Print

[rickjames]

It'll be pretty much the same squad that went to Pakistan, hopefully Ansari replaces Patel on the trip

[ProCricketer1982]

So people will sack off rashid and keep Ali ?? Why.. Ali is utter tonk, can't bowl and isn't higher than an 8 with the bat either.. Rashid is a decent enough batsmen for 8 and better spinner and you're picking a spinner after all

[smilley792]

Cook
Hales
Root
Taylor
Bairstow
Stokes
Rashid
Ali/Finn
Wood
Broad
Anderson

[Gelds]

I reckon the side will look something like this:

Cook
Hales
Bell
Root
Taylor
Stokes (if fit)
Bairstow
Ali
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

Ballance, Buttler, Rashid, Wood/Finn/Footitt depending on fitness.

What I would pick:

Cook
Compton
Bell/Ballance
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Wood/Plunkett
Anderson

[Gelds]

Selection news leaked on twitter saying that Finn and Wood are unfit and don't make the trip. Stokes is fit, which is a huge bonus. Recalls expected for Compton and Woakes. Patel to keep his place, surprisingly given it's unlikely 2 spinners will be required.

[rickjames]

Why on Earth are they going back to Compton?

[FattusCattus]

Lack of any other options I would guess.

A steady hand at the top of the order?  He's not the worst option at the current time IMHO.

[rickjames]

He averages 31 which isn't really good enough.

I hope we just play Hales and whatever happens happens. I'd probably call up Plunkett/Footitt to replace Finn/Wood

[ppccopener]

I hope Hales,if he plays in the tests,and gets runs I really do...he will be in an England shirt and so gets my support and lots of others on here I'm sure..
But England are a bit stuck and have been since Straussy retired-lost count of how many we have tried.
IMHO I think Compton is not a bad selection,the scoreboard may not rattle along but would you rather be 30-0 off 15 overs in a five day match or 50-2 off 10?

What do people want from England....
Of Hales or Compton I would pick Compton myself.He didn't do badly last time,may or may not be a difficult character but not everyone is 'nice bloke' .
And as for telling Goochie he 'he didn't understand his game' then if he did really say that at least he takes responsibility and doesn't lean on others too much.
Your own your own out in the middle
 

[edge]

Hales will clearly take the spot as opener, if they select Compton it would be as backup which wouldn't be a bad call IMO, he's certainly not going to let anyone down and could come in at 3 to cover Bell also if needed.

Seamer selection will be interesting if Wood and Finn are out for me - Woakes coming back makes sense, especially as he covers if Stokes' fitness is uncertain. Fingers crossed the other spot doesn't go to Jordan... Hoping for Footit instead.

[FattusCattus]

This is my point edgers - Bell is fallable, paper-thin confidence, everyone is expecting Hales to be the next warner, but really he could be a walking wicket in the sights of the Saffers. why not have a solid, calm, decently performing option in the squad who could bat 1,2 or 3 if something happens.

People talk about Lyth again - I think it may still be a bit soon, and I don't think Balance is a test no3 as long as he has a hole in his a*se.

[Stuey]

Compton should never have been dropped in the first place, short sighted selection to get Root in as opener against the Aussies. If they had stuck with Compton I doubt we would be having this discussion.

[ppccopener]

Compton should never have been dropped in the first place, short sighted selection to get Root in as opener against the Aussies. If they had stuck with Compton I doubt we would be having this discussion.

good point, as brilliant as Root is,(and in the middle order is there a better player than him out there?) he's not an opening bat at Test level. He might be one day but i'll have a wager his whole career for us is number 4 or 5.

not dis- similar to KP what pretty much stayed in the same batting position,and Graham Thorpe(legend)

[edge]

Dare I say the Saffer attack is possibly being a little overhyped lately - no Philander, Steyn is obviously handy but not the 90+mph menace he has been, and we've always dealt with Morkel quite well in the past. Bell has a good record against SA too, but I agree entirely with El Cat that a steady standby for the top 3 is a good plan.
Ballance has a future I think, but either not at 3 or if he stops taking silly size backwards trigger movements. Unfortunately he's publicly declared he won't be doing that in a hurry, which I think will count against him. Middle order cover who knows?

[kdale6]

if they're taking Compton it wouldn't be the worst idea to slot him in at 3 - if Hales is out early you've got someone to consolidate the innings and similarly if Cook is out you've got someone to anchor the innings

I'd like to see Hales given a shot but from watching him play in the ODI's he would need to be a lot tighter outside his off stump whilst the ball is still moving around - he plays a lot of check cuts which I could see getting him in trouble. Definitely not writing him off though, he's certainly got the talent and with the right voices around him you'd hope he'd be able to get the right application as well. If you could pair his natural game with the patience needed in the majority of test match innings then England could be on to something.