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[petehosk]

Think we had better start the next topic as the Indian Tests start so quickly! So thought I would continue where the Bangladesh topic ended...

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.

Really disappointed that Hameed only got a warm-up match and no proper Test match. It would have been good to see how he did against Bangladesh, as India should prove to be a tougher test!!
Against India I can see Hameed being played a little further down the order?

[ppccopener]

Well.......

As has been mentioned by others if he does play it could be at 4.....it seems the only way in.the whole situation is not ideal, I think we have more selection issues than we started with.

It's difficult to rationalise when England are likely to do something opposite. ie so we still need a 'tradional opener' batting 2?

England don't think so, I think we do. hameed and cook together? Yes.....cook and a strokeplayer? Yes that's what England want.

If hameed did get in and batted 4 it's not the end of the world, it's happened before, does he fit balances more attritional style? Yes he does.....

So maybe England are thinking that they need that style at 4. Apart from Cook everyone else gets on with it.

I actually think someone suggested hameed(if he plays) goes 3 and root back to 4. It's not the worst idea is it?  Root will score whether it's 3 or 4 it doesn't matter.

More concerns about our bowling, Broad needs to stay fit and Anderson we don't know. Spinners?  Hmmm....

[Alvaro]

FYI Bell has played 8 Tests in India, averaging 27.

[Alvaro]

I think that this tour should be about managing expectations.

It could well be 5-0 - India in their conditions will be tough.
So, can England make all matches go to a fifth day?
Can England go into their next assignment with doubts over one batting place?
Can a spinner land the ball in the same place 6 times an over for at least 25% of their overs/
Can they nick a match?

 

[ppccopener]

I think that this tour should be about managing expectations.

It could well be 5-0 - India in their conditions will be tough.
So, can England make all matches go to a fifth day?
Can England go into their next assignment with doubts over one batting place?
Can a spinner land the ball in the same place 6 times an over for at least 25% of their overs/
Can they nick a match?

 

if your looking for positives, it does reverse a bit out there for our bowlers. I dot think we will lose 5-0 but it's going to be very very hard to get close to a draw I think

you do wonder if there is a case for picking our BEST bowlers regardless of conditions.....

so......how many of our spinners are our best bowlers?  yes it's a bit off the wall but do we pick an extra seamer?

I think our spinners are going to get slapped out there

[Stuey]

you do wonder if there is a case for picking our BEST bowlers regardless of conditions.....

so......how many of our spinners are our best bowlers?

This is absolutely what we should do, I posted before the Bangladesh series we should at our best 3 or 4 quicks and
2 spinners max. We should stick to our strengths, playing 2nd rate spinners plays into Bangladesh and India's hands.  They treat them as fodder and up their run rate, meaning we need to chase more runs. The series in the UAE was a lesson the England management never learnt from.

[rickjames]

5-0 England. Don't worry lads, we got this.

[northernboy1987]

I think that this tour should be about managing expectations.

It could well be 5-0 - India in their conditions will be tough.
So, can England make all matches go to a fifth day?
Can England go into their next assignment with doubts over one batting place?
Can a spinner land the ball in the same place 6 times an over for at least 25% of their overs/
Can they nick a match?

 

I think, unfortunately, you know the answers to those questions already

I reckon if England come out of the India tour any better than 5-0 we've done well. It's going to be a big ask to draw a Test over there against Ashwin and Jadeja.

[FattusCattus]

I think we should get over the 'ifs', 'buts' and who comes back in and going back to past players. We are in the here & now, and we have a pool of say 16 bodies to pick from, mostly inexperienced. It's not like going to India with KP, Freddy, Swann and Monty I'm afraid, so we have to cut our cloth to suit.

Lets move forward. Balance has been found wanting, but is hardly experienced in the pressure-cooker of test cricket so stick another youngster in to replace him. Duckett, Hameed and Ansari will not get any better unless they play.

What matters is how they are managed and coached as newcomers to the side. Explain to them the challenge ahead, what your realistic expectations are for them in the matches, pair them up with experienced players in training and travelling and let them get on with it.

This will be an awesome experience that they will sink or swim from and everyone should be realistic about their chances. Win or lose, we have a young squad to move forward with and should be excited.

[Calzehbhoy]

In my opinion the mainstream media have to give these players a bit of a break! All you heard during Duckett's innings was how he would be lambasted in the media if he got out playing a switch hit at the start of the innings in a test mate.

We want players to go out and express themselves, why do we then hammer them if they get out playing something these ex pro's class as a non regulation shot.

[six and out]

In my opinion the mainstream media have to give these players a bit of a break! All you heard during Duckett's innings was how he would be lambasted in the media if he got out playing a switch hit at the start of the innings in a test mate.

We want players to go out and express themselves, why do we then hammer them if they get out playing something these ex pro's class as a non regulation shot.

yep it would have been an interesting reaction if Duckett had got out playing one of those reverses 2nd over? probably got crucified! instead he is being hailed as brave and bold and now nailed on for the 1st test.

[ppccopener]

yep it would have been an interesting reaction if Duckett had got out playing one of those reverses 2nd over? probably got crucified! instead he is being hailed as brave and bold and now nailed on for the 1st test.

tradition English media yes you are spot on. However Bayliss is different, we might not like the 'aussie way' sometimes but he's been great for us, England are opening their minds in one days and tests.....

His influence has been fantastic. And  no one really cares what the toffs in the Telegraph write......cricket needs to get to inspire people.

Sorry im ranting 

[billyb]

I really don't think we'll do that badly in India. That team that was nearly the best in the world a few months ago hasn't disappeared overnight- it certainly won't be 5-0. We just need top order batsmen to score runs. Cook had a great tour of India last time around.

[alexhilly1492]

Just read that Michael Vaughn has written in the telegraph that England should call Sam billings, now for me it's not a bad call I just don't think it's the right time!! We have a squad that can win in India! It just needs the correct selection (hammeed at 2, duckett at 4) however I'm not sure that will happen. I will be cheering on and supporting whoever walks out for the first test with the 3 lions in their chest no matter who that is!!

[six and out]

Interesting this from Duckett on twitter - getting very mixed reaction!

https://twitter.com/BenDuckett1/status/793019387837939713