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[Red Ink Cricket]

i think comptons 29? if it turns out that compton isnt the man for the job then someone like carberry does deserve his chance. as the man in the job he has to ensure that he keeps it. the chasing pack need to give the selectors a reason to change. although he has had a couple of average innings against the NZ attack who to be fair to them have bowled very well at times, that doesnt make him a bad player. Currently 150 not out against the likes of onions, even at taunton is worth some praise. the england set up obviously see something in his ability that warrants his selection. i think these runs are doing no harm at all.
 
if root was meant to open then why didnt he? Yes, india can be a very tough place to start your career but you have to start somewhere. following india with back to back series against what was seen as lower opposition would have helped. root has done a great job coming in down the order and i think hes probably in the team for the long haul. why change what he is doing? hes doing a good job there so leave him there. maybe move him above bell but thats it.

[Manormanic]

Being a set batsman means you also have the responsibility not to get out to the 2nd new ball

Being a set batsman means you have the responsibility to go on whatever teh circumstances.  If you look at Root's two dismissals, one was an excellent ball from Boult, the other the product of too much adrenaline, which was understandable given he had made a maiden test century on his home ground in front f a crowd that had treated him like the second coming...

[Manormanic]

if root was meant to open then why didnt he? Yes, india can be a very tough place to start your career but you have to start somewhere. following india with back to back series against what was seen as lower opposition would have helped. root has done a great job coming in down the order and i think hes probably in the team for the long haul. why change what he is doing? hes doing a good job there so leave him there. maybe move him above bell but thats it.

Why didn't he?  Erm, I don't think you make your test debut and get the skipper asking where you would like to bat and bowl... 

[Nickauger]

Clearly not what he meant hthough was it mate? lol, if he was meant to open, why didn't the selectors pick him to opwn. stop being mischievious! you only croon over him cos he's from yorkshire

[Manormanic]

Clearly not what he meant hthough was it mate? lol, if he was meant to open, why didn't the selectors pick him to opwn. stop being mischievious! you only croon over him cos he's from yorkshire

No, I croon over him because he is an amazing player.  You don't see me telling everyone that Steve Patterson should be in the England side, now do you? 

Answering your question, when he was brought into the side there were two guys in place who could only open in Cook and Compton, ergo  the more versatile Root was asked to bat down the order.  I don't think that means he is any less of an opener, just that he seizde his chance in the circumstances it was offered.

[Nickauger]

I think that if you need to pick both of them, then you do pick Compton to open, and Root at 6. He's definitely more able to change the pace of a game! Better looking player.... yes, better player.... as an international opener, don't know. And Compton didn't open once last season for Somerset! He batted 3 and 4.

[Manormanic]

I think that if you need to pick both of them, then you do pick Compton to open, and Root at 6. He's definitely more able to change the pace of a game! Better looking player.... yes, better player.... as an international opener, don't know. And Compton didn't open once last season for Somerset! He batted 3 and 4.

If you have them both in the same team, your hand is forced - Compton really could only open such is the one paced nature of his game, and Root in fairness would make a perfectly good number four.  I think teh bigger point is, of teh seven obvious candidates for si slots in teh Ashes, Compton is the one who would be missed from the line up least (and I say that as someone who does not think that Ian Bell should be allowed anywhere near the England side!)