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[alexhilly1492]

 Cook,Anderson, Bairstow, Bell,Bresnan,Broad, Compton, Finn, Onions,Morgan, Panesar, Patel,Prior,Root, Swann,Trott

My XI from that would be;

Cook, Root/compton (cant decide), Trott, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Patel, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson

[Manormanic]

So no KP.  Whatever various people may think of him, I cannot help but feel slightly sad about that decision.

Of the remainder, the only interesting decision was going to be about the batting spots.  Obviously Cook, Bell and Trott were certainties and Bairstow highly likely - the other three were the three most likely contenders once Taylor's name was missed from the central contracts list.  Right or wrong, hard to tell, but I guess they're the most sensible bets in the circumstances.

What I am disappointed by is the spin options - Fat Sammy should be nowhere near, and I'm not convinced by Panesar either.  Would have preferredto see younger options tried - Kerrigan, Rafiq perhaps?

[alexhilly1492]

i agree with you about the spinners, surely danny briggs would be a good shout, he's had experiance with england all be it a few odi's and a t20 but he knows what the set up is like and offers something a bit different being a leggy

[Johnny]

Bairstow now official sub-keeper now too.

Any announcement on a vice-captain? I though they normally nominated one for overseas tours

[Johnny]

I think they may pick KP for the new Zealand tests next year and test his desire to play for England v  IPL.

[Red Ink Cricket]

i agree with you about the spinners, surely danny briggs would be a good shout, he's had experiance with england all be it a few odi's and a t20 but he knows what the set up is like and offers something a bit different being a leggy

danny briggs is a slow left armer?

[Manormanic]

i agree with you about the spinners, surely danny briggs would be a good shout, he's had experiance with england all be it a few odi's and a t20 but he knows what the set up is like and offers something a bit different being a leggy

erm, two points - one, he doesn't really turn the ball enough for the longer form of the game and two, he ain't a leggie!

[Manormanic]

I think they may pick KP for the new Zealand tests next year and test his desire to play for England v  IPL.

possibly - am surprised they didn't use the change of skipper to draw the proverbial line in the sand.

[richthekeeper]

personally i think it's a shame that Taylor has been dropped so quickly

[ppccopener]

i think you have hit the nail on the head there Jonny

it's a game a brinkmanship and the ECB are holding the cards at the moment.

surprised Taylor did not go but with Root they are looking to the future and Compton selection shows reward for county runs.he's a good player-not sure he will play thou

i think Root will open with bairstow in the team and morgan replacing ravi

[Manormanic]

personally i think it's a shame that Taylor has been dropped so quickly

yes and no - I like that England have of late given players a good chance to prove themselves.  But was he really demonstrating rediness for the top level?  I'd have to say not...

[PedalsMcgrew]

erm, two points - one, he doesn't really turn the ball enough for the longer form of the game and two, he ain't a leggie!

He turned the ball square in the last T20....more than Swann did. This widely held belief that he doesn't turn the ball is rubbish. He does. Definitely not a leggie either 

I'm amazed they have gone with Root over Carberry. Root is no where near ready yet and Carbs coming in would have given Root the time to develop. Carberry may be over 30 but I doubt there is another player in the England squad as fit as he is.

Not taking Taylor is just plain odd....why discard him and bring in Root? That's just weird.

[Manormanic]

RE: Briggs that was the only time he has ever been seen to turn the ball though, and it was that odd type of turn that usually comes from a dewey surface rather than a normal day time pitch, so I'd say the jury remains out on his abilities to beat the bat at the top level.

As for Root...there were three decent candidates, but I suspect Carberry's health issues played a part in his exclusion, as (sadly) did the fact that Root can bowl a few overs of passable off spin. 

[Red Ink Cricket]

i feel compton should play. hes proven this season he has what it takes. played 3 or so games less than everyone but scored 300 plus more. averaging 99.60 isnt too shabby either. Im suprised by Roots selection. i know he is rated by the back room staff, in particular thorpe and has been around the performance/lions set up for a while but i dont think 900 runs in a cc season is anything to shout about - an above average season only. i think he could be good but give him a little more time to develop and then take his chance in the next couple of years.

carberry or hildreth should have been included or even taylor (although unsure of his stats this year)

spinner wise i understand why they have taken monty - bowled very well this year but samit patel is lost on me. is he a better bowler than monty? no. does he bat and field better - yes. the only thing i can think of is that they want a spinner who can add something to the game. does samits fielding and batting outway his lack of ability with the ball and make him a better pick than monty? i dont know. a young spinner who can bat would have been better. maybe thats why root in on tour to bowl some spinners aswell. not sure thats the best idea in the world but a young spinning alrounder would have benefitted more than samit would on this tour.

[PedalsMcgrew]

If that's the case with Root then it's a shame RHB has had the problems he's had this season. He could have been in with a shout. He would have been a better callthan Root anyway! His bowling is a lot better and arguably his batting as well....