***Official*** England in South Africa 2015/16

[JRC67]

Broke through in the summer.

I agree but there were still plenty of doubters.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Compo back to open and Ballance at 3 seems the obvious option for the start of the summer. Nobody really screaming to be picked like Bairstow was and he isn't a 3 anyway even if Buttler got the gloves back.

I don't think they'll do a Compo/Cook pairing again. Though Cook hasn't been getting slow starts recently. Just utterly failing to go on.

Compo has been doing his job well on pitches like these.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I don't think they'll do a Compo/Cook pairing again. Though Cook hasn't been getting slow starts recently. Just utterly failing to go on.

Compo has been doing his job well on pitches like these.

Be a huge opportunity for someone early season then as they can't stick with Hales. Whoever scores heavily will get the chance.

 

[wpdavid]

Be a huge opportunity for someone early season then as they can't stick with Hales. Whoever scores heavily will get the chance.

Must be Lythe's turn again soon.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Must be Lythe's turn again soon.

He will probably score big for Yorkshire but not sure they should pick him again unless he has altered his technique over the winter. Same goes for Robson if he scores heavily.

 

[Pothas]

Magnificently poised.

Stokes really brought the game back to us. From a **** position.

Compo did a job soaking up the new ball. A few question marks on Taylor on pitches like these but we'll see going forward.

Root was just Root.

Also our bowling this morning was horrible. They shouldn't have got near 300.

Yeah there are still big issues with the batting, the opening thing has been going on forever and still massive question marks over Compton and Taylor, I honestly don't think either will make it in the long term. The whole 'England have 4 proper cricketers' is done with though, Stokes obviously makes it 5 and Finn showing real signs of making it 6. With Bairstow and Ali doing decent jobs as well things are looking pretty good.

 

[91Jmay]

I've heard Daniel Bell-Drummond's name mentioned quite a lot. I mentioned him purely based on how ****ing great he can look a few months back but his record doesn't merit selection at all.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Be a huge opportunity for someone early season then as they can't stick with Hales. Whoever scores heavily will get the chance.

They seem to like giving openers 7 test matches so I think Hale's will get the Sri Lanka matches.

 

[harsh.ag]

Still amazing how tamely Bell's England career though

 

[flibbertyjibber]

They seem to like giving openers 7 test matches so I think Hale's will get the Sri Lanka matches.

I think Lyth only got the full summer as he there was only one match left and they remembered how shockingly bad it went when they made changes after the last ashes was sealed at home. Nobody would have argued if Lyth had been dropped after the 3rd or 4th test and most thought he was very lucky to stay in the side.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Just have Ballance open imo.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

I think Lyth only got the full summer as he there was only one match left and they remembered how shockingly bad it went when they made changes after the last ashes was sealed at home. Nobody would have argued if Lyth had been dropped after the 3rd or 4th test and most thought he was very lucky to stay in the side.

Yes he should have gone before that.

We'll see though I think they may at least try and start the summer with him.

 

[grecian]

Go with Vince, he'd be crap, but look dreamy whilst doing it.

 

[Pothas]

He should be at 5 come the summer.

 

[Stefan9]

Great knock from root. We bowled poorly at stokes after the first 2 balls. Still every ones game thought.

 

[Furball]

Yeah, I'm rating Stokes a lot more on potential/what I think he can do as compared to what he's actually done at Test level. But he's a guy who can bowl 140+, swings the ball and has a slightly awkward action to face. He adds any semblance of consistency to that, and he's got the potential to be anything.

MMarsh is, though also inconsistent, a steadier bowler right now -- I don't disagree with you at all. But Stokes at his best blows MMarsh away entirely.

I'd back Marsh more to stick 6 balls in a decent area and hold an end up. I'd be desperate for Stokes if there was a hint of movement through the air.

 

[Furball]

Root quietly batting with a 65 SR in Test cricket since January 2015.

 

[Captain_Cook]

My 2p:

• England have to crack on and get a lead of 50-100 and bowl much better than in the first innings if they want a manageable chase.
• Cook can't afford another slump despite his improved captaincy. Ideally needs a score on this tour to get his confidence back for Sri Lanka and Pakistan...
• Stunning counter-attacking century from Joe Root at the perfect time, although it wasn't a flawless innings. Had Root dragged on for 93, I feel SA would be strong favourites.

 

[Howe_zat]

SA 2.75, England 2.10

Still feels like a cheat to bet on a result to me, but that's what I said last time.

The line for England's 1st innings is 371.5 which I'd take your hand off for at this point.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Root quietly batting with a 65 SR in Test cricket since January 2015.

Average of 62 in that time too. Phenomenal record.