I agree to some extent Liam but I still think it is more important at the moment that we win some test matches. Given our specific requirements regarding the batting I would argue we should be prioritising developing that area of the team.
Agree that any bowling replacement needs are imminent but they should have already been sourced by the time any incumbent is 40. If they are not better than a 40 year old seam bowler now, it's doubtful they ever will be.
Until the 40 year old is past it, you play your best team in test matches (surely anything else is disrespectful to opponents) and let potential replacements develop elsewhere. Although I do not have a clue where that 'elsewhere' might be, maybe A team tours replicating test match experience more closely? I think you are more likely to have better insight into this than I have though.
I agree in developing that area of the side and I do not think English cricket had done enough to support that in recent years.
I would have taken Broad for the series and left Anderson at home and allowed him to spearhead an inexperienced attack. I do take the sound bites from the ECB that both are powerful members within the dressing room and that perhaps is an additional hindrance to an already failing batting unit.
I am supportive of A tours in general although they do not replicate the test environment. I think the ECB really needs to look at regular tours oversees for championship counties. There is no reason why Warwickshire for example cannot compete in foreign conditions in the Sheffield shield. It would be a chance for Rob Yates (our future opener), Sam Hain, Craig Miles and Liam Norwell to demonstrate their worth in different conditions.
Farbrace and Alec Stewart have spoken at length about how their roles at the Bears and Surrey respectively is geared around providing a successful group for the English national side. It’s imperative that players experience new surroundings.
The same applies to Fisher, Mahmood, Parkinson, Garton, Pope, Hameed, Lawrence, Crawley et al. All brought up on similar English decks but have not sampled cricket abroad well enough to improve their skills which will be of benefit to them and the English game.
When Rob Yates eventually gets his call up within the next few years, his first introduction to pace and spin will be in the test environment. We cannot keep expecting players to learn in that environment as it’s ruthless. They need to learn beforehand as it will equip them for the realities and struggles of test match cricket.
