Aye, it would be outrageous not to play Hameed at Lords.
It’s infuriating the selectors are most likely going to replace Lawrence with Pope when Moeen could get the runs they offer while adding a spin option.
Anyways, my XI for Lords
Burns
Hameed (scored a ton against this Indian attack 2 weeks ago)
Malan (World No. 1 T20 batter, whose main criticism is he takes too long to get in)
Root
Bairstow
Moeen
Buttler
Leach
Robinson (yea, he goes at 9. His hubris is a liability. Want to bat at 8? Be consistent)
Wood (Broad needs winding up)
Anderson
I understand it's very much your preferred team, and not one you think they'll pick, but there's several reasons they won't pick that team. They won't make 5 changes for starters.
Hameed has to play, and presumably in the place of Crawley somehow. Burns has one of his better averages at Lords and only failed there against Ireland - but who didn't? Remember the 85 all out embarrassment? Sibley has only one test at Lords but did score 60* against NZ there. Which one of Burns, Sibley or Hameed they stick at 3 is anyone's guess (and, of course, it may be none of them if Crawley gets another chance. And Root was talking him up yesterday.)
Moeen for Lawrence? Could happen. Who knows? I like Lawrence and still think he has massive potential. Unorthodox approach may be weighing against him. But I don't think they like Moeen much these days and can easily see him being overlooked. And you don't need two spinners, so he may well be fighting Leach. Please, ffs, don't give in to Bess's whining.
I do actually agree Broad may need winding up. Though he bowled better than his figures in the last test. So again, maybe they'll leave him alone, and I can't see Wood as the argument for replacing him.
And Robinson can hold a bat btw. Hubris or not.
So what do I think they might pick?
Burns
Hameed
Sibley
Root
Bairstowuurghh
Lawrence
Buttler
Robinson
Leach/Currannooooooooo
Broad
Anderson