Bob Willis believes England should drop Jason Roy and Craig Overton for the final Ashes Test after Australia retained the urn with victory at Old Trafford.
England levelled the series at 1-1 after their extraordinary victory at Headingley last week but were outplayed by Australia in Manchester, slipping to a 185-run defeat.
The Aussies, who wrapped up the win with 13.3 overs remaining on the final day, will take the urn back Down Under regardless of the outcome of the final Test.
However, England can still draw the series and Willis says Roy and Overton should make way for Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes at The Oval.
"We always believe, we always make sure we fight right to the end. It's bitterly disappointing but we have to turn up at the Oval"
Joe Root concedes that losing the Ashes is "tough to take" but is hoping to bounce back in the fifth Test. pic.twitter.com/HyNTvru0MN
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 8, 2019
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He told Sky Sports: The selectors have few options, theyre going more with luck than judgement if they pluck someone because theres not been any first-class cricket recently.
I dont think its the time to look to the future. After todays effort most of the guys deserve another chance. Englands batting is brittle, but so is Australias.
Jason Roy is not a Test match batsman. His last three dismissals have all been exactly the same. Good players dont get castled like that over and over again.
I would drop Roy and bring Ollie Pope in. He can slot into the middle order and Ben Stokes can bat at No. 4 if needs be.
Pope has shown he has an excellent temperament, I like the look of him.
Willis would stick with Kents Joe Denly, who has made two fifties in his last three innings after a poor start to the series, but believes Overton should miss out in the series finale.
He added: You stick with Denly, he was handed a poisoned chalice after Roys demotion, but he battled manfully today.
Although Overton also batted well, hes in the side as a bowler and he didnt look threatening. Im not sure why he got the nod over Woakes. I expect Woakes to come back at The Oval.
The moment Australia retained the Ashes.
Overton reviewed but to no avail and the urn will stay Down Under. pic.twitter.cRead More – Source
