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[uknsaunders]

Its easy let Ali open and play Vince in the middle order.

[Giraffe208]

Its easy let Ali open and play Vince in the middle order.

Not the worst suggestion if they want to keep Ali playing.....although there needs to be some attention to the short ball if he will be opening!

[TangoWhiskey]

Only changes I'd want to see at the minute are stokes in for woakes and Finn in for Jordan. Robson can stay, he scored a ton and just needs to find his feet at international level.

[WalkingWicket37]

Only changes I'd want to see at the minute are stokes in for woakes and Finn in for Jordan. Robson can stay, he scored a ton and just needs to find his feet at international level.

Even just Stokes for Woakes would please me, Stokes is the brightest prospect in English cricket and will be a future superstar, Woakes isn't and won't!

[cricketrob]

Woakes has bowled well, stokes has been awful in his last fee tests especially with the bat, he needs to go back to first class cricket and prove himself

[WalkingWicket37]

Woakes has bowled well, stokes has been awful in his last fee tests especially with the bat, he needs to go back to first class cricket and prove himself

Stokes has bowled well in his last few tests and batting will come with time, he's done well at county level which is why he was recalled.

Woakes isn't a wicket taking bowler whereas Stokes is, and you need 20 wickets to win a test match.

[cesare_in]

After India's performance (or lack of) in the last 2 tests.. I am unable to find a place to hide under the chair!!

[FattusCattus]

Surefire way of getting Ali dropped is to open with him. Nothing I've seen about his batting suggests he will be able to handle an assault by  Morkel, Steyn, Johnson or others.

I think he is another fella better suited to the middle order, test opening is a tricky position. I'd wheel in a decent, experienced county opener, stick with Robson or ask Bell if he will do the job.

[Stuey]

Surefire way of getting Ali dropped is to open with him. Nothing I've seen about his batting suggests he will be able to handle an assault by  Morkel, Steyn, Johnson or others.

I think he is another fella better suited to the middle order, test opening is a tricky position. I'd wheel in a decent, experienced county opener, stick with Robson or ask Bell if he will do the job.

With you here Fattus, just got a guy in who is developing his spin nicely, can hold his own in the middle order, why open with him?!

[TangoWhiskey]

I also agree with Fattus. Ali is doing fine where he is. If he continues to develop the way he has been then he will be worth his weight in gold to England as a spinning all rounder allows them to select four seamers.

[FattusCattus]

It is better to agree with me, I am an evil fat genius!

[uknsaunders]

It is better to agree with me, I am an evil fat genius!

I'll give you the fat part. Not sure you are entirely evil or a genius.

To me - Ali has left the ball well outside off stump, hallmark of a good opener. He does appear to have a knack of getting out in stupid ways - hooking or not, driving at herath etc. Not seen anything to say his technique isn't good against the pitched up ball - the one at Old Trafford looked a snorter to me. His short ball technique needs work but he's not the worst option.

[Buzz]

Moeen should stay at 6 - there is no way he should be in the top 3 in my view. His fallibilities against the short ball make that impossible.

Hales is the man I tell you!!!

[Sam]

Its easy let Ali open and play Vince in the middle order.

Move a non-opener in to open and bring a non-opener into the middle order... How is that any easier  ...

[FattusCattus]

I'll give you the fat part. Not sure you are entirely evil or a genius.

To me - Ali has left the ball well outside off stump, hallmark of a good opener. He does appear to have a knack of getting out in stupid ways - hooking or not, driving at herath etc. Not seen anything to say his technique isn't good against the pitched up ball - the one at Old Trafford looked a snorter to me. His short ball technique needs work but he's not the worst option.

I'll bet you a large  pie, with the filling of your choice, that he would be crap as a test opener, and would get found out within 4 innings.

I like the guy, and I want him to succeed - but like Root, he is more of a benefit to England where he is.