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[liscon12]

So one test series finishes in a 2-0 will and over all in the 'Super Series' we are 10-2 up however Pakistan are coming later this summer and I would love get the ball rolling on who people think the starting XI will be on that first morning at Lords. My prediction for the first Test against SL was spot on so I hope I can make it two out of two for this one. As usual the ECB selectors are very conservative and only dropping players if necessary and the only player in the 'killzone' is Compton. The only complication I can see is Woakes and Stokes, who do you pick or do you try and get both in the Squad.

1- A.Cook
2- A.Hales
3- J.Vince
4- J.Root
5- J.Bairstow
6- B.Stokes/C.Woakes
7- J.Butler
8- M.Ali
9- S.Broad
10- S.Finn/J.Ball
11- J.Anderson

I'm not as confident with the squad as my SL pick as there are too many uncertainties, the selectors could in fact go with a specialist number 3 and leave Vince at 5 with the likes of S.Borthwick coming in to fill Compton's spot.

1- A.Cook
2- A.Hales
3- S.Borthwick?
4- J.Root
5- J.Vince
6- B.Stokes/C.Woakes
7- J.Bairstow
8- M.Ali
9- S.Broad
10- S.Finn/J.Ball
11- J.Anderson

[northernboy1987]

I think your second choice will be closer to the mark, with one change (presuming Stokes is fit)

1- A.Cook
2- A.Hales
3- S.Borthwick
4- J.Root
5- J.Vince
6- B.Stokes
7- J.Bairstow
8- M.Ali
9- S. Broad
10- S.Finn/C.Woakes
11- J.Anderson

Although obviously if Woakes gets picked ahead of Finn he will bat higher than Broad. If Stokes isn't fit then both Woakes and Finn will play imo with Woakes batting at 8 and YJB and Ali bumping up a spot.

[smilley792]

A previous reply from Sri Lanka Thread

So

Side to face Pakistan?


Cook- yep. And cap
Hales- done enough to maintain the spot
Borthwick- Compton hasn't done enough and time to go.
Root- off course
Vince- will get another series despite not pulling up any roots.
Stokes- if recovers if not still woakes.
Bairstow- yep!
Ali- do we have anyone better? If borthwick scores runs and take wickets though.....)
Broad. Yep
Finn-could be replaced by ball if he doesn't get a good game soon
Anderson- yep

Big what if, but if borthwick can prove to be abetted spinner than Ali future sides could be.


Hales
Cook
Borthwick
Root
Vince
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Broad
Ball/Finn
Anderson


Is five seamers and a spinner to much?

Or do you shoe another actually batsman in instead of woakes?

[northernboy1987]

Dunno, Woakes is a decent bat to come in at 8 FC avg in the mid to high 30's

[ScottParko]

Stokes won't be fit until the 2nd match.

I think Finn may be the man to drop out to make way for Stokes if he hasn't shaped up.

I'm not quite getting the fuss to get Buttler back in the side so that alongside me being a Durham fan and picking people on merit I would just bring Borthwick in for Compton.

Cook
Hales
Borthwick
Root
Vince
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Finn
Anderson

With Stokes returning for possibly Finn and Bairstow downwards shifting a place.

[edge]

I would pick Robson ahead of Borthwick unless the selectors genuinely think his spin could be used a lot, and Woakes ahead of Finn when Stokes is fit.

Foakes and Buttler should both be working hard in the knowledge that there's a place up for grabs for the winter tours in the likely scenario that Bairstow keeps missing chances.

[smilley792]

R.e Buttler

He was dropped by Mumbai from stumping after one game, as they thought Patel was much better against the turning ball.

If they didn't trust him in India, can we?

[edge]

R.e Buttler

He was dropped by Mumbai from stumping after one game, as they thought Patel was much better against the turning ball.

If they didn't trust him in India, can we?

Possibly not, but he's definitely a better keeper than Bairstow, and has shown he can make quick improvements to his keeping. Given enough time Buttler will be an excellent keeper, I'm not sure Bairstow ever will be.

[ppccopener]

Possibly not, but he's definitely a better keeper than Bairstow, and has shown he can make quick improvements to his keeping. Given enough time Buttler will be an excellent keeper, I'm not sure Bairstow ever will be.

bairstow it's blantantly obvious from his interview last night he is 'proving a point' and wants to be the keeper and not just a batsman. Yes he is improving but like you I cannot see how he will improve that much. He is not a natural.

at the risk of getting pelters(tin hat on) Butler is a better keeper and i'm convinced has a role in the team long term. Butler's batting has been mentioned on here many times, I think myself he has massive ability not just in the one day game.

this is a tricky issue going forward for England

[edge]

Agree completely @ppccopener , suspect Foakes may be the one to get the nod in the end though. Will be interesting to see the winter squad announcements for sure.

[northernboy1987]

Prior was a less than impressive keeper when he first came into the England set up but he (like YJB imo) had the attitude and determination to work hard on improving, I think Bairstow will improve his keeping, he's a Yorkshire man, too bloody minded not to.

[Manormanic]

Is five seamers and a spinner to much?

Or do you shoe another actually batsman in instead of woakes?

Well, if you were going to have five seamers, it would not be those five, even though the six names you'e listed are certainly the first six in the pecking order.  There is simply no point in having fie right arm seamers of whom none exceed 88mph or drop below 82mph.  You may conceiveably select five seamers, but the worst of the five right armers (I'd say Finn right now) would be replaced by a left armer or by someone who could bowl serious gas.  That brings the likes of Footitt, Willey and Plunkett into consideration 

My team?  Compton has to go, Vince deserves another go.  playing Borthwick makes sense - whatever you think of his game, the lad has scored more runs over the last two and a half seasons than anyone not called Jonny Bairstow.  Has to be worth a go, and our side to India is likely to require three spinners so its a way of protecting a seamer.  Buttler is a non starter, so...

Cook
Hales
Borthwick
Root
Bairstow X
Vince
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson
Footitt (but in reality Finn)

[Manormanic]

India is a tough one. I'm thinking at this moment:

Cook
Hales
Borthwick
Root
Bairstow
Vince
Stokes
Ali
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

Though that leaves two leggies, I think its more likely than Patel being the third twirler.

[Buzz]

No stokes for Pakistan Manormanic?

The side for the next test will be...

Cook
Hales
Borthwick
Root
Vince
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson.

Personally I am not sure Vince has enough to play at this level, I would pick Westly to open, put Hales at 3 and have borthwick at 5.

[iand123]

Whilst borthwick is in great touch for Durham and bats 3 for them, is he really good enough to bat three for England now? I haven't seen too much of him so that isn't a derogatory statement, asking for people who have seen to throw their opinions in? I wonder if he is the next in line should vince not convince at 5. Who that means replaces Compton I don't know!