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[The_Bird]

Rogers is probably helping with the ends for each bowler as well.


It appears the groundsman has watered this pitch a bit more that the TB one did. Far greener and nibbling around, far better viewing for me and bowlers who hit lines and lengths are getting rewarded.

[Leddster138]

With all this movement off the pitch maybe Bresnan was a good shout after all.

[johnnyw]

Im still unsure with root as an opener. Would rather see him at 5/6

[Vic Nicholas]

Australia NEVER learn.

The first test was decided by third man....England had one, Australia mostly did not.

Bell scored 36% of his runs down to third man.

Already in this innings, boundaries are flowing down there.

Wake up Pup and get a third man in place to stem the flow of runs in that area.

[tim2000s]

Do you think Clarke chucked the ball to Watson to open to hopefully injure himself so that he could not longer participate in the series? Or am I just being Machiavellian?

[Vic Nicholas]

Do you think Clarke chucked the ball to Watson to open to hopefully injure himself so that he could not longer participate in the series? Or am I just being Machiavellian?

Might have had something to do with Pattinson not having a clue how to bowl with the slope...

[uknsaunders]

Do you think Clarke chucked the ball to Watson to open to hopefully injure himself so that he could not longer participate in the series? Or am I just being Machiavellian?

or he hoped Watto could bowl straighter than Pattinson. Which he did.

However, I like your theory and I think Watson will eventually breakdown under Pup's leadership. The best way of doing it would be for Watto to be chucked the ball on Day 5 of a test heading for a draw, then being asked to bowl 15 overs straight.

[Number4]

Do you think Clarke chucked the ball to Watson to open to hopefully injure himself so that he could not longer participate in the series? Or am I just being Machiavellian?

If so what do you think Watson would have said after his first over

[procricket]

Well for me is root under pressure yet surely he must be in the same way Compton was

[Number4]

By the look of the amount of swing the Aussies are getting I think Anderson is going to be a real handful on this wicket

[Vic Nicholas]

Well for me is root under pressure yet surely he must be in the same way Compton was

Compton is a safer bet at the top of the order at the moment.

[PedalsMcgrew]

Well for me is root under pressure yet surely he must be in the same way Compton was

Well, if both players are playing under the same team selection rules then yes! 

I'd prefer to see him back down the order but that means finding another opener as it would pain me to see Trott move away from No 3. He's perfect for that position.

[Buzz]

Root will be given all 10 ashes test matches as an opener - the selection rules will be different for the golden boy...!

[ppccopener]

Compton did'nt get the consistent selection policy applied to him that others had...

but having made the decision they might of been better putting Bell up with Cook and leaving Root in the middle.

it's all hindsight of course but seemed an odd choice in a big series.

[Leddster138]

I'd love to know where James Taylor fits in with Englands selection policy! He goes away to score 100s of runs and still the debate revolves round Bairstow, Root, Compton. I don't think they should change anything now and the team at the end of the ashes should be as close to this one as possible if they can help it. I can't help but feel the selectors seem to take the path of least resistance when it comes to difficult decisions.