Ashes 2013/14

[taylorsworkrate]

Root at three yes, but I'd pick Ben Stokes over Ballance because of his bowling. We haven't got an all-rounder, time to see if Stokes can be that man I reckon.

I'd agree with you, if Prior wasn't in a completely horrendous run of form. 

I think a six and seven of Stokes and Prior would be too much of a risk at the moment.

[Dave Cooper please]

Root at three yes, but I'd pick Ben Stokes over Ballance because of his bowling. We haven't got an all-rounder, time to see if Stokes can be that man I reckon.

I'd agree with you, if Prior wasn't in a completely horrendous run of form. 

I think a six and seven of Stokes and Prior would be too much of a risk at the moment.

Fuck it, take the risk, Ballance is no more of a risk as a batsman than Stokes really, and at least Stokes can bowl if the drop in pitch turns out to be a flat nightmare.

[paul_e]

Don't like the sound of having Root at 3. I would rather Bell been moved there.

Bell has been our best batsman this year, why move him and risk that?

It's because he's been our best batsman that I would elevate him up the order. Mark Butcher says he wants the job too. Whereas I don't think Root is ready for that position at international level.

If Bell wants to do it (which seems to be the case) then i'm all for it, if he'd been unsure I would'nt have moved him, as said, for me it's about balancing getting the best option at 3 and not disrupting the preparation of our best player.

[aj2k77]

Don't like the sound of having Root at 3. I would rather Bell been moved there.

Bell has been our best batsman this year, why move him and risk that?

It's because he's been our best batsman that I would elevate him up the order. Mark Butcher says he wants the job too. Whereas I don't think Root is ready for that position at international level.

If Bell wants to do it (which seems to be the case) then i'm all for it, if he'd been unsure I would'nt have moved him, as said, for me it's about balancing getting the best option at 3 and not disrupting the preparation of our best player.

Bell has some big tons at 3 doesn't he? I'd say let the experienced player make the move and let the young player settle into his own spot first.

[PaulWinch again]

I think we need more bowling options so I'd pick Stokes, but we'll go with Ballance.

[spangley1812]

What about this team Paul

Cook, Carberry, Root, KP, Bell, Stokes, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson and Monty..

[PaulWinch again]

It'd be ambitious, which isn't very England. It depends how flat the pitch will be, it'd give us bowling options but traditionally when we've played two spinners we've struggled.

[PaulWinch again]

I really hope whatever team we select we come out aggressively on Wednesday. We need to remember the Aussies aren't a good side, they have a good bowling attack but we've let them get on top of us. We need to impose ourselves now and see how they cope under pressure. When we knocked them over for sub 300 on that pitch they were below par, it's just our batting crumbled. We need our big players to stand up and it's been a while since they did consistently. Cook, KP, Anderson, Swann and Prior should all be performing at a consistently high level now and we need Root to do the same. If we do that and Broad continues we'll be fine.

[OzVilla]

We certainly need to be more prepared aggression wise.

They, as a nation, are right up for this and we got caught with our pants down and let them get on top of us which has served to really galvanise the Aussies.

Lehmann, Clarke and their unofficial media spokesman Warne are every day banging on about wanting the crowds to be as parochial as they can.  We need to put in a performance to shut them up else I really fear for us.

Time for our big players to really stand up.

[paul_e]

I see Bres has been officially added to the squad after his injury, he did well last time he was in Australia so hopefully he can have a similar impact this time, if he's right I'd put him in on weds/thurs.

[PaulWinch again]

I see Bres has been officially added to the squad after his injury, he did well last time he was in Australia so hopefully he can have a similar impact this time, if he's right I'd put him in on weds/thurs.

I would now that Tremlett seems to be fulfilling his role now basically, but without the batting.

[paul_e]

I see Bres has been officially added to the squad after his injury, he did well last time he was in Australia so hopefully he can have a similar impact this time, if he's right I'd put him in on weds/thurs.

I would now that Tremlett seems to be fulfilling his role now basically, but without the batting.

Exactly, it's also worth pointing out, the bowling in the first test was fine in the first innings, the 2nd innings wasn't so good but that was affected by a combination of not getting enough rest between innings and the respective confidence of the sides after our batting collapse.

[eastie]

I think this is a must win game if we want to win the series - defeat here and the ashes are almost lost , win here and we are back in the driving seat- the Aussies will fancy winning in Perth with their pace attack so we need to make this test count.

[tomd2103]

What about this team Paul

Cook, Carberry, Root, KP, Bell, Stokes, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson and Monty..

Heard Dominic Cork on the radio earlier saying that he'd heard whispers on the grapevine that England are considering going with two spinners and that Monty could be starting.  Also said that he thought they may go with Ballance as well.

[eastie]

@BumbleCricket: Would not be surprised if Eng opt two spinners