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[iand123]

Can't see Malan batting 8

That was my immediate thought but if what aggers says is correct then unless they are going to push Ali up (and stokes and/or bairstow down) i can only see him batting at 8

[iand123]

Sure the following looks like a stronger lineup??
1. Cook
2. Stoneman
3. Jennings
4. Root
5. Westley
6. Stokes
7. Bairstow
8. Ali
9. Broad
10. Anderson
11. TRJ/Wood

Shame - with Stoneman instead of Malan, the bowling is the same strength, but the batting looks stronger and even offers Jennings the chance to bat at 3 (where he looks stronger), makes the top 5 look stronger and means that Stokes, Bairstow and Ali will be making a crazy strong 6, 7 and 8!!
But it's not going to happen so will just go and make myself a cuppa!

I agree it looks stronger.

Where did Buttler bat in India, wasnt it a similar position to where Malan is predicted to be?

[springbok45]

To be honest it doesn't sound like Aggers know much more about him than baylis, he's a decent all around batsman 8500 first class runs at 38 with a sr of 52. Im not sure its the right call but better than all the Roy and hales suggestions.  Jennings has got lucky from one great season and hameed struggling worse than him this year, if hed carried on as he had last year it wouldn't have been an issue.

[springbok45]

I agree it looks stronger.

Where did Buttler bat in India, wasnt it a similar position to where Malan is predicted to be?

True but ones a batsman the other isnt, what was Trevs comments about batting 8 as a batsman.

[alexhilly1492]

Hammeed hit a ton the day after England lost, if he hits another is a recall on he cards? I'd say possibly if Jennings continues to struggle

[six and out]

Stoneman really has to going nuts! Pretty much everyone in the country is saying he is the next man up apart from the selectors (and maybe Root).

I just wonder if Jennings has actually got a reprieve because of Ballance's injury and therefore England don't want to make more changes - If Ballance was fit would Jennings have been out and Stoneman be opening at the Oval i wonder??

Malan is an interesting selection - is it just lip service to all saying there are too many bowlers? what happens if the Oval looks like it is going to be a bunsen?

Westley deserves a chance after decent seasons and 100 against SA for the Lions.

Also could we see another change with TRJ for Wood? - Wood has been quite poor in the 1st 2 tests

@alexhilly1492 - Regarding Hameed - the 100 was against MCC YC's for Lancs 2nd's - if he didn't get 100 he really would be in trouble 

[alexhilly1492]

Ah ok I knew I saw he got runs on twitter, still a co fidence booster!

[Seniorplayer]

the talk of who to allow people to make a debut against is baloney, Trott did ok making debut vs ashes in a must win game if i recall correctly, stokes also made his debut in aus and im pretty sure he's turned out ok!

if theyre good enough to represent england then pick them it doesnt matter if its SA, WI or AUS we still have to play our best team!

Yes of course we  should Play our best team buts let's see what players can do against a good  test team first and at home for every Trott there's failures.

[ppccopener]

Malan can't play in the final 11..that would mean Mo bats 8 and no dawson.
It may well turn next test so Dawson again
Can't see any other team...we would have 8 batsmen otherwise.
 

[golders]

No way Malan would play and bat 8,that would just be ridiculous. I'm disappointed Dawson is still in there rather than Crane or Rashid.

[six and out]

Malan can't play in the final 11..that would mean Mo bats 8 and no dawson.
It may well turn next test so Dawson again
Can't see any other team...we would have 8 batsmen otherwise.
 

I don't mind Mo batting at 8 at all.... Bairstow should be at 7 (where he has scored all his runs) .... Stokes 6.... with 5 Batsman above him.

That leaves 3 main seamers - more than enough bowling when you have Stokes and Mo (and Root).

Although i do think Dawson will play as you say   

[northernboy1987]

I don't mind Mo batting at 8 at all.... Bairstow should be at 7 (where he has scored all his runs) .... Stokes 6.... with 5 Batsman above him.

That leaves 3 main seamers - more than enough bowling when you have Stokes and Mo (and Root).

Although i do think Dawson will play as you say   

I agree, if Malan plays it has to be:

Cook
Jennings
Westley
Root
Malan
Stokes
YJB
Mo
Broad
Wood/TRJ
Anderson

That being said I think it will actually be:

Cook
Jennings
Westley
Root
YJB
Stokes
Mo
Dawson
Broad
Wood
Anderson

[petehosk]

So Westley is also a spinner in the same context as Root is.
Therefore we have Ali and Root who can turn their arms!
And then Westley who's bowling stats in First Class and List A are both considerably better than Root's stats!
So we have Ali who is bowling very well indeed at the moment!! Then you have Root who can be used to hold an end and take the odd wicket.
Now we are likely to have Westley as well, who (in stats at least) looks a better spin bowler than Root.

So why do we need another spinner in Dawson??
Don't get me wrong - I was born in Hampshire and therefore all Hampshire players are superhuman as far as I'm concerned!
But I am still confused as to why we would need Ali and Dawson with Root and Westley who can all bowl spin!!

 

[Alvaro]

If you were born in Hampshire that is more than the majority of their squad.

[Bats_Entertainment]

So why do we need another spinner in Dawson??

Because he is a left-armer.