Print

[windyroad]

I was almost tearing my hair out when I saw the shot he got out to in the first warm up match.

[RightArmLedge]

Buttler has the potential, certainly - its just a question of whether he has the game - at the moment - to score test runs in anything other than optimal conditions.

Bairstow is one of our top five batsmen and will be in the team regardless - the question, given he is as good a keeper as Buttler, is whether they think Hales or Buttler will add most to the side.

Would love to see Hales given the nod.

[WalkingWicket37]

I still rate Bairstow as a better keeper than Buttler.
On current form I'd "rest" Buttler, give the gloves to Bairstow, open with Hales & slot Ali into the middle order. Simples!

[ppccopener]

I still rate Bairstow as a better keeper than Buttler.
On current form I'd "rest" Buttler, give the gloves to Bairstow, open with Hales & slot Ali into the middle order. Simples!

I still don't quite get how Hales can only play if one of Butler or Bairstow doesn't.....

The selectors decided to take Hales so for me he has to open.Whether he should be on the trip everyone will have an option on...but he is there as a specialist opener, Ali is not-he's a middle order player if ever I saw one.

Plus if Ali opens and then bats 6/7/8 against SA that means Hales comes in for his first game against the best pace attack in the world.Hardly seems fair to me and we are doing the same thing we did with Lyth in the Carribean-no chance to bed in....

maybe it's me I just think it's all a bit muddled thinking....

[roco]

I agree

whoever opens here has to open in SA as will be slightly easier to open here (Our trouble is usually when the spinners come on)

I like Ali but he has shown he cant handle the short ball and I can't see steyn morkel and co pitching much upto him

Give it to Hales to try or try to find someone to open

[FattusCattus]

It looks pretty pointless having 4 seamers in the side anyway - so that could make a space for someone.

[ppccopener]

It looks pretty pointless having 4 seamers in the side anyway - so that could make a space for someone.

yep agree......it will be the twirly stuff after the seamers have got the shine off the ball all day long

There's no way Ali is going to open against SA, he would get peppered and can't handle the real quick stuff.Great player in the middle and useful spinner but never an opener

[WalkingWicket37]

I still don't quite get how Hales can only play if one of Butler or Bairstow doesn't.....

The selectors decided to take Hales so for me he has to open.Whether he should be on the trip everyone will have an option on...but he is there as a specialist opener, Ali is not-he's a middle order player if ever I saw one.

Plus if Ali opens and then bats 6/7/8 against SA that means Hales comes in for his first game against the best pace attack in the world.Hardly seems fair to me and we are doing the same thing we did with Lyth in the Carribean-no chance to bed in....

maybe it's me I just think it's all a bit muddled thinking....

Because there's only 11 spaces in the team. Buttler's form is a worry and Bairstow was last in (and is yet to make a ton, so could be shafted again).
The only other potential opening would be Bell's slot, but he seems indispensable for some reason.

[edge]

Errrrrr...

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

That's a very simple way of playing them both that retains the same balance the test side has had for a while now. Why on earth do we need to drop a batsman if we want to play two spinners? Don't see any value added in having 6 bowlers in the side, there's only 90 overs in a day after all. Moeen is no more a test opener than Stuart Broad is (in fact they're surprisingly similar batsmen when you think about it...)

[ppccopener]

Yep..just looking at that seems the right team to play.
Yes its hot but theres enough bowlers there and if you count Roooot that is 6.
right who is up for a selectors job? Haha

[Seniorplayer]

Hales as a test match opener has a hint  of desperation  about it and  Ali has already shown he's not a test opener.

[ppccopener]

Hales as a test match opener has a hint  of desperation  about it and  Ali has already shown he's not a test opener.

You maybe right but Hales has been picked to be on the trip to do that job surely?
Who else would you open with from the squad?

[FattusCattus]

I think it would be nice to get Finn in there somewhere!

[WalkingWicket37]

I think it would be nice to get Finn in there somewhere!

Opening?? Everyone else seems to be getting a go 

[ppccopener]

Opening?? Everyone else seems to be getting a go 

Haha thats quality!
Strap the pads on big fella your first up