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[smilley792]

Joe root stumping, and took a catch. Looked okay in the highlights I saw.



Which poses a question, if root is good enough to be a reserve keeper, does this end bairstows international career?

[Alvaro]

The fact Bairstow has not progressed is down to himself and the fact England has dragged him around on a series of long holidays for no particular reason will put a stop to his England career, not Joe Root playing backstop in what ended up as a beer match.

[jackmorris]

hopefully prior will be back for first test but if not Root is the better batsmen so keep him in and maybe bring in stokes or another bowler ( maybe monty or finn ) depends on the pitch but I'd like to see Kieswetter back in the set up next year sometime

[The_Bird]

I'm pretty sure England would call in a specialist keeper if prior wasn't fit.

[Twelfth Man]

If Prior wasn't fit, Bairstow would probably be given a go. If not, definitely Buttler simply for the fact that they're in the England set up. At a very wild long shot it would be Lions keeper Ben Foakes.

[WalkingWicket37]

I'm pretty sure England would call in a specialist keeper if prior wasn't fit.

Isn't Ron Weasley over as reserve keeper though?? (And he is Yorkshire's first choice keeper when not being dragged round the world carrying drinks)

[The_Bird]

That's what i mean, I don't think they would use Root as he is not a test match standard keeper. Bairstow is a specialist keeper and regardless of form with the bat is a far better
Keeper than Root.

[WalkingWicket37]

That's what i mean, I don't think they would use Root as he is not a test match standard keeper. Bairstow is a specialist keeper and regardless of form with the bat is a far better
Keeper than Root.

Ah sorry mate, I thought you meant call up a new keeper instead of JB, I obviously read it wrong lol

[smilley792]

IMO you can only have your 2nd choice keeper fail so many times with the bat, before you think,

Hmmm, let root keep, and let's play a batsmen who'll score some runs, or a bowler to sure up the attack.



Granted root wouldn't be test match quality....yet, doesn't mean they cant see his potential and start working on improvements in his keeping department, to blood him as prior backup/replacement.

[The_Bird]

I don't think 'seeing how he goes' is right. It's an ashes series. I'd rather see Chris Read keep than Joe Root.

Before he kept yesterday would you have even thought as root as a genuine replacement?

It's a bit silly really to even be considering it.

[Ayrtek Cricket]

Taking the gloves for 20-30 overs in what was only ever going to be a glorified net session for the England bowlers is completely different to having to concentrate for 90 overs in a day.

You'd want a specialist doing it for that period of time which is exactly why Bairstow has been taken on the tour.

[Gingerbusiness]

Why not Buttler or Kieswetter... Oh yes, because they are nowhere near as good as Prior.

I worry about Bairstow too. Cracking fielder and relies on natural fielding ability behind the stumps, but that can be strained in 90 overs on a hot day...

I'm not sure if I'd be happy with anyone keeping other than Prior in test match cricket for England...

[Buzz]

root kept so that there is a plan b if prior is injured in a test match.

it won't be a long term plan as his off-spin is more useful to the team as a whole.

bairstow would keep if Prior couldn't play. my mortgage is on Prior being fit for the test.

[Manormanic]

Okay, in defence of Bairstow, go back and watch his two knocks against the Yarpies last year.  If, bearing in mind that England ensured he often went six weeks without a competitive knock in the time since, you can seriously tell me that he is not someone with the potential to be test class, then I'll tell you you know absolutely eff all about cricket.  Though given you've probably just advocated starting an Ashes series with a guy who has NEVER PREVIOUSLY KEPT WICKET IN SENIOR CRICKET I guess you've already made that point more eloquently than I ever could.

That said, is he the second best keeper in England?  No - I'd say **on keeping ability** that Read, Foster, Wallace, Hodd and Simpson are well ahead and Kiswetter has a slight lead.  But he is no worse than Buttler, Foakes or Davies who are the other serious test candidates, and none of them have shown the same cojones under pressure, nor is he any worse than Prior was when he made his test debut - indeed, by that notedly low mark, he is more or less the reincarnation of Bob Taylor.  So he deserves a chance, even if I am desperately hoping that Prior is fit.

[smilley792]

manormanic

i gave a point to debate. so debate away, but there is no need for a personal attack.