Australia/England/India Tri Series Jan/Feb 2015

[rich1uk]

well with bopara we aint getting much from the bat anyway

since the start of 2014 he averages 24 at a s/r of 74

that average aint great even batting at 6/7 but that average combined with that s/r for someone who was being designated a "finisher" is unacceptable

[Arthur Crabtree]

I've mentioned the lack of alternatives to Ravi, in a crucial position before. They haven't really tried anyone else. Willey and Patel could have been options. Still, when Ravi was dropped, the world threw up its hands, so most people are happy with him.

[Aidan11]

I'd rather see Stokes in there.

[rich1uk]

I'd rather see Stokes in there.

me too

better bowler and cant do any worse with the bat

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought all the Durham supporters were critical of him batting at seven?

[hopeforthebest]

Ravi plays at 3 for Essex so if they keep him why not play him there. Taylor comes in at 5/6 for Notts so why not move him. Problem is Bopara is in as a bowling option but simply not a very good option. We need two bowling options in the top seven so maybe they should work on Woakes's batting in the nets so he can bat at seven.

[Aidan11]

I thought all the Durham supporters were critical of him batting at seven?

Eight but there's no reason why they can't put him at 6.

[Durhamfootman]

Surprised it went all the way, tbh. It sounded as though Haddin was going to finish things off with 2 or 3 overs to spare. Good death bowling? (he asks hopefully)

I see that this was Bell's 4th ton in 150odd matches, and Smith's 3rd ton in his last 10. Remind me again why England don't win many ODI matches

[Durhamfootman]

Did England score less than 60 runs off the last 10 overs?

[GarlicJam]

Did England score less than 60 runs off the last 10 overs?

1 less.

Not good batting, but also great Aus bowling.

[Aidan11]

Just realised Bell is now England's highest ODI run scorer overtaking Paul Collingwood.

[GarlicJam]

Get Smith out in the next three overs and we'll win this.

you gone to work without your medication again ?

He's the only decent batsman left. The tail wont put on 80 runs.

You seem to be getting "the tail" of Australia mixed up with that of other countries - at least that of England's.

We feed our tails meat, they don't come from the land of milk and honey.

[hopeforthebest]

I'm heartily sick of people talking about Bell's 150 games harking back to when he was a 21 year old. The important record is from 2012 when the two white balls were introduced and he became the regular opening bat.

41 games, average 49.17, S/R 84.58. How many England players can match that. No doubt you'll moan about his S/R.

[Gingerfinch]

I'm heartily sick of people talking about Bell's 150 games harking back to when he was a 21 year old. The important record is from 2012 when the two white balls were introduced and he became the regular opening bat.

41 games, average 49.17, S/R 84.58. How many England players can match that. No doubt you'll moan about his S/R.

More importantly, how he's playing right now.

[sussexpob]

I'm heartily sick of people talking about Bell's 150 games harking back to when he was a 21 year old. The important record is from 2012 when the two white balls were introduced and he became the regular opening bat.

41 games, average 49.17, S/R 84.58. How many England players can match that. No doubt you'll moan about his S/R.

I think a lot of England fans have accepted credit is due for Bell, its important to at least acknowledge that he is one of the few batters in our ODI history that has noticed his role in the team requires more risks, and a 85SR is more than acceptable for a ODI opener right now. The fact he was dropped in SL was nonsense really, but I do think Hope that you have missed the boat with Bell and the criticism he gets..... I don't hear many people with a trustworthy opinion talking about Bell being dropped, he is increasingly playing in a way that others should take notice of.

I also think that most people in the "nay" camp, as I have been, were more concerned with the fact that Bell was part of a top order that had no players capable of scoring big runs quickly. I said at the time it had to be 1 or 2 out of Bell, Trott, Cook or Strauss, you couldn't play all of them, and I think Bell was my choice out of the 4 along with Trott.