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

[Arthur Crabtree]

Taylor has 220*. Not that county runs mean your going to score in the Ashes, for JT of Bairstow, but it does suggest form.

Bell scored a chanceless century for Warks just before the ashes.

But he's part of the problem, so less likely to be part of the solution. Though I said I'd play him in Birmingham.

[hopeforthebest]

Taylor has 220*. Not that county runs mean your going to score in the Ashes, for JT of Bairstow, but it does suggest form.

Bell scored a chanceless century for Warks just before the ashes.

But he's part of the problem, so less likely to be part of the solution. Though I said I'd play him in Birmingham.

My point AC, was that one century doesn't make a swallow.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Of course not, but you're only working with best options, not certainties.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I must admit I hadn't noticed Taylor's current innings, good time to hit a double century.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bell looks bereft of confidence. I expect he could make runs. He looks cowed at the moment though, like he's not sure he belongs there.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Have a little sympathy for Wood and Stokes