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[iand123]

http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ball-and-vince-named-test-squad

[jamielsn15]

Standard fare, give everyone two series to impress, which I don't really have any issue with. Reckon Compton is in the last chance saloon and hales needs runs with Robson churning out tons...

[liscon12]

My Starting XI, these are players who I see taking the field, not necessarily the ones I want to see playing though.

1- Cook
2- Hales
3- Compton
4- Root
5- Vince
6- Stokes
7- Bairstow
8- Ali
9- Broad
10- Anderson
11- Finn

Looks like the 11 I picked was right, no swooping changes with only one spot open which Vince will be taking.

[JTtaylor145]

I'm really struggling to see how Vince has been selected. I can't see how his form is better than Westley's or some other names. I personally would have taken a look at Vince during the ODI's particularly with James Taylor now out of the fold. It's a shame England's ODI Captain is currently carrying out the drinks in the IPL. Surely Morgan's place is in doubt in the ODI's?

[FattusCattus]

His form is probably better than Comptons

[billyb]

I see my recommendations have been ignored for the top 5.

[rickjames]

Vince has been knocking at the door for quite some time, much like Taylor it was often the case of just not being possible to get him in ahead of others. Hope he seizes the chance.

[Mr_Orange]

I'm really struggling to see how Vince has been selected. I can't see how his form is better than Westley's or some other names. I personally would have taken a look at Vince during the ODI's particularly with James Taylor now out of the fold. It's a shame England's ODI Captain is currently carrying out the drinks in the IPL. Surely Morgan's place is in doubt in the ODI's?

They used him over the winter against Pakistan (man of the series) and the management were very impressed with him apparently. Been knocking on the door for a few years, it's that consistency they want.
Westley would most likely be looked at for the opening role considering him and Cook had such a good start this year but that's not up for grabs just yet. Vince suits the middle order, I know he bats at 3 for Hants but so did Ian Bell for Warwickshire but then flourished in the middle order for England (Root opened for Yorkshire and England early on too). If Vince succeeds he may well move up to 3 if/when Compton goes. Good choice, and especially considering no one is really hammering the door down, and those who are would open the batting (Robson/Westley/Bell-Drummond).

[edge]

Glad that Compton stays and Vince comes in at 5, hugely increases the chance of Vince succeeding. Openers excepted, have felt for the past few years that England's batting selection troubles have been often down to players having to come in at 3 too early in their careers. Hopefully they can both score runs and potentially Vince will make the move to 3 in a year or two with plenty of test experience and runs under his belt. Also hoping that the fact everyone rates him despite an average county record means he's bloody good!

[Bats_Entertainment]

Westley would most likely be looked at for the opening role considering him and Cook had such a good start this year but that's not up for grabs just yet. Vince suits the middle order, I know he bats at 3 for Hants but so did Ian Bell for Warwickshire but then flourished in the middle order for England (Root opened for Yorkshire and England early on too). If Vince succeeds he may well move up to 3 if/when Compton goes. Good choice, and especially considering no one is really hammering the door down, and those who are would open the batting (Robson/Westley/Bell-Drummond).

Westley bats at three for Essex. I've seen a bit of him, and like him, but I'm not sure he was actually as close to selection as people were making out.

It seems a lot of us were over-thinking it. Vince for Taylor. Simple.

[Disco]

Pleased for Vince but would've liked to see Bairstow move up to 5, in electric form again in CC to back up the sackful of runs he scored last year.

Also, our frontline spinner has figures of 42 overs 1 wicket for 160+ runs, in div 2, so far this year. Granted there aren't many spinners knocking on the door but that has to be of some concern.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Pleased for Vince but would've liked to see Bairstow move up to 5, in electric form again in CC to back up the sackful of runs he scored last year.

Also, our frontline spinner has figures of 42 overs 1 wicket for 160+ runs, in div 2, so far this year. Granted there aren't many spinners knocking on the door but that has to be of some concern.

I think the concern has been well documented.

Pleased to see Simon Kerrigan that had got a few wickets last week.

[Manormanic]

Glad that Compton stays and Vince comes in at 5, hugely increases the chance of Vince succeeding. Openers excepted, have felt for the past few years that England's batting selection troubles have been often down to players having to come in at 3 too early in their careers. Hopefully they can both score runs and potentially Vince will make the move to 3 in a year or two with plenty of test experience and runs under his belt. Also hoping that the fact everyone rates him despite an average county record means he's bloody good!

This is a valid point - look at how the great Aussie sides blooded new talent at 5/6 - even Ricky Ponting.  Yes, making runs at 5/6 after others have had a go is easier (cf - Ian Bell's career) but if its your first time, why not try to make it a success?