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[Alvaro]

I think that there is merit in picking the best players, but the squad is there to win, and they should by definition be the best players. So it's a case of picking the best team to give you a chance of winning in the conditions. If that means spinners, pick spinners, and so on.

To pick up your Sri Lanka point, Sri Lanka did then change their makeup as soon as they got home to play Australia. They picked quicks, however limited for England, because picking more than one spinner would have been totally off piste. It works both ways.

Stokes, Woakes, Finn is a good seam attack, and shows the value of the allrounders. There is then space to utilise spinners who may not be world beaters but did enough to win a tight Test match. You could also argue that the top 4 were the reason it was so close, not the bowlers.

[FattusCattus]

I don't see the problem with 3 spinners and 3 seamers in Bangladesh, I think it covers everything, and we're lucky to be in a position to squeeze this out of the current XI - it's just a case of getting the best 6 options to fit those 6 spaces.

[six and out]

I don't see the problem with 3 spinners and 3 seamers in Bangladesh, I think it covers everything, and we're lucky to be in a position to squeeze this out of the current XI - it's just a case of getting the best 6 options to fit those 6 spaces.

I agree 3 and 3 is the way forward it just needs to be the right 3 spinners - we are very lucky to be in a situation to have 2/3 genuine allrounders in the XI which allows us to do it.

i think we have more of an issue of getting runs on the board from the top 4/5

[ppccopener]

your both spot on..... it's the quality of the spinners, 3 and 3 split should be ok both this week and for India

it's funny how most of the places get discussed are bowlers, we(England) always do it...

In fact as you have mentioned we need runs from the top 5......
root and cook have carried us for ages, and Bairstow.

we need runs from Balance this game. He's a good player. let's be honest he's is lucky to be on tour in the first place. last chance I reckon.......

[Alvaro]

And Moeen. Root, Cook, Bairstow and Moeen.

[Stuey]

I fail to see how balance is anywhere near the test team, the selectors and management see something I don't.

[Seniorplayer]

I fail to see how balance is anywhere near the test team, the selectors and management see something I don't.

I think the selectors like his grittyness  a player who will battle when there's no easy runs

[Johnny]

And a player who'll really knuckle down and bat that gritty innings... Even when there are easy runs!

GB is actually a friend of a friend. There's definitely a group of people who believe he's a real talent. Personally i don't see it.

[ppccopener]

And a player who'll really knuckle down and bat that gritty innings... Even when there are easy runs!

GB is actually a friend of a friend. There's definitely a group of people who believe he's a real talent. Personally i don't see it.

Hmmm..he's highly rated by England clearly.
As long as he has an england shirt on ill be cheering him on.he wouldnt be in my team currently.
Out of intetest who would you bat in that position?

[Johnny]

I'd have started the series with Hameed opening and Duckett at 4. Can't see them moving Duckett now though.

Alternatively I'd have moved YJB to 4 and have Buttler keeping.

Again... They won't make that kind of change now though.

[Stuey]

Duckett at 4 or 5 for me with Bairstow filling either spot. I'd have also kept with buttler. England need Bairtows runs and asking him to keep in that heat and standing up for 90% of the innings then go and score a hundred is a big ask. Buttler is a good player of spin and is unlikely to get balls seaming around off stump in this or the India series.

[rickjames]

Thank God none of you are selectors

[ppccopener]

i'd have hameed opening, duckett 4 and Butler in the team too...

praise the Lord !!!   

[WalkingWicket37]

Thank God none of you are selectors

Just thinking back to a few previous threads... Some of the forum "selection committee" would have sacked Cook & Root years ago for a few low scores, would still have Lyth opening and probably have re-appointed KP as skipper. Yikes!

[ppccopener]

Just thinking back to a few previous threads... Some of the forum "selection committee" would have sacked Cook & Root years ago for a few low scores, would still have Lyth opening and probably have re-appointed KP as skipper. Yikes!

i'd have you and Woody 'spin' in the same team playing for England just  to watch you go at each other in the nets.

take that !!!!!