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[Buzz]

I am going to say it.

We have a problem at 4.

We have a proven match winner in India with over 100 caps.
It won't happen. But having KP would be useful.

As I have been saying for ages. Hameed should bat at 4. Right hander with a test match temperament. Then when we get back home he and Duckett can swap.
Root started lower in the order it will help Hameed not to be up first.

It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that Ballance is sent home and Bell plays in India. Personally I think bell is finished, but it could happen.

[Bats_Entertainment]

We're not producing spinners and our batsmen can't occupy the crease? I know, let's introduce another T20 competition!

[jamielsn15]

Maybe worth pointing out mark butcher's observation that the reason buttler was left out in 2015 was because he couldn't buy a run against Nathan lyon. Players are allowed to get better of course, just a point that hasn't been raised on here. Can't help thinking that the same selection for the India tour seemed convenient. Difficult to balance...

[edge]

Re. people saying Hameed couldn't possibly bat middle order in India as he's a young untested defensive opening bat - worked out alright for Joe Root!

[Bats_Entertainment]

Re. people saying Hameed couldn't possibly bat middle order in India as he's a young untested defensive opening bat - worked out alright for Joe Root!

Root is defensive?

Hameed is a very promising cricketer; but is he really the best option for the no. 4 spot we have?

[edge]

Root is defensive?

Hameed is a very promising cricketer; but is he really the best option for the no. 4 spot we have?

He was at 21 when he started! Tbf it's not an option that occurred to me before but I think it's a decent one. As for the best option we have, it's Hameed, Buttler or Bairstow. Barstow's record in the top 5 is rubbish (sorry ) and he's busy keeping, so it's Hameed vs Buttler. Can see a lot of good arguments either way personally.

[joeljonno]

Ballance is a good player. No-one gets an average of 60-70 after three of four series without knowing a bit about Batting. He just needs a break, mentally looks shot. Can't seem to buy a run.

Was very disappointed with Duckett, heard lots of good things about him. That was until today when he actually attacked the bowlers. I feel he could be decent given another year or two. Give him the India and next summer (unless he becomes hapless in India).

I think Hameed could do a job at 3, move Root back to 4. Or, Bairstow/Ali 4, Hameed 5, Stokes 6, Bairstow/Ali 7.

No to KP and no to Bell. May as well build for the future, already got one oldie return in Batty. Shouldn't have too many in my eyes.

[Bats_Entertainment]

I still suspect a lot of people haven't actually seen Hameed bat. I've only seen him once, so I'm certainly going to put forward the idea of blooding him out of position at no.4 in an away series against the number 1 side in the world.

[six and out]

I have just seen that the ICC have confirmed umpire Kumar Dharmasena will stand in the first two Tests in India.

Dharmasena had his decisions referred to the third umpire 27 times in total with 13 overturned on review. Thats close to 50% wrong if my maths is right.

I know it was hard for the umpires but it should be fun with him umpiring and India using DRS for the 1st time.

[GoodLeave]

I have just seen that the ICC have confirmed umpire Kumar Dharmasena will stand in the first two Tests in India.

Dharmasena had his decisions referred to the third umpire 27 times in total with 13 overturned on review. Thats close to 50% wrong if my maths is right.

I know it was hard for the umpires but it should be fun with him umpiring and India using DRS for the 1st time.

I bet Moeen is chuffed.

[northernboy1987]

Maybe they'll go with @Buzz's hitter in the top 3 theory and just stick Buttler in at 3 and tell him to try and whack Ashwin over cow every ball?

[Stuey]

It would be interesting to see what the Indians opinion of buttler is, I suspect they would rather he not be selected and England pick ballance or Hameed instead.

[Manormanic]

The pitches are going to be raging bunsens, at least for three of the games. 

In those conditions, there is little point in constructing a watchful 60 ball starts only to find one with your name on it when you only have 10 on the board.  As long as it is done sensible, batsmen need to have a method - a la Tamim Iqbal - to score runs whilst they survive.  So play Buttler in what is a long batting line up and give him licence to be positive.

[ppccopener]

It would be interesting to see what the Indians opinion of buttler is, I suspect they would rather he not be selected and England pick ballance or Hameed instead.

you never know but I think it's inconceivable Balance will be at 4 for the first test. The guy is a good player but you can't keep being picked without a significant score to your name.

[Manormanic]

you never know but I think it's inconceivable Balance will be at 4 for the first test. The guy is a good player but you can't keep being picked without a significant score to your name.

he was not in form when he was recalled, has not found any since.  It isn;t that he will never make it as a test player, but that the selectors were seduced by his numbers to thrown him back in when he clearly wasn't in the right place to be in the side.