Three Bolters Who Could Step Out Of The Shadows
The Cricket Paper|November 03,2017

England coach Trevor Bayliss may have been the one finally to end all speculation over Ben Stokes’ involvement in the upcoming Ashes, but it was Joe Root’s tacit if almost unnoticed acceptance they would have to do without him some days earlier that provoked more food for thought.

Peter Hayter
Three Bolters Who Could Step Out Of The Shadows

By the time Bayliss told reporters he “hadn’t got a clue” when Stokes might next be available following his arrest outside a Bristol nightclub and that he had written him off for the series, surely only those living on Button Moon still believed the Durham star still had a snowflake’s chance in hell of making the trip anyway.

What Root had said on arrival, therefore, no matter how trite it might have sounded on first hearing, was actually far more on point.

“It’s obviously disappointing Ben’s not going to be with us,” said his captain and close friend. “But it gives others opportunities to stand up, put their stamp on Test cricket and do something special.”

As they prepare for the first action of the tour, against Western Australia in Perth this weekend, those words should be in the hearts and minds of all his players, even, reflecting on his own disappointing experience there four years ago, simmering quietly inside the skipper, too.

But whereas, as Root is now established as one of the top four batmen in world cricket, a stellar series from him would not exactly qualify as a jaw-dropper, those who think England’s chances rest just as heavily on the performances of the less obvious might nominate three clear contenders for the job of providing England’s X (for unexpected) factor.

From the trio of “fringe” batsmen, which also includes Gary Ballance and Dawid Malan, could James Vince turn out to be the one who is more than the Aussies are bargaining for?

On hearing of his selection, some might have been tempted to ask the Hampshire batsman for his lottery numbers. With an average of 19 from his first seven Tests and a poor season in the Championship in which he averaged just 33, it was no surprise that he himself expressed huge surprise that England should take another punt on him.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 03,2017 من The Cricket Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 03,2017 من The Cricket Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE CRICKET PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 mins  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 mins  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2020