*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[Gob]

he is very poor against the moving ball.

however, eng will definitely back him as he is fits in with bazball. he could come good when eng tour india early next year.

hope eng eventually pick josh bohannon

Would be really surprised if he does anything meaningful against Ashwin tbh

 

[CartyDurham]

30-3, you said it.

I did but I also responded to your question about stokes

strange comeback but as I said before, stokes could ask root to go to three but in my opinion he won’t

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

If England get to over 50 with 1 or 2 wickets gone

we’ll have 300 on the board and it will be utter carnage. Oh wait, I see what you mean

 

[Gob]

I did but I also responded to your question about stokes

strange comeback but as I said before, stokes could ask root to go to three but in my opinion he won’t

A regular Tendulkar

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Sorry should have replied 30-3 whichever of Mo or Brooks bat 3.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Honestly, I don’t think Stokes will ask Root to bat 3 either. I would though.

 

[CartyDurham]

Honestly, I don’t think Stokes will ask Root to bat 3 either. I would though.

I agree but as with other strange decisions, the ordinary punters will have to get used to it

I mean Crawley would have disappeared a long time ago back in the 90s and early to mid 2000s

he appears to be batting until illness, loss of limb or death in this current set up

 

[Michelle Fivefer]

I agree but as with other strange decisions, the ordinary punters will have to get used to it

I mean Crawley would have disappeared a long time ago back in the 90s and early to mid 2000s

he appears to be batting until illness, loss of limb or death in this current set up

But doesn’t his Dad have influential friends? (Am I allowed to say this?)

 

[GIMH]

A regular Tendulkar

If Stokes asks Root to bat at 3 then he will

Stokes, wisely, wants his best batsman in his best position

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

If Stokes asks Root to bat at 3 then he will

Stokes, wisely, wants his best batsman in his best position

Who are you going with at 3 then, just out of interest?

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Right then people, I am literally watching paint dry!

Who (in your opinion) should bat 3 for Eng at OT?

 

[trundler]

Sacrificing a nobody to get the most out of Root makes a lot more sense than making Root significantly worse so a nobody is more comfortable being a nobody.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Sacrificing a nobody to get the most out of Root makes a lot more sense than making Root significantly worse so a nobody is more comfortable being a nobody.

Sacrifice somebody (apologies, a nobody). So no faith in anyone in the squad doing a decent job at 3 then?

 

[trundler]

Sacrifice somebody (apologies, a nobody). So no faith in anyone in the squad doing a decent job at 3 then?

I'd debut Compton or Hain at 3. If I'm stuck with this team I'd chuck whichever 'can bat a bit' tailender wants to be a hero there.

 

[GIMH]

Who are you going with at 3 then, just out of interest?

From the current squad, I’m sticking Moeen there again

 

[wpdavid]

From the current squad, I’m sticking Moeen there again

I think so, although Dan Lawrence might disagree.

 

[mustardcharlie]

Why doesn't Stokes do the job?

 

[wpdavid]

Why doesn't Stokes do the job?

Bat at 3? Because he's just produced two outstanding innings lower down the order. As someone else said, it's preferable to let the guys who have performed with the bat play in their preferred position and let one of the duds bat elsewhere on the off chance they might contribute.

 

[Ashes81]

From the current squad, I’m sticking Moeen there again

With the current squad I'd put Mo at 3 as Root clearly doesn't seem to want to there and its a waste to put Brook there when he's so better suited to bat at 5.

It's far from ideal but probably the least bad option.

 

[mustardcharlie]

Bat at 3? Because he's just produced two outstanding innings lower down the order. As someone else said, it's preferable to let the guys who have performed with the bat play in their preferred position and let one of the duds bat elsewhere on the off chance they might contribute.

I was sort of responding to the idea of Stokes "asking" Root to go to 3. Mo has always considered himself a batsman who bowls a bit. He wants the gig.

The only change I think England will and should make is in the bowling attack.