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

[Black_Warrior]

I think this should be it for Duminy the test player.

 

[Daemon]

lol

 

[Black_Warrior]

4) Rabada is a new fantastic find for SA and also our biggest issue, if all players are fit. As has already been mentioned if SA play 4 bowlers (like they generally want to do). Then Morkel brings variety to the attack when Steyn and Philander are in the team. Rabada is very much a swing bowler in the same mould as Steyn. Philander is consistent and brings in some much needed batting in the lower order. Considering they would also like to give Rabada a few more years of experience I can see him being the 4th seamer for another 1 or 2 years.

I don't think this is a major selection issue because how often over the last 24 months have SA had all three Morkel, Steyn and Philander fit and firing at the same time? Rabada if anything solves this problem. With Steyn in his 30s, he is likely to have more fitness problems over the next few years.
Philander overall has a poor fitness record, and Morkel's load is just too much at the moment.

 

[jimbags]

To be fair to Bell, he single handedly won England the Ashes in 2013 against a decent Australian attack that caused all sorts of problems to the other batsmen in the top 6.

Which meant it took two years of being crap to finally be dropped. If he left when Prior, Pietersen, Trott, Swann did after that Ashes thrashing we wouldn't have missed much. Gary Ballance has a better record than him over the last 2 years and he can't get in the team.

 

[Captain_Cook]

Which meant it took two years of being crap to finally be dropped. If he left when Prior, Pietersen, Trott, Swann did after that Ashes thrashing we wouldn't have missed much.

That is the case. I was happy that he was dropped for this tour as his form had been terrible. However, if he averages over 80 early in the CC season then he'll have a big chance at test recall.

Gary Ballance has a better record than him over the last 2 years and he can't get in the team.

Ballance has a technical problem with very full balls, he can't score off them and more often than not a quick yorker early in his innings will get him out. Bell's problem was getting out in silly (sometimes unlucky) ways without having an obvious problem. Bell could be rejuvenated by 5 months at home with his family. He's a similar age to Stephen Cook.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

To be fair to Bell, he single handedly won England the Ashes in 2013 against a decent Australian attack that caused all sorts of problems to the other batsmen in the top 6.

He did but for the rest of the time he must average in the low to mid 20's then and that isn't good enough over such a long period.

 

[91Jmay]

Good tour win but most of the question marks still remain. Need a couple more batsmen, however the makings of a very good side are there. SA have some talented young players as well.

 

[burr]

Awww, I still can't stop smiling. Rabada has warmed the ****les of my cold heart.

 

[Dan]

That is the case. I was happy that he was dropped for this tour as his form had been terrible. However, if he averages over 80 early in the CC season then he'll have a big chance at test recall.

Nah, its not going to be about CC average for Bell getting recalled. The selectors will have to see something different in his game that suggests to him that he's not likely to continue averaging 20 in Test cricket if he's brought back. Averaging 80 in the CC doesn't necessarily suggest that, given Bell has historically dominated whenever he's gone back to play CC, even when he couldn't buy a run for England.

 

[social]

I have never been Bell's biggest fan - style over substance, etc

But the guy has 22 test hundreds and the 30 odd that he has averaged over the last few years is still better than the career averages of Hales, Compton & Taylor

Anyway, from what I have seen:

Hales has the ball-striking talent but not the technique;

Compton has technique but there must be doubts over his temperament: and

Taylor might be short on technique and temperament

England wont drop all 3 and you'd probably think that Hales is most at risk

 

[Dan]

Taylor's had six Tests in his most recent run. I think he should get at least a few more to prove himself. If he fails, then sure, think about a short-term return to Bell. But I think that move would be premature at this stage.

Agreed on Hales though.

 

[tooextracool]

Nah, its not going to be about CC average for Bell getting recalled. The selectors will have to see something different in his game that suggests to him that he's not likely to continue averaging 20 in Test cricket if he's brought back. Averaging 80 in the CC doesn't necessarily suggest that, given Bell has historically dominated whenever he's gone back to play CC, even when he couldn't buy a run for England.

I am not sure what that that would involve exactly since Bell's woes at the international level have always been his inability to consolidate from aesthetically pleasing 20s and 30s. Ultimately, if Bell were to score a mountain of runs in CC, which as you note is more likely than not, you can bet the house that he will be back in the frame for the summer especially if Compton et al fail to grab their chances.

 

[Howe_zat]

Team of the series

Cook*
Elgar
Amla
Root
Bavuma
Stokes
Bairstow+
Ali
Broad
Rabada
Finn

 

[tooextracool]

His worst is pretty ****ing atrocious.

Just a reminder: Bell averages 33 in 50 tests in the last 4 years. I have no idea why England fans seem to want to go back to him instead of giving others a proper go. He was ****e for a long, long long time.

When all is done and dusted, there is a chance that Ian Bell may well end up in contention for being one of the worst specialist batsmen to play 100 test matches. As it stands now, he probably pips Carl Hooper and Stephen Fleming. Not that that is terrible company it must be said.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

What ?

Thankfully that hack has never played proper cricket at International level.

It's a Spark from the BBL thread I'm guessing.

tbf I seriously suggested that Munro should be selected for tests so you never know

 

[tooextracool]

I have never been Bell's biggest fan - style over substance, etc

But the guy has 22 test hundreds and the 30 odd that he has averaged over the last few years is still better than the career averages of Hales, Compton & Taylor

Anyway, from what I have seen:

Hales has the ball-striking talent but not the technique;

Compton has technique but there must be doubts over his temperament: and

Taylor might be short on technique and temperament

England wont drop all 3 and you'd probably think that Hales is most at risk

I personally think that Compton can do a job - which is to blunt out the new ball. There are certainly question marks over his temperament, an issue that resulted in him being dropped the first time. However, the fact that he bats some 80 odd balls an inning on average is an asset and something that should be taken advantage off not to mention that he possesses probably the soundest technique in the England side. I think that he is the most viable candidate to take over the opening berth from Hales, who is genuinely suspect when it comes to balance at the crease and shot selection.

As far as Taylor is concerned, I don't subscribe to the notion that he has been worked out this series. Not only is he the youngest out of the three discussed above, he also has the best FC batting average. I hope that he is given the summer to showcase whether or not he is capable at the highest level

 

[SeamUp]

So Savage would be pollock esque while phehlukwayo klusener esque?

Pretty good analogy actually. Savage also a good slipper like Pollock.

Asked Jon Kent (Calvin's agent) if he is back and fit for the Momentum 1-day cup and he says yes and he should be starting.

 

[theegyptian]

Woakes is the likeliest casualty from england's perspective. Bowled reasonable in the first test but didn't take wickets and poorly in the last. With Anderson, Broad, Finn and Wood being their first 4 seamers, I reckon they'll be inclined to move past Woakes next summer and give an opportunity to someone younger in one of J Overton, C Overton, Stone, T Curran or Topley.

WIth Anderson and Broad at the tail end of their careers it would be wise to try and give some experience now to whoever is the next best young seamer whilst they still have the experience of Broad/Anderson bowling at the other end - rather than waiting until they have a decline in form/ surprise retirement and have a really inexperienced bowling attack. Stokes as the fourth seamer gives you the freedom to pick a rookie quick without much worry.

Batting less clear cut from England's perspective. Sure get rid of Hales but the selectors will be no wiser than they were at the start of the winter on which opener to select as an alternative. There was no lions first class tour this winter (concentrated on ODI/T20) for the coaches/selectors to gauge the options. The likes of Stoneman, Abell, Browne, Burns, S Robson have all been out in Aus playing grade cricket this winter.

I'd keep Compton and Taylor but a few former players have been questionioning Compton in the papers the last couple of days. Compton isn't going to do any better than he has for England but he does a job and opening up two spots at the top of the order when there isn't even one clear replacement seems like a foolhardy tactic. I wouldn't be completely against getting rid of him however because I just don't see him as a long term option.

Taylor needs to play next winter in Bang/India so how they get there I don't mind. Given that he didn't play in UAE(except for one test) and then played in SA doesn't give me much confidence that the management know what they are doing so who knows how they'll manage the situation.

 

[Flem274*]

Broad is like 29 or something, no way is he at the end.

 

[Compton]

I'm honestly stunned that there are still people out there that want an Ian Bell recall.

He's been horrid for what, the last four years?