Print

[TangoWhiskey]

Bearded Wonder got runs, that's all we need. It will be him and Cook either going at 4 an over or not getting beyond a partnership of 20. Cook will not do much and we'll get knocked out pretty early on despite the efforts of Buttler and Morgan. Cook will resign at the end of the WC to concentrate on tests. England will "move on" having mucked up the WC yet again.

Sound familiar? Strauss did the same at the end of the last WC, albeit with 150 odd against India to his name.

How an ODI series in SL prepares you for Perth and some serious fast bowling I have no idea.

#Trottsfault

Strauss got 400+ runs in the last world cup if I'm not mistaken.

EDIT: I am mistaken. His stats were:
AJ Strauss (Eng)    7    7    0    334    158    47.71    357    93.55    1    1    1    34    3

Which was the second highest English batsman after Trott by quite a distance.

[Buzz]

All these comments about us playing in Perth are misleading... our group games are in New Zealand...

Still it was good for Hales to get a go yesterday and he will play in the next game, hopefully opening.
The other scenario is that Bell opens with Moeen which is hedious.

[FattusCattus]

Yes - imagine if he grew a long ginger beard!!! Hidious indeed!

[nomad71]

I agree with everyone that Hales needs a good few games opening to see if he can warrant the opening spot for the world cup as it should be Ali, Bell & Hales fighting it out for the 1,2 spot and Cook shouldn't even be on the team bus. But at the same time morgans form is shocking so why can't we give Taylor a shot !

[RichW]

Not a great game for Mr Hales after a duck and dropping a fairly easy chance.

[rich041187]

Personally think you have to stick with Hales. Will come off 1 in every 4 innings but that knock could win you the game single handed. So long as you pick the right top 5 to cover in case he gets out cheap then we are laughing ie accumulators in the Taylor, Bell, Root mould at 3/4

[Buzz]

i think he needs to be given loads more games personally and I was gutted he got out for 0 yesterday.

In an ideal world the Eng management team would say to Cook - we know what you can do, lets give Moeen and Hales a few more games... I think there is an outside chance of this happening...

[iand123]

I like your optimism Buzz but I think there is zero chance of that happening

[cricketbadger]

Robbing a living, didnt warrant selection for the tour, should be sat at home

[WalkingWicket37]

Robbing a living, didnt warrant selection for the tour, should be sat at home

What are you on (and where do I get some?)

[Sam]

Robbing a living, didnt warrant selection for the tour, should be sat at home

You have pretty high standards if someone with his season stats doesn't warrant selection...

[MD2812]

I never see Cook being a match winner, for me he is square peg/round hole.

Hales
Ali
Taylor
Root (c)
Buttler
S Patel
Bopara
Jordan
Broad
Anderson
Finn

Patel is the weak link, toyed with Lumb opening instead of Ali, Thought of Jason Roy/Lees too but Patel can deliver and bowls left arm which could be handy.

[rich041187]

England might wish they picked Hales if this one dayer is significantly reduced with weather

[ppccopener]

good point
if we start at 1600 it's a 20 over revised target whack a thon...

[RichW]

I know Hales had a great season in the UK but I really don't think he is good enough for international cricket.

I know that's probably and unpopular view and I think he probably deserves a chance to show what he can do but he won't be good enough to take it.

The Indians figured his game out in about 2 games and then he could hardly get it off the square.


I said this before his last two failures, he just isn't good enough for international cricket you need to have more than mow to the leg side.

Cook isn't the answer nor is Hales.

Mo and Bell to open with Ballence at 3