England have selected Tom Westley over Mark Stoneman for the third Test against South Africa that has left former spinner Graeme Swann stunned. After Gary Ballance was ruled out for the third Test due to finger injury, Westley would be making his debut. However, Stoneman’s numbers are far more impressive in county than Westley. Stoneman who plays for Surrey has tally of 761 runs off 59 matches while Westley has tally of 478 runs off 53 matches. It is these staggering numbers that Swann feels could make the difference for England in the third Test. However, Nasser Hussain backs Westley’s selection. Hussain feels Westley batting style has won the selection nod.
Swann stressed on the numbers between the batsmen and told cricket.com.au, “The most incredible thing is Mark Stoneman still not being given a chance. Westley looks a good talent but they must know something I don’t know because, why they have gone for him over Stoneman, there must be a reason behind it. His numbers have been immaculate over the last couple of years and I think it is very harsh on him he hasn’t been picked in this squad. Tom Westley is a very good player and I have seen him a little bit and been impressed with him.”
Supporting Westley, Hussain wrote on Daily Mail, “The only thing that has stopped Mark Stoneman from making his Test debut next week is probably the fact that he is left-handed. Stoneman might have been just ahead of Tom Westley as a replacement for the injured Gary Ballance, but the fact that the top three would all have been left-handed matters. It’s all very well England saying they just need to pick their best players but they had to take into account how exceptional Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander are against left-handers.”
Swann also believes England’s top-order is unsettled with Keaton Jennings poor form in the previous Tests, “There are so many places up for grabs it is ridiculous. You have the opening berth to go alongside Alastair Cook and the No.3 slot because Gary Ballance hasn’t really worked out and has now broken his finger. He must be the most vulnerable man in world cricket at the moment.”
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