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General Cricket => Players => Topic started by: moonball on December 23, 2015, 03:25:08 PM

Title: England opener....
Post by: moonball on December 23, 2015, 03:25:08 PM
I have nothing against Alex Hales, let me make that clear, but am I the only one that thinks his selection as Cook's partner at the top of the order an accident waiting to happen? I really, really hope I am wrong and if he's going to be given a go, he needs not just one series Unless he fails totally, I expect England to give him South Africa and the English summer to try and cement his place and take on the role. I like Compton and think he should be the man, but it's not that - I just don't think Hales is Test material, certainly not opening.... 

What do others think? And feel free to slate me when Hales gets his maiden ton on Boxing Day !!!
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: tushar sehgal on December 23, 2015, 03:34:22 PM
I think we need three more topics about why alex hales should open, and another 3 about why he shouldn't and someone else should  ;)
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Buzz on December 23, 2015, 03:34:55 PM
The challenge we have is that we need an opening bat who can put pressure on the opposition bowlers. Cook and Compton. Would allow the bowlers to settle in and bowl "at" the batsman.
Whether Hales is the right man I am no longer sure. However I am a massive Hales fan and want him to do well.
I think we should have picked Lees rather than Lyth in the summer. I suspect he will become next in line.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: northernboy1987 on December 23, 2015, 03:43:52 PM
The challenge we have is that we need an opening bat who can put pressure on the opposition bowlers. Cook and Compton. Would allow the bowlers to settle in and bowl "at" the batsman.
Whether Hales is the right man I am no longer sure. However I am a massive Hales fan and want him to do well.
I think we should have picked Lees rather than Lyth in the summer. I suspect he will become next in line.

I'm kinda with you on this Buzz, I think long term Lees is a more likely candidate as a test opener than Hales, that being said Hales probably had the better County season out of the two in 2015 so arguably deserves first crack of the whip in the same way (in my opinion) Lyth deserved a go over Lees based on 2014 County season.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Buzz on December 23, 2015, 05:26:51 PM
Test selection shouldn't be who deserves a go but who is going to be the best performer.

Our selectors are not great in my view.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: smilley792 on December 23, 2015, 05:47:06 PM
Compton- become too bogged down and flustered
Robson- found out outside off
Root- promoted to early(but still a Bernard 37)
Carberry- went into his shell and unfairly a scapegoat for aus
Trott- nostalgia??
Lyth- found out outside off
Ali-no just no(was for a spinner)


England went through a whole heap of the counties top openers, non seemed to work(although a as any really given a decent go, Compton 9 games is the most).

They tried an old reliable wall. Trott. And it went pair shaped as he was now batted out of position.

Ali was a failed experiment to get an extra spinner in.


They are now, finally going down the Australians dave Warner route. Get a white ball opener that seems to do well intenrational(our only t20 ton, and a recent odi one) and see if we can convert him to test opener.


Will it work? I'm not entirely sure, but as Carberry claims England don't contact or give them a plan once ditched, is there gonna be any openers left?

Surely your lyth/robson types should be kept in and around England and work on the floors constantly followed to improve upon rather than a rolling door policy?
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: northernboy1987 on December 23, 2015, 05:56:30 PM
Test selection shouldn't be who deserves a go but who is going to be the best performer.

Our selectors are not great in my view.
Fair point. I genuinely thought Lyth would do well, gutted that he struggled. I hope Hales succeeds, if he can adapt like Warner has then England will have a serious opening partnership with him alongside Cook.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Seniorplayer on December 23, 2015, 06:19:57 PM
I have nothing against Alex Hales, let me make that clear, but am I the only one that thinks his selection as Cook's partner at the top of the order an accident waiting to happen? I really, really hope I am wrong and if he's going to be given a go, he needs not just one series Unless he fails totally, I expect England to give him South Africa and the English summer to try and cement his place and take on the role. I like Compton and think he should be the man, but it's not that - I just don't think Hales is Test material, certainly not opening.... 

What do others think? And feel free to slate me when Hales gets his maiden ton on Boxing Day !!!

Hales will be found out and discarded  he is not test class.never mind opening that said I hope he proves me wrong
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: sanredrose on December 23, 2015, 06:40:43 PM
An opening batsman is going to face the wrath of new ball, most likely from the best bowler of the opponent team. Opener is the one who deserves more chances to settle down into the role and find his game. ECB shouldn't expect Hales to the new Cook. If they are approaching openers with that attitude then its a definitely a disaster waiting to happen ...

Hales or Lyth - immaterial of the player, give them more chances to settle down into the role. Once they play sufficient games with team's backing, they will architect their own innings mixed with aggression and defense.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Seniorplayer on December 23, 2015, 08:11:25 PM
I do think though you are either an opener or you are not or put it another way openers Brains are wired differently
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: kenbriooo on December 23, 2015, 08:37:40 PM
Trescothic wasn't exactly setting the world alight when he was picked to play for England. Many doubted his ability to succeed but he didn't turn out too bad. Perhaps Hales will surprise a few others. I'm hoping he goes out and gets some agressive scores. I'm hoping it'll be a good mix of Cook who can bat long and Hales who can progress the game on quicker.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Andythomo21 on December 24, 2015, 08:09:38 AM
Not sure if he was/is the one or not but once selected, Adam should have been given more time! All this chopping and changing is no good for any involved party.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on December 24, 2015, 08:14:49 AM
I do think though you are either an opener or you are not or put it another way openers Brains are wired differently

Traditional openers who bat all day for 43* yes, but who has been the most prolific openers in the last few years? David Warner, I don't thi k he is wired the same way as other openers, hopefully Hales is England's answer to him!
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Seniorplayer on December 24, 2015, 10:24:38 AM
Traditional openers who bat all day for 43* yes, but who has been the most prolific openers in the last few years? David Warner, I don't thi k he is wired the same way as other openers, hopefully Hales is England's answer to him!

Hopefully Cam but you need openers who can bat all day and and then some
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on December 24, 2015, 11:00:09 AM
Nick Browne of Essex was the best opening bat I saw in county cricket last year. Which is not to say I'd have him in my England team right now; but I'm not overly confident of how Hales will do.
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on December 24, 2015, 11:27:56 AM
Hopefully Cam but you need openers who can bat all day and and then some

That's why Warner & Rogers worked so well, there was one of each. I can see Hales and Cook having a similar dynamic (if the pairing is given a chance to develop!)

Nick Browne of Essex was the best opening bat I saw in county cricket last year. Which is not to say I'd have him in my England team right now; but I'm not overly confident of how Hales will do.


The England openers spot seems to be something of a poisoned chalice. I think the added pressure of knowing you'll be getting two series (at most) where you have to make the spot your own is detracting from people's natural game.
If Hales doesn't prove to be an instant success I hope he's given a fair crack of the whip (but nobody else has been, so I can't see it happening...)
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: ppccopener on December 24, 2015, 12:01:54 PM
I think england have had a two way bet to try to resolve the problem.i hope hales does well i really do but i just cant see it..
England must now want Compton to have a good tour which is a bit ironic cos the bloke should never of been dropped...he didnt get on with flower and is a bit abrasive...well,this is top level cricket so providing he did not disrupt the team big deal...
Who thinks ian bell can come back? Because that may fit for next summer if hales does not work out?
Bell back at three with compton moving up..or root to three bell four..
In the absence of any other long term plan england may be sticking their eggs in that basket..if hales works then they dont need to go back to bell
Possible?
Title: Re: England opener....
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on December 24, 2015, 12:13:07 PM
An old chestnut: too much one-day cricket?