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[charlie15]

An interesting article here from the boys over a reverse sweep in AOC, the debate is heading along the lines of who shot JFK!

http://www.alloutcricket.com/blogs/international/who-will-bat-at-no-6-for-england

[Red Ink Cricket]

interesting article.

i think some of the names mentioned show the weakness of the players current form. dont get me wrong i know its not been easy but a good quality batsman should be able to dig in and score on tough tracks. for me the only two people out of that list who deserve the place would be bairstow or compton. its pretty much bairstow position as he is more of a no 6 bat. would you put compton in who is as the article says more of a top 4?

[charlie15]

I think if you go on this seasons form alone it would be Compton hands down, but then the step up (especially against SA) is quite a gap.  Although I'd like to see the selectors go for either Bairstow or Compton I'd guess they'll stick to Bopara.  I don't think Patel is the answer although he may get a look in for the India tour and Morgan has probably taken himself out of the reckoning by sitting on his backside for the IPL, when he could be getting practise over here!

Although the days of picking players for 1 test seem to be well and truely over, I'd like to see the selectors try out Compton and Bairstow against the West Indies.

[Red Ink Cricket]

yeah i agree on the patel front. as said in the article even patels coach doesnt rate him as a test specialist batsman and im not sure his bowling in up to scratch either.

morgan wise, its a shame hes not given himself the opportunity to get back in the team with some runs. everyone has a bad slump every now and then and true character normally shines through and gets you back. but to do this you have to play games which is something he isnt doing.

[Alvaro]

Bopara scored a great hundred here, he will play and deserves too.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/engine/match/542559.html

[Pitbull]

I really don't think Bopara deserves to play, he has had his chances and even Patel got selected ahead of him in the UAE. Unfortunately he is one of those players that scores runs very easily at First Class level but I just don't think he is a test match player. I don't mind him playing in the ODI's as much but I think someone else deserves a go.

[charlie15]

Bopara scored a great hundred here, he will play and deserves too.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/engine/match/542559.html

That's fair enough, I think he is the man the selectors would pick, but I'd still like to see if either Compton or JB could make the step up, my line of thinking is you could use the WI tests as a trial and if it doesn't work then you know you have Ravi in line for South Africa.  On top of this you've also exposed to incredibley talented guys who will play for England eventually to cricket at the top level.

[Buzz]

I am not sure I would pick JB personally, I also think that Ravi hasn't quite done enough. Having said that all the signs are pointing to him having been given the nod.

I just want the eng batting order to be changed around a bit - I think we should have
Strauss, Cook, Bell, Trott, Pietersen, mystic number 6, Prior etc...

[Tumo]

Matt Prior.

Then Bresnan 7, Broad 8, etc.

[Red Ink Cricket]

I am not sure I would pick JB personally, I also think that Ravi hasn't quite done enough. Having said that all the signs are pointing to him having been given the nod.

I just want the eng batting order to be changed around a bit - I think we should have
Strauss, Cook, Bell, Trott, Pietersen, mystic number 6, Prior etc...

are we looking at the number 6 spot for someone whos a number 6 or are we thinking pick a higher order bat and drop bell to 6. hes done it before with reasonable success? maybe trott 3, compton/kp 4 or 5 and then bell 6? follow that up with prior, broad or bres and then swann. we bat pretty deep

[charlie15]

Not so sure of picking Bell at 3, I think I agree with Johners on this one by going 3 Trott, 4/5 Compton/KP, 6 Bell.

[Johnny]

Bell will be England's next number 3, so don't see the value in dropping him to 6.

Selector's will stick with Bopara. Only reason he didn't play in Sri Lanka was because he was injured and couldn't bowl. I think he'll probably go to India too, as has experience playing there in the IPL. If he hasn't cemented his place by the end of this year, the dependant on who does what domestically/ for the Lions, someone else will get a chance.

Strauss will retire after the 2012 Ashes, at which point another batting slot will be up for grabs - Trott will probably open and Bell move to 3, leaving a slot at 5-6

[PedalsMcgrew]

Have you been on the phone to Andy Flower again Johnny? 

I actually like the idea of Prior moving up to 6 and an all rounder being selected (although the only ones I can really think of currently are Stokes and he's injured or Coles and he's still a bit raw)

I imagine for the short term Bopara will be in and they will give him a run and if he doesn't take the opportunity then they will pick someone out of the lions squad.......Compton, Taylor etc

[Tumo]

I actually like the idea of Prior moving up to 6 and an all rounder being selected (although the only ones I can really think of currently are Stokes and he's injured or Coles and he's still a bit raw)

Pssst Pedals! Tim Bresnan

[Johnny]

Pssst Pedals! Tim Bresnan

That would be my team, but England won't do it.