Bethell gets a two year England central contract. We won't see much of him in a Bears shirt now.

I think if we ever see him in the summer now comes down to whether that test number three slot is his. Personally I'm not sure (yet) that it is though this central contract and a Guardo column by Mark Ramprakash saying it is hint to the fact he might get a good run there.

Stokes said yesterday that Smith will come back in with Pope going up to three:

Pope has reiterated his preference for batting at number three and Stokes said England will revert to type when Smith is back in the summer.

"We will no doubt see Pope back up to three and Smudge back into his role," said Stokes. "Last week we had a problem and we found a solution to it. We have looked back at that game and the whole team set-up looked really good."

One positive of Bethell getting a central contract is that it means another salary saving to go into our recruitment pot.

96

Watched him up until lunch, he was on 34. Looked absolutely sublime to be honest.

I'm still not convinced that Stokes and McCullum are geniuses in selection but one area where they seem to be exceptional is in instilling self belief in the players they choose. That, clearly, goes a long way.

UrsaMinor wrote:

I'm still not convinced that Stokes and McCullum are geniuses in selection but one area where they seem to be exceptional is in instilling self belief in the players they choose. That, clearly, goes a long way.

I think their 50% w/l record in the last 12 months is a much better indicator of their likely long term success rate than the initial gaudy stats of the first 12-18 months would suggest, I personally think there is quite a strong element of the Kings New Clothes to 'B**ball' and especially Stokes as a cricketer.

but as you say, they definitely get at least one thing very right and indeed it does go a long way.