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[WalkingWicket37]

Duckett confirmed as opener. Ballance at 4.

Crazy, why take Hameed if you're not going to play him?
Hameed to open and Duckett at 4 would have been the best option, surely?

[ppccopener]

Duckett confirmed as opener. Ballance at 4.

I make that 3 batting positions   

[Alvaro]

Crazy, why take Hameed if you're not going to play him?
Hameed to open and Duckett at 4 would have been the best option, surely?

Hameed is only 5. His time will come.

[FattusCattus]

Duckett confirmed as opener. Ballance at 4.

Pffft! Idiots!  Hameed might as well play for the Lions.

I just seem to have a mental block with Balance - he doesn't seem to be the real deal for me, although stating this is now a sure fire way of him getting 350 not out.

[ppccopener]

the press have duckett and haseeb in the team

It's the wrong move if Haseeb misses out. He should play as opener with Duckett 4.

there's a lot of strokeplayers in the middle order I think England like Balance because he is a sticker and can battle it out.

[WalkingWicket37]

the press have duckett and haseeb in the team

It's the wrong move if Haseeb misses out. He should play as opener with Duckett 4.

there's a lot of strokeplayers in the middle order I think England like Balance because he is a sticker and can battle it out.

Yeah, Id'd rather have someone make an ugly 12 before snicking off than a pretty 30-odd... Wait, no I wouldn't!
Has Gary Ballance got pictures of Cook or Bayliss in compromising positions or something? Can't see what he did to earn a recall in the first place, let alone keep his place...

[GoodLeave]

Has Gary Ballance got pictures of Cook or Bayliss in compromising positions or something? Can't see what he did to earn a recall in the first place, let alone keep his place...

I wonder if Chef lends his grip cone to anyone...

[ppccopener]

Yeah, Id'd rather have someone make an ugly 12 before snicking off than a pretty 30-odd... Wait, no I wouldn't!
Has Gary Ballance got pictures of Cook or Bayliss in compromising positions or something? Can't see what he did to earn a recall in the first place, let alone keep his place...

didn't do much last year.  To be fair.......his test average is pretty damn good even if he is a bit lucky to be on the tour. England have used Compton,taylor,Vince in the middle order

maybe they want to give him this series so we are not going thru players like the bad old days?

tight call I would suggest keeping Balance in.

I wonder what selection meetings are like at the top level? at our club we just tend to shout at each other, anyone dropped(apart from yours truly who took it like a man) throws their toys out for a couple of months.

[alexhilly1492]

I'd  say the man in the team has priority and someone has to play incredibly well and impress to replace which is why it's been a choice of hammeed and duckett as balance hasn't really done anything wrong and bats what meetings will be about, if a change needs to be made rather than who to pick if that makes sense

[ppccopener]

I'd  say the man in the team has priority and someone has to play incredibly well and impress to replace which is why it's been a choice of hammeed and duckett as balance hasn't really done anything wrong and bats what meetings will be about, if a change needs to be made rather than who to pick if that makes sense

It makes perfect sense, and a good way of looking at selection

[Alvaro]

So, I would like to see: Cock, Duckett, Root, Hameed, Ali/Bairstow, Stokes, Bairstow/Ali, Woakes, Zafar, Batty, Broad

Alas - unlikely as Ballance, Rashid more likely than Hameed/Zafar

[GoodLeave]

So, I would like to see: Cock,

Very different forum that is.

[ppccopener]

So, I would like to see: Cock, Duckett, Root, Hameed, Ali/Bairstow, Stokes, Bairstow/Ali, Woakes, Zafar, Batty, Broad

Alas - unlikely as Ballance, Rashid more likely than Hameed/Zafar

Superb!!

[smilley792]

Hmm, in form a Quentin de kock kolpak England transfer will lid even sweet!

[Alvaro]

Hmm, in form a Quentin de kock kolpak England transfer will lid even sweet!

He'd be handy!