There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Isn't there also a problem with the way Ballance and Root sit back on the stumps and push out on the front foot to about a foot in front of the crease against pace. It doesn't matter when it works, but their game will be questioned when it doesn't. Moeen, who is doubted against the short ball seems to move his feet around much better (and more attractively).

[Arthur Crabtree]

If Steve Smith scores runs with his method, maybe none of this matters.

[rich1uk]

definitely gonna be interesting to see ballance against the aussies this year

they tend to be pretty switched on when it comes to plans against different batsmen and I think at times ballance can get bogged down and his get out shot is a dab into the leg side , place a fielder in fairly tight at mid-wicket or mid-on and take that release away from him and see how he reacts

[KipperJohn]

Technique aside, there is the 'mental' side to consider - sorry a poor expression, but Root, Ballance and Buttler seem to me to have pretty strong minds which is vital at this level. They seem less overawed than say Bell was in his early years - batting anyway.

Collingwood wasn't the greatest to watch by any means but he made up for it with considerable obduracy.

Possibly one of the best examples in that regard was Steve Waugh.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes good point. I guess that's what Steve Smith's got.

[Making_Splinters]

I think we have to be a tad careful about banking too much on players who have not yet been put into the arena.

[rich1uk]

I think we have to be a tad careful about banking too much on players who have not yet been put into the arena.

don't think anyone is

just observing that we have a batch of players all 25 or under, all with potential and all either already in or on the fringes of the full squad

[meninblue]

imo Gary showed excellent temperament of a number 3 batsman. At least in that series i liked the way he approaches the innings as a number 3 batsman.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He did become utterly becalmed at times though. Good innings at Lord's.

[KipperJohn]

After 10 years of international cricket, Bell has made another transition - moving successfully into the slips both in Tests and ODIs.

[Albondiga]

Kipper John --- Bell is a very adaptable cricketer and has always been a good fielder but his recent slip catching has been a revelation. I think he's a better batsman than he was because he doesn't strive for perfection now and realises you can get an inside edge past the stumps or be dropped on 10 and STILL get a magnificent hundred.

[KipperJohn]

Kipper John --- Bell is a very adaptable cricketer and has always been a good fielder but his recent slip catching has been a revelation. I think he's a better batsman than he was because he doesn't strive for perfection now and realises you can get an inside edge past the stumps or be dropped on 10 and STILL get a magnificent hundred.

Agreed.

Hope you are keep well too.

[m@tt]

Apparently no Test or IPL players will be considered for the ODI against Ireland in May.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket ... 33959.html

Means we could see Taylor as captain and, although Dobell doesn't mention it, a recall for Trott?

Roy, Hales, Trott, Taylor, Vince, Stokes, Billings, Bresnan, Willey, Tredwell, Gurney, Finn?

Bairstow, Patel and Woods could also be options.

[Making_Splinters]

I expect we will see a lot of second choice players playing in the ODIs this year. We play 17 tests in the next 12 months so there is going to have to be a managing of workloads. In many ways this is an excellent opportunity to get in new blood and give them a decent run.

The likes of Taylor, Hales, Billings and Roy are very promising players and now there is a justifiable reason to test them out against decent teams in home conditions. England are very resistant to "dropping" players, this summer gives them an easy excuse to "drop" some dead wood, if they are willing to take it.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Given Trott has retired, and KP isn't trusted (and Vince isn't in great form), who are the likely reserves should the England batters get injured/found out this summer?