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[MrCricket321]

The send off was pretty funny though

[SLC]

Stokes is really annoying, obviously got issues e.g. punching the locker.

Earlier in the test he gave the batsman a huge earful,  then followed it with a wide full toss.

[jamielsn15]

Stokes just needs to channel it.  He's still only a puppy.  Always fun to watch two players who really don't like each other!

[Manormanic]

nowt wrong with a bit of pantomime...

[golders]

Stokes is a ginger hothead! But he's a talent,no doubting that. I'd much rather someone with a bit of fire in them. If all the players were like Bell,Cook etc it would all be a bit boring.

Root absolute quality,a world class talent. Definitely something to get excited about as an England fan!

[Manormanic]

Hmmm...surely he's about to be declared a bad influence and sent back to drinks waiterin...sorry, I mean, Yorkshire to work on his game whilst another of Cookie's old muckers is selected

[jamielsn15]

IF you believe the whispers coming out of last year's Ashes, Root was dropped as a kick up the proverbial due to his following KP around like a little Yorkshire terrier.  If you believe the cricket journos...

IF you were to believe that, possibly a case could be stated for that metaphorical size 10 turning Root into the player he is at present.  It's one opinion of many...

[ppccopener]

and IF you were to believe that you MIGHT also believe they wanted him to stand on his own two feet.

The lad has got 'it' whatever 'it' is I havnt seen and England player play better for a long while

true..as has been pointed out in last night heated 'discussion' it's down the order, not opening.Not everyone can open.And how many think Thorpe was our best player over a period back in the day....?

Ballance looks the part too.

[Alvaro]

Thorpe was a great player in that team. Very consistent and had had a very good run.

Also, a case study of when selectors get it right by saying thank you for everything, but we're going to move on.

[SLC]

Nah Thorpe Should be kept his place instead of Bell for the 05 ashes. Don't know why the media always framed it as Thorpe v kp.

Bell wasn't ready for tests, but flayed Bangladesh to all parts to guarantee his place.

[WalkingWicket37]

Didn't Thorpe "retire" before the 05 Ashes squad was announced though?

I always assumed they told him he wouldn't be playing so he stepped aside with no fuss

[SLC]

I think he retired a couple of days into the first test, after being dropped.

[ppccopener]

yes England wanted KP in for the Ashes instead of Thorpe. From memory I think Thorpe just got to 100 tests and then the tap on the shoulder....

[Manormanic]

that was badly handled at the time, but proved right in the end...

[ppccopener]

yes indeed it was, KP brought something new to the team and hadn't known defeat against the Aussies..back then we got hammered home and away against them.

agree about Bell thou, terrific player now but was all at sea against the -05 Austrialians