England away to South Africa

[Uncle Leo]

Bell dropped, Ballance and Compton back in.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-drop-ian-bell-south-6859700

Sad to see Bell's Test career end, even if I feel it was probably the right decision. Glad to see Ballance back too.

Not good news that Finn AND Wood are out; I'm a big fan of both.

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

Surprised that Rashid is going to the Big Bash. I would rather have him than Patel.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

A series or two too late for Bell.

Pleased to see Footitt in there, but very concerned about Wood and Finn missing it. That's huge for England.

It makes sense to include a specialist sub fielder (Jordan) and for Rashid to play some cricket instead of riding the pine for months.

Samit Patel's selection is an eye opener, but I can't see him getting a game, so probably irrelevant.

I don't rate Compton but we need cover and not sure what other opening options we have.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

i'd have taken Bell myself. he's probably still our best number 5 but hasn't cut it at 3 recently which is where we need him.
i'd also have gone with Plunkett as the third seamer but i'm willing to give Footit a go if they think he's worth the place.

i don't think Jordan is a test player but I do really rate Woakes

so first test team will probably be something like

Cook
Hales
Compton
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Footit

 

[AndyT]

I think Compton is being taken to open, so I'd tweak that slightly :-

Cook
Compton
Ballance
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Footit

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

I think Compton is being taken to open, so I'd tweak that slightly :-

Cook
Compton
Ballance
Root
Taylor
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Footit

you might well be right. seems harsh on Hayles maybe but i think you might be on to something there

 

[AndyT]

They should try Hales there, but I think they won't.

I liken Hales to Trescothick.

Trescothick started out in the one-day side and impressed at The Oval I think it was, so they brought him into the Test side and the rest is history.

Hales biggest Achilles heel, for the moment, is his form in one-day cricket, though he did get a century the other day, so another good score today and who knows.

He can certainly play the longer format, scoring 236 in the summer for Notts and averaging around 40 in First Class cricket.

Will England take the gamble, though? .. Fear, like with Lyth in the West Indies, they missed a trick in not playing him in the Pakistan tests.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

i thought that was a very decent fightback today.
not the best start after being put in by the best team in the world in bowling conditions.
few early wickets but to be expected a bit.
very poor from Root, that spinner wouldn't bowl out my nan etc and so on.
well in Compton and Taylor

 

[Ricky Otto]

Looking very good for a 1st test win here!

 

[BrettieAngell]

Excellent win, quick turn around before the next Test aswell so hopefully we can the momentum into that game. Will Steyn be available?

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

i thought we were brilliant in this game. every aspect of the game was much better than South Africa. a really great match to watch, loved it.

there are tougher tests to come so let's not get carried away but hopefully this is the start of something really good

 

[Ricky Otto]

Surprised that Rashid is going to the Big Bash. I would rather have him than Patel.

Could be good for our world t20 chances in a few months though, he's showing he's a world class t20 bowler out there and should be full of confidence ahead of the tournament

 

[Jonny_Stokes]

Good partnership from Jonny and Stokes today.

 

[AndyT]

Stokes smashing it to all parts.

24 off the first 2 overs of the morning!

... Now 45 off 4 overs! :smile:

 

[AndyT]

This is absolute carnage.

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

200 for Stokes one of the most destructive batting performance ever.credit to Bairstow too.

 

[Ricey]

I watched it this morning and it looked like someone told Stokes it was a t20 match.

 

[BrettieAngell]

242 off 191 balls at the moment, er what??

 

[BrettieAngell]

Highest ever 6th wicket partnership in Test cricket! :happy::happy:

 

[AndyT]

England making a right hash of this!!