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[petehosk]

I really hope Footit gets the nod, I understand the thinking (although not necessarily the decision itself) in using Woakes to replace either Broad or Anderson but Finn brings something different as would Footit.

Don't get me wrong...Woakes has improved in speed and skill with his bowling and offers strong batting too. But like you, Footitt would offer something decent and different in the bowing line-up! And as the series is already won, now would be the perfect time to try out a couple of players and slightly different line-up?

[northernboy1987]

Don't get me wrong...Woakes has improved in speed and skill with his bowling and offers strong batting too. But like you, Footitt would offer something decent and different in the bowing line-up! And as the series is already won, now would be the perfect time to try out a couple of players and slightly different line-up?

You're a man after my own heart Pete haha, my thoughts exactly, surely with the series in the bag it's the ideal opportunity.

[ppccopener]

sounds like Footit has been a bit all over the shop but if it's a straight swap for pace he should get a chance,he's def got wheels

I hope he does play we know what Woakes can do...England might be conservative thou as they wont want too many overs from Broad and Anderson if Footit sprays it.

It's a good time to give the guy a run out but whether England look at it like that I doubt.Hope i'm wrong.

Hales will get another go and quite right, whether he should be there in the first place is debatable, but now he is you got to give the guy a decent run...

[Seniorplayer]

As  already stated timings right Let's give footit an opportunity as we know what Woakes is capable of and it's not that much....

[petehosk]

sounds like Footit has been a bit all over the shop but if it's a straight swap for pace he should get a chance,he's def got wheels

I hope he does play we know what Woakes can do...England might be conservative thou as they wont want too many overs from Broad and Anderson if Footit sprays it.

It's a good time to give the guy a run out but whether England look at it like that I doubt.Hope i'm wrong.

Hales will get another go and quite right, whether he should be there in the first place is debatable, but now he is you got to give the guy a decent run...

I know that everyone deserves a decent run out, but with the middle order looking very attacking, should be really need an attacking player as an opener?
And Hales was too cautious which indicated that he was not playing his natural game.....and that is surely not what England wanted? If Hales was going to open then he should be playing aggressive cricket! So if he is not, then I would prefer to see Cook and Compton try to keep things solid up top with Ballance backing them up.
Then Root, Stokes, Bairstow and Ali come in to hit it around a bit? But with Hales up top, it just seems a bit unbalanced!?

And Footitt would be good to see - he has some real pace and may even improve with a little more confidence! But we won't now unless he gets an opportunity!
And I actually rate Woakes as an improving player. He can bat well and he has put on a bit of speed this year. Plus he is young enough to show further improvements! But as I said, I'm sure he'll have his chances. So give Footitt a go!

Anyway, let's see what they decide to do for the 4th Test!

[ppccopener]

there's a 1001 posts on Hales before the series started big fella, at one point it nearly overtook the 'M and H bats made in England' thread that nearly blew the server(admin have a back up server in...INDIA !!!)
just kidding lads 

He's not playing aggressive  cricket because he can't, he's not the new David Warner,the Aussie we(some) love to hate. Warner is a seriously talented bloke and let's be honest, as great as England have been,the SA bowling attack without Steyn is not the same.Hales is trying to get himself in and play more carefully, you can't really blame the bloke.

I hope he gets a ton at the next game I really do, but I think England should of given Lyth this tour(yes I know he got found out but he's the best of the current openers).

Compton has got in the side as a block if Hales goes for a low score....as has done well.

Should Hales not get a score in the next test I've no idea whether he will keep his place for the summer's tests, he's a shoe in for the one dayers but Tests? i'm not convinced......

by the amount of players we have tried opening, it's pretty obvious England don't know whether to stick or twist
 

[northernboy1987]

there's a 1001 posts on Hales before the series started big fella, at one point it nearly overtook the 'M and H bats made in England' thread that nearly blew the server(admin have a back up server in...INDIA !!!)
just kidding lads 

The backup server is made in India but it's sanded and stickered up here in England 

[jamielsn15]

Seems to me they're not going to get what they want, i.e. a quick scorer up top with Cook a la Warner, a game changer at 3 who can play as the mood suits (though we have one at four).

