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[Manormanic]

But - surely YJB has to come in.  You simply cannot justify leaving a world class player out.

[Rob580]

Billings. Got to come in for me.

Only a fully one eyed Yorkshireman would pick Bairstow... 

[ppccopener]

But - surely YJB has to come in.  You simply cannot justify leaving a world class player out.

Oh come on  it's got to be billings first....bairstow is a terrific player but what are we doing with SB if we are not going to play him and find out.

I know I post some questionable stuff before 0730(pre coffee) but surely Billings is ahead and opens with Roy  much as we like jonny

[Manormanic]

Billings. Got to come in for me.

Only a fully one eyed Yorkshireman would pick Bairstow... 

Okay, caveat here is that I would play both of them in our strongest XI.
Roy
Root
Bairstow
Morgan
Buttler
Billings
Stokes
Ali
Rashid
Woakes
Plunkett

But in a straight pick?  Bairstow has been averaging 70 in Tests, scoring quickly.  He builds innings brilliantly, has all the shots.  He has that bit more class than Billings. 

[Manormanic]

I know I post some questionable stuff before 0730(pre coffee) but surely Billings is ahead and opens with Roy  much as we like jonny

The one thing I really wouldn't so is open with Billings.  His biggest plus, aside from his ability to play unorthodox shots at the very end of the innings, is that he is a superb player of spin.  That means we should try and avoid having him blown away in the first few overs and save him for the middle period of the game.  Either Root should step up one or, if we are really struggling for ideas, send Mr 1-9 Ali in there!

[Stuey]

Root to open, him and Roy could make a formidable opening  pair.

[Rob580]

Okay, caveat here is that I would play both of them in our strongest XI.
Roy
Root
Bairstow
Morgan
Buttler
Billings
Stokes
Ali
Rashid
Woakes
Plunkett

But in a straight pick?  Bairstow has been averaging 70 in Tests, scoring quickly.  He builds innings brilliantly, has all the shots.  He has that bit more class than Billings.

That's the team I'd be picking (with Hales for Bairstow when fit) as all of our bowlers are getting pumped, might as well drop a bowler, have 5 that get smashed instead of 6 and have an extra batter...

[smilley792]

Can they call broad up as hales replacement?



Noticed they said he's only being replaced for t20s so billings deffo in for last odi if they have brains.

[edge]

Okay, caveat here is that I would play both of them in our strongest XI.
Roy
Root
Bairstow
Morgan
Buttler
Billings
Stokes
Ali
Rashid
Woakes
Plunkett

But in a straight pick?  Bairstow has been averaging 70 in Tests, scoring quickly.  He builds innings brilliantly, has all the shots.  He has that bit more class than Billings.

Come on now, it's not a test match is it though Take a look at their list A records, Bairstow isn't even close to Billings in limited overs cricket. Batting in mostly similar positions in the same competition, Billings scores faster, more heavily and at an average 15 higher than YJB, more tons in less games too.

Also Stokes at 7, Rashid above Woakes in the order, Willey dropped?

I'd bring Rashid back, Dawson to get a go for Moeen and obviously Billings in for the last game.

[ScottParko]

Serious question because my memory is shocking, but did Billings not open in Bangladesh and do a pretty good job? Ready made replacement and no-one else should be mentioned!

[ppccopener]

Serious question because my memory is shocking, but did Billings not open in Bangladesh and do a pretty good job? Ready made replacement and no-one else should be mentioned!

Yes believe so in one match that tour and def in one match this one in a warm up game we had. Got around 70 in each.

[northernboy1987]

Yes believe so in one match that tour and def in one match this one in a warm up game we had. Got around 70 in each.

93 batting at 3 in the warm up and 62 opening in Bangladesh

[smilley792]

Bairstow replaces hales in the t20 squad.


Ecb using there noggin and saving an air fare.

[csnew]

England batting with both bairstow and billings playing

Wow that's a green wicket!

[iand123]

Slow start from England, not your typical Indian pitch!