Print

[Seniorplayer]

Could we see -

Cook
Stoneman
Westley
Root
Woakes
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
TRJ
Broad
Anderson

Doubt it
Stokes and Bairstow are guys who have scored big hundreds they would be wasted at at 6&7 in that line up.

[ppccopener]

Doubt it
Stokes and Bairstow are guys who have scored big hundreds they would be wasted at at 6&7 in that line up.

I don't understand that senior can you elaborate? Stokes has scored his runs , his brilliant hundreds from that exact position.
Bairstow is quality and has done well second time around from that position

You're saying bat stokes higher is a position he has not score runs in?
Am I missing your point 

[Calzehbhoy]

Good luck with telling Ben Stokes that!

And 'helpful luxury' bowlers should bat in the top five to warrant their places, in any case. This is not club cricket.

I'm sorry, but you're way off the mark.

How am I was off the mark? I'm not saying that would be my side just throwing an XI out for debate...

 Is it not the case that England have the luxury of being able to play the extra bowler in tests because of Stokes/Ali's perceived batting ability, the question I would ask on that is if either was injured and couldn't bowl would they still be in the side?? If (like Agnew & Swann have suggested) Woakes is also good enough to bat in the top/middle order too doesn't that give England the ability to put out a team with a balance like I suggested (With the caveat that one of Broad/TRJ/Anderson could be swapped for somebody like Crane)?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Bairstow, Stokes and Ali should always bat above Woakes because they are better batsmen.

You don't need five seamers - especially not five fairly similar ones.

[ScottParko]

I've seen some interesting points that Woakes could be a potential left field opener and Stokes as a number 3, seems crazy initially but the arguments were strong. Can't really remember the arguments but they were strong still.

[WalkingWicket37]

Bairstow, Stokes and Ali should always bat above Woakes because they are better batsmen.

You don't need five seamers - especially not five fairly similar ones.

If that's how a batting order is decided why doesn't Root open? And shouldn't Westley be below all of the players you've mentioned...

[FattusCattus]

When does the test start, it's today isn't it?

Key moments:

Runs for Stoneman / westley / Malan

wickets for TRJ (to prove he can get them on a flatty)

2nd Inngs wickets for Jimmy

I'd like to see westley and Malan get a few overs to see if their spin is up to a bit of 'partnership breaking'

[springbok45]

wickets for TRJ (to prove he can get them on a flatty)

Hasn't he already proven that in most of his home games for the last god knows how long?

[FattusCattus]

On a flatty, against test opposition.

Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge TRJ fan, and I want him to get the wickets on a flatty to prove he's the real deal, 'cos I want him to cement the slot for England.

after all, look at the potentials he has snapping at his heels - Woakes, Ball, Plunkett, Wood, Currant, Overton.  His is the hardest spot to nail at the moment!

I only wish we had the same list of hopeful opening bats and spinners!

[Seniorplayer]

I don't understand that senior can you elaborate? Stokes has scored his runs , his brilliant hundreds from that exact position.
Bairstow is quality and has done well second time around from that position

You're saying bat stokes higher is a position he has not score runs in?
Am I missing your point 

Only In the line up quoted due to either   Baistow or Stokes not having enough time to make an impact due to   could getting stuck with that  tail

[Seniorplayer]

If that's how a batting order is decided why doesn't Root open? And shouldn't Westley be below all of the players you've mentioned...

Root  could do the openers job but he's a middle order batsman you need a specialist to open.

[Bats_Entertainment]

If that's how a batting order is decided why doesn't Root open? And shouldn't Westley be below all of the players you've mentioned...

That wasn't exactly what I was saying. I was saying competent batsmen should be able to handle responsibility of being moved up one place in the middle-order.

A factor in Woakes doing well for England with the bat is probably that he hasn't had the pressure on him to do so. He is picked predominantly as a bowler. Is he really a better batsman than Vince or Hales? I don't think so.

[rickjames]

Jesus Christ, Chef

[liscon12]

Is it just me or does that GN Scoop sound like a plank?

[csnew]

cook can't catch a cold right now