Compton could open with Cook, but that puts extra pressure on the skipper to score.  I believe that you've got to give a new player at least two series, ideally home and away, or a summer at home.  They can then assess based on temperament and technique as well as scores.  Lyth may get another go, but he clearly didn't learn to leave the ball, which I acknowledge is difficult if he's listening to external and possibly internal (England staff) noises about quick scoring up top.

I think Hales is stuck in a stick or twist and it's clouding his thoughts.  He may well not be good enough for Test cricket but let's give him at least the first series of our summer.  They could play Compton with Cook, but then where do you go?  Ballance at 3?  I've never seen that as his ideal spot and Taylor isn't setting the world alight at 5.

A lot of uncertainties; 1,4,6 are nailed on, but 2,3,5 not so much.

[northernboy1987]

Taylor will get a hundred next test mark my words....










Maybe.

[uknsaunders]

I think Woakes is the official reserve for tests no matter who gets injured. England might also like to lengthen the batting further and play it safe, especially if SA persist with their idiotic policy of preparing grassy decks! I think Footitt was there as a first look, never a genuine test candidate and it wouldn't be the first time we've done that.

Still no idea why Samit and Jordan were there. Anyone else?

[northernboy1987]

I think Woakes is the official reserve for tests no matter who gets injured. England might also like to lengthen the batting further and play it safe, especially if SA persist with their idiotic policy of preparing grassy decks! I think Footitt was there as a first look, never a genuine test candidate and it wouldn't be the first time we've done that.

Still no idea why Samit and Jordan were there. Anyone else?

Samit is there as an extreme emergency back up spinner who can bat batsman who can spin in case Moeen got injured, I'm pretty sure Jordan must only be there as a sub fielder because in test cricket I don't see what else he brings.

[uknsaunders]

Samit is there as an extreme emergency back up spinner who can bat batsman who can spin in case Moeen got injured, I'm pretty sure Jordan must only be there as a sub fielder because in test cricket I don't see what else he brings.

All I see Samit do is high five Stokes when he got 250 odd and despite being possible one of the least mobile sub fielders England can find he's had a trundle round fine leg for a few overs. I did wonder if he was the teams food taster, but given Broads dodgy tummy he hasn't done a great job of that either. Anyway, he's had a nice holiday 

[northernboy1987]

All I see Samit do is high five Stokes when he got 250 odd and despite being possible one of the least mobile sub fielders England can find he's had a trundle round fine leg for a few overs. I did wonder if he was the teams food taster, but given Broads dodgy tummy he hasn't done a great job of that either. Anyway, he's had a nice holiday 

All expenses paid first class trip to South Africa including free tickets for the test matches and meet and great the players in return for carrying a few drinks about, I'd do it and I'm equally as immobile in the field and would make an equally good food taster.

Also I'm 2 years younger than Samit, surely England should be looking to the future!

[Batbuddy99]

All I see Samit do is high five Stokes when he got 250 odd and despite being possible one of the least mobile sub fielders England can find he's had a trundle round fine leg for a few overs. I did wonder if he was the teams food taster, but given Broads dodgy tummy he hasn't done a great job of that either. Anyway, he's had a nice holiday 

he ate all the good food, leaving everyone else the dodgy 2 day out of date stuff

That's where the team bug is coming from


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[ppccopener]

new article on BBC website for those interested Nick 'block it', 'yes my bat is made in Somerset you fool' Compdog praising the Captaincy of Ali Cook....

more interesting than it sounds as allegedly Cook did not want Compton in the Test side first time round as they 'clashed'. All gossip of course but looks like new England are full steam ahead, clean slate,friendly with the media, etc etc. Jesus they even had a meal out with Bob Willis last summer. Wonder if he has any funny stories...

How much credit does Bayliss take for the new attitude? lot's I reckon but Farbrace could be the main man day to day who influences the players the most....