England knee jerk thread.

[ianp1970]

Compton making a move for the no. 3 spot

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mark Butcher's team for the first Test has a bit of a knee jerk thread feel.

Cook
Robson
Carberry
Bell
Ballance
Prior
Jordan
Borthwick
Broad
Finn
Anderson

Nice to see five bowlers and Prior at six though!

[Aidan11]

Be surprised if Carberry and Jordan play.

[D/L]

Prior may, now that Moores is in charge. I can't think of any other reason, though.

[hopeforthebest]

I don't hold with the idea that we should see a host of young players coming into the team in large quantities, somehow we need players with a degree of gravitas along with youth.
Cook
Carberry
Compton
Moeen Ali (spinner as well)
Bell
Root (spinner as well)
Prior/Kieswetter
Jordan/Woakes/Stokes
Broad
Finn
Anderson.

Early season form is making most of this team look good, especially the top 3. Not sure about Moeen yet so Ballance would be an alternative, with Borthwick alternative for Root. Kieswetter is really looking not just a viable alternative to Prior but first choice.

Cook
Carberry
Compton
Ballance/moeen
Bell
Root/Borthwick (also offer spin)
Kieswetter
Jordan/Woakes/Stokes
Broad
Finn
Anderson.

[KipperJohn]

The only sensible replacement for Trott at 3 (under normal circumstances) is Bell - especially at home. Unless something dramatic happens only Cook and Bell are the current automatic batting picks for the first Test.

However, in the light of the relative inexperience around them Bell may well find himself at 4 or even 5.

[sussexpob]

The only sensible replacement for Trott at 3 (under normal circumstances) is Bell - especially at home. Unless something dramatic happens only Cook and Bell are the current automatic batting picks for the first Test.

However, in the light of the relative inexperience around them Bell may well find himself at 4 or even 5.

Compton for me should be 3, but I wouldnt have dropped him anyway.... maybe that horror dismissal at Lords vs NZ was enough for the drop

[Making_Splinters]

I'd get Robson into the team, either opening or at three if Carbs is kept on. I hope Ballance is given the summer, maybe Taylor at five.

[SaintPowelly]

Michael Klinger thinks Will Gidman deserves a spot, and to be honest, I agree with him.

Worse players than him have been capped in the not so distant past.

[Slipstream]

Michael Klinger thinks Will Gidman deserves a spot, and to be honest, I agree with him.

Worse players than him have been capped in the not so distant past.

Where do you see him batting? Would he take Stokes' place? Why hasn't he gone on a Lions tour?

[englandmad666]

Robson and ballance both have to be in the team after good starts to the seasons... Id also like to see james taylor given a go, not sure about root at 4 though... We have to play a proper spinner to so i dont think borthwick should play

[dan08]

Michael Klinger thinks Will Gidman deserves a spot, and to be honest, I agree with him.

Worse players than him have been capped in the not so distant past.

Don't know why he's never played for the Lions as his record is outstanding.

[sussexpob]

Michael Klinger thinks Will Gidman deserves a spot, and to be honest, I agree with him.

Worse players than him have been capped in the not so distant past.

Don't know why he's never played for the Lions as his record is outstanding.

doesn't tell enough jokes to the boys in the dressing room?? Maybe he is friends with Piers Morgan?

[shankycricket]

Cook
Robson
Bell
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Prior
Jordan
Broad
Anderson
Onions

[Gingerfinch]

Root to bowl a few, shanky?