Cricket reader Q&A: ask Ali Martin your questions ahead of England v Pakistan – live

Cricket reader Q&A: ask Ali Martin your questions ahead of England v Pakistan – live

England’s men start their post-Bazball future next week with a three-Test series against Pakistan. Cricket correspondent Ali Martin online now to answer your questions about this new era for the team – and anything else you’d like to discuss Ask a question: log in or sign up here Rooto asks: Who do you think is missing from the squad? How many points will Lancs win Division 2 by? Ali: Beyond Rehan Ahmed, I don’t think there are too many glaring absentees. Craig Overton is enjoying a superb season for Somerset but I don’t see him as one of England’s best four quicks or able to bat higher than No8. I have been tracking Mitch Stanley for a while, who looks to have some serious attributes, but can see he’s not quite Test-ready yet. As you well know, I have retired from any Lancashire predictions… This slightly carries on from the question about Rehan Ahmed and I agree with your broader point. Ben Stokes is clearly a huge loss but reducing potency with the ball in favour of some extra runs is not the way I would have gone personally. This may be a holding pattern of sorts, however, because it’s clear they are looking at Sam Curran for the role down the line (he is not yet fit enough to play Test cricket, some talk of a hernia that’s being managed). The Barbados Test in 2019 taught us that Curran is not “frontline” enough to be one of three seamers but fourth seamer batting at No7 could balance the side better. If not then yes, a spin-bowling all-rounder such as Ahmed looks the only other way to go. Continue reading...