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[northernboy1987]

Taylor has more "looked the part" than Hales in my opinion (I'd love Hales to work out though) although Taylor hasn't had the best series he looks up to Test cricket in my opinion, I think Hales is lacking in confidence and looks to be lacking a bit of fire in his belly, Taylor reminds me of Ballance in certain ways (who I also like) in that their techniques aren't perfect but they have that bit extra mentally over some others. The good thing is we have some very promising middle order players knocking about in lads like James Vince and the likes of Ballance who will be pushing to get their place back, I think English cricket is in a decent place and heading in the right direction, just a little more consistency needed, on their day this team could beat any other test team in the world.

[jamielsn15]

If I were Strauss and the ECB are considering changes for the 2016 summer, I'd be going public along the lines of this;

There are places up for grabs (subtext; 2,3,5).  There are 4 county championship games before selection for the first Sri Lanka test and we'll be at grounds assessing players and looking at their form on bowler-friendly early season English pitches.  Get a hundred in the first game?  Great, go get more - show consistent form and you're in with a shout.

I do think you give Hales and Compton a chance in the SL series, if only to be fair to them.  One thing is certain, either the communication to these players whilst they're with the squad is not allowing them to play their natural games, or the players simply aren't good enough.  It was only recently that players like Strauss, Bell, KP, Cook, Prior, Trott were coming in as debutants and scoring lots of runs from the off.  But then maybe they were a class above the players we have now? 

[400notout]

Here we go:-

Cook
*********
*********
Root
*********
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
***********
Anderson

Apart from not having a top order, a number 5 and a fit 3 seamer we are in great shape. Oh and if we could catch it would help.

Harsh on Compton/Taylor - maybe but they have to score consistently, but they'll probably get another go at least. Hales might or might come again. When is Wood fit again?

Definitey harsh on Compton, averaged 30, admittedly would have been ideal to convert a couple of the starts, but then again so could Cook.

Faced the most balls by an England player on the tour and essentially in my book, thats what he's there to do. Provide stability for the top/middle order.

[Aussie In England]

Bairstow should probably bat at 5 and England should find a proper keeper to bat at 7/8. Ali hasn't done anything to justify a long term future either. Ballance probably should find a spot back in the line up.

[Aussie In England]

Youngster Rabada breaking records like nobodies business. At the tender age of 20, he joined Waqar Younis, by taking 3 6fers in international cricket.

I guess by the time South Africa next play Test cricket they could be rocking up with Steyn/Philander/Rabada/Morkel. Not too shabby.

[northernboy1987]

Youngster Rabada breaking records like nobodies business. At the tender age of 20, he joined Waqar Younis, by taking 3 6fers in international cricket.

I guess by the time South Africa next play Test cricket they could be rocking up with Steyn/Philander/Rabada/Morkel. Not too shabby.

Look's a serious prospect that lad, hope he remains injury free and has a long career.

[jamielsn15]

It is a shame that Steyn and Philander weren't fit enough to play.  You should always want to test yourself against the best...

[uknsaunders]

Look's a serious prospect that lad, hope he remains injury free and has a long career.

Probably needs to be in a 5 bowler attack, simply to manage workload. Unless you have Shane Warne, it's a lot of work on the 3 seamers. If SA keep using 3 seamers then he'll be done by 30 and nobody wants to see that. Wonder if he's going into the IPL draw.

[brokenbat]

Compton should open. Bell at number 3

[ProCricketer1982]

Compton should open. Bell at number 3

You'd be better off bringing kp back than bell!! SA were quite poor and without two of their best bowlers. This England side managed to win but it's not a 'great' series win (due to SA being poorer than ever and 2 of their main players were out). As many questions remain over the test team as at the start of the series. England can persist in giving players lacking top order technique top spots or can realise that unless it's an aus flat deck, you actually need the skills. Root shouldn't go above 4 as he's being exposed as vulnerable against the newer/moving ball (you may not like it as he's unfalable at present in most eyes) but anyone with any sense can see the technical issues outside off stump early on.

Sadly, Compton is our only hope currently and he doesn't look quite good enough but there isn't anyone else like that coming through as they are all white ball hitters like hales

[Buzz]

I would drop Compton...
I don't believe either he or Ballance are the answer to the question.
Personally I would persevere with Hales, but at 3 and then have Lees at 2. I would give Taylor a few more games too.

[Woodyspin]

I would drop Compton...
I don't believe either he or Ballance are the answer to the question.
Personally I would persevere with Hales, but at 3 and then have Lees at 2. I would give Taylor a few more games too.

I actually really agree with this

[uknsaunders]

Root is an opener and opened for Yorkshire. He scored nearly 200 odd against Australia opening and when was the last time somebody other than Cook did that?. England's reluctance to bat him at 3 seems bordering on the bizarre.  He's virtually opening as it is, thanks to Lyth/Hales and co. Compton does at least hang around and knock some shine off. He was also Cooks most successful opening partner. Why not open with him. Root isn't an Ian Bell, a middle order player getting pushed up the order. He's an opener getting pushed down to 1st drop. He surely would average more than 30?

KP 4, Bell in his rightful place at 5. Loads of experience and ability. Look at that, everyone batting in a place they are best suited and Root has the talent to cope with 3. Sometimes the obvious solutions are the best.

[ProCricketer1982]

I would drop Compton...
I don't believe either he or Ballance are the answer to the question.
Personally I would persevere with Hales, but at 3 and then have Lees at 2. I would give Taylor a few more games too.

Hales in tests over Compton?? You probably predict it but 100% think you're nuts

Hales shouldn't be anywhere near test cricket, he is an embarrassment to the great game. Sod off to white ball. Compton isn't much cop but he is at least more suited and will score more and last longer

[ProCricketer1982]

Root is an opener and opened for Yorkshire. He scored nearly 200 odd against Australia opening and when was the last time somebody other than Cook did that?. England's reluctance to bat him at 3 seems bordering on the bizarre.  He's virtually opening as it is, thanks to Lyth/Hales and co. Compton does at least hang around and knock some shine off. He was also Cooks most successful opening partner. Why not open with him. Root isn't an Ian Bell, a middle order player getting pushed up the order. He's an opener getting pushed down to 1st drop. He surely would average more than 30?

KP 4, Bell in his rightful place at 5. Loads of experience and ability. Look at that, everyone batting in a place they are best suited and Root has the talent to cope with 3. Sometimes the obvious solutions are the best.

I hate bell and tbh, if have him and kp back in at 4/5. No one else England have is anywhere near their class sadly. Would mean root to 3 and Compton opening.