside Stokes, these all-round talents have more options. The England line-up for the last three Ashes Tests has effectively replaced professional batsman, the injured Ollie Pope, with Wookes.
An extra bowler gives England insurance. Both of England's victories were hampered by injuries — at Old Trafford, Ollie Robinson limited himself to 11.2 overs; At The Oval, Moen's groin injury limited his participation in the first innings, while Wood's overs were decided by heel pain, but he still had ample bowling opportunities. Stokes + Option 5 is particularly attractive given the realities of the modern timetable. It offers a way to keep bowlers in shape during intense test matches.
This structure makes it easier for England's fastest bowler to be placed and used in short bursts. All of Wood's last five tests were five-bowler offense plus Stokes; he took 22 wickets at 20.3.
However, one unresolved structure of this balance is who beats No. 3, now Moin can no longer take on the role in his characteristic selfless manner. England seems to have decided that Joe Root should no longer be sacrificed for the benefit of others. Without moving Harry Brook, who is much more comfortable at five, Stokes is an obvious candidate to win at three. From that position, he made 42 in England's last innings of the summer. But the adoption of Stokes + 5 balance would have meant the exclusion of one of England's exciting young batsmen — perhaps even Pope, the vice-captain. Staff can be easily set up for testing in the subcontinent by adding an extra spinner or even two.
Possible XI houses:
Crowley, Duckett, Stokes (c), Ruth, Brooke, Bairstow (wk), Woakes, Robinson, Wood , Leach, Anderson/Tong
Possible XI in Asia:
Crowley, Duckett, Stokes (c), Ruth, Brooke, Bairstow (week), Jax, Rehan Ahmed, Robinson, Wood, Leach
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If Stokes' left knee gets stronger after a six-month hiatus from Test cricket, he might be happy to take on a bigger bowling load, especially with Root's spin coming in handy this summer. This formation, Stokes + 4 would mean England wouldn't have to make the nasty choice of which of their four young batsmen to miss, allowing Stokes to bat lower in order.
Ben Stokes (left) undergoing treatment as the England captain battled tendinitis in his knee throughout Ashes. Photo: AFP/Paul Ellis
The risk with this lineup is that Wood, being one of the four bowling specialists, will force Wood to bowl more overs. In Asia, the second spinner — Rehan Ahmed, Will Jacks or Liam Dawson — will also have to be widely used. Wookes, Robinson/Anderson/Tong, Wood, Leach
Possible XI in Asia:
Crowley, Duckett, Pope, Ruth, Brooke, Stokes (c), Bairstow (week), Rehan Ahmed/Jacks, Robinson, Wood, Leach
If Stokes is unavailable
The last option is the one that England would least like to think about: how to put together a team without Stokes at all. When the Stokes were last unavailable against India in the summer of 2021, England initially opted for a team with six specialists at bat and wickets at number 7. But in the final three Tests, they remembered Moen Ali who balanced the team at seven, allowing England continue the five-man attack.
If Stokes were injured, it is likely that England would be looking to keep five bowling options on their side, in addition to Ruth's off-spin. If no combination can make up for the loss of Stokes, there are still plenty of versatile and versatile players in England who can provide a team with both batting and bowling depth.
Possible XI at home:
Crowley, Duckett, Pope, Ruth, Brooke, Bairstow (week), Wookes, Sam Curran, Robinson, Wood, Leach
Possible XI in Asia:
Crowley, Duckett, Pope, Ruth, Brooke, Bairstow (week), Curran, Rehan/Jacks, Robinson, Wood, Leach
What should the future England squad look like? Share your thoughts in the comments section below
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