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[JB]

You've got to hand it to Jonny though, he's gone away sorted his game out and has come back better. That sort of determination deserves respect

[ppccopener]

Brilliant stuff from bairstow...

Wonder if there is a recall on the cards for Ian bell. For England to stick with Compton for the Pakistan series would be a huge leap of faith....and I like Compton...but he is not looking like scoring a 50

[FattusCattus]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Carlo Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Bell has scored no significant runs this season - there is enough ginger in the England side - give youth a chance, flakey old-timers can take a hike!

[Buzz]

I would be tempted to have the Essex opener (westley or something) come in, put Hales at three and Borthwick at 5. If Vince can't block a straight one on a Lord's road against gentle medium pace he will be in all sorts against Pakistan.

P.s. what a performance from Bairstow today. Shows the benefits of being still at the crease.

[FattusCattus]

Gents - is Bairstow the most Ginger cricketer England have? He seems to be a more auburn hue than Stokesy?

[ppccopener]

Im convinced if anyone asked him he would actually say 'carrot'
Ginge is more like a reddish brown(like bell)

I would like to issue a warning to anyone googling 'ginge' to make sure the spelling is right

[jamielsn15]

Sounds like Borthwick is nailed on for the Pakistan series according to several papers.  Can't argue that he's bang in form and players have to get experience at some point.

Pakistan's attack will be a significant step up from Sri Lanka's.  A top order of; Cook, Hales, Borthwick, Root, Vince seems a bit light for me, but I'm not sure what the answer is. Probably Bairstow at 6 or 7, he seems to be digging England out of several holes.  I guess the other advantage is having Stokes back (possibly) and Ali in some form.  Whether that covers for 3 of the top 5 finding their way in test cricket I don't know.

We keep talking about age being an issue.  It hasn't done Australia too far wrong with Rogers and now Voges, both playing into their late 30s, knowing their game inside out.  Compton was brought back at the age of 32 - surely the thinking there was that an experienced player who we perhaps dropped too early is what England need at 3 with inexperienced players at 2 and 5?  It hasn't worked because Compton's not good enough (which I suspect Cook has known all along, but he doesn't get a say...), not because the theory is flawed.  I'm just a bit concerned that Hales hasn't cracked it yet, Vince looks good but that doesn't put runs on the board in isolation.  Pakistan will be a test.

[Seniorplayer]

Brilliant stuff from bairstow...

Wonder if there is a recall on the cards for Ian bell. For England to stick with Compton for the Pakistan series would be a huge leap of faith....and I like Compton...but he is not looking like scoring a 50

Should Compton get a another chance to bat this match he will be well aware he needs a score if he gets 40 plus he play against Pakistan same goes for Vince if they both fail  making 2 changes in the top 5 batting order is not what England do.

[ppccopener]

Sounds like Borthwick is nailed on for the Pakistan series according to several papers.  Can't argue that he's bang in form and players have to get experience at some point.

Pakistan's attack will be a significant step up from Sri Lanka's.  A top order of; Cook, Hales, Borthwick, Root, Vince seems a bit light for me, but I'm not sure what the answer is. Probably Bairstow at 6 or 7, he seems to be digging England out of several holes.  I guess the other advantage is having Stokes back (possibly) and Ali in some form.  Whether that covers for 3 of the top 5 finding their way in test cricket I don't know.

We keep talking about age being an issue.  It hasn't done Australia too far wrong with Rogers and now Voges, both playing into their late 30s, knowing their game inside out.  Compton was brought back at the age of 32 - surely the thinking there was that an experienced player who we perhaps dropped too early is what England need at 3 with inexperienced players at 2 and 5?  It hasn't worked because Compton's not good enough (which I suspect Cook has known all along, but he doesn't get a say...), not because the theory is flawed.  I'm just a bit concerned that Hales hasn't cracked it yet, Vince looks good but that doesn't put runs on the board in isolation.  Pakistan will be a test.

Good points, i'm a bit more worried now thou against Pakistan, don't think anyone could dispute their bowling will cause us problems this summer.

Compton may not get another chance, my gut feeling thou is he does have the quality and against better bowling it will show. But he hasn't got the runs and is on borrowed time.....

Some of the Sky guys pointed out he is too still at the crease and not moving into the ball, so low on confidence and needs a slight adjustment technically.

The tough question is who is better to replace him, and who has the potential to able to cope against serious bowling.

slightly agree with Buzz, if some of the SL bowlers are causing us problem it's a worry. We should be 300-2 on this flat Lords deck....

[ElPerro]

I would be tempted to have the Essex opener (westley or something) come in, put Hales at three and Borthwick at 5. If Vince can't block a straight one on a Lord's road against gentle medium pace he will be in all sorts against Pakistan.

P.s. what a performance from Bairstow today. Shows the benefits of being still at the crease.

Westley bats 3 for Essex, the openers are Jaik Mickelburgh (i'm not sure if that's the correct spelling) and Nick Browne

Westley's scored a lot of county runs so on the face of it would be the better choice but i'm not sure his technique would hold up in tests it just looks like he'd get found out - I guess we won't know unless he gets a go but that's just my thoughts

Browne looks very solid, been scoring consistent runs the last two seasons and for me looks the more compact of the two

[Woodyspin]

Brilliant stuff from bairstow...

Wonder if there is a recall on the cards for Ian bell. For England to stick with Compton for the Pakistan series would be a huge leap of faith....and I like Compton...but he is not looking like scoring a 50

Doesnt look like scoring 10 let alone 50!

[ppccopener]

Doesnt look like scoring 10 let alone 50!

fair point !!!   

@Seniorplayer is right thou as well.....England don't want to go into he Pak series making changes, one maybe but not two batting positions. Vince will be in on the '7' tests basis.

[Woodyspin]

Compton needs to go, think the pressure is getting to wee Joe as he's trying to play for the 2 batsman either side of him.

I mean the only one we have to worry about is Amir...

[northernboy1987]

I agree with the above, I doubt 2 changes are necessary, Compton should probably go and be replaced by (again probably) Borthwick based on form over the past couple of years, he's scored big runs with a home ground not exactly known for being a batting paradise. Vince is young and obviously talented, he deserves a fair run in the side, he should get at least the full Pakistan series before his place gets questioned.

[ppccopener]

I agree with the above, I doubt 2 changes are necessary, Compton should probably go and be replaced by (again probably) Borthwick based on form over the past couple of years, he's scored big runs with a home ground not exactly known for being a batting paradise. Vince is young and obviously talented, he deserves a fair run in the side, he should get at least the full Pakistan series before his place gets questioned.

Borthwick played a single test if I remember right and bowled very average leggies.

On the basis there is something to work with spinning wise, he might get a go so you could be right. It's an option for us long term with a lengthy tour to bangla and india this year.

Again if my memory is right, Borthwick was a lower order batsman who has worked hard to get up the order and runs at Durham do count for more.

So if it is him next, it's well deserved.