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[smilley792]

Side announced to face Pakistan A

@englandcricket: England team to face Pakistan A: Cook, Ali, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Rashid, Wood, Broad, Anderson. http://t.co/cP9cKZ2z2T


Where is hales? Where is Taylor?

Boooooooooooooo

[19reading87]

In reflection that's the best 11 they have out there... I still don't think Ali is a long term fix to open, however it's more ideal for him to be there and the Rashid as the 2nd spinner

[rickjames]

I didn't realise they're set to bat all day, Cook must be loving it

[rickjames]

Moeen out, so there we go...

[ppccopener]

bit of a surprise Hales not playing, there are only 2 warm up games I think.....

If you take the guy you would expect him to be given a go.

Rashid has got to play but i'm not sure if England long term can play 2 keepers in the same side?

[rickjames]

bit of a surprise Hales not playing, there are only 2 warm up games I think.....

If you take the guy you would expect him to be given a go.

Rashid has got to play but i'm not sure if England long term can play 2 keepers in the same side?

They've invested so much time and money in Buttler it's hard to imagine Bairstow ever keeping

[jamielsn15]

It's clear they are going to go with Ali to open and then probably give Hales a run starting in SA - hopefully he'll then get that series then at least the English summer.

In 40+ degree heat, the option of an extra bowler being squeezed in has to be appealing.  Moeen can't open and be the No. 1 spinner consistently, but for this series, in these conditions, him opening gives us far more options.

I actually quite like the thinking.  It may be a baptism of fire in SA for Hales, but you could argue that he's better suited to those conditions.  He could have an absolute horror in this series against some top spinners - may as well give him his debut in conditions that he favours...

Taylor's (to quote Bob Willis) the next cab off the rank in the middle order

[ppccopener]

They've invested so much time and money in Buttler it's hard to imagine Bairstow ever keeping

very true they have, and a brilliant talent he is.....maybe then Taylor or Bairstow and Taylor has got to be a fag paper away from getting that spot. I like Bairstow but which one of those two would play spin better in these conditions.....

[WalkingWicket37]

Not a fan of opening with Moeen personally (am I right thinking he has opened in Limited Overs cricket, but never first class?).
For this game I would've liked Hales to open the innings, and replace Bell with Rashid (Ali up to number 4).

I'd also like to see Taylor get a go, but it'd be harsh on Ron Weasley to drop him again.

[rickjames]

It's clear they are going to go with Ali to open and then probably give Hales a run starting in SA - hopefully he'll then get that series then at least the English summer.

In 40+ degree heat, the option of an extra bowler being squeezed in has to be appealing.  Moeen can't open and be the No. 1 spinner consistently, but for this series, in these conditions, him opening gives us far more options.

I actually quite like the thinking.  It may be a baptism of fire in SA for Hales, but you could argue that he's better suited to those conditions.  He could have an absolute horror in this series against some top spinners - may as well give him his debut in conditions that he favours...

Taylor's (to quote Bob Willis) the next cab off the rank in the middle order

Steyn is going to absolutely slaughter Hales/all of them, welp

[smilley792]

Steyn is going to absolutely slaughter Hales/all of them, welp

Literally since his serial killer haircut.....

[FattusCattus]

Crikey! This looks turgid - 2.5 rpo against an A side. I hope this is just 1st session caution, and not a sign for the next few weeks!!!

[liscon12]

Literally since his serial killer haircut.....

South African Psycho??

[windyroad]

I was rather hoping Taylor was given a run being in good touch and all.

[rickjames]

Crikey! This looks turgid - 2.5 rpo against an A side. I hope this is just 1st session caution, and not a sign for the next few weeks!!!

This is the new old England, expansive and all that. Long live watching Captain Leader Legend Cooky bat for 17 hours and score 73 off 450