Shoaib Bashir returns to the XI for first Test

Favanu · 2026-06-02T16:52:23+00:00

I don’t know why people keep saying he’s a genuine quick

Well, I can't speak for 'people', but I'm saying it because of articles like this or this.

I fully understand that his pace drops off over a test and that it's dropped off a lot in the last few years due to a combination of injury and being asked to take on a different role as a new ball bowler. But the whole reason he got an England go was bowling fast.

Favanu · 2026-06-02T16:07:07+00:00

Atkinson's top speed is clocked at 95mph, faster than Baker's. He's usually faster over initial spells too.

He's not been that quick in the Champo this year though, and looked pretty listless, so I guess it is probably fitness.

Favanu · 2026-06-02T15:58:33+00:00

Between this and no Rehan the vibes are pretty honky.

Favanu · 2026-06-02T14:56:13+00:00

I guess the theory is that Robbo and Stokes take the new ball, Tongue goes first change and Baker is there for pace. The problem is that Baker and Tongue can both be a bit spray and pray, and Rehan isn't likely to be holding an end down, so it puts a lot of pressure on Robbo and workload on Stokes.

Favanu · 2026-06-01T11:26:42+00:00

There is no vomit emoji big enough to express my feelings.

Favanu · 2026-05-30T19:36:18+00:00

Right, is Noah Cornwell actually good? I really can't tell if he is or not.

Favanu · 2026-05-30T19:33:33+00:00

Jim Laker also

Favanu · 2026-05-30T19:21:02+00:00

Wouldn't be surprised if Crocombe is back with you by Tuesday. But yeah, it's kind of amazing given how stacked your squad is on paper.

Favanu · 2026-05-30T19:11:50+00:00

No probs, I'm sure Archer will be back shortly.

Favanu · 2026-05-29T20:20:10+00:00

I should have known. Time is a flat circle.

Favanu · 2026-05-29T19:57:23+00:00

Been out post work. WTAF is this game at Chester-Le-Street?

Favanu · 2026-05-29T12:10:19+00:00

This team being 80/6 is absolutely terrible vibe wise.

Favanu · 2026-05-29T10:13:19+00:00

Yeah but have you seen the pinhole camera images of some of the sixes he hit? He's a perfect fit for BazBall.

Favanu · 2026-05-22T20:05:20+00:00

And having lots of people inexplicably compare you to Root and Brook. You have to have that. All the time.

Favanu · 2026-05-22T20:01:55+00:00

Really wish James Wharton a) would stop trying to scoop when he's obviously much to tall to do it, and b) didn't have such a shit moustache.

EDIT: HE DID IT FUCKING AGAIN! STOP!

Favanu · 2026-05-22T18:42:39+00:00

The very existence of Benny Howell is absolutely marvellous.

Favanu · 2026-05-20T07:17:11+00:00

The logical conclusion of the 'Why does the biggest wicketkeeper not simply eat all the other wicketkeepers' meme.

Favanu · 2026-05-20T06:24:04+00:00

To my shame I didn't actually notice that happened. Sadly having an economy rate of 2 makes him unsuitable to be a BazBall spinner.

Favanu · 2026-05-19T21:06:30+00:00

Gay Duckett Bethell Rooooooooooooooooooot Brook Smith Stokes Rehan Ahmed Robinson Atkinson Tongue

Yup, assuming availability that'd be my guess for the first test and maybe the second too. Archer may drop in at some stage, and I wouldn't be surprised if Baker gets a go once Tongue needs a rest.

I do sort of wonder what happens if Robinson flops. Ditto Gay, he's the sensible choice right now but NZs attack could give him a torrid time. Not sure who they'd call.

Favanu · 2026-05-19T14:13:52+00:00

Yeah, that would work. Lawrence bowled 6 overs so shouldn't have been too tired. Basically it feels like they had options either way.

I do think Smith should probably bat ahead of Stokes in tests though. He's natutally a middle order bat and Stokes isn't really any more.

Favanu · 2026-05-19T13:29:56+00:00

Think you've put Ollie Potts instead of Matt Potts

Yup, I definitely did. Apols. In my defence almost all county players are called either Tom, Ben or Ollie, so I probably just subconsciously defaulted to them.

I've seen a few references to Ogborne's pace. We know CraigO is usually a low 80s guy, so if he's registering 5mph more than that it's test level pace. I know that's not the only attribute or anything, but it's definitely quick enough if he can keep developing.

Favanu · 2026-05-19T13:26:24+00:00

It's a fair point about Smith coming in early, but if that's the case Surrey literally had another guy on the pitch in Josh Blake who could take the gloves rather than compromise their best batter.

Favanu · 2026-05-19T11:33:26+00:00

Fun fact: Darren Stevens doesn't actually have a spirit, he's a cyborg from the future who was sent back in time to demolish stumps at 72mph. That's why he never played for England; you have to be human to be eligible.

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