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[petehosk]

With Bairstow still not performing what should the approach be?

If Prior and Broad/Swann were on better form with the bat, I would say play Prior at 6 and get an Onions/Finn/Trem in as a 5th bowler - but with Prior only showing the occasional glimpse of form, that won't happen!
Ashes already retained. So does Bairstow get yet another go, or should it be an opportunity to try a James Taylor?

[Vic Nicholas]

One man you missed off your list only Steyn is better.

Shane Bond

oh and another Simon Jones bar injury would have been a world great he was a better bowler than Ryan Harris and Jimmy

Aye, both wonderful bowlers...but have they played test cricket in the "last few years" (ie: since 2010) as I loosely set out?

If we are talking the best bowlers *I have seen* of all time...only Steyn would come close to getting into my top 5 from this current lot.

1/ McGrath
2/ Ambrose
3/ Marshall
4/ Waqar
5/ Garner
6/ Steyn
7/ Akram
8/ Hadlee
9/ Lillee
10/ Donald

11/ Holding
12/ Roberts
13/ Pollock
14/ Imran
15/ Botham

Sorry for any omissions of anybodies personal fave - but those guys were all incredible.

[Chad]

With Bairstow still not performing what should the approach be?

If Prior and Broad/Swann were on better form with the bat, I would say play Prior at 6 and get an Onions/Finn/Trem in as a 5th bowler - but with Prior only showing the occasional glimpse of form, that won't happen!
Ashes already retained. So does Bairstow get yet another go, or should it be an opportunity to try a James Taylor?

I think Taylor deserves a shot, but I don't know about Root opening... I feel he could do with a few more matches at 6 just to get more experience at international level, but saying that, he did score a 180!

[Vic Nicholas]

With Bairstow still not performing what should the approach be?

If Prior and Broad/Swann were on better form with the bat, I would say play Prior at 6 and get an Onions/Finn/Trem in as a 5th bowler - but with Prior only showing the occasional glimpse of form, that won't happen!
Ashes already retained. So does Bairstow get yet another go, or should it be an opportunity to try a James Taylor?

Six of one....

[procricket]

I would like to see Carberry given a chance

[petehosk]

Would love to see Carberry opening but I can't see it happening!

[Sam]

Bairstow out , Root to 6 and Carbs opening  ?

Would like it but can't see it happening with Compton there.

[Buzz]

why is bairstow getting grief?

he has done a great job for the team here in the context of this match.

[Bez013]

why is bairstow getting grief?

he has done a great job for the team here in the context of this match.

Agreed - his average over the series is better than Trott and Cook and no one is calling for them to be dropped.....

[procricket]

both the mentioned are proven

I would be calling for Root head as well if his Lords hundred was not scored (dropped on 12) but there you go...

I'm not convinced by Root as a opener at this level

[Bez013]

I guess they should all be thankful they aren't playing in the 90's 

I am not actually a huge fan of Bairstow but his 28 in support of Bell today could prove to be quite key in this match given the relatively low scoring game and with Prior is being out of form at the moment England could have been all out in a hurry.

[joeljonno]

both the mentioned are proven

I would be calling for Root head as well if his Lords hundred was not scored (dropped on 12) but there you go...

I'm not convinced by Root as a opener at this level

Root just needs time and he will be possibly one of the best openers around. Unfortunately time is not what he has. I'd say he has one more test match to get a score else the winter his spot will be available for anyone who puts a good show on. He is still averaging about 40 though, so he has shown he can get runs at this level.

Bairstow is also a good player who needs time, but he seems to never get past 30-40. He maybe needs a few months back in the championship set up.

Taylor had a chance, went back to the county championship and still scored runs. Perhaps it is his turn to have a run of games.

[Buzz]

Joe Root will get about 50 chances to prove himself as an opener. he will do just fine, especially in Australia.

after those 50 chances, he will then get another 100 plus goes to carry the team.

he and cook will finish with a better record than cook and strauss

[Alvaro]

Bairstow is also a good player who needs time, but he seems to never get past 30-40. He maybe needs a few months back in the championship set up.

Taylor had a chance, went back to the county championship and still scored runs. Perhaps it is his turn to have a run of games.

Barstow got 60-odd at Trent Bridge. He adds some oomph whereas James Taylor is an honest grinder who won't ever change the course of an international innings.

[Twelfth Man]

Well bowled Ryan Harris...