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[Stuey]

Would we see a different side selected if selectors had to put their houses on their selections? Obviously isn't going to happen but if it were a criteria and I was selector I know who I would rather have opening to ensure I didn't lose my house, get your pads on Mr Compton and while we're there, KP number 3 please, Taylor 5, stokes your batting no higher than 6, Buttler your keeping coz bairstow can't catch a cold, but your batting at 8 behind Moeen till you sort your game out.

[iand123]

http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/articles/ballance-compton-and-footitt-included-test-squad

[justnotcricket86]

They've done it. They've actually dropped Bell. Compton and Ballance in...

[iand123]

Compton, Ballance back. Bell dropped

[Ams4287]

They've done it. They've actually dropped Bell. Compton and Ballance in...

Just heard this and am very surprised - Compton to bat at 3 and Hales to open? Or vice versa? Wouldn't it make sense for Compton to have been somewhere preparing for Steyn and Morkel somewhere if this was the plan?

[Thesmiff]

Surprised to see Bell dropped, not that he deserves his place on form.... But have I missed something is Rashid injured?

[Aussie In England]

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?

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.

[rickjames]

Bell is dropped! The last of the 2005 era is on his way out.

Starting XI for me

Cook
Hales
Root
Taylor
Bairstow
Stokes
Woakes
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Footitt

[justnotcricket86]

They'll only need 1 spinner out there (Moeen) and Patel is there as back up I would have thought.

All about the seamers over there

[Buzz]

you guys should see the opening post where I said that Rashid wasn't being considered and later that Bell wasn't going to play.

why are people surprised??

[iand123]

If Woakes or Jordan get anywhere near the starting XI the SA batsman will be happy

[liscon12]

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

[roco]

They surely have to give Hales a go otherwise its pointless taking him on tour like they have decided with Ali

1.COok
2.Hales
3.Rooooooooootttttttt
4.Taylor
5.Ballance
6.Stokes
7.Bairstow/Butler but maybe Bairstow deserves a run
8.Ali
9.Broad
10.Woakes/Footit
11.Anderson

if woakes in then higher than Broad

[Sivlar13]

Rashid

[Lwesty143]

Not that he's hit many of them lately, but i will miss Ian Bell's glorious cover drive!