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[Manormanic]

Ballance vs Burns --- draw
Ali vs Maxwell --- Aus
Stokes vs Marsh --- Aus
Rashid vs Lyon ---aus (based purely on the fact Lyon has been there, Rashid hasn't and with Warner, clarke, smith etc.. they'll mince him.)

Hmmm...you're argument for Lyon over Rashid surely stands equally for Ballance over Burns (as do the thousand or so Test runs last summer!).  Ali vs Maxwell - neither are test class, can't be anything other than a draw and Stokes...well, he's done more than Mitch III so far...

[Bats_Entertainment]

3 seam
1 spin
then you have

Part time  Root, Trott if you need a few overs. IF you made me fit another bowler in there then Bell would be dropped for Stokes. Reasoning is that I'd rather blood lyth against WI (who are pretty crap), and we know what Bell can do so having him there isn't really achieving anything.

Have you actually seen Mark Footitt bowl?

It's interesting (and worrying) that almost exactly the same number of people who were picking Sam Robson last year, are picking Adam Lyth this.

[Rob580]

It's interesting (and worrying) that almost exactly the same number of people who were picking Sam Robson last year, are picking Adam Lyth this.

Someone scores a load of runs in the CC, the public want them in the team. That is how it's always worked, whats worrying about that?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Someone scores a load of runs in the CC, the public want them in the team. That is how it's always worked, whats worrying about that?

I think people are very fickle. And there is definitely a sheep mentality.

[six and out]

Have you actually seen Mark Footitt bowl?

It's interesting (and worrying) that almost exactly the same number of people who were picking Sam Robson last year, are picking Adam Lyth this.

that's true but you could see that Robson had a genuine flaw in his technique as an opening batter at test level, so unless he has worked on that it could be time for someone else - whether it is Lyth or not who knows.

i have a question regarding Footitt - is there a reason that he didn't tour with the Lions after taking all those CC wickets? surely if he didn't tour with the Lions then they can't pick him now?

[Bats_Entertainment]

that's true but you could see that Robson had a genuine flaw in his technique as an opening batter at test level, so unless he has worked on that it could be time for someone else - whether it is Lyth or not who knows.

i have a question regarding Footitt - is there a reason that he didn't tour with the Lions after taking all those CC wickets? surely if he didn't tour with the Lions then they can't pick him now?

Mark Footitt is not close to England selection.

[ProCricketer1982]

Have you actually seen Mark Footitt bowl?

It's interesting (and worrying) that almost exactly the same number of people who were picking Sam Robson last year, are picking Adam Lyth this.

couldn't care less what you say or think. everyone according to you knows less than you.

[Bats_Entertainment]

couldn't care less what you say or think. everyone according to you knows less than you.

You could have at least answered the question!

[WalkingWicket37]

couldn't care less what you say or think. everyone according to you knows less than you.

Oooh, er!

[Manormanic]

Have you actually seen Mark Footitt bowl?

If he hasn't, I have, and faced him in the nets too.  He's a good bowler - perhaps a touch profligate but anyone getting it down at over 90mph left arm with a bit of movement is going to be a good bet - though I doubt he is first in the list at the moment because he has had some runs ins with the selectors (or rather one of them) in the past from what I am given to believe.

It's interesting (and worrying) that almost exactly the same number of people who were picking Sam Robson last year, are picking Adam Lyth this.

Really?  Whats worrying?  England need an opener then and now - this time last year Robson had at least a shot at being the best/most productive in county cricket over the preceding 12-18 months and now Lyth is in that boat.  The two are different - Lyth is a bit more mature and knows his game better, and brings a bit more to the side overall because he is one of the three or four best slippers in the UK - but the overall thought pattern is the same.

I should say, I think personally that Robson will come again - he just needs time to work on that flaw with his alignment.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Both Footitt and Lyth are fine cricketers. Lyth will possibly go to the WI. Wasn't really my point.

[Sam]

The Guardian have James Tredwell predicted in the squad... 

[Gerry SA]

Gary Ballance getting over hyped...what a joke. He scored all his runs against two of the weakest attacks in Test cricket. He's average against proper pace(which Australia have bucket loads off).

As for Maxwell, his FC average is 44.82(FC runs - Test runs), therefore showing he's got plenty of potential to make it as a Test batsman. There where many saying Symonds couldn't make it as a Test player, but he did.

Ali has played pretty all his FC in Div 2 and still doesn't average 40...

[Sam]

Ali is only a year older than Maxwell, since Maxwells debut season Ali has averaged 42.36 compared to Maxwells 40.39. Just thought I'd chuck it out there given our love for stats here.

[Gelds]

Ali has played pretty all his FC in Div 2 and still doesn't average 40...

Vaughan, Trescothick and Strauss all had modest FC records prior to selection but went on to have very good test careers. Although numbers do need to be considered when selecting players for international cricket is as much about temperament/mentality as anything else, and Ali has shown both in his short career so far. He does need to improve against short bowling though.