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[Manormanic]

Last I checked, Bairstow was the man in possession. Hales missed out against the Windies and Roy took his spot.

So what has Hales done to supplant Bairstow?

[edge]

Hales has got a really good track record of scoring big quick tons in ODIs. Bairstow hasn't even got that good a record of scoring tons in List A cricket?

[Manormanic]

He's been our opener for nine completed games and made two. I'd say that's a pretty decent record.

[FattusCattus]

Last I checked, Bairstow was the man in possession. Hales missed out against the Windies and Roy took his spot.

So what has Hales done to supplant Bairstow?

His long history of opening for England

His experience

His 5 ODi hundreds


Don't get me wrong, I think Jonny should be in the side when there is a gap, but I think Hales has earnt the right to be first pick.

And before we go down the route that Hales was a dick and got dropped for stupid behaviour, thus losing his place - Jonny hasn't exactly covered himself in glory.

Also, what's wrong with protecting Jonny a bit? I'd rather he was at his freshest as our test wicket-keeper/batsman, whereas Hales is unlikely to play Test cricket in the near future.

[Kulli]

Hales arguably only got back in for this series because Stokes was unavailable. Averaged 20. Fielding is village. He'll drop out and Root/Morgan will move up one.

[cricketbadger]

Just swap them around in the batting order. Bairstow has to play, and Hales record is decent enough despite being a poor fielder and (No Swearing Please) bloke

[Manormanic]

I disagree.

Hales has done well for England on occasion, but by your argument is undroppable. You are in effect saying that YJBs opening partner was injured, YJB made two tons unbeaten and two fifties in nine games, but should be dropped because his partners replacement did well?

Insane.

[Rob580]

His long history of opening for England

His experience

His 5 ODi hundreds


Don't get me wrong, I think Jonny should be in the side when there is a gap, but I think Hales has earnt the right to be first pick.

And before we go down the route that Hales was a dick and got dropped for stupid behaviour, thus losing his place - Jonny hasn't exactly covered himself in glory.

Also, what's wrong with protecting Jonny a bit? I'd rather he was at his freshest as our test wicket-keeper/batsman, whereas Hales is unlikely to play Test cricket in the near future.

Yeah, but you're forgetting. Bairstow is from Yorkshire, which invalidates all other arguments

[FattusCattus]

I disagree.

Hales has done well for England on occasion, but by your argument is undroppable. You are in effect saying that YJBs opening partner was injured, YJB made two tons unbeaten and two fifties in nine games, but should be dropped because his partners replacement did well?

Insane.

At no point do I say that Hales is undroppable, I simply feel he should be in the side ahead of Bairstow as there aren't enough spaces to get Bairstow in too, his time will come - I'm not sure which part of that is complicated.

I think Hales, Roy, Root is the best top 3 for England currently.

Despite the fact that I was born outside the Yorkshire borders, I feel my opinion is equally valid. I feel it is ok to prefer someone who isn't a Yorkshireman, and I noticed you ignored my suggestion of dropping Root for Bairstow?

Personally I think it;s a great problem to have- if you want to poke the hornets nest, I think Malan should be in the side!

[edge]

I don't get it at all personally. YJB is a good batsman, but actually not unusually good at limited overs cricket - every other potential member of the England top 6 has a better record of scoring big/quick innings. Hales and Roy are the best opening pair England have had in about 15 years. Why is this a selection conversation again?

[Rob580]

Best England XI:

Cook
Browne
Westley
Chopra
Bopara
Lawrence
Foster
Coles
Harmer (we'll get him a visa)
Walter
Porter


I may or may not be an Essex man.....

[Manormanic]

Yeah, but you're forgetting. Bairstow is from Yorkshire, which invalidates all other arguments

Oh, I think you'll find all the other arguments stack up in Bairstow's favour too. 

Bairstow averages nearly 46 in ODI's, as against a paltry 36 for Hales.  His strike rate is almost on a par, and indeed his strike rate as an opener is in fact higher than Hales'.  The only statistical evidence that Hales is the better bet is the point of his 5 hundreds; however, even this is not really supported by the evidence - Bairstow has after all only been allowed to bat in the top order on a dozen occasions, which make his 2 tons quite impressive enough.  Then you have the fact that he is our best fielder...

Of course, the biggest sign that it will be Hales who misses out though is the one given by the England management - in giving Bairstow the opening role for this series and asking Hales to bat three, they've made a very clear statement about who the first choice is.

But of course, none of that matters and my opinion is only based on where I was born.   

[Manormanic]

Despite the fact that I was born outside the Yorkshire borders, I feel my opinion is equally valid. I feel it is ok to prefer someone who isn't a Yorkshireman, and I noticed you ignored my suggestion of dropping Root for Bairstow?

Personally I think it;s a great problem to have- if you want to poke the hornets nest, I think Malan should be in the side!

I thought the suggestion of dropping your second best player to get your best player in was a gag (though actually, Root of all our players needs his workload managing and it would make more sense for him to pick and choose his ODIs than miss lots of T20, with its different skill sets).

[FattusCattus]

On that, at least. I think we can agree. Personally I'd not have Root in any T20's, and I'd rotate him in ODI's because I want him to have a long and fruitful career as England's best ever test batsman.

Long live t'revolution!

[Manormanic]

On that, at least. I think we can agree. Personally I'd not have Root in any T20's, and I'd rotate him in ODI's because I want him to have a long and fruitful career as England's best ever test batsman.

Long live t'revolution!

Interesting that you'd leave him out of t20 to rest, rather than ODIs.  I'd have thought the other way round?

Of course, he should really be dropped from all formats so he can concenrate on the mighty White Rose!