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[ppccopener]

Lyth has done well at opening for the past 2-3 years at CC level and deserves his chance.

Neither Compton or Carberry set the world on fire when they had their chance, so they need to wait till it's their turn again as they are not ripping the CC apart.

The fact that there is 3 struggling in the top five highlights this exponentially and they can only really make one change, which this time is Ballance.

Maybe if Bell/Lyth fail again, they will be looked at next time.

An opener who gives it a thump ...?  How about David Warner. He seems to do ok opening.


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Yes fine, Warner does indeed.He's Australian, look around the world these players at the top are few and far between who really can put bat to a new ball against quality bowling-and the Aussies are quality.

It depends what you want from your top three.....solid or batting 2020 style. I think it's unrealistic to expect fireworks up top. And do you really honestly believe that both Carberry and Compton got a fair crack or the whip?
If you look at the last tour of Australia on quick tracks Carberry actually looked fine, no massive scores yes agree with you,but still decent scores. And Compton got dropped(allegedly) for not scoring quick enough.

I just can't see how that makes any sense.....We (England) will not be able to cope with the Aussies quicks if our openers and number three and folding and exposing the middle order.

As for Lyth, I'm glad he got his chance, he should of had 3 matches in the Caribbean before the NZ series, playing Trott out of position was just stupid.He should get a decent chance.
As I posted earlier, if I was Ian Bell(i'm a big fan) I would be thinking I have been very lucky to stay in the side at the expense of Ballance...

just my two penneth worth.

[joeljonno]

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[uknsaunders]

except the last time he batted at 3 he scored 221 - but why let a fact get in the way of a good story.

Or even 235. He averages nearly 9 runs more at 5 and 20 more at 6. Why let facts get in the way!

[smilley792]

Don't bat him at 8 chaps!

[springbok45]

Or even 235. He averages nearly 9 runs more at 5 and 20 more at 6. Why let facts get in the way!

So Stokes at three to acommadate him?

[dougydee]

Or even 235. He averages nearly 9 runs more at 5 and 20 more at 6. Why let facts get in the way!

Seems similar to Michael Clarke. Why clarke is batting at 4 baffles me.
                  Runs   HS     Ave
3rd position    25    25    @12.50       
4th position    1717    187    @31.79       
5th position    5936    329*    @61.83    
6th position    829    151    @48.76    
7th position    78    39*    @78.00    
     

[uknsaunders]

So Stokes at three to acommadate him?

I would go Root at 3, Bairstow 4 based on the current selection. Root on the other hand is/was an opening batsman and the adjustment should be easier. I think as good as Bell is technically, he doesn't had the technique or mentality of a number 3. Lovely middle order technician but not a huge stride into the ball or good against the short ball particularly. Would you really want Bell in at 5-1 or Root?

[Buzz]

huge stride to the ball is the most over-rated thing in batting.

In fact a big stride gets in the way of playing a proper cricket shot with the ball under your eyes and just opens you up to being LBW.

I wont have any more of a rant on this subject here at this point...!!

Oh and Stokes any higher than 6 is a poor plan too.

give Buttler a chance to show just how brilliant he is.

[ppccopener]

Root please Mr Saunders...Bell might have the best technique of any English batsman as far as most of us can remember

But you could well argue it's easier to be technically correct away from the new ball simply because there's not so much movement.

And anyway, how much does technique get you runs? Steve Smith? it's not how it's how many said Goochie.

For my money when KP got dropped/sacked/stitched up(whichever take on it you want) Bell should of said 'right Trotties gone, KP gone, i'm moving up to number 3 please Mr Moores...

but that didn't happen, plus he lost the vice captaincy to Root as well.

I can see Ballance working on his faults at Yorkshire and coming back in place of Bell.

And Ballance was batting out of position for England....why was that?   

Would you not think a senior player would move to accommodate him where he bats for Yorkshire?

[ppccopener]

huge stride to the ball is the most over-rated thing in batting.

In fact a big stride gets in the way of playing a proper cricket shot with the ball under your eyes and just opens you up to being LBW.

I wont have any more of a rant on this subject here at this point...!!

Oh and Stokes any higher than 6 is a poor plan too.

give Buttler a chance to show just how brilliant he is.

small stride to shift the weight forward is all that's required, correct Buzz?  anything larger and you can overbalance...is that it?

[Buzz]

small stride to shift the weight forward is all that's required, correct Buzz?  anything larger and you can overbalance...is that it?

pretty much.

see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jTe_3TFtDE

what I like about this video is it really shows his grip which is something that makes a big difference too.

[uknsaunders]

I think England are paying somewhat for Moores random thinking and some weak oppo last summer (India's bowling mainly). Had Farbrace not stepped in then Stokes would of been 8 from what has been implied on the forum. Again, Mark Wood in once Moores had left, makes you wonder why he didn't get a gig in the Windies. Would of made much more sense last summer to have re-introduced Root at 3, Ballance 4, Bell 5 (or vice versa). As well as Ballance did initially at 3 this summer was always the test. Robson never really got going, Trott shuffled in and out sabotaging Lyth in the process. Add in Moores ODI captaincy change after SL and it does just smack of somebody who knew where the talent was but didn't know how to best use it.

@Buzz - Bell's dismissal in the first innings highlights the problem. He barely got any stride in and didn't play with a straight bat. Can't help thinking Root/Cook would of held the bat straight or got an outside edge at least and got to the pitch. Good ball, yes, but it's the kind of delivery you hope a top order bat could deal with.

[Buzz]

Nick - I think you may be confusing playing down the wrong line with getting a stride in. Bell is out of form and sort on confidence (which is rubbish for such an experienced player) his issues are all in his mind.

[uknsaunders]

pretty much.

see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jTe_3TFtDE

what I like about this video is it really shows his grip which is something that makes a big difference too.

That's what I call a proper stride and I don't think Bell get's that far forward initially.

[uknsaunders]

Nick - I think you may be confusing playing down the wrong line with getting a stride in. Bell is out of form and sort on confidence (which is rubbish for such an experienced player) his issues are all in his mind.

Maybe and without another look at the video I can't be certain but if he is batting 3 he has to deal with that ball, Root I think would at the moment.