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[northernboy1987]

This is my XI

1. A.Cook
2. A Hales
3. J Root
4. J.Taylor
5. G.Ballance
6. B.Stokes
7. J.Bairstow
8. M.Ali
9. S.Broad
10. M.Footitt
11. J.Anderson

Swap Root and Taylor's batting positions for me. Don't know why just have Taylor down as a cool head at 3.

Interestingly, Finn posted on Facebook earlier today that rumours of him missing the tour were basically rubbish. Perhaps he's hoping to be fit for the ODI's?

[ppccopener]

Surprised to see Bell dropped, he was hanging on in the UAE and out of sorts.

On the plus side good to see Compton in, Footit and IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE ON THE FORUM HAPPY TO HAPPY BALLANCE IN THE SQUAD STAND UP WITH ME AND GIVE IT THE BIG ONE!!!

 

[edge]

No Steyn? He's got a groin strain not a leg amputated  he's likely to play the third Test against India therefore he'll be fine for Durban.

Philander has been in decline for a while now but SA have unearthed Rabada who looks a fantastic young fast bowler.

Didn't say no Steyn?

Holy balls, most surprising England squad I've possibly ever seen? Liam Plunkett must be royally pissed off, pleased to see Footitt in though. Strong chance of Footitt starting in the side?

Surely Hales and Compton will both play at 2/3:
1.Cook
2.Hales/Compton
3.Compton/Hales
4.Root
5.Taylor
6.Stokes
7.Bairstow
8.Ali
9.Woakes/Footitt/Leg-side wides
10.Broad
11.Anderson

[19reading87]

Leave Root at 4 and Taylor 5! Compton at 3 would be great! After all that's where he bats! I felt for him going in to open

[rickjames]

If anyone plays at 3 other than Root I'd probably say Ballance, let him just sit at the crease all day...

[northernboy1987]

Still not 100% sure why Jordan is in the Test squad except that he's a gun fielder. He's a decent white ball player but not up to Test standard for me.

[roco]

I hope to god they do not put Balance at 3

I've been told he is a good player by some but he looked all at sea at 3

if he plays he needs to be 5

I'm liking the idea of Compton at 3 though as

steady cook
attacking Hales
steady Compton
attacking Roooooootttttttttt

[liscon12]

Swap Root and Taylor's batting positions for me. Don't know why just have Taylor down as a cool head at 3.

Interestingly, Finn posted on Facebook earlier today that rumours of him missing the tour were basically rubbish. Perhaps he's hoping to be fit for the ODI's?

This could work for me as well, worth giving Gary another shot and down at 5 it should (theoretically??) be easier down at 5.

[northernboy1987]

Whitaker has announced Hales will get "first opportunity to open with Cook"

[Mr_Orange]

I think Compton is the replacement for Bell...
Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Buttler/Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Woakes/Footitt (I'd pick Footitt to change the right arm fast-medium lineup but England can be a bit safety first)
Anderson

[northernboy1987]

I hope to god they do not put Balance at 3

I've been told he is a good player by some but he looked all at sea at 3

if he plays he needs to be 5

I'm liking the idea of Compton at 3 though as

steady cook
attacking Hales
steady Compton
attacking Roooooootttttttttt

This also works for me but Taylor has to get first crack at 5 before Ballance if Compton plays 3

[roco]

I agree if as above taylor goes in at 5

[ppccopener]

I think Compton is the replacement for Bell...
Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Buttler/Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Woakes/Footitt (I'd pick Footitt to change the right arm fast-medium lineup but England can be a bit safety first)
Anderson

Yep..bit blinsided with Bell out but youre right, Compton bats 3 in the team, I was thinking if they take him he must play from the start.Makes sense now if Hales Opens, Compton 3

[Kulli]

Agree (or at least can see) with their logic on most picks, but Woakes and Jordan both ahead of Plunkett, especially with Finn and Wood out.

[uknsaunders]

Bell screwed over big time. A very good test match number 5, kept getting pushed up the order until he failed. I imagine Ballance knows how it feels. At least England have appeared to try and end the problem by putting in somebody who can bat 3 at county level. However, Bell didn't do that badly in the UAE and imho deserved a chance in his proper position before getting the boot.