he's hugely experienced

and it's not like there's any other obvious replacement.

Bored of seeing people roll out his test career averages, neatly avoiding discussing the various roles he's played in the side (from specialist batsman - he averaged over 50 playing at 4, to lower order destroyer - averaging 68 batting at 7 - he was also the leading test wicket taker in the world in 2018 with 45 wickets at 23 - even including his rotten tour of Aus his average from Jan 17- July 2019 was 28).

He'll likely get biffed, as, as you say, he's not been prepared for the series, but the same is true of the younger spinners, who also don't have experience to fall back on - I'm hugely hopeful that Rehan or Will Jacks will kick on and establish at test level - not sure that this is the series, or the last minute context, in which to do that to a young spinner. (we've done that many, many times before)

Posted By: Cardiff Canary, Jun 7, 10:00:31