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[Aussie In England]

I wouldn't disagree with that!
I do rate Hales in limited overs format but (as Buttler found out) going from short to Test format will take patience and doesn't always come off!
I would personally look at Cook/Compton to open which leaves Balance to come in at 3. Will be interested to see how long Hales is given before being replaced?

You're agreeing with me?

You feeling ok?

[northernboy1987]

Best middle orders in world cricket? Calm down fella. Root aside the rest are flakey as hell.

Just my opinion mate. Barring Taylor whos only just starting out there's test tons from 3-9 (alright I'm pushing it with Broad.).

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[Aussie In England]

Just my opinion mate. Barring Taylor whos only just starting out there's test tons from 3-9 (alright I'm pushing it with Broad.).

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It doesn't quite work like that though.

Yes they've all got 100s but it's how consistently they can get 100s. Only Root consistently gets runs in that middle order hence why his average is 55. The rest average in the 30s because they aren't consistent. I'm excluding Taylor because he's only batted 8/9 times.

[northernboy1987]

It doesn't quite work like that though.

Yes they've all got 100s but it's how consistently they can get 100s. Only Root consistently gets runs in that middle order hence why his average is 55. The rest average in the 30s because they aren't consistent. I'm excluding Taylor because he's only batted 8/9 times.

I agree to an extent but Bairstow looks a different player since coming back into the side and Stokes has a higher batting average in his current slot at 6 than his career average due to being messed arpund batting at 8 earlier in his career and even so is there a batting 6 all rounder you'd rather have in your team at the moment?

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[Aussie In England]

I agree to an extent but Bairstow looks a different player since coming back into the side and Stokes has a higher batting average in his current slot at 6 than his career average due to being messed arpund batting at 8 earlier in his career and even so is there a batting 6 all rounder you'd rather have in your team at the moment?

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I'll give you Stokes but I still need convincing with Bairstow...not sure about his ticker TBH.

I like a good all rounder...hoping Corey Anderson get back near his best. Mitchell Marsh live up to the hype. James Faulkner isn't half bad either. Could see the all rounder wars from the 80s again.

[northernboy1987]

I don't rate Marsh but I do like Faulkner! Also like Shakib from Bangladesh and Mathews, althogh he doesn't bowl much since taking the captaincy, carries that Sri Lankan side with the bat post Sanga and Jaya.

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[Aussie In England]

I don't rate Marsh but I do like Faulkner! Also like Shakib from Bangladesh and Mathews, althogh he doesn't bowl much since taking the captaincy, carries that Sri Lankan side with the bat post Sanga and Jaya.

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In terms of pure all rounder Al Hasan is probably the only one that could get picked either as a pure batsman or pure bowler. Lad is class 👍🏼

Marsh gets picked because of his daddy...

[northernboy1987]

Holy crap. Mark down the date, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you just said.

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[uknsaunders]

SA have major rebuilding to do. Less the number of changes now but more the time period over which they will continue to lose players. Losing Smith, kallis, Boucher is enough of a problem but Steyn could be going soon possibily? Ab is 32, amla 32, morkel 31. In 2-3 years the heart will be ripped out of the saffa team. They need more players like Rabada and quickly.

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[mcgill123]

As much as I enjoyed the victory, for me Hales and Compton have no place in test match cricket, the sooner we find replacements the better, it's obvious to see they can't hack this level and their lack of self belief is evident.
I know this will upset some members and I really wanted them to succeed but you can't ignore the obvious.

[Woodyspin]

Vilas is also 30 he will soon follow, didnt realise Morkel was 31 , he still looks 20!

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[Woodyspin]

As much as I enjoyed the victory, for me Hales and Compton have no place in test match cricket, the sooner we find replacements the better, it's obvious to see they can't hack this level and their lack of self belief is evident.
I know this will upset some members and I really wanted them to succeed but you can't ignore the obvious.

You've litterally given hales 3 tests. If you gave everyone 3 tests we would be test players in 5 years! Rob Key had it right on sky this morning. I think he is expecting to be bounced alot more in tests and is sitting on the back foot. His weight isnt going forward, if you watch any of his brilliant hundreds which ive had the pleasure of he's stride is massive and his hand come through the ball so well! This is obvious for any decent batsman but how long did england believe in Bell and Cook, Lyth also had 7 tests why is he off the scene so quickly. There has to be a balance correct but there also has to be a time where you say look, forget this is a test go smash 50 come back and eat some pie. Then next innings do the same, you'll so find yourself a different batsman. Bayliss will tell him this and im sure he's told cook the same.

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[mcgill123]

You've litterally given hales 3 tests. If you gave everyone 3 tests we would be test players in 5 years! Rob Key had it right on sky this morning. I think he is expecting to be bounced alot more in tests and is sitting on the back foot. His weight isnt going forward, if you watch any of his brilliant hundreds which ive had the pleasure of he's stride is massive and his hand come through the ball so well! This is obvious for any decent batsman but how long did england believe in Bell and Cook, Lyth also had 7 tests why is he off the scene so quickly. There has to be a balance correct but there also has to be a time where you say look, forget this is a test go smash 50 come back and eat some pie. Then next innings do the same, you'll so find yourself a different batsman. Bayliss will tell him this and im sure he's told cook the same.

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Don't get me wrong I really want the lad to do well but you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.
Test cricket is a totally different level and if you don't have confidence in you're own ability it's hard to convince others that you belong.

[ProCricketer1982]

You've litterally given hales 3 tests. If you gave everyone 3 tests we would be test players in 5 years! Rob Key had it right on sky this morning. I think he is expecting to be bounced alot more in tests and is sitting on the back foot. His weight isnt going forward, if you watch any of his brilliant hundreds which ive had the pleasure of he's stride is massive and his hand come through the ball so well! This is obvious for any decent batsman but how long did england believe in Bell and Cook, Lyth also had 7 tests why is he off the scene so quickly. There has to be a balance correct but there also has to be a time where you say look, forget this is a test go smash 50 come back and eat some pie. Then next innings do the same, you'll so find yourself a different batsman. Bayliss will tell him this and im sure he's told cook the same.

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'Massive stride' - is that code for plant the front foot and throw bat through ball?? Maybe he's hanging back because he can't play short bowling.... Which, is vital to play test cricket. Hales was never and will never be good enough, the fact he's scored runs in lvcc should be th worrying thing.

Hales reminds me of amateur players tbh, front foot dropper who just throws the bat (obviously he's a lot better than amateurs but you see so many amateurs with similar techniques who just hit but get away with it due to crap wickets and lack of pace).. Hales unfortunately doesn't have that in test cricket, white ball you get away with it due to the rules

[Woodyspin]

Who would you bring in instead then?

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