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[Aussie In England]

Hales back to limited overs cricket, Test cricket isn't for you.

[ProCricketer1982]

Hales nicks off yet again.. no feet.. awful

half volley on 4th stump, move your head/feet ffs. Back to white ball for you, truly awful from a 'test' opening batsmen

[cricketbadger]

Bairstow shouldn't bat as high as 5. The team now,  is how I feel it should stay for the next couple of years. The only changes I would be thinking about depending on performances, are Hales spot opening, and Ali playing as the spinner.

Butler doesn't have the mental capacity for Test cricket, doesn't seem to have the passion either. Bairstow I imagine is someone that works very very hard at his game, keeping is improving, had a good day yesterday.

and right on cue, Hales is gone. Who glued his feet to the floor?

[Aussie In England]

Pitch is like a trampoline on day 2. Incredible bounce on offer

[cricketbadger]

Looks like there going to take a wicket every ball, nervy to watch

[kdale6]

You've named several ways to weaken the team

not saying i agree with the above, but I could see the selectors doing it!

[ProCricketer1982]

Cook showing the saffas how to pull properly, lovely shot

[ppccopener]

Hales nicks off yet again.. no feet.. awful

half volley on 4th stump, move your head/feet ffs. Back to white ball for you, truly awful from a 'test' opening batsmen

it's technique at the top of the order,most of us said the same thing before the series.I hope he gets runs going forward I really do once he has an England shirt on, but he's short on technique and thinking he will slap quality bowling around is the most ridiculous thing ive heard in years.

[ProCricketer1982]

it's technique at the top of the order,most of us said the same thing before the series.I hope he gets runs going forward I really do once he has an England shirt on, but he's short on technique and thinking he will slap quality bowling around is the most ridiculous thing ive heard in years.

YOu say most said it, I seem to remember a lot of people thinking he was going to be awesome.. He doesn't have the technique or mental strength, again.. go play white ball cricket and be a hero to the IPL

I don't want him to get runs, not because I don't want England to win but it'll mask the issue. You want the players who aren't upto it ot fail so that you can find someone who is. If the mediocre guys can avg 30's and into low 40's then how do you tell the good from the average etc.. Nah, sad as it is.. England either need him to suddenly step up or fail for the rest of the series and get dumped.

[ProCricketer1982]

great nut by Rabada to Compton.  A tad short still from SA bowling wise, just like England

[northernboy1987]

it's technique at the top of the order,most of us said the same thing before the series.I hope he gets runs going forward I really do once he has an England shirt on, but he's short on technique and thinking he will slap quality bowling around is the most ridiculous thing ive heard in years.

I think the hope is that he can do as Warner does: Slap quality bowling around.

Whether he can or not remains to be seen but I think he's earned a fair chance at it so I guess time will tell.

[Aussie In England]

Viljoen is built like a wrestler...

And he's get Cook first ball!!!

[uknsaunders]

@pistol101 - did you play against alex hales?

[liscon12]

First ball in test cricket?

As I always say, S**t balls get wickets

[ProCricketer1982]

I think the hope is that he can do as Warner does: Slap quality bowling around.

Whether he can or not remains to be seen but I think he's earned a fair chance at it so I guess time will tell.

Warner (and I hate saying this) is a freak. He's that once in a generation type player who is good enough to bat properly AND good enough to launch vicious assaults on bowling (mainly when it's not moving though, people forget he plays most of his cricket on Aus and flat wickets where you can just throw the bat!!). Expecting each nation to find 'a warner' is nonsensical. If you find someone good enough fair enough but don't pigeon hole players into a role just because someone else was/is good at it.

Ah crap.. Cook gone.. to a filthy ball too..