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[smilley792]

Root has shown he's not an opener. Maybe those innings from stokes are flukes ?

If we go across 2015 and how often root was in within 5-10 overs, he might as well have opened all year.


Not sure you can fluke a ton wth Johnson and Harris bowling at you in there pomp!!

[Vitas Cricket]

If root opened with cook. It'd start at 3!!


We really don't have more than the two consistent world class batsmen at mo do we?


Stokes is the biggest disappointment to me, Perth vs Johnstone he looked a class above. Where's that stokes gone!

He was electric against NZ at Lords, still a while ago mind, but more recent than Perth.

[jezza39]

If we go across 2015 and how often root was in within 5-10 overs, he might as well have opened all year.

Didn't Root score 180 odd opening in 2013 at Lords? He is a rock in the middle order, but since Strauss retired how many blokes have had a go at opening and failed? Lyth, Carberry, Robson, Hales, Compton, Ali, Trott etc?

[ProCricketer1982]

If we go across 2015 and how often root was in within 5-10 overs, he might as well have opened all year.


Not sure you can fluke a ton wth Johnson and Harris bowling at you in there pomp!!

I agree it's not the easiest time to fluke one but stranger things have happened and he hasn't exactly followed it up. He's a 7-8 and would be a dam good one. If he found form like flintoff did for that year or so he could be a six but he's probably just a better broad (batting wise).

'We' both ECB and the public have to realise they aren't really top batsmen. Lvcc isn't up to the task of producing the quality so we are left with what we have, odd top player but generally sub standard. We need an opener,3,5,6 and then a spinner

[rickjames]

If they're serious about bringing in Taylor I'd move him up one, he's spent the summer coming in stupidly early enough to warrant it.

[edge]

No chance of Bell being dropped for the next game, it'd be Ali down to 7 and Hales in for Buttler. Already enough batsmen in the team playing their first test series in the subcontinent, don't think they'll want to add too many more.

Stokes is a class act and did score 50 in the last match, short memories.

[smilley792]

Didn't Root score 180 odd opening in 2013 at Lords? He is a rock in the middle order, but since Strauss retired how many blokes have had a go at opening and failed? Lyth, Carberry, Robson, Hales, Compton, Ali, Trott etc?

Root was yorskhires opener, and was England's main plan as replacement for Strauss, and as he did so well at 6 on arrival, England's want for him to be there future is one of(but not the only reason) Compton was axed.

He did make a lovely 180 but I'm sure in that series and the next it was one of only a few scores.
And rather than axe him like Compton, carberry lyth etc, being England's poster boy he was put down to 5 to regain his confidnece(which has worked)

As he is now world number 2(could be back to one after this test) do they really want to move him back up to the new ball spot? Or leave him at 4 where he is according to stats. One of the worlds best?

[joeljonno]

As he is now world number 2(could be back to one after this test) do they really want to move him back up to the new ball spot? Or leave him at 4 where he is according to stats. One of the worlds best?

Exactly, too good to move, especially as the next generation seem to be rather hit and miss at the moment.

I'd love Taylor to get settled and performing at 5, giving the option of Root moving back up if they cannot find a decent opener to partner Cook.

[ProCricketer1982]

Why is no one asking the hard question of 'why aren't we producing test match top 4 batsmen, especially the quality needed for opener and three'

[GoldenArm]

Anyone else feel like shah has been a bit overrated? No doubt he's decent but he's not lethal. Just from a spectator point of view I'd rather watch rashid as he gives it a bit more air and turns it more. I'd rather see the millionaire Arthur Mailey type of leggie who goes for runs but can produce the spectacular. We know bowling quicker on these decks can be preferable but,whilst rashid has the opposite problem, Shah does get a bit flat with his trajectory and that's as bad as giving the batsmen more time to choose their shot as it's easier to track.

[rickjames]

Riaz kicking the ball, classic Pakistani ball tampering

[GoldenArm]

Last we'll see of Bell?

[rickjames]

Bell really is our Watto

[edge]

Anyone else feel like shah has been a bit overrated? No doubt he's decent but he's not lethal. Just from a spectator point of view I'd rather watch rashid as he gives it a bit more air and turns it more. I'd rather see the millionaire Arthur Mailey type of leggie who goes for runs but can produce the spectacular. We know bowling quicker on these decks can be preferable but,whilst rashid has the opposite problem, Shah does get a bit flat with his trajectory and that's as bad as giving the batsmen more time to choose their shot as it's easier to track.

Been surprised, thought he was superb in previous series but he hasnt looked as sharp so far against England.

Bit unlucky there for Bell.

[fros23]

Bell really is our Watto

I must have missed the 20 test match centuries that Watto made