***Official*** 2nd Test at Adelaide

[Zinzan]

Taylor. Or does he prefer 4? Either way it wouldn’t really make much difference as they are both proven international batsmen.

Oh no, it really would make a difference in NZ's case. Taylor is a notoriously bad starter, especially against a new-ish ball hooping around.

 

[Adders]

A reason I never jumped on the 'Selfish Sachin - protecting himself at 4'.bandwagon. He had Dravid at 3 for most of his career.

Who did Lara, Border and Clarke have for most of their careers batting in front of them?

 

[morgieb]

Yeah but the team would often contrive ways to not send him out at 3 even when it was the obvious option because Dravid had been pushed up to open. Sending out Laxman, a new Pujara, nightwatchman etc. It got a bit silly.

Well tbf Pujara's a natural 3 as well, and Laxman would probably have been India's 3 if not for Dravid.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Yeah exactly, if Khawaja wasn't a specialist top order player Smith would be the 3.

IMO given that Root started his career opening, he shouldn't have too many issues batting 3 and I think he needs to take one for the team given England's lack of quality middle-order options. Though if there's a significant difference between his average at 3 than his at 4, then he should stay 4.

It’s 50/50 for me, the fear may be losing Cook and Root for zip and being screwed early doors. Although the way things have gone that can happen with Root at 4 just as easily.

 

[Zinzan]

Yeah but the team would often contrive ways to not send him out at 3 even when it was the obvious option because Dravid had been pushed up to open. Sending out Laxman, a new Pujara, nightwatchman etc. It got a bit silly.

Almost forgot about Dravid opening for a time.

 

[GIMH]

Root is our best player, and maximising his run scoring capability is the best thing for the team.

 

[morgieb]

Who did Lara, Border and Clarke have for most of their careers batting in front of them?

IIRC wasn't Lara the WIndies 3 for much of his career?

Border's Australia often had Boon at 3.

 

[Spark]

Well tbf Pujara's a natural 3 as well, and Laxman would probably have been India's 3 if not for Dravid.

It was still weird though. Completely changing the batting order instead of just moving everyone up one. Like he felt #3 was cursed for him or something.

 

[Gnske]

Taylor is a much better fit for 4 than 3 imo, swapping those two wouldn't work at all.

This, maybe someone else can explain why Taylor is a much better fit. edit: Zinzan already explained it like someone who knows things about this game

Back to Root though, I think he's fine at no.4 and better suited there even if he can assuredly do the job at 3. Better not to have Malan and Vince at 4 and 5, especially if you lose Root cheaply or for a classic 50.

 

[Spark]

Who did Lara, Border and Clarke have for most of their careers batting in front of them?

Clarke had Ponting and Hussey for most of his career tbf, then he moved up to 4 full time near the end.

 

[Adders]

IIRC wasn't Lara the WIndies 3 for much of his career?

Border's Australia often had Boon at 3.

Lara had 148 innings at 4 out of 232.

 

[Adders]

Clarke had Ponting and Hussey for most of his career tbf, then he moved up to 4 full time near the end.

When Clarke was gunning it he had a **** Ponting in front of him, Hussey was 6 (?)........he batted below the likes of Rob Quiney!!

 

[Zinzan]

Who did Lara, Border and Clarke have for most of their careers batting in front of them?

IIRC wasn't Lara the WIndies 3 for much of his career?

Border's Australia often had Boon at 3.

And in Clarke's case, he had Ponting at 3 most of his career, and then Khawaja towards the last part who has been moderately successful there.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Taylor is a much better fit for 4 than 3 imo, swapping those two wouldn't work at all.

I agree, I was really just pointing out the fact they had a world class batsman at 3 and 4. England don’t.

 

[Gnske]

And in Clarke's case, he had Ponting at 3 most of his career, and then Khawaja towards the last part who has been moderately successful there.

The no.3 was a circus when Clarke was playing (during his captaincy rather) wasn't it? With Ponting at 4 for his time during the Clarke captaincy.

Quiney, Hughes, Watson, Cowan, Marsh, Khawaja, Doolan are the names I remember being grinded through it during that era.

 

[Top_Cat]

'Best player at 3' is a Chappelli invention, tbh. Unilaterally batting anyone there is asking for trouble.

 

[Cow]

Been a good test match.

Runs...
A hundred
swing bowling
pace and bounce
spin
thoughtful observations from the Eng supporters
meaningless bile from the Aus supporters
DRS moments
collapses
record crowds

Very enjoyable and a good advert for test cricket.

 

[Athlai]

Pre Williamson, NZ would just stick our third opener at 3.

 

[Starfighter]

Vince cheating there.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Vince cheating there.

Could be a crucial run tbf