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[petehosk]

I am just being a bit pragmatic.
In Bangladesh you need an opening bat who hits it while the ball is new and hard.
Plus England's middle order is stuffed with stroke players. Having someone who bats time at 4 would really suit our team.

I understand what Hameed does for Lancashire and that Duckett has more experience at 4, I just think this works better looking at the line-up on paper.

That's not the worst shout and does make sense!
But I just think that the selectors want Hameed to open long term and therefore and want to start testing him now.

[rich041187]

Blood the lads now and let them get comfortable in the international arena!! How many times have we ummmd and arrrrd about batsman pre Ashes and then something happens and decision is made last minute to chuck them in - reference see Robson, Carberry, Lyth et al. If Lyth had been given a run of 2years before his ashes appearance, I personally feel he could still be the man in possession of the opening spot!

[JTtaylor145]

I've just read an article on BBC Cricket saying that Duckett should be left out for Balance...I've never read such rubbish. Duckett must play and bat at 4.

[Kieron_BT]

Why is there no talk of Duckett batting at 3 and Root at 4?

Root seems to always have preferred batting at 4 and then we have 2 openers in Hameed and Duckett batting at 2 and 3?

[petehosk]

Why is there no talk of Duckett batting at 3 and Root at 4?

Root seems to always have preferred batting at 4 and then we have 2 openers in Hameed and Duckett batting at 2 and 3?

I suspect that Root is happy at 3 now and that all his talk about not wanting to move from 4 is a distant memory!
But you are right....if Root wanted to get back to 4 then this would be the perfect time to make his case as Duckett should make a decent 2, 3 or 4!

[WalkingWicket37]

I suspect that Root is happy at 3 now and that all his talk about not wanting to move from 4 is a distant memory!
But you are right....if Root wanted to get back to 4 then this would be the perfect time to make his case as Duckett should make a decent 2, 3 or 4!

If Root is happy at  3 now he's scoring some runs in that position,  and Duckett will make a decent 2, 3 or 4 it seems daft to shuffle the order just for the sake of it. "Best player at 3" an all...

[Alvaro]

Also, if you lose Cook early, it breaks up the two potential debutants.

[ppccopener]

Root will want to bat where he scores runs. Don't want to bat 3?, moves to 3 and get's a double ton and lots more as well, he will want to stay there exactly.

KP never moved from 4....he got a few the big cheese...

I hope we get duckett in as well as Hameed

cook
hameed
rooooooooooooooooot
duckett
ali
stokes
bairstow

is a pretty good top 6

[Alvaro]

Why can't people count to six on this forum?

[FattusCattus]

Bound to be a good top 6 if you've squeezed 7 batters into it!!!

[ppccopener]

oh yeah!

oops

 

[Felix Tito]

TBH thinks it's harsh on Ballance if he's axed again. Duckett opening and Ballance at 4 for me.

[petehosk]

I would rate Bairstow as a better bat than Ali personally....even if they do decide to play Ali at 5 and Jonny at 7!!

[WalkingWicket37]

Why can't people count to six on this forum?

It's a cricket thing...
Even elite umpires need a special device to assist them in doing so, so us muppets who just play have no hope!

[Buzz]

Duckett confirmed as opener. Ballance at 4.