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

[Howe_zat]

Bairstow has batted so much better as a keeper than as a batsman he has one of the best averages for a keeper ever - it's a nice example to counter the arguments that a keeper-batsman should give up the gloves to make him a better batsman. Not everyone's Sangakkara.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Also it should generally be easier batting at 7 as opposed to 5. Also being wicketkeeper may reduce some of the pressure on him to score runs (as opposed to being selected as a batsman alone) and allow him to play with more freedom.

Way we collapse so often he is coming in at the same time as he would normally at 5 so not sure that matters so much. Combined role is obviously a help for him mentally too.

 

[wpdavid]

Also it should generally be easier batting at 7 as opposed to 5. Also being wicketkeeper may reduce some of the pressure on him to score runs (as opposed to being selected as a batsman alone) and allow him to play with more freedom.

Maybe. Both arguments are true of course; his county form saw a massive improvement last summer, and his test record suggests he should stay at 7. I suspect that he'd eventually be fine at number 5 due to his extraordinary county form over the last 12 months, but I'm not keen to change parts of the test team that are working perfectly well. Ditto Root staying at 4, although he could probably do a job at 3 as well. My one concern over Bairstow at 7 would be if he found himself stranded too often when the lower order didn't last. He'd probably be a more consistent performer at 6 than Stokes, but apparently that's non-negotiable.

 

[Howe_zat]

Not the best opening over from Anderson. Bit short.

 

[91Jmay]

Haven't looked at the stats but I reckon Bairstow has a really high catches per game rate as well, which is ironic considering he isn't a good keeper.

 

[Howe_zat]

2nd was, um, better

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Crickey. Play that.

 

[Howe_zat]

Haven't looked at the stats but I reckon Bairstow has a really high catches per game rate as well, which is ironic considering he isn't a good keeper.

If he does it's more telling of England's bowling strategy than anything else, but he's certainly having a good game here.

His keeping has been generally pilloried ever since people stopped being able to have a go at him for his batting. Don't know where people might turn if he keeps putting in performances like this. Probably saying he should get dropped for tweeting too many exclamation marks or something.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

If he does it's more telling of England's bowling strategy than anything else, but he's certainly having a good game here.

His keeping has been generally pilloried ever since people stopped being able to have a go at him for his batting. Don't know where people might turn if he keeps putting in performances like this. Probably saying he should get dropped for tweeting too many exclamation marks or something.

It is funny that people seem surprised that a player in form has done well in the side. His keeping has improved with feeling more comfortable in the side. Yes he will make mistakes as he isn't a great keeper but who picks great keepers these days?

 

[91Jmay]

I remember him taking lot of catches in the Ashes series he played in and he also nearly broke record in SA test didn't he?

 

[Gnske]

Fml how is Mendis supposed to play this

Like that apparently, might as well.

 

[Howe_zat]

This is some top cricket. Mendis getting beaten every other ball but not just sitting and taking it.

 

[Howe_zat]

James Taylor's hot property. On TMS yesterday and on Sky today

 

[91Jmay]

Broad has been ordinary so far. Get the impression he doesn't want to be bowling.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

So who comes in for Stokes next week then?

Be gutting for him to miss his home test but no point risking his whole summer if he is injured.

My guess is they will not go for Ball as they will want more batting so it is between Plunkett and Woakes with Bairstow and Moeen shuffling up the order.

 

[91Jmay]

Woakes has been in great form. Not sure they will fancy him though after SA tour.

 

[fredfertang]

Should give Liam Livingstone a go

 

[LegionOfBrad]

It'll be Woakes.

 

[Howe_zat]

Plunkers has a ton this summer, bat him at six

 

[Scaly piscine]

If he does it's more telling of England's bowling strategy than anything else, but he's certainly having a good game here.

His keeping has been generally pilloried ever since people stopped being able to have a go at him for his batting. Don't know where people might turn if he keeps putting in performances like this. Probably saying he should get dropped for tweeting too many exclamation marks or something.

Ginger with a crappy beard from Yorkshire. Don't think they'll need to resort to Twitter.

I think long term 7 will be a waste, because he'll get stranded like he did a few times last year. Whilst England have great batting depth they're not known for hanging around long. We can't really judge what impact him keeping wicket will have until he's had more games.