World Cup Challenge: Construct a "British Isles XI"

[IceAgeComing]

So I was listening to TMS for the Scotland-Sri Lanka game this morning and they were discussion a theoretical "British and Irish Lions XI" constructed on the same basis as the Rugby Union touring team (for non Rugby people, every four years or so a team of the best players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland go on a tour of Australia or New Zealand or South Africa and play a series of test matches, its quite a big thing). Since all four nations are at the World Cup (Wales are technically part of the ECB, remember!) I thought that it might be a good idea for a thread challenge.

There's no prize or anything, I just thought it'd be interesting to see what everyone's ideas would be. The rules are simple: players selected must be from the 15 man squads of either England, Ireland or Scotland and your selection should be based on their performances in the World Cup. That means no KP or other omitted players. Since there's one game at least each for them all this may change before the end of the World Cup if someone performs incredibly before the end of the World Cup.

Here's mine: I'd imagine that others could make something better. I'm doing a 15 man squad because why not?

1. Coetzer (averaging 50 at just under a run a ball; he had a bad start but recovered well)
2. Moeen Ali (he is only averaging 30 but he's the most economic of England's bowlers; could be useful)
3. Joyce (c) (averaging 47 at better than a run a ball; plus we need a captain)
4. Root (he's one of two of England's batsmen who've looked anywhere near good enough)
5. Niall O'Brien (he's had a couple of good late scores which helped Ireland to win against the Windies and put up a halfway decent total against India)
6. Buttler (w) (Averaging 35 at a strike rate of 135; when coming in at the right time he could change a game)
7. Stirling (dunno if 7s the most appropriate place but an ODI batting order is flexible if you aren't England: plus can bat and bowl)
8. Woakes (averaging 30 with the bat with the second lowest bowling strike rate of any England bowler, useful number 8 and I can't believe I've just said that)
9. Jordan (basing it off one game that we lost; but he didn't look that bad - plus also useful bottom order slogging)
10. Davey (averaging 19 with the ball; not necessarily threatening but seems to take wickets which matters
11. ...Anderson? (not because he's done well but I literally can't find anyone else that fits in here - he's at least kinda economical?)

12. Balbirnie (wanted to put him in but couldn't fit him - averaging 43 at a run a ball plus can keep)
13. Porterfield (he's disappointed with the bat but he's someone you can get off to a quick start unless a certain other opening bat)
14. Dockrell (spinner placeholder really; could have been either Cusack for the Zimbabwe game or McBrine for that West Indies performance. Majid might work if you wanted an economy bowler)
15. Finn (people will mock me for this but he takes wickets and that seems to be what matters at this world cup)

Honourable Mention for Ritchie Berrington who is my number 16

Its remarkable how you can't build a halfway decent bowling attack; Ireland's seamers have terrible stats and England's aren't much better.

 

[blockerdave]

Jordan over Anderson... best ODI strike rate of England's bowlers. Also with Jordan in I think you'd replace Stirling with Dockrell.

 

[grkrama]

moeen ali
coetzer
joe root [c]
edjoyce
butler [wk]
KOB
bopara
jordan
tredwell
woakes
cussack/davey

bell
finn
NOB




more of an allrounder heavy attack which gives more options to play around! Bowling still looks quite dodgy but would guess this team would fare better

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Joyce (c)
Moeen
James Taylor
Coetzer
Niall
Buttler (wk)
Balbirnie
Berrington
Jordan
Cusack
Davey


An all pace attack simply because the spinners have been rubbish. Coetzer and Moeen will complete the remaining 10 overs. The batting seems a tad balanced and the team bats deep. Joyce captains Sussex and will do the same here. Niall, Balbirnie and Butler can keep and I'm going with Butler. McBrine could have been in the XI but Balbirnie gets the nod.

 

[Chewie]

1. Ali
2. Coetzer
3. Joyce
4. Root
5. Buttler
6. Balbirnie
7. Berrington
8. Jordan
9. Cusack
10. Dockrell
11. Davey

 

[Aislabie]

Okay then, just on World Cup happenings:

1) Kyle Coetzer
His excellent 156 was the highlight of a disappointing Scottish tournament.

2) Moeen Ali
Inconsistent but occasionally brilliant with the bat, he was also decent with the ball.

3) Ed Joyce
Always classy with the bat, and equally so with the press. Therefore, he's skipper.

4) Joe Root
He has looked tense at times, but has also been the most reliable English batsman.

5) Niall O'Brien
Has delivered with good innings against good opposition; still waiting for that 100.

6) Jos Buttler
The only batsman to take it to the opposition for England; decent with the gloves.

7) Kevin O'Brien
Destructive finisher with the bat, has actually bowled reasonably okay in the middle overs.

8) Chris Woakes
Has had a reasonable tournament amongst the carnage, especially against NZ.

9) Josh Davey
Against all the odds, he has been one of the most effective bowlers in the competition.

10) Alex Cusack
Came into the tournament out of the side, finished it as the undisputed pick of the Irish bowlers.

11) Chris Jordan
Hasn't really done anything of note, but that includes bad things of note. Apart from that run out.

12th man - Paul Stirling
Has had a good tournament, but I couldn't quite squeeze him into the side. Versatile player.

Other reserves:
- Andy Balbirnie
Has had a real coming of age in this tournament with the bat. Excellent temperament.

- James Taylor
It wasn't his fault he got messed around by the data. Batted well at times.

- Rob Taylor
Has got a bit quicker, and has quietly had a good tournament. Adds a left-arm option.

 

[blockerdave]

Surely Jordan would bat above Davey/Cusack?

 

[IceAgeComing]

Purely on World Cup performances mind: Davey somehow has been very good in the World Cup (bowling average of 20 @ 6.22/over, bowling SR of 20). He's currently equal second on the World Cup rankings in wickets taken; equal with Shami and Boult and only one behind Starc. The only associate bowler anywhere near is Shapoor Zadran (average of 26.5 @ 5.19/over, SR of 30.6) and the nearest England bowler in terms of average is actually Finn (average of 25 @ 6.89/over, SR of 21.7).

 

[stefan]

If its a british team then surely there is no politics involved and kp is available for selection

My team:

1.Coetzer
2.Joyce
3.KP
4.Root
5.Nial O'Brian
6.Butler
7.KOB
8Woakes
9.Davey
10.Jordan
11.Dockrell

 

[bigred]

It's an interesting talking point. If the England selectors could have picked any of the Irish or Scottish players, would they have got in?

Given that Boyd Rankin didn't, I guess no Irish or Scottish seamers would have done. Dockrell may have stood a chance up against Tredwell. Joyce, Porterfield, Coetzer and Machan are probably the best batting candidates. Personally , none of them would get into my team. Joyce is the best, but he's in his mid thirties. There's enough young English talent out there.

 

[IceAgeComing]

If its a british team then surely there is no politics involved and kp is available for selection

The rules are simple: players selected must be from the 15 man squads of either England, Ireland or Scotland and your selection should be based on their performances in the World Cup.

 

[MUFC1987]

Davey has looked in good form. Bodes well for a good season for the Somerset 2nd XI.

 

[cricket_icon]

tbh most of the best players are for england so apart from a couple batsman, there won't be many non english players in there.

 

[icyman]

Expect Brendan Taylor to turn out for England in 2019. He is a good player and I dont see Buttler keeping wickets for long. He would serve the team better as a specialist batsman.

 

[_Sam_]

Expect Brendan Taylor to turn out for England in 2019. He is a good player and I dont see Buttler keeping wickets for long. He would serve the team better as a specialist batsman.

Wouldn't qualify until 2022 at which time he'll be 36.