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[Buzz]

 Lots to talk about - both teams have a slight transition in the batting order and some confusion who will be batting at 6.

Here is Mike Selvey - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/oct/28/england-test-india
and here is more on the no 6 eng slot http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/oct/27/nick-compton-commitment-england-india

this is debate on the Indian team http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-england-2012/content/current/story/588665.html

what will the make up of the attack be - given that the Indians will prepare some raging bunsens - and given that when we have never won a test match that both Monty and Graeme Swann have played in.

what about Steven Finn (who is one of my first pics) - here is Scyld Berry - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/9638467/Steven-Finn-can-finish-off-Indias-fading-batting-force.html

I want to try to avoid discussion about KP - other than he will start and will bat at 4 - yes he will be a distraction, but there has already been too much discussion on the subject!

For what is it worth - I want the Eng Team to be...

Cook, Bell, Trott, KP, Morgan, Patel, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn

and I expect the indian team will be
Sehwag, Gambir, Pujara, Tendulkar, Kohli, Raina, Dohi, Ashwin, Khan, Ojha, Yadav

Eng haven't won in India since before most members were born...!

[mad_abt_cricket]

Its a toss up between Raina and Yuvraj.. and I feel Yuvraj might get a nod in this series..

[ppccopener]

raina wont play i dont think he cant play quick bowling even if the pitches will be flat.
the new zealand v india series I watched actually the wickets did have some carry

but India I think will put in another spinner in place of Yudav to expose England's weakness-which has been spin for quite a few years now.
England will keep root back and Compton will play as opener I think-Trott clearly does not want to open.
same old thing, if England go behind in the 1st match it will be a long long struggle to get anything from this tour.

[ppccopener]

and we need to find a way to stop Kohli !

[Alvaro]

Well Bell's off for the 2nd Test to hand out cigars isn't he?

I think Compton will dayboo. I hope fat Sam gets no.6 but feel it will be Morgan/Bairstow owing to **** bowling fairly decent offies.

So, Cook, Compton, Trott, ****, Bell, Morgan, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn
India, who cares? It will be tough bowling them out twice whatever Scyld Berry thinks. I think Sachin might retire after the Mumbai Test, especially if he gets a hundred and India are 2-0 up... I think Yuvraj will play.

[uknsaunders]

Nearly fell off my chair when I read this:-

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-england-2012/content/current/story/589160.html

Big Sam 80 odd not out. Were they throwing pies at him?

[alba caerulea]

I stand to be corrected but I cant see England taking 20 wickets cheaply enough to win a Test without a 2nd specialist spinner

Fair play to Patel though, hes done himself no harm there atall.

The opening spot is the only other question mark in my eyes. Compton, Root and Bell are the 3 realistic options. I'm leaning towards Bell as it would mask some of his falibility against spin and open a spot for Morgan at 5/6. Not sure the selectors will see it like that though!

[uknsaunders]

I think Root is one good knock away from getting picked after Compton's failure. I think they'll prefer Swann and Fat Sam to Monty, simply for the batting. May help Sam's case if Root plays as another spin option. Biggest issue is they have only 5 batsman of test class - cook, bell, kp, trott, prior and playing Finn/Monty/Anderson leaves a big tail. Puts alot of strain on Broad/Swann/Other to chip in with runs. Bairstow is fallable against spin, Root/Compton unknown and they still need to take 20 wickets. Think they'll pick Anderson, Broad, Bresnam, Swann and fudge some overs from Big Sam/Root.

India playing a load of lefties would help Swann out. I think the blueprint for India was SL last winter.

[petehosk]

At this moment in time I would look at:

Cook
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Patel
Prior
Bresnan (or Finn if fit)
Broad
Swann
Anderson

Then you have Jimmy, Broad and Bresnan (or Finn) for seam.
Swann as main spin. Patel and Root for half decent spin.
Then KP and Trott if they need to fill a few overs or for the change to take a shock wicket! 

[alba caerulea]

I really rate Root but going from the Championship to a Test match in India is a big jump. I suppose nows as good a time as any and this is where Cook started so why not play him

For me you look at what the home side puts out and try and get near that team set-up. India will play 2 specialist spinners in every Test, plus 2 part-timers that are as good as Patel. We know the pitches will be spin-friendly. I think you have to rely on the top 7 to score the runs, Broad and Swann are every bit as good as Indias 8/9 so surely a number 10 who is a genuine tail-ender isnt the end of the world? Monty in for me!

My team at present (Im more Illingworth than Miller as a selector) 

Cook
Root
Trott
KP
Bell
Patel/Morgan
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Panesar

[justnotcricket86]

In my humble opinion, blooding any bloke who hasn't played a test before, let alone in India, is going to be a hard task. Compton got skittled after 3 balls yesterday, and Root just isn't there for me.

Why they are still ignoring Carberry is beyond me. I may be biased as a Hampshire boy, but he must have earnt it by now...

[123*]

I like Root but just don't think he's ready yet; people point to his championship runs this year but this was only in CC D2 massive step up from that to playing India on their home turf..

[uknsaunders]

In my humble opinion, blooding any bloke who hasn't played a test before, let alone in India, is going to be a hard task. Compton got skittled after 3 balls yesterday, and Root just isn't there for me.

Why they are still ignoring Carberry is beyond me. I may be biased as a Hampshire boy, but he must have earnt it by now...

I'm with you on Carberry, did nothing wrong in Bangladesh a couple of winters ago.

[compstallcc]

i really don't see what the hype about patel is but after his 100 i think you have to pick him ,my team would be

cook
compton
trott
kp
bell
prior
patel
broad
swann
anderson
finn (if fit ,if not bresnan)

[Kulli]

In my humble opinion, blooding any bloke who hasn't played a test before, let alone in India, is going to be a hard task. Compton got skittled after 3 balls yesterday, and Root just isn't there for me.

Why they are still ignoring Carberry is beyond me. I may be biased as a Hampshire boy, but he must have earnt it by now...

India is one of the the easiest places to start off as an opener though, reasonably tame seam attack and flat slow wickets.

The opposite case of those in the middle and lower order with the bat though.