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[smilley792]

Here's my pick:

Jason Roy
Jason Roy
Jason Roy
Jason Roy
Jason Roy
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Finn

Would be interesting, have an odi but open with Bairstow and Roy, but tell Roy he has 5 lives. Wonder how many he'd get?

[e4sby]

I'm increasingly convinced Bairstow should bat at five -regardless of whether he keeps wicket.

On his form over the past year he fullly deserves to move up the order to 5, with or without the gloves.

[Manormanic]

If, hypothetically, England were going to go with both Vince and Westley, it would make eminent sense for one of them to go in at seven and allow YJB to move back up to five. 

[edge]

YJB's test record is average to poor, let him stay at 7 where he actually looks about right in test matches.

[Manormanic]

YJB's test record is average to poor, let him stay at 7 where he actually looks about right in test matches.

YJB's test record is a product of the way he has been treated by England though.

Yes, he was naff against a full pace Roach in his first series.  Since then, there have been precious few occasions when he has been given a proper run at it rather than being thrown in after weeks as a spare part, or been asked to switch roles at a moments notice.  Look at his innings in eh last year - strong against an excellent Aussie attack, save when Mitch nearly killed him.  Good in the Emirates save one knock when he had pad rash.  Comfortably our best player against South Africa.

Or just ask yourself - if Vince and Westley are to start, which is more impressive.  Vince managing one nugget ton when Yorkshire had seven slips, Westley making 120s against frankly awful D2 attacks, or mullering 200's at a run a ball in the top division?

[Manormanic]

On that final point - I was lucky enough to watch his knock Monday.  He came in at 40-3 with Curran and Rampaul swinging it sharply.  One is a genuine test bowler, the other heavily hyped on here.  YJB might as well have been batting against a club under 15s...

[edge]

YJB's test record is a product of the way he has been treated by England though.

To an extent, I'd equally say the way he's been treated by England is a product of his test record! Averaging in the 30s and contributing regular 50s/the odd ton is good stuff for a keeping no.7, not acceptable for a test 5 though. Plus the keeper should bat at 7, hardly any point in picking a batsman there (see: South Africa for the last 10 years or so). Definitely he's improved and I hope he does well, but get a young batsman with the potential to be higher up the order one day in at 5. Bairstow should be working hard on his keeping too rather than having the added pressure of batting higher.

[Bats_Entertainment]

If, hypothetically, England were going to go with both Vince and Westley, it would make eminent sense for one of them to go in at seven and allow YJB to move back up to five.

Though I'm not overly enthused by either, they could play both Ali and Rashid? Or even an extra seamer at Headingley?

[Manormanic]

Though I'm not overly enthused by either, they could play both Ali and Rashid?

unlikely - Headingley doesn't really take spin.

[Manormanic]

To an extent, I'd equally say the way he's been treated by England is a product of his test record! Averaging in the 30s and contributing regular 50s/the odd ton is good stuff for a keeping no.7, not acceptable for a test 5 though. Plus the keeper should bat at 7, hardly any point in picking a batsman there (see: South Africa for the last 10 years or so). Definitely he's improved and I hope he does well, but get a young batsman with the potential to be higher up the order one day in at 5. Bairstow should be working hard on his keeping too rather than having the added pressure of batting higher.

Really?  I think that's an unduly harsh view.

Ignoring those first three Roach induced nightmares, he made 95 and 54 in his fourth test against a genuinely great South African attack.  He was then left out until the last test in India, playing one competitive game in three and a half months (plus his dismissal was not actually out).  He then missed another two months before being parachuted back in against NZ. 

Back to the UK, he did okay against NZ and Australia, both with good attacks.  Indeed, he was unlucky to be dropped. 

He then waited five months before suddenly being thrown in for two tests to keep. 

Recalled 18 months later, he was good against Australia in a bowler dominated series.  Very good in Abu Dhabi...then given the gloves again.  Even with them on, he was comfortably our best player in South Africa.

Is his record great?  No - but that is defensible given that he has been so badly messed around and that he has not been able to feast on poor Sri Lankan, Indian (abroad) West Indian, Zimbabwean or Bangladeshi attacks.  Given seven games this Summer at five, I reckon we'd be looking at 1000+ runs.

[edge]

Yeah it's harsh, but gut feeling from watching him play for England, never looked comfortable consistently until getting the gloves. For me, if he's keeping, has to be at 7. If we want to give him a go at 5, someone else has to keep.

[bk]

Not convinced by Westley yet but would like to see YJB at 5. I know the bowlers who've faced him this year rate him very highly. Would also like to see Buttler at 7. Top order could have the odd collapse but there's some great depth and this side would be perfect for 4 day Tests. Cook, Hales, Vince, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Broad, Finn, Anderson. Given that Buttler won't be back then would like to see YJB keep the gloves and Compton given the first 2 Tests

[ppccopener]

Tell me I'm not the only one on here that thinks England will get Butler back to keep at the earliest practical opportunity so YJB and Jos can play in the same side?.

There are some players the selectors really fancy, and I think Bayliss and Farbrace want this attacking middle order with Butler in it. you could see the reluctance from England to drop Jos when his form went really bad...it was a bit like 'this is temporary till he hits some form'.

Bairstow is a terrific player and given a decent run could be a bit special. He is seriously talented, I think England want him long term to bat at 5 or 6 just in front of Butler.

I'm sure there are those who think Butler is just a T20 player but I don't think England do.
Just my thoughts 

[potzy248]

Please never pick Balance again. He made me want to watch paint dry and then eat the paint.

[smilley792]

Squad announced.


12 man squad. Ball will be back up bowler. Vince replaces Taylor. Rest same as SA