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[ppccopener]

im with you cricketbadger

broad has no brains for a top class bowler

we dont need 7 batsmen either in the tests(broad aint scored any runs for ages anyway)

Onions has got to have killed Flower's pet cat or sommat.

England needs to

[Manormanic]

you say Bell bashers buit even Scyld Berry was recommending he be dropped over the weekend to allow Root and Bairstow time to bed in to the test game!

[fros23]

you say Bell bashers buit even Scyld Berry was recommending he be dropped over the weekend to allow Root and Bairstow time to bed in to the test game!

Doesn't mean he is right though!  Here is a good riposte to that article.

http://www.51allout.co.uk/2013-02-19-stop-ringing-ians-bell/

[uknsaunders]

Bell is a quality batsman. We have Cook, Trott, KP, Bell who are all quality and can play Test/ODI. Though I have my doubts about Trott in ODI's, I think 2 white balls came at the right time for him. Anyway, we have 4 quality batters and 6 spots in tests. Compton did ok but Root has stolen his thunder and Bairstow can bed in at 6 for tests. ODI's are a bit more of an issue as Morgan/Buttler have some credits in the bank. If Root could bowl 10 overs it would help, maybe Trott might be the one to make way and let KP prance around at 3.

[crictech]

Was listening to Nick Knight. I don't know how anyone could think about leaving Root out of the side right now - 75 average with a 90 plus strike rate.
It's horses for courses with the new format, Cook is the first name on the team sheet, then pick 2 out of the 3; Bell, Pietersen, Trott. Leave Root at 4 and Morgan, Butler at 5,6. Biggest question mark is Woakes bowling 10 overs. I feel for Bairstow, I think he should have had a crack before Butler but Butler done everything right to keep his spot so Bairstow will have to be patient.

[cricketbadger]

with Trotts record he cant be dropped, he has done nothing wrong either
like was mentioned in commentary today he is the glue of the side, holds innings together and see's them through
albeit not as spectacular a finisher as a Morgan or Butler, but he has a way of making runs and its effective

[mickyp]

Stat attack - Root is the first player in ODI history who's scored 30 plus in his first six innings. Make of that what you will. Don't think Stokes will be getting a sniff anytime soon, even if the undroppable Broad were to be left out. He's been sent home from the Lions tour for a second instance of unprofessional conduct...

[Jogetnz]

Whoever they select I hope they get it right to avoid a thumping on the fourth day by my boys. Obviously Eng will win by an innings inside three days but its the golf on the fourth that will be the true test.

As an aside and to introduce myself, I live in Christchurch, New Zealand and have just rediscovered my passion for cricket after not playing the for the last 6 years. I'm planning on playing again next season hence how I stumbled across this site. Having given away all my gear when I retired  I'm excited at the prospect of getting some new kit and thanks to all the effort you guys put in on this forum I'm sold on getting something custom made, even tempted to have a go myself at shaping a bat. The last stick I had was a GM Diamond Back that needed many a visit to the repairers but went like a rocket, if I think back to that shape and the shape of most modern bats, times have certainly change, for the better or not. That I'm not sure of as I'm yet to have a hit with these new monsters.

I look forward to adding a few comments here and there in the future and all the best for the upcoming tests (not that you will need it)

[Alvaro]

Welcome to the forum mate.
England have a nasty tendency to take their collective foot off the gas...
There's hope yet!

[ProCricketer1982]

I look forward to adding a few comments here and there in the future and all the best for the upcoming tests (not that you will need it)

Don't write yourselves off too quickly.. Broad will be playing so it's just finn and anderson to worry about. Swann doesn't look quite as dangerous as few years ago.

[Alvaro]

Yep, Swann was useless in India...
Swann will have a good trip as a specialist second slip if things go to plan.

[ProCricketer1982]

Yep, Swann was useless in India...
Swann will have a good trip as a specialist second slip if things go to plan.

He's not useless, I didn't say that. I just don't think he's quite as dangerous as he was a year or two ago. He's still a top spinner. I'd just worry more about Finn and Anderson currently personally.

[procricket]

I think New Zealand have a suprise or two in there ranks I'm expecting a decent series to be honest

[Jogetnz]

I find it hard to have any confidence, we were all out for 45 four test innings ago, watching it my cuppa tea was still warm at the end of the innings. Our strengths are definitely in the shorter forms.

[The_Bird]

I think Brownlie, Williamson, Taylor are all the key men batting wise I just can't see your bowling being threatening at all. That's why you are very competitive in the shorter forms but in the longer forms where tight disciplined bowling is key you aren't quite there. Southee looks fit again so will be a threat but he is still an average test match bowler in my eyes.