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[Manormanic]

Just pulling legs mate.

 Telegraph reporting that Malan may be considered for selection, what do we think?

Possibly - looked born to it the other day.

[northernboy1987]

After watching him in the ODI he's worth a call up but are England looking to build a young team around Joe.

He was great in the T20 but I thought England would see him as more of a white ball cricketer, his FC record is good without being remarkable but as you say, perhaps they would rather bring in someone a couple of years younger, that being said I'd have no problem with giving him a go at 4/5 in the Test side. He can obviously handle pressure situations, to come out and play as he did on international debut was impressive, obviously Test cricket is a completely different beast but it showed he's got the confidence in his game, remains to be seen if he's got the technical chops to match because facing the likes of Morkel and Rabada fired up with a red ball is a totally different challenge.

[six and out]

This is Bayliss talking to BBC Sport -

Broad should be fit - doesn't rule Hameed or Ballance out - says there will be "heavy discussion" between the selectors today.

I think most of all he said this, saying selection could depend on where Root bats -

"I'd like to see the best player in the team bat at number three.

"Three or four, there's not a huge difference in it, although if your best player bats at number three he can set the tone and set things right earlier if we lose an early one or two.

"That will be Joe's call. He's the captain, he'll set the batting order."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40448464

[northernboy1987]

This is Bayliss talking to BBC Sport -

Broad should be fit - doesn't rule Hameed or Ballance out - says there will be "heavy discussion" between the selectors today.

I think most of all he said this, saying selection could depend on where Root bats -

"I'd like to see the best player in the team bat at number three.

"Three or four, there's not a huge difference in it, although if your best player bats at number three he can set the tone and set things right earlier if we lose an early one or two.

"That will be Joe's call. He's the captain, he'll set the batting order."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40448464

Sounds like Bayliss thinks Hameed should open doesn't it. I think a lot of the other selection relies on where they bat Ali, if they feel he's only good enough to bat top 5 on the sub continent then he'll be back down to 8 and they need another batsman in if they think he's deserved a run at 5 after a good performance on the India tour then perhaps Rashid or a seamer who can hold a bat (Plunkett/TRJ?) comes in at 8.

[Seniorplayer]

This is Bayliss talking to BBC Sport -

Broad should be fit - doesn't rule Hameed or Ballance out - says there will be "heavy discussion" between the selectors today.

I think most of all he said this, saying selection could depend on where Root bats -

"I'd like to see the best player in the team bat at number three.

"Three or four, there's not a huge difference in it, although if your best player bats at number three he can set the tone and set things right earlier if we lose an early one or two.

"That will be Joe's call. He's the captain, he'll set the batting order."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40448464

Your best bat should always be at three but you don't want him facing the new ball to soon.

[Calzehbhoy]

For me your most technically correct bat, bats at 3 and your best bat bats at 4.

[six and out]

there are so many questions for Root's 1st team.... i would love to be a fly on the wall in that selection meeting!

i think Ali will go back to 8 as they like the cover of him down the order in English conditions - plus i would be surprised if we play 2 spinners

i think Bayliss is right because if Root wants to bat at 3 then it only leaves the openers slot for Hameed/Jennings/Stoneman and number 4 and possibly 5 open up - so you are then looking for a different type of batter. If Root bats at 4 then they the same 3 are going for 2 spots because there isn't much difference between opening and 3.

For me - In England your best bat goes in at 4 - it is to risky exposing him at 3

[northernboy1987]

For me your most technically correct bat, bats at 3 and your best bat bats at 4.

I'm a bit like that, I like a bit of a grafter (not necessarily best technique) at 3 then your best at 4, like Trott and KP did a few years back.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Trott had a fine technique.

[Bats_Entertainment]

For me your most technically correct bat, bats at 3 and your best bat bats at 4.

And that is never the same person?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Nonsense club cricket talk.

[six and out]

I'm a bit like that, I like a bit of a grafter (not necessarily best technique) at 3 then your best at 4, like Trott and KP did a few years back.

i was just thinking of the Trott and KP example of good 3 and 4's

[northernboy1987]

Trott had a fine technique.

At what point did anyone say he didn't?

[Calzehbhoy]

And that is never the same person?

If you can name me some examples of when this has been the case I'm all ears.

[northernboy1987]

Nonsense club cricket talk.

To be honest if you were expecting anything else on a forum full of club cricketers then you may be disappointed.