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[edge]

Bairstow's test average at:
number 5 - 24.7
number 6 - 46.7
number 7 - 48.2
One fifty in the top 5, three tons and nine fifties batting 6 or below

Odis:
top 5 - 22.2
6 to 11 - 36.1

Fully aware I'm going against the grain with this, and yes he's played more tests batting 6/7 than he has in the top 5, but there's definitely something there.

[Felix Tito]

Bairstow's a fine player of straight up and down bowling. Much like Bell, Bairstow hasn't a clue against proper spin bowling...bit of a concern when Bangladesh have 4 spinners and a few weeks down the line India has a chap regarded as the #1 Test bowler...

[Woodyspin]

Bairstow's test average at:
number 5 - 24.7
number 6 - 46.7
number 7 - 48.2
One fifty in the top 5, three tons and nine fifties batting 6 or below

Odis:
top 5 - 22.2
6 to 11 - 36.1

Fully aware I'm going against the grain with this, and yes he's played more tests batting 6/7 than he has in the top 5, but there's definitely something there.

And since his recall, how many times has he batted in each position, Benedict?

[edge]

And since his recall, how many times has he batted in each position, Benedict?

six times in the top 5 and thirteen times at 6 or below Nasser, his average in that period being 29 in the top 5 and 66.5 at 6 or lower.

[Manormanic]

six times in the top 5 and thirteen times at 6 or below Nasser, his average in that period being 29 in the top 5 and 66.5 at 6 or lower.

And of those six in the top five, how many were on sporty decks against two Mitchells and a Hazlewood in his first couple of returns, or slogging in run chases?  Oh look, all six...

In an ideal world, five is his best spot if he plays as a pure batsman, six if he bats and keeps.  For this series, it'll be the latter, with Stokes moving up to five, because England will want six bowling options.

[smilley792]

In the 45 over warm up game this morning duckett and hammered opened.

Ducket retired on 59(from 63 balls) once retired hameed 16 and root 2 followed quickly.

Ballance and Ali in and on the teens with 5 overs left.


I presume this game has just been a chance for the fringe players to show there worth and root to get rythym after his rest.

No buttler, which could be telling, and all 4 spinners within the 12.

[Woodyspin]

Duckett will play.

[northernboy1987]

I agree with @edge in a way, I do think JB is good enough to bat at 5 BUT I don't understand the obsession with moving people from the positions in which they clearly perform best. Bairstow has scored runs by the bucket full batting at 7 so why move him? Stokes has scored heavily at 6 so why do some people try and fit him in at 5 or 7 or 8? Although this England team are a lot more progressive than ones who have come before I think they still like to position things the way we have in the past and that means All Rounder at 6 and Keeper at 7.




Watch them bat YJB at 5 and keep now just to prove me wrong haha

[Tailendfielder]

Bairstow's a fine player of straight up and down bowling. Much like Bell, Bairstow hasn't a clue against proper spin bowling...bit of a concern when Bangladesh have 4 spinners and a few weeks down the line India has a chap regarded as the #1 Test bowler...

Im sure bairstow would be gutted to have a career like bell's. Get so frustrated with how un popular he is

[petehosk]

Duckett sounds like he's in good touch - so surely he has done enough in these conditions to secure a place?
I believe England have another 2 day warm-up match tomorrow and Monday? I wonder if they will rest the likes of Duckett and anyone else they feel is likely to play the first Test?
It looks as though the seamers are going for a few runs and the spinners are the better option? Surely we need to be looking at playing as many spinners as we can cram in? Stokes and Woakes are obvious choices but will we be brave enough to stick to this?

[Manormanic]

I think they will play six bowlers, three and three - Stokes' recent injury problems mean that he would be too much of a risk as one of two seamers.  I reckon Broad, Woakes, Stokes, Batty or Ansari, Rashid and Ali will end up the six.

[petehosk]

I think they will play six bowlers, three and three - Stokes' recent injury problems mean that he would be too much of a risk as one of two seamers.  I reckon Broad, Woakes, Stokes, Batty or Ansari, Rashid and Ali will end up the six.

I think you're right - the big decision will be whether Ansari or Batty? Ansari is the stronger batsman but Batty has the experience!

[petehosk]

Plus the other decision is whether they will open with Hammed and play Duckett elsewhere (and not play Balance) or whether to open with Duckett and play Balance!

[northernboy1987]

1: Cook (c)
2: Hameed
3: Root
4: Duckett
5: Moeen
6: Stokes
7: Bairstow+
8: Ansari
9: Woakes
10: Rashid
11: Broad

Anyone think this is how they'll line up for the first test? Or Batty in for Ansari with everyone else moving up a spot?

[petehosk]

I think it looks likely - can't think that they will be able to fit Buttler in as they need the spinners playing in these conditions!!