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[northernboy1987]

to me if you clump up the blockers its just as bad as clumping up hitters

I think you need to mix it up but that's just me

don't need a person to tee off just someone who scores at decent rate as strauss was no hitter but ticked along

No it's a fair train of thought and one that I agree with to an extent but for my money having players like Root and Taylor in your top 5 who are busy, positive players without being hitters is enough to allow some blockers up at the top. That's my take on it anyways.

[petehosk]

If you want to alternate the hitters and blockers, and Bell's form does not improve any further, then I would quite like to see:

Cook, Hales, Compton, Root, Taylor, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali, Woods, Broad, Anderson

[Johnny]

to be honest I would like to see root bat 3 but is it a risk moving him when he is scoring loads at 4?

Me too. I think this makes most sense when Bell is done, with Titch at 4.

[northernboy1987]

Me too. I think this makes most sense when Bell is done, with Titch at 4.

For me I'd be more tempted to have that the other way round with 3/4/5 going Taylor/Root/Ballance(or A.N Other)

[roco]

I bet Taylor didn't want the day to end

he has to be nailed on for an extended run now or the hierarchy need a very very very good reason to drop him

sad for Butler as with titch and Bairstow getting runs it could be a lengthy time on the sidelines although im still to be convinced by Bairstow at this level as a batsmen or keeper he deserves a run to see what he can do

heres hoping for a tich ton and a 50-100 run lead min tomorrow as will set up a cracking game

[FattusCattus]

Agreed. That ended better than I thought it would.

I fancy Bairstow to do better against the SA seamers than spin.

[edge]

Bairstow is a far better selection as a keeper than batsman, don't think he's good enough to be a specialist bat but if his keeping is tidy then he could do a decent job atb7, Matt Prior style. Finally Taylor makes the team and shows why he should have been in it for years! Hopefully he now stays, the middle order will look a lot more solid with him in it. Bell stays in the forseeabke future as the experienced player for me, just need to get someone playing well opening!

[ppccopener]

i'm not a keeper but with 3 spinners for us in the 1st innings I think Bairstow has kept pretty well?

We def are in danger of having no openers(I'M AVAILABLE I'VE BEEN SHUNTED DOWN THE ORDER FROM MY TEAM,DROPPED LIKE A STONE IN FACT IF I WAS A DOG I'D BE IN BATTERSEA), excuse the capitals just letting off steam.....

but if the team pans out the way others have mentioned above does Butler become a one day player? I don't think the way forward is clear for him,especially if we win this match...

 

[Manormanic]

Today was a day that raised more questions than it answered in terms of England's long term selections! 

Taylor batted really well, so did Bairstow - the problem here is, the two of them still look to be competing for one slot in the side.  Bell has probabaly saved his bacon for South Africa, Ali will drop down the order or be dropped entirely for Hales and I still expect that Buttler will be brought straight back in to the side - England said as much when describing his being dropped as a Joe Root style wake up call, which at the time meant miss the last test and come back to start the next series.

It would be harsh to drop Taylor even if he was dismissed twice in two balls from here...but the same applies to Bairstow.  In a way it seems odd - at the start of the series Bluey was deemed our best #5 and has batted well - but Taylor is brough in due to the reshuffle and bats ahead of him.  Talk about mixed messages.

[petehosk]

They surely have to see how the likes of Hales and Buttler go in the ODIs to judge their form before making a decision?
Only an absolute spanner would think that Buttler is in any kind of form!! He can barely buy a run and he will be destroyed by the SA bowling attack!!
That would be insane! 
If Bell has just about done enough to save number 3 and they want to stay with Ali in the mid-lower order, then sure there is not a place for Buttler, Rashid or Patel in the team to SA? Maybe in the squad but not in the starting 11!

[brokenbat]

IF Bell is in the last few series of his career....why not send up up the order with Cook. Is he skilled enough? Absolutely. Does he have enough hunger? Well, the challenge may rejuvenate him.

This will preserve the balance of the team (Ali stays as a spinner...and Barstow and Taylor don't have to make room for a "proper" opener).

[edge]

I'd hope they will send Buttler off to actually play some cricket someplace, get him in a NZ or SA first class side or the big bash rather than just taking him as a squad member to SA, he won't improve his form carrying drinks! Who you then pick as the backup keeper I don't know though.

[uknsaunders]

Based on today:-

Cook
***Anybody or Hales***
Root
Bell
Taylor
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Wood
Broad
Anderson

Can't see Rashid getting a bowl in SA, home of the seam bowler. 4 seamers and Ali all the way. Bat long and deep in the hope the SA 3 man pace attack get's tired. Like the idea of a responsible adult (Taylor) batting in the middle order. Having Bairstow, Stokes and Buttler was asking for trouble if you need to dig in.

[roco]

Based on today I can see it being

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Taylor
Ali
Bairstow
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

I would like Rashid in but I doubt they will as they will need the 4th seamer as I doubt stokes will be test match fit by SA

[uknsaunders]

Reading between the lines Stokes injury isn't as bad as first feared. Most of the news is talking about him not bowling in this match but batting is still to be decided.  I'm no expert on dislocation but he must be in a reasonable condition if they haven't ruled out batting yet. I assume it depends on the extent of the soft tissue damage.