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[joeljonno]

manormanic

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

Here's my two-penneth.  You said 'if Root is good enough to be reserve keeper'

Well, he is not. He took the gloves for an hour or two at the end of a rained off match that didn't mean anything.

You wouldn't have let Bairstow keep in this match to stop a potential freak accident so it was left to the lowest rated batsmen.  It would be Root or Carberry.  I'd suggest Root is more open to doing anything and was happy to take the gloves.

Bairstow is much better than Root at keeping, and that is why he is in the squad.

I think the debate is over.

[WalkingWicket37]

Here's my two-penneth.  You said 'if Root is good enough to be reserve keeper'

Well, he is not. He took the gloves for an hour or two at the end of a rained off match that didn't mean anything.

You wouldn't have let Bairstow keep in this match to stop a potential freak accident so it was left to the lowest rated batsmen.  It would be Root or Carberry.  I'd suggest Root is more open to doing anything and was happy to take the gloves.

Bairstow is much better than Root at keeping, and that is why he is in the squad.

I think the debate is over.

Surely Ballance or Root, I don't think they'd ask Carbs due to his health

[SOULMAN1012]

My view for what's its worth is that the wicket keeper position is far to important to take any chance with, espicially with the importance England place on Swann. Standing back to the quicks is far easier than standing up to spin and especially someone like Swann who changes pace, flight with minimal change in action. Prior and Swann are like a well oiled machine and that is not something that can be replaced with a novice.

Now I do not know much about Bairstow keeping having hardly seen him keep. So my choice would be a a top end keeper if that's Bairstow than fair enough but if not than I personally would call up James Foster who is without doubt the best keeper in England and arguably the best in the world. I know a lot will have questions about his batting but personally I don't think his batting is that bad not to Prior level but with the strength of the top order and the strength of the tail that is a chance I would take and his keeping will save lots of runs and you would bank on him taking the half chances as well. He would also have the skills to keep to Swann without having seen much of him and is regarded as the best standing up to the stumps in all forms of cricket, saw him take an amazing stumping off Napier at Canterbury this year and Napier is still serious pace and bowls a very heavy ball.

Anyway that's my view for what's its worth.

[Vitas Cricket]

Prior will play, even if he is on one leg, and he will still do a bloody good job with the gloves and scrap for his life with the bat.

He's a proper bloke.

[joeljonno]

Back on the opening spot.

Carbs has put a good show, but was only one innings.  I think he'll get another go in the next warm up match (if there is one).  What also helped was Root getting runs down the order again.

All in all, I think Carbs is in pole position for it now, with Root at six and hopefully that'll solve two weaker spots in the team, at least for this series.

[Vitas Cricket]

The runs obviously help Carbs stake his claim, but Compton scored some big runs too.

The difference is I sense Carbs has fitted into the group perfectly. From an outsider looking in, I get the sense Compton and Flower (maybe even Cook/the team as a whole) had a few differences of opinion.

[WalkingWicket37]

Back on the opening spot.

Carbs has put a good show, but was only one innings.  I think he'll get another go in the next warm up match (if there is one).  What also helped was Root getting runs down the order again.

All in all, I think Carbs is in pole position for it now, with Root at six and hopefully that'll solve two weaker spots in the team, at least for this series.

Carbs has had 2 decent knocks out of 2 (and is averaging over 100 so far this tour).
Root looked good in the middle order, so I think the batting lineup has probably been chosen as Cook, Carbs, Trott, KP, Bell, Root, Prior and the bowlers.
As for the bowlers I have a feeling it will be Tremlett as he was given a go in this warm up game, if it was me I'd have that as the starting XI for the first test, but we'll have to wait & see.

[smilley792]

Just read pietersen has left the team for work and injections on his right knee.


He too will probably play, but will be a dilemma if him and prior both missing,


Cook
Carbs
Trott
Bell
Root
balance
Bairstow
Broad
Swann
Finn
Anderson

? ?

[Manormanic]

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

The point you gace was one of the most palpably ridiculous I've ever heard suggested and needed firmly slapping down.  It was akin to suggesting that England play Gary Ballance as an opening bowler or try to convert Boyd Rankin into a middle order batsman.

[The_Bird]

Jonathan Trott has bowled before so he could form a deadly swing partnership with Jimmy with the new ball.


It will be a massive blow if England lose Prior. Such a quality player and
opens the door for the Aussies a little.

[billyb]

If Prior/KP miss out, at least Carberry will certainly achieve his dream so soon after the blood clots on his lung... and send for JAMES TAYLOR.

[jamielsn15]

Agree that Carberry is set to open.  Root just looks more comfortable at 6, though in time, I'm sure he will move back up the order.

Root as a keeper is an absolute non starter, sorry.  I would assume he was given the gloves based on either volunteering or as the most expendable of the top 6 batsmen if he got injured keeping.  If Prior is out, Bairstow will keep, that's what he's  there for.  I agree that Prior will play and, to be frank, I'd  rather have Prior on one leg with one arm than Root keeping in an Ashes Test match.  I took up keeping for the first time this past season and I found the toughest part to be constantly focussing for every ball - for Root to do that in 25-30 degree heat over five days, not too mention the many technical shortfalls he will have (after all, if he was quality, he'd be keeping much more frequently) would be a monumental ask...

KP's injury is a concern long term, though I'm sure he'll play the entire series and they will manage his knee daily.  IF he isn't fit, I see Bell moving up to 4, Root at 5 and most likely Ballance at 6.

I think the top 7 will be; Cook, Carberry, Trott, KP, Bell, Root, Prior.  Worst case; Cook, Carberry, Trott, Bell, Root, Ballance, Bairstow.  If the Aussies see the latter, they'll be smelling blood - lot of inexperience and low scores in there, though I don't doubt that Root, Ballance and Bairstow will be quality test players with long careers...

[lazza32]

hope prior and kp get over there strains as they are two of the more exciting players in the england team. Don't mind if trott doesn't play though

[FattusCattus]

Ballance gives the impression of a rabbit in the headlights if you listen to the press.

How about playing Stokes as the extra batter, which gives you a fourth seamer option too?

(Prepares to be laughed out of town)

[billyb]

Screw it all, Swanny was saying how he is going to score an Ashes ton so let him open, and then if Ballance is really that bad we can always stick Bumble in at 5.