Roy’s spot at the top should not be in doubt

[Uppercut]

I'd be open to giving Roy a go down the order

The problem is that batting hasn’t actually even been that much easier down the order. It’s just not been the type of series where you need a bat like Roy.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Roy has only got in due to proving his temperament in International Cricket and the lack of alternatives. If he bats at 4 and still comes in at 15/2 he’s probably still struggling.

 

[BoyBrumby]

He's not even looked like making a score.

I think, in fairness to Roy and the other options, it's time to cut our losses. If he goes back to Surrey and scores a hat full then he might snag a gig on the winter tour, but enough now.

 

[Adders]

Can anyone that's any good with Statsguru tell me the last time Eng got to 100 before the fall of the 3rd wicket? Would be even longer since we've put on a 100 for the opening stand.

What we wouldn't give to have even end of career Ali Cook in the side. It was so obvious we were going to be in this predicament when he retired.......that's why all those that were calling for his axing throughout the later part of his career were complete fools.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Can anyone that's any good with Statsguru tell me the last time Eng got to 100 before the fall of the 3rd wicket? Would be even longer since we've put on a 100 for the opening stand.

What we wouldn't give to have even end of career Ali Cook in the side. It was so obvious we were going to be in this predicament when he retired.......that's why all those that were calling for his axing throughout the later part of his career were complete fools.

The 2nd innings against Ireland the second wicket didn’t fall until 171.

 

[marc71178]

Can anyone that's any good with Statsguru tell me the last time Eng got to 100 before the fall of the 3rd wicket?

This afternoon?

 

[Flem274*]

if you put him down the order you're still wasting root at #3 and roy still has to see reverse swing, spin, the second new ball etc

it's a guptill situation - there's no place in test cricket for the specialist odi power opener anymore if they don't play late. even warner has his lean periods.

this is also by far the best era for pace bowling since the 90s. there's nowhere for flawed openers to hide.

 

[morgieb]

if you put him down the order you're still wasting root at #3 and roy still has to see reverse swing, spin, the second new ball etc

it's a guptill situation - there's no place in test cricket for the specialist odi power opener anymore if they don't play late. even warner has his lean periods.

this is also by far the best era for pace bowling since the 90s. there's nowhere for flawed openers to hide.

Was there ever a period where an ODI power opener could score runs against non-junk attacks?

Obviously the fact that at least 7 teams have quality pace attacks doesn't help though.

 

[Woodster]

The OP looks genuinely quite foolish now tbh.

I think the word “tit” crossed the mind of most people when they first read it.

Well this **** aged well.

The OP was not suggesting he’d be an instant success ?! He’s batting in a position he’s not familiar with against one of the best attacks in the world!! The thread is more about keeping patience with him, three Ashes Tests in isn’t conclusive for me, not sure any other opener would have fared any better.

 

[Bijed]

if you put him down the order you're still wasting root at #3 and roy still has to see reverse swing, spin, the second new ball etc

Tbh if Roy's facing the second new ball, I would consider moving him to 4 to have been an astounding success

 

[Jarquis]

The OP was not suggesting he’d be an instant success ?! He’s batting in a position he’s not familiar with against one of the best attacks in the world!! The thread is more about keeping patience with him, three Ashes Tests in isn’t conclusive for me, not sure any other opener would have fared any better.

He's averaging less than 9 in this series ffs.

 

[Woodster]

He's averaging less than 9 in this series ffs.

Yep......still not sure any other opener would have fared any better. It’s more a slur on our options rather than praise for Roy’s series record FFS.

 

[morgieb]

Yep......still not sure any other opener would have fared any better. It’s more a slur on our options rather than praise for Roy’s series record FFS.

Your #4 is a regular opener and he's at least made starts. Granted it's different opening but he probably would've done better than Roy, yeah.

 

[TheJediBrah]

He's averaging less than 9 in this series ffs.

I'm convinced woodster is a relative of Roy. Possibly his dad. He's been completely delusional about his credentials and performances in Tests throughout the whole the series.

 

[Starfighter]

The OP was not suggesting he’d be an instant success ?! He’s batting in a position he’s not familiar with against one of the best attacks in the world!! The thread is more about keeping patience with him, three Ashes Tests in isn’t conclusive for me, not sure any other opener would have fared any better.

>one of the best attacks in the world
>playing out of position

Not a recipe for success. Not the thing to do in your marquee series.

 

[Burgey]

Your #4 is a regular opener and he's at least made starts. Granted it's different opening but he probably would've done better than Roy, yeah.

Yeah I would run with Denly for the next test as well. He batted really well on Saturday.

 

[Spikey]

can't change a winning team though

 

[GIMH]

Denly is never going to pull up any trees but he's played a really important role in the win there. His place won't be under question now. I think he will play the final two tests and that will be it for his Test career.

 

[Spark]

The above is true but honestly I don't think there was that much difference between this innings and any of his other innings. He's gotten starts and then played stupid shots to get out in the key innings and he did so here on four or five occasions, just didn't nick them this time. That's cricket obviously but I don't think there's much evidence that he actually fixed his key problem long term. England probably will be moving him on sooner than later.

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

Letting Denly go out on a high and perhaps with a slight feeling that he has been harshly treated is probably the kindest thing the selectors could do. It is not going to happen, he will fail some more then be left out of the side.

Speaking of being kind, dropping Roy so he can go back to being what he is good at, shorter forms of the game, would be merciful. I am sure he is not enjoying his cricket much and it might ruin his one day career as well.