Easy to picture in my mind Thorpe’s altered pull shot. Right leg off the ground in that Caribbean style. He took a young McGrath on with that shot at Perth. Great knock. The Aussies rated Thorpey. As mentioned Thorpe was an integral part of the transition from fin de siècle to 21st century England cricket. A very fine, well-rounded bat. Averaged almost 45 over 100+ Tests. Wasn’t there a ‘Chris Read stylee’ LBW ducking to a well-disguised slower ball?
I feel Thorpe would have played many more tests in this regime, then he did and looking back he should have been in 2005 ashes series as I bell really struggled. would love to see him against India now as he was a great player of spin bowling.
I think the selection of Lawrence to open is both entirely consistent and yet inconsistent with the Stokes-McCullum approach. Yes Lawrence is a positive player and fits "Bazball" and has been in/around the team recently (possibly even filling a second spinner role in Pakistan batting in the Woakes position at 8?). BUT - recent selections have been with a view of looking at players that are a real possibility for the next Ashes (retiring Anderson, changing Foakes for Smith etc.), can anyone really think that Lawrence is a possibility to open in Australia??? Unless they know for a fact that Lees is a shoe in for the Ashes squad if fit that they don't need to know more about him or give him more experience?
