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[ProCricketer1982]

I do still think WI are a poor side, and England should win every game. I also think the batsmen should 'cash in' stats wise against teams like this. WI have been a poor side for a while, low in the rankings for a reason and are missing some big players in this series. If England or batsmen can't score hat full of runs then how the hell will they against NZ or Aus later this year?

Cook was a decent player who managed to score despite his technical flaw, now thought everyone knows it, sets him up and he is a lame duck. Trott shouldn't be opening but he's like a new player, needs a few more innings to judge (although again, if you can't score hat fulls vs WI then he won't against NZ or Aus. Ballance looks out preform but even he looks liken he's about to cash in this innings and get those stats up.

Every side goes through ups and downs but you have to know when to cut your losses with a player. ECB though Kp was 2013, Xook should be now (for at least this summer to go back to county cricket, score runs, gain confidence and then come back if there is space)

[Seniorplayer]

Anyone care to defend Cook/ECB??

I think it's a difficult call with one eye on the Ashes what do you do now Cook as been included in the team leave him out based on current form  but then look at his stats give him more time  and hope he will come off or bring in a new guy and hope he does well at test level but then what do England do if he fails with the ist test against Australia on the 8Th of July.

[jamielsn15]

Cook will get this series, and so will Trott.  Michael Vaughan on TMS yesterday was saying that is the England way.  They stick with what they know (hence Tredwell and Trott's selections) and give them a decent chance to come good.  If Trott doesn't I think it's likely he'll be sent away to score runs and Lyth will get a go vs NZ.

Re; Cook I honestly feel the larger issue is the role of England captain.  Hussain, Vaughan, Strauss and now Cook all found their batting suffering from being captain.  The captain's role has meant much more off field requirements (PR, marketing, press and media, etc.), even more so in the lead up to test matches, especially at home.  Got to keep the sponsors happy - they will all have demands for England player appearances and most will request the skipper.

That, in addition to his technical flaw, relationship with the head coach (which I don't believe is good - he clearly feels let down after being dropped) and the KP speculation and personal abuse has all taken a toll.  As has been said, he's a proven test player and will be given, I think, the whole summer.  He had a similar spell before his 700-odd runs in the ashes, but he wasn't captain then...  If he isn't performing half way through the ashes, I suspect we'll see him stand down to concentrate on his batting...

[Seniorplayer]

Vaughan States this is Englands way if i was Nick Compton I would be on the telephone.

[Manormanic]

That, in addition to his technical flaw, relationship with the head coach (which I don't believe is good - he clearly feels let down after being dropped) and the KP speculation and personal abuse has all taken a toll.  As has been said, he's a proven test player and will be given, I think, the whole summer.  He had a similar spell before his 700-odd runs in the ashes, but he wasn't captain then...  If he isn't performing half way through the ashes, I suspect we'll see him stand down to concentrate on his batting...

Sorry but we have to get away from this - there is no way he should be given until the Ashes are surrendered. 

I do find Trott's selection way more egregious than Cook's retention - myriad of reasons including the obvious availability of a much stronger candidate hampered only by the fact that he's a Yorkshire lad.  But....how long do we just keep assuming that this will come good?  People cite the 2010 problems but that was a range of dismissals against much better bowling with less stress factors involved - now, its plain that bowlers know they just have to float the ball up to him and its party time. 

[ppccopener]

Sorry but we have to get away from this - there is no way he should be given until the Ashes are surrendered. 

I do find Trott's selection way more egregious than Cook's retention - myriad of reasons including the obvious availability of a much stronger candidate hampered only by the fact that he's a Yorkshire lad.  But....how long do we just keep assuming that this will come good?  People cite the 2010 problems but that was a range of dismissals against much better bowling with less stress factors involved - now, its plain that bowlers know they just have to float the ball up to him and its party time. 

you make it sound like he has only one leg or something...he has a technical fault with his game, unless your'e in the elite class of lara,pointing,sachin then you will have one.
Are you saying he cannot fix it and will forever go down and never get his form back? 
of all the England captains of the last few years doesn't he have the highest average still?

[wcc]

This platform should be made for Buttler here hopefully should cash in.

[smilley792]

Well batted Gary!!

[golden duck]

you make it sound like he has only one leg or something...he has a technical fault with his game, unless your'e in the elite class of lara,pointing,sachin then you will have one.
Are you saying he cannot fix it and will forever go down and never get his form back? 
of all the England captains of the last few years doesn't he have the highest average still?

It pains me to say it, but he hasn't fixed it in the last 2 years...

[ProCricketer1982]

you make it sound like he has only one leg or something...he has a technical fault with his game, unless your'e in the elite class of lara,pointing,sachin then you will have one.
Are you saying he cannot fix it and will forever go down and never get his form back? 
of all the England captains of the last few years doesn't he have the highest average still?

He's had it for ages now and hasn't improved so yeah, drop him

[jamielsn15]

Opening with Lyth and Trott?

[Sam]

And left with Bell most likely as captain which I can't see happening.

[Manormanic]

you make it sound like he has only one leg or something...he has a technical fault with his game, unless your'e in the elite class of lara,pointing,sachin then you will have one.
Are you saying he cannot fix it and will forever go down and never get his form back? 
of all the England captains of the last few years doesn't he have the highest average still?

Erm, at the last count I'd say he had at least four technical flaws - an inability to complete his trigger movement in time to be still for delivery, head falling over to off, a lack of foot movement toward the ball at any point and a closed face when driving.  That's a LOT of technical faults - and unlike most players with such flaws, they all amount in their sum to one huge issue, namely that a well pitched up ball that is off stump or outside is more or less unplayable to him.

Is he unredeemable?  Maybe not - but these are not flaws that are suddenly going to click in over a game or two - at the moment his batting is going backwards and becoming technically worse in the same way an elite golfer's swing has to get worse before it improves.   It takes a rank fool to believe that everything is suddenly going to click into place when he has another Test Tuesday and then late the following week and...oh, you must get the picture.

All the while remember that Hussain, Virgil and Strauss were good, exceptional and very good respectively as leaders of men (Cook rates average on a good day) and solid, awesome and clever as tacticians (don't get me started) so there is no real tactical reason why we need Cook as figurehead...

[Manormanic]

Opening with Lyth and Trott?

Actually, in the West Indies, I'd go Lyth and Ali.  Would allow for two spinners without sacking Stokes off, which is sensible given these tests are a proving ground for bigger stuff:

Lyth
Ali
Ballance
Bell (c)
Root
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Anderson
Wood

[smilley792]

England have declared, and windies need 438 in 140 overs.


So being very presumptive. When will england win?