Ashes 2013/14

[PaulWinch again]

I agree with Swann there. Compton hasn't burnt his bridges, he had a conversation with Flower about what he needed to be selected after the winter tour was announced. I'd call him up now, because we need options and I think Compton might have the character required.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes might be an option, as I think we need a way to rotate our bowlers more effectively but it is dependant on Prior finding some form.

[PaulWinch again]

Root could play 3 as he played excellently against Johnson in the second innings and didn't look fluster at all.

[eastie]

I agree with Swann there. Compton hasn't burnt his bridges, he had a conversation with Flower about what he needed to be selected after the winter tour was announced. I'd call him up now, because we need options and I think Compton might have the character required.

Flower has already said that is not going to happen.
We have enough options , root or bell can step up to 3 and either Bairstow, ballance or stokes at 6 .
No need for Compton - don't panic pwa - we will win this series from here .

[PaulWinch again]

It'd good that Lehmann sent a supportive tweet for Trott, hopefully the players will follow suit.

[aj2k77]

For me I would put root at number 3 and bring Bairstow in at 6 .

Don't rate Bairstow at all. I'd select Compton. He's an opener so won't be phased facing the new ball and he's got a bit of character about him.

[aj2k77]

It'd good that Lehmann sent a supportive tweet for Trott, hopefully the players will follow suit.

Lehmann's a sabre rattling fat ******. This current mob remind me a lot of the Blues team when they first got promoted, lot's of talk in the media, very agressive, lot's of niggly bastards in the side, lower on quality than the opposition.

[eastie]

For me I would put root at number 3 and bring Bairstow in at 6 .

Don't rate Bairstow at all. I'd select Compton. He's an opener so won't be phased facing the new ball.

I'm not a huge fan myself of Bairstow he did ok at best in the summer , but he has some experience and it's not the time to bring in stokes or ballance in this environment for me.

I have no worries about either root or bell at 3.

[aj2k77]

For me I would put root at number 3 and bring Bairstow in at 6 .

Don't rate Bairstow at all. I'd select Compton. He's an opener so won't be phased facing the new ball.

I'm not a huge fan myself of Bairstow he did ok at best in the summer , but he has some experience and it's not the time to bring in stokes or ballance in this environment for me.

I have no worries about either root or bell at 3.

I'd keep Root where he is, he showed a bit of spirit in the last game. Bell for me is technically our soundest player right now so him at 3 makes sense, the only problem is exposing young raw players into this atmosphere right now, the number 6 could quite easily be coming in at 50/4 with the ball still new with catchers all around him and unless they've got the confidence of a KP it's make or break.

Has Flower said definately no call ups?

[eastie]

For me I would put root at number 3 and bring Bairstow in at 6 .

Don't rate Bairstow at all. I'd select Compton. He's an opener so won't be phased facing the new ball.

I'm not a huge fan myself of Bairstow he did ok at best in the summer , but he has some experience and it's not the time to bring in stokes or ballance in this environment for me.

I have no worries about either root or bell at 3.

I'd keep Root where he is, he showed a bit of spirit in the last game. Bell for me is technically our soundest player right now so him at 3 makes sense, the only problem is exposing young raw players into this atmosphere right now, the number 6 could quite easily be coming in at 50/4 with the ball still new with catchers all around him and unless they've got the confidence of a KP it's make or break.

Has Flower said definately no call ups?

Yes , flower has ruled out call ups saying we have enough options already.

[Dr Butler]

I always thought you needed another opener at three(or someone good enough to be a opener) so Root for me with Bairstow at 6, Prior better watch out if Bairstow starts to get runs....a poor return bat wise for Matt.
Cook, Carberry, Root, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson and any of the other fit quick bowlers.

but then again Stokes could come in and give abit with the ball too.....

[eastie]

I always thought you needed another opener at three(or someone good enough to be a opener) so Root for me with Bairstow at 6, Prior better watch out if Bairstow starts to get runs....a poor return bat wise for Matt.
Cook, Carberry, Root, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson and any of the other fit quick bowlers.

but then again Stokes could come in and give abit with the ball too.....

Not sure how close Bresnan is to fitness , will be an interesting choice to see who gets the nod at 10.
All this trott business has deflected attention. Away from Clarke being fined after pleading guilty to using obscene and threatening language.

[Dr Butler]

yeah what was Clarke thinking ? captain and a great player....shame he behaves badly when he should be setting the example.

[OCD]

I gather from comments on here that Compton's call-up has been ruled out but that's what I would do. He did well against the Aussies in a warm-up match over here in the summer and we could do with an experienced opener for that position. I know his international experience is limited but our options aren't great. I've not been impressed with Root playing higher up the order at his age and experience. Moving Bell up might be an option but then we need a number 6 and Bairstow did nothing in the summer to justify his place.

[eastie]

I gather from comments on here that Compton's call-up has been ruled out but that's what I would do. He did well against the Aussies in a warm-up match over here in the summer and we could do with an experienced opener for that position. I know his international experience is limited but our options aren't great. I've not been impressed with Root playing higher up the order at his age and experience. Moving Bell up might be an option but then we need a number 6 and Bairstow did nothing in the summer to justify his place.

I personally would rather Compton than Bairstow although neither are particularly convincing - flower said earlier they will not be calling in anyone else , but who knows - he may reconsider once they have all had chance to think - I was surprised flower dismissed the idea so quickly .

I think the lads will want to win it for trotty and will be fired up for the Adelaide test .