Print

[rickjames]

I'm gonna grab a coffee, look at finally joining the gym and wait for this to all blow over.
Fair play to Pak I guess, saw England's faults and took advantage. Thought the seamers bowled well and that's it. It may be difficult conditions and expected but Jesus our number 3/middle order is awful.

Please, please, please let me get what I want: James Taylor

[alexhilly1492]

stokes gone... game over any other cricket on today?

[uknsaunders]

I think there has been doubts about Buttlers technique for a while. It's only been when Aus came to town that the debate really gathered speed. He's a wonderfully talented player that just needs a bit of tightening up for test cricket. I have no doubt he will be a mainstay of the England setup but he might be more a Dhoni than a Gilchrist ie. great ODI/T20 player, not so clever in tests. Particularly against SA, Bairstow might be a better bet. He's already had the trauma of his technique being examined and come through a better player. If you are going to carry Ali as a allrounder to a certain extent and want to play Rashid long term, then the other 6/7 batsman have to be able to score test runs. Can't afford those guys to be average below 30 (or less) for an extended period of time. Same applies to Stokes and Bell as well.

[Aussie In England]

I think there has been doubts about Buttlers technique for a while. It's only been when Aus came to town that the debate really gathered speed. He's a wonderfully talented player that just needs a bit of tightening up for test cricket. I have no doubt he will be a mainstay of the England setup but he might be more a Dhoni than a Gilchrist ie. great ODI/T20 player, not so clever in tests. Particularly against SA, Bairstow might be a better bet. He's already had the trauma of his technique being examined and come through a better player. If you are going to carry Ali as a allrounder to a certain extent and want to play Rashid long term, then the other 6/7 batsman have to be able to score test runs. Can't afford those guys to be average below 30 (or less) for an extended period of time. Same applies to Stokes and Bell as well.

Why should Bairstow to allowed to continue in the Test side? He's actually worst than Buttler. After 32 Test innings Bairstow averages a pathetic 26, hardly worthy of selection.

Bairstow
Buttler
Ali
Stokes

None of whom are Test class with the bat.

[smilley792]

Why should Bairstow to allowed to continue in the Test side? He's actually worst than Buttler. After 32 Test innings Bairstow averages a pathetic 26, hardly worthy of selection.

Bairstow
Buttler
Ali
Stokes

None of whom are Test class with the bat.

You've got have atleast one wicket keeper.

[alexhilly1492]

i dont agree with singling out the newer players yeah buttler ali and stokes havnt batted well but ali is hopelessly out of position and should never have opened and yes buttler is horribly out of form but stokes is a dasher but has proven the ability to play meaningful innings ie perth and lords. but bell has been awful yet again although im sad to see this decline as hes been great for england over a long period of time after being recalled during the 09 ashes but nostalgia and sympathy shouldnt keep him in the team

i think englands side should be something like this for sharjah:

1. Cook
2. Hales
3. Root
4. Taylor
5. Bairstow
6. Stokes
7. Ali
8. Rashid
9. Broad
10. Wood
11. Anderson

assuming we have a full strength squad to choose from.

[uknsaunders]

I think in the here and now Bairstow has a load of county runs and has at least some decent innings in the UAE. Stokes is part of a 4 man seam attack that is doing very well. Ali ,at 8, has looked ok and until England find a decent spinner nobody is going to remove him. That leaves Buttler, who if he can't score runs can be replaced by Bairstow as a keeper. Taylor has probably earned a gig, can at least play spin. Outside the UAE we need to find a reliable opener, Hales I guess is next off the taxi rank. I do fear for him if he starts in SA, not like Buttler getting some throwdowns v India at home last year is it?

[uknsaunders]

i think englands side should be something like this for sharjah:

1. Cook
2. Hales Ali
3. Root
4. Taylor
5. Bairstow
6. Stokes
7. Ali Patel
8. Rashid
9. Broad
10. Wood
11. Anderson

It's a one off game, play Samit and the third spinner instead of Bell. Both Patel and Taylor can actually play spin which will help.

Bell back for SA, still think he is better down the order not up it. I would go for this in SA:-

1. Cook
2. Hales (any other suggestions?)
3. Root
4. Taylor
5. Bairstow
6. Bell
7. Stokes
8. Ali
9. Wood
10. Broad
11. Anderson

[alexhilly1492]

would it be worth opening with root?
i know hales has batted at 3 and  for notts in the past few seasons although he looks far more comfortable opening

[iand123]

Are my eyes deceiving me from my sick bed or is rashid batting without a grip?

[alexhilly1492]

it certainly looks like it although i doubt it!!!!

[alexhilly1492]

nah theres one on there!!! its just white and it is coming quite a long way down the shoulder though

[iand123]

I just saw it is a grip after he clubbed a four

[alexhilly1492]

broad gone to a stunning yorker!!! wahab seems to have improved massivley since that spell vs watto in the world cup!

[iand123]

He had a spell with Kent a few years ago and was quite inconsistent however when he was on it he was awesome.