Ashes, Third Test, Edgbaston, July 29-Aug 2

[yorker_129-7]

I like how we couldn't play Rashid a few weeks ago because "you can't throw him into an Ashes test" and now up to 6 changes are mooted.

Not saying that's wrong, but it's amusing how the people claiming the former are now happily indulging in the latter.

For me, I think Bairstow is a given for selection, probably at the expense of Ballance with everyone from Root up moving up one. Think Lyth should be replaced but not sure who with. Don't want Root opening, made that mistake before. Stoneman? Bell will get at least one more game, just for god's sake move him out of the slip cordon.

Bowlers, Wood clearly needs a rest so give one of Finn, Plunkett or Woakes a go.

Oh, and prepare a pitch with something in it for bowlers who bowl at sub-90 mph.

[rich1uk]

bell has to have played his last test unless he gets the sympathy vote with the next game being at his home ground, which shouldn't happen in professional sport

his career average is now down to 43 which in this era for a guy with his ability isn't that great and when you break it down to the last couple of years and trends its not good reading

last 2 years - 22 tests - average of 31
since the start of 2014 - average of 27
since the start of 2015 - average of 21

for a top order batsman to be averaging 31 over a 2 year period is nowhere near good enough and as the above shows its trending in the wrong direction as well

we have a guy in bairstow who is demanding selection with his county form and could slot right in to the middle order, probably with root moving to #4 and bairstow at #5

got to be done now

[braveneutral]

All I would say on Bairstow is that we have seen him before.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Anderson has gone wicketless in the last 3 Oz innings.

[rich1uk]

All I would say on Bairstow is that we have seen him before.

we saw a 23-24 year old guy who was in and out of the side

are you saying that he should not get another chance despite being in the form of his life atm and that there is no possibility that his game has changed and he has became a better player in those 2 years ?

[shankycricket]

Ballance is just hopelessly out of his depth at this level against quality pace.

[Aidan11]

The important thing is not to panic.

It's still only 1-1

[budgetmeansbudget]

The important thing is not to panic.

It's still only 1-1

Trouble is our 1 was a 160 run victory with both teams losing 20 wickets. Their 1 was a 400 run victory and losing half the number of wickets we did.

[alfie]

Well if you believe players should earn selection , you could hardly deny that Bairstow is battering the door down rather than knocking on it at the moment. If you aren't going to pick him now - when ?
Unfortunately that won't solve the real problem for England : only one of the top four players doesn't look like a walking wicket at present. And that really applies to the NZ Tests as well as this series , so can't be dismissed as a glitch.
Reluctantly , I think Root might have to be moved up ; to three. This probably means a return to the shires for Ballance , since I can't see another place in the order for him right now. If you bat Bairstow at five (preferred) then you still have to make a call on Bell at four. One more chance ? Or Taylor...who has just scored a timely century. ( I appreciate the point Sussex has raised about Bell really belonging at five : but do you fancy batting Bairstow there instead ? Not sure I do - we've already moved Root ; and how much can you reshuffle an order to accommodate a player who may just be tailing off anyway ?)
Look you can make all sorts of arguments back and forth around these positions ; but the summers record rather than one horrible collapse suggests adjustments are needed. I think they will make changes this time , though I'm not sure which. To be honest , I am doubtful of Lyth cutting it as a Test opener , but I haven't any brilliant suggestions as to a replacement : Hales would be a bit of a punt.
And however much the romantics might dream , KP isn't coming back so let's not keep rehashing that one, eh ?

I am aware none of this is very helpful : am just thinking out loud

Anyway the decisions aren't down to me - or any of us. This is why coaches etc get paid rather a lot of money...hopefully they will earn it now and set up for a fight back at Edgbaston.
Despite this horrible defeat all is not necessarily lost : only the first three Australian batsmen have actually made serious runs in two Test matches , so they are hardly an unbreakable batting fortress either. Take some early chances and we will see how they play under a bit of pressure...

[alfie]

The important thing is not to panic.

It's still only 1-1

Trouble is our 1 was a 160 run victory with both teams losing 20 wickets. Their 1 was a 400 run victory and losing half the number of wickets we did.

Well true. But if you win a tennis match in five sets , who cares if you win three of them 7-5 and lose the other two 0-6 ?might as well get all your disasters out of the way at once...

Anyway if Aidan isn't going to panic , no one should.

Keep that axe locked away , there's a good fellow.

[hopeforthebest]

There are many more question marks about this team than the failures at the top of theorder. Stokes is not a quality test bowler, Is Mark Wood a genuine first change bowler and what is it with Anderson that he's only taken 3 wickets in the series?
Having three left hand batsmen at the top of the order has been a gift to the Australian bowlers but most of the other names who might replace them i.e Stoneman is also left handed.
Clearly a place for Bairstow must be found in the middle order but that doesn't solve the puzzle of replacing any of Lyth, Ballance and Bell.

[alfie]

The bowling attack failed completely here. But the same bowlers did the job very effectively on another flat pitch in Cardiff just a week earlier. So I'm not coming to any snap judgements on them just yet.
I actually disagree with many in that I think Stokes has considerable potential as a fifth bowler - I certainly wouldn't have him as one of four. Anyway his recent batting renders discussion of his spot rather academic , surely ?
Bit early to be writing off Wood. Though he didn't seem to be as lively here ; may be one of those who doesn't back up so well in a second game. Same probably true of Anderson.
Hopefully a proper break before the next match will freshen them up.

Taking early chances in slips might help a bit too.

[hopeforthebest]

Compton is probably the most successful number 3 in the CC at present and he's apparently persona non grata with the selectors.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Broad apart, there are definitely question marks over the rest of the bowling attack in this series.

[backfootpunch]

id bring in taylor and bairstow for ballance and bell

taylor at 3, root at 4, bairstow at 5

then i would assess mark wood before the next test, he looked tired during the last game and i would consider bringing in finn to give him a rest

then hopefully he will be fit and firing for the last two tests, obviously unless finn bowls out of his skin