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[Alvaro]

Gary Balances first class record is grossly over inflated by him wintering in Zim and basically getting a ton every time he goes out to bat. For me though, Taylor ain't good enough when the top order is already full of grinders.

[Tumo]

has he?  his first class record is not as good as Gary Ballance, James Vince or Moeen Ali and is only marginally better than Varun Chopra and Sam Robson...as for South Africa, the difference between his performance Bairstow's demonstrates exactly why JB is the man in possession!

He plays at a ground that favours the quicks, not at a small ground with a flat track like Taunton for example, and in a side that has struggled with the bat (Lumb and one innings from Samit aside) he has been the consistent run-scorer. And as for Bairstow's performances against SA, what has he done since? It's a sad state of affairs when Woakes in one game at 6 has looked more comfortable and suitable there than Bairstow has all summer!

[The_Bird]

But Panesar will not get taken apart and Tredwell, for all his personal qualities, will.

I'd take Adil Rashid personally - if Swann is injured, play Rashid as six bat and get a few overs from him behind four quicks.

Borthwick would be deserving of a second spinner/allrounder if he had bowled more overs. Lets be honest Rashid, Briggs, Borthwick would be better options than the poor Aussies spinners that were on show last time we went down under.

[Alvaro]

He plays at a ground that favours the quicks, not at a small ground with a flat track like Taunton for example, and in a side that has struggled with the bat (Lumb and one innings from Samit aside) he has been the consistent run-scorer. And as for Bairstow's performances against SA, what has he done since? It's a sad state of affairs when Woakes in one game at 6 has looked more comfortable and suitable there than Bairstow has all summer!

It's easy to forget that JB helped setup the TB win on said bowlers' wicket in his first Ashes Test.

[Manormanic]

Gary Balances first class record is grossly over inflated by him wintering in Zim and basically getting a ton every time he goes out to bat. For me though, Taylor ain't good enough when the top order is already full of grinders.

I was referring to his average of 55 plus this season!

[Manormanic]

He plays at a ground that favours the quicks, not at a small ground with a flat track like Taunton for example, and in a side that has struggled with the bat (Lumb and one innings from Samit aside) he has been the consistent run-scorer. And as for Bairstow's performances against SA, what has he done since? It's a sad state of affairs when Woakes in one game at 6 has looked more comfortable and suitable there than Bairstow has all summer!

don't agree with that at all.  Bairstow was poorly treated by England for the best part of 12 months, acting as a glorified drinks waiter - as such he deserved the patience that he has been shown.  He made valuable runs against NZ at Headingley and in the first coupel of Ashes tests, chipping in thereafter.  Not jaw dropping form, but showing the qualities that are worth sticking with.

[mr_wickets]

It would be quite harsh not to take Bairstow. He was part of the majority of the Ashes series where England won the series. Also Very harsh not to take Taylor. I thought he did everything they asked of him, went to play for Sussex to play some 4 day stuff if KP wasn't fit, scored a big ton and then gets forgotten about.

[LangerManagement]

Okay this is the 17 man squad...Cook Prior Anderson Bairstow Ballance Bell Broad Carberry Finn Panesar Pietersen Rankin Root Stokes Swann Tremlett Trott... One question. Where the (No Swearing Please) is Graham Onions! Sorry for swearing but Jesus, the bloke helped Durham to their 3rd championship title in 6 years and is comfortably the best fast bowler in County cricket. He's not even in the performance squad! This is criminal!

[iand123]

He's playing in Natal and i read a quote suggesting he is first reserve should anything happen to Anderson. Whilst i think he should be there from the start i can see that playing Lions cricket might not be the best for him

[Kulli]

Yeah, might seem harsh, but he does not seem a bowler particularly well suited to aussies pitches.

[WalkingWicket37]

Compton is unlucky not to be in the squad (and I a degree so is Woakes)
Very surprised (but happy) to see Carbs going. Hopefully he gets a game or 5 giving more exposure for Tom's helmets on the biggest stage of them all.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Some of the selections in the squad are a joke.

Bairstow shouldnt be in at all - cant get in the side regularly as a batsman, definately shouldnt be there as a keeper. he seems to be the guy you take on tour to carry drinks. barely plays! Buttler would have been a much better choice.
Carberry - scored sod all in the CC this year. one day yes, test match no
Rankin - that was a given. think he deserves his place.
Tremlett - in the squad on last ashes in aus form.
Ballance - had a good season. not a bad selection
Monty - not sure. toss up between him and tredwell. fortunate to be included i think.
Stokes - really not sure about his CC form. useful in the one dayers but unsure on test selection.

Feel really sorry for Compton. Roots been average for england in all formats for a few months. with the exception of one test innings this year hes struggled. seems to have lost his edge. Root at 6 to get his form back and Compton to open. What does he have to do to get in the team?

[Number4]

I think Carberry should think himself lucky to be honest

[smilley792]

Roots been average for england in all formats for a few months. with the exception of one test innings this year hes struggled. seems to have lost his edge.

His 90* in the t20 would have been hailed as a awesome innings, but got lost cos finch scored 155

[Red Ink Cricket]

His 90* in the t20 would have been hailed as a awesome innings, but got lost cos finch scored 155

lol didnt see the england innings so didnt know he scored 90*. you can kind of see my point though? has looked a different player from where he started most of the time