Leave hameed alone. Just let him learn his trade at Lancashire and pick him when he's ready to play test cricket which isn't now.

I like the look for the OP team minus Ballance. Lets face it SA are a shambles right now imo so England should wipe the floor with them.

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)
posted 44 minutes ago
I like the look for the OP team minus Ballance. Lets face it SA are a shambles right now imo so England should wipe the floor with them.
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if that 20/20 display was anything to go by...yeah

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)
posted 53 minutes ago
I like the look for the OP team minus Ballance. Lets face it SA are a shambles right now imo so England should wipe the floor with them.
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Perhaps, but South Africa still have some top class bowlers in Morkel, Rabada and Philander who are more than capable of tearing through a settled England top order, let alone our currently unsettled top order.

Amla is often an immoveable object as well as an irresistible force when he faces England as well.

Cannot wait for the proper cricket to start, really missed my tests this year... Then 12 come in 6 months... Cook as a batsman only could go huge...

I wouldnt say SA are a shambles

Amla
Du Plessis
ABDV
De Kock
Morkel
Philander
Rabada

Are all proven world class players. Elgar has lots of experience in England and South Africa do tend perform the best of all touring sides in England.

Is De Villiers playing? I can't remember if he said he was available or not?

comment by 🐑Serial🐑 (U20699)
posted 9 minutes ago
I wouldnt say SA are a shambles

Amla
Du Plessis
ABDV
De Kock
Morkel
Philander
Rabada

Are all proven world class players. Elgar has lots of experience in England and South Africa do tend perform the best of all touring sides in England.

Is De Villiers playing? I can't remember if he said he was available or not?




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I thought he had already retired as he's not in the squad for these test matches. However I've read this morning that he might retire from test matches in August anyway.

De Villiers is not playing the test series, he's taking a break from Tests atm... pathetic.... you are retired forever .......................enjoy the best form while you can...

comment by Wetherbyterrier (U2075)
posted 17 hours, 40 minutes ago
Cannot wait for the proper cricket to start, really missed my tests this year... Then 12 come in 6 months... Cook as a batsman only could go huge...
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Looks in pretty good touch this season and seems to be scoring quicker too. He seems to have taken it upon himself to score at a quicker rate to take the pressure off his opening partners of late. Hopefully he can get back to making daddy hundreds.

To be fair to Cook, he seems to be someone tarred with a slow scoring reputation because he doesnt have an abundance of shots and doesnt hit sixes.

Ball has been ruled out of the first test! I didn't know he was in contention. Reckon Anderson, Finn, wood, stokes and Ali will be the bowling attack.

comment by 🐑Serial🐑 (U20699)
posted 20 hours, 30 minutes ago
To be fair to Cook, he seems to be someone tarred with a slow scoring reputation because he doesnt have an abundance of shots and doesnt hit sixes.

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I think he's always scored at a sensible pace for a test match opener, especially when you consider Root, Bairstow, Stokes and Ali in the middle order will increase the run rate naturally anyway.

However, Cook's SR is usually around 45, but for Essex so far this season, he's been scoring at about 55-60. That could be a combination of his one day form and potentially facing more poor deliveries (short and wide filth that he could dispatch to the boundary in his sleep) in county cricket in comparison to test match cricket.

I think it will be

Cook
Stoneman
Jennings
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Moeen
Rashid
Wood
Broad
Anderson

I think above team but Ballance instead of Rashid. Fairly sure hameed won't be picked now and craine will be in the squad. Amazed if he is picked though.
Stoneman
Cook
Jennings
Root
Bairstow
Ballance
Stokes
Ali
Broad
Wood
Anderson
12th man craine and Finn cover for broad.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Ballance as massive technique problems and will get found out again...we should have moved on from him. we will after it costs England test matches..
We look very weak in the batting..
And get found out once more...
Its ok the ECB can fill their every widening pockets with millions. doenst matter about winning games.

Interesting selection. Ballance deserves a run in the side for the sheer volume of runs he's got this season. He shouldn't have been picked last time but he's worth his place this time.

Jennings has just made 39 against a similar attack that he will face next week. If he can average that in the series then he will have done well.

Both Lions openers got starts but fell short of 50. Chance for Ballance to test himself against the majority of the SA attack. Westley has also made a decent start and may be next in line if Ballance doesn't deliver.

Stoneman gets a 100 on TV. May have been a mistake not to pick him/look at him. Harder to get in this team than out. Don't give ballance the whole summer. If he proves he is not up to it then go. 2 tests maximum, but he's roots mate. The selectors should have the final say.

Anderson still merits a chance in ODIs for England especially in big tournaments such as the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.There is no substitute for experience and calm heads on the field and in the dressing room for big tournaments.

comment by ZahraIhsanphile (U20361)
posted 43 minutes ago
Anderson still merits a chance in ODIs for England especially in big tournaments such as the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.There is no substitute for experience and calm heads on the field and in the dressing room for big tournaments.
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something we missed in the 20/20 final with that awful over from Stokes...mind you I blamed Morgan for that...awful captaincy

comment by ZahraIhsanphile (U20361)

posted 2 hours, 24 minutes ago

Anderson still merits a chance in ODIs for England especially in big tournaments such as the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.There is no substitute for experience and calm heads on the field and in the dressing room for big tournaments.
=========================================

Agreed, in tournaments, it's not just about having the best limited overs players, it's also about having players that can produce under intense pressure. I would always have Anderson in the squad for big tournaments.

comment by Bennythedip - Living The Dream (U9359)
posted 4 hours, 6 minutes ago
Stoneman gets a 100 on TV. May have been a mistake not to pick him/look at him. Harder to get in this team than out. Don't give ballance the whole summer. If he proves he is not up to it then go. 2 tests maximum, but he's roots mate. The selectors should have the final say.
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If Ballance does fail (at 3), who would you bring in? Stoneman and put him in at 3 / him to open with Cook and Jennings down to 3? or someone else?

Is Ballance going to bat at 3? Has Root/England come out and said that?

Because Ballance's runs have all been at 4 this summer.

Going back to Ballance at 3 is a real backward step in my opinion. If he plays he has to bat at 4.

Personally, would have rather had Stoneman in opening, Jennings at 3 and Root 4.

My mistake, I thought he had been batting at 3, forgot about Handscombe to be honest and their openers have been awful all season so he always seems to be coming in really early. Makes sense for him to bat at 4 then although I'd also prefer Root to be there.