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[ppccopener]

actually what about cook and trott to open?

that i think makes the batting order easier to sort

KP 3.....

[Buzz]

Personally I think it is a big ask for KP to bat at 3.

I haven't seen any of the matches so far, but while any tour would be tough after India, they are being paid a large amount of money to play cricket for their country. I only have limited sympathy, their careers are relatively short in the general scheme of things and they should be professional, not listless.

[uknsaunders]

I actually believe that KP and Bell should be 5/6 in the batting order. Both have great records in those spots and combined with Prior they could do what they do best, attack the bowling. I'm not totally convinced by Compton, both hundreds were on very flat decks, but that's not his fault. I think losing Strauss has actually caused some problems in the top order and we still haven't solved losing Collingwood either. Both of those guys could block or attack depending on the situation and were superb close catchers.

[petehosk]

NZ have adapted better to the conditions, even of they are their own conditions!
England have shown that they can adapt, as they did well in India. But I reckon they saw NZ as an easy tour so I'm hoping it will give us a kick we need for Summer! Will be interested to see how we perform in May.

I would personally have Cook, Root, Trott, KP, Compton, Bell, Prior, etc.
Either that or move Bell to open with Cook.
If Trott were to open with Cook then I think that Root would be a better call at 3 and leave KP at 4. Then Bell and Compton.

[Manormanic]

can't believe Buzz thinks of Root as a hitter - he CAN hit, but his natural game is closer to Trott's!

[Buzz]

I haven't seen that much of him - but he seems to hit the ball more than Compton and Trott!
Personally I would like to see Bell open as he has been a relative success at ODI level and I am not convinced 5 is a great position for him...

[Manormanic]

Are we really going to go over the Bell debate again though? 

[petehosk]

I feel that at this moment in time, we have the right 6 (will see how this goes though and whether KP will recover) but like Buzz, I am not 100% sure whether the order is correct?

[Buzz]

Are we really going to go over the Bell debate again though? 

nope we don't need to. He is one of the best six English qualified batsmen in the country still playing the game.

[WalkingWicket37]

Anyone else tempted to put money on a draw with Monty and Jimmy last men at the crease??

[petehosk]

Not with 4 down already!!!

[ProCricketer1982]

Personally I would like to see Bell open

My worst nightmare!! The guy isn't up to it, you'll see in the next two ashes series!

[WalkingWicket37]

My worst nightmare!! The guy isn't up to it, you'll see in the next two ashes series!

As much as I want him to score runs for England when it matters (something he's not achieved up to now)  there's a part of me that wants him to do so horrendously he never plays again!

[joeljonno]

Not with 4 down already!!!

any chance of rain?

[WalkingWicket37]

any chance of rain?

Only if the rain dances and prayers of 11 Englishmen dressed in white are answered I think