**Official** Sri Lanka in England and Ireland 2016

[Dan]

I do like Malan. Could do worse for #5.

 

[Kippax]

Chucking Bell-Drummond in is not something I would hate.

Sort of Kraigg Brathwaite levels of bottom-handedness, except without the cheek to be boring outside off that Kraigg does so well.

 

[StephenZA]

Duckett, Bell-Drummond, Lees etc. all need a couple more years to build up the body of work to get themselves into the Test team on merit, rather than Hail Mary potential. Bringing them in now is a surefire way to continue the extended turning of the Wheel.

I find this interesting. What is the right age to bring in a batsmen? I know the Australians like to do it at around 30+ ( ). SA seems willing to throw in young batsmen if they think they have potential. eg Kallis (at 20). Even now with de kock. While with bowlers (particularly fast bowlers) the minute teams see potential, 20 years is not unusual.

 

[Stapel]

I know Ian Bell is injured. But......., is the Bell book closed alltogether? Given England have no obvious picks for the middle order, I wouldn't be surprised if he got back.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I would be inclined to play Bairstow as a specialist batsman at 5 and Buttler at 7.

 

[91Jmay]

Would like to give Joe Clarke another full season first. Signs are really promising though.

 

[Dan]

I find this interesting. What is the right age to bring in a batsmen? I know the Australians like to do it at around 30+ ( ). SA seems willing to throw in young batsmen if they think they have potential. eg Kallis (at 20). Even now with de kock. While with bowlers (particularly fast bowlers) the minute teams see potential, 20 years is not unusual.

It depends on the player, obviously, but generally you'd want to see a couple of complete FC seasons of consistent success before bringing a guy in, IMO. Perhaps even longer if they're opening the batting from the start. DBD hasn't been consistent across his career yet -- it's flashes of obvious talent (at this stage, you might consider blooding him at #6. Opening a whole different prospect). Duckett is still reasonably new to opening, and Lees is struggling for touch at the moment. The time isn't now, even if they might be damn good options in the medium or long term.

 

[91Jmay]

RE my comments a few days ago, it really seems like Westley is in contention for 3 spot. Reckon he'd be a Bopara/Hildreth type. Looks great, might plunder Sri Lanka/Windies etc but long term not a genuine option.

 

[theegyptian]

Buttler is going to need a break after coming back from the IPL for his own wellbeing. Will have been on the road so to speak for the last 8 months (and that was coming off a tough home summer) or so with maybe one or two weeks break in that time. Bairstow will be keeper this summer imo.

Vince out driving again this morning.

 

[91Jmay]

In all honestly Buttler shouldn't be near the test side, his FC record meant he wasn't really worth a call up and he hasn't shown anything for us to think he will be a top class test player.

 

[Dan]

I still wouldn't mind a pure 'keeper at 8 if Bairstow becomes consistent enough to bat at 5.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Forgot Buttler was in IPL-land. Think he's a respectable bat for a keeper. Averages 30 but should get better in time. Agree that England should look for a specialist keeper or at least a better one than Bairstow (not hard) given their batting depth.

 

[91Jmay]

Bairstow is without question one of our 5 best batsmen currently though, he plays regardless. Him at 7 is a really nice option.

Not sure there is a specialist keeper who stands out for me at the moment. No Fosters floating around currently.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Bairstow is without question one of our 5 best batsmen currently though, he plays regardless. Him at 7 is a really nice option.

Not sure there is a specialist keeper who stands out for me at the moment. No Fosters floating around currently.

If Root is at 4 and Bairstow 5, then you get more of them batting in partnership which is good for England. I also go against burdening guys like that with keeping, particularly when he's not very good at it and he could be a top batsman for England. I think if you give him the gloves you lose 5-10 runs in batting average, batting him further down the order makes it harder as well.

 

[theegyptian]

What happens if we promote Bairstow to 5 and drop the gloves and he fails again like he had previously as a specialist batsman? There's no guarantee that he will make it solely as a bat.

If anything keeping has seemed to take the pressure of him when it comes to batting. He knows he isn't solely in the team for his batting and relaxes and plays that bit more aggresive.

I think it's a non issue this summer as there is no other wicketkeeper who is really pushing hard for selection.

You reconsider the situation at the end of the summer.



Sounds like Compton keeps his place. Think that's the right decision at this moment.

John Etheridge ‏@JohnSunCricket 2m2 minutes ago

Nick Compton keeps his place in England squad for the First Test. More to follow on Sunsport online....

 

[Pothas]

So just Vince in at 5? Or might they still go for Ballance?

If Bell was fit I would have him in for Compton but I can live with him staying for now.

 

[vogue]

James Vince and Jake Ball in England Test squad to face Sri Lanka
http://gu.com/p/4j55e?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

[YorksLanka]

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera cleared of doping charges | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Great news for Perera and for SL..get the lad on a plane asap...

 

[weldone]

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera cleared of doping charges | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
Great news for Perera and for SL..get the lad on a plane asap...

Will this happen please?

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Good that they found it sooner than later. But really poor stuff. Almost destroyed his career.