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[L21]

I think it is absolutely paramount that England play the same test team at the Oval.

They need to smash the Aussies out of sight again, and not just because I am going!

I think 3-2 would make it look as if it was a close series and would take away from the Trent Bridge performance. A draw wouldn't be terrible, but to give themselves  big boost for the one dayers and UAE tour, a big win would be good.

I think this England team need to realise that they are currently a good team, I am unsure whether they can be a great team, but i think the next 18 months or so will determine that.

Tests only
Pakistan (Away)
South Africa (Away)
Sri Lanka
Pakistan 
Bangladesh (Away)
India (Away)
South Africa
Windies
Australia

27 Test matches in the next 2 years, as well as T20 and One Day World Cups

There is a real opportunity to prove yourselves as greats, with the only player's really being a doubt for the next two years are Anderson and Bell.

[Neon Cricket]

They need to smash the Aussies out of sight again, and not just because I am going!

Haha, I'm going day 4 so hopefully they smash them but just a little slower!!!

[Rob580]

I think we can all agree they need to take 3 spinners, one will be Moeen, one will be Rashid. But who do they take to be the drinks boy, i mean 3rd spinner?
To my mind i think it'll be Ansari, but again he's a batsman who bowls a few darts, rather than an out and out spinner. I wouldn't mind them taking a young guy, as tbh, he's not going to play. Will Beer is a good shout to my mind, he's got all the variations and he's got the minerals as we saw last night vs Northants. Although, having looked, his First Class & 50 over numbers are awful. Not all about the past though.....

[L21]

I think there is a really good opportunity for them to test a few spinners in UAE.

With a squad of 18, take 4 spinners and rotate two on, two off, unless one gets smashed or one finds really good rhythm.

I suppose there is a big question mark over Tredwell, the selectors (pre-Bayliss) liked him.

They really need a proper spinner, if he can score 20 odd then that's a bonus, people seem to forget that Moeen Ali is an opening bat, batting at number 8 because we haven't got a capable spinner in the England ranks, its just because Joe Root is a better batsman that Moeen was selected for his spin. He definitely isn't in for his batting.

I think one T20 performance is a long way from Test Cricket.

Unfortunately, as has been pointed out numerous times, the English game just isn't blessed with spinners at the moment. 

[jamielsn15]

Rotating players with that regularity will never happen - not least because the press and media will rip them apart - you can see it now, haven't got a world class spinner, so you pick 3 or 4 and hope for the best.  Chants of 'you don't know what you're doing'Add in the fact that you need to ensure the ones you take who are on the periphery are good tourers and they won't want to take a car-full of twirlers for a three test series - why risk taking more water carriers that may be easily bored and bring the mood down?

They like Ali as much for his lower order runs and counter attacking as they do for his bowling - he will improve.  Don't forget the last time we went to the UAE - absolutely battered and lucky to only lose 3-0 in a three test series...  We need lower order batting, which is another reason why I think Ali and Rashid will be the two.  I think Bayliss will want to take a look at Rashid though, which is why I think he may play at the Oval.

[L21]

Rotating players with that regularity will never happen - not least because the press and media will rip them apart - you can see it now, haven't got a world class spinner, so you pick 3 or 4 and hope for the best.  Chants of 'you don't know what you're doing'Add in the fact that you need to ensure the ones you take who are on the periphery are good tourers and they won't want to take a car-full of twirlers for a three test series - why risk taking more water carriers that may be easily bored and bring the mood down?

They like Ali as much for his lower order runs and counter attacking as they do for his bowling - he will improve.  Don't forget the last time we went to the UAE - absolutely battered and lucky to only lose 3-0 in a three test series...  We need lower order batting, which is another reason why I think Ali and Rashid will be the two.  I think Bayliss will want to take a look at Rashid though, which is why I think he may play at the Oval.

I completely agree with you on the above 100%

but -

1.   But we haven't got a World Class spinner and I think the world knows that.

2.   How can you get worse than losing 3-0 in a 3 match test series?  (We are always embarrassing overseas.)

3.   I don't think Ali has proven a success at lower order scoring, definitely not what you would expect from an opening batsman and Rashid is unproven.

[ScottParko]

I see people labelling Borthwick as a batsman who can bowl a bit and at the start of the season I would've agreed with you. BUT he's bowled a lot more this season and he's done brilliant with it! The ECB sent him away in the winter for his bowling so he's obviously still in their thoughts, and he's backed that trip up with a lot of wickets to go with his mountain of runs.

I don't think we have a genuine spinner with spinning being their prime role that's suitable, so why not another 'batsman who can bat a bit'.

I maybe biased in the way I was with Stokes, Stoneman and Rushworth, but I genuinely think Borthwick would be a good pick and do well.

[Bats_Entertainment]

I see people labelling Borthwick as a batsman who can bowl a bit and at the start of the season I would've agreed with you. BUT he's bowled a lot more this season and he's done brilliant with it!

9 wickets at 57? Brilliant?

[L21]

9 wickets at 57? Brilliant?

The Aussies thought so

[21wilsonj]

tbh i thinks it's kind of a no-brainer. Lyth isn't peforming - drop him. Ali is batting well but lacking in first class spin and also has opening experience in odi + 4-day cc. Rashid will probably play in the UAE as we will put out 2 spinners plus he can bat a bit down at 8.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Can't see Ali opening the batting for England. No.5 maybe.

[Stuey]

I'm not sure that any current test side has a stand out spinner, there's  no murali, warne or even vettori around at the moment. Stick with Ali and Rashid. I'd like to see both of them play in UAE with 5 bowlers in the team.

[Alvaro]

Yasir Shah is awesome.

http://youtu.be/F2V8rk1t2ck

[ScottParko]

9 wickets at 57? Brilliant?

In all forms it's just over 30. After checking I realise his CC figures aren't as impressive as I thought, but either way I think he's improved greatly and would deserve a ace in the squad.

[edge]

Surely Rashid will play... Don't think the 'new' England has changed so much that the selection isn't still 100% predictable - Current top 8 then Rashid, Broad, Anderson for the UAE.

Can see Ansari touring, we'll need a spare spinner if we're playing two and they won't want to take a big squad for a 3 test series. Ansari, Bairstow, Wood and Finn to be the extra players perhaps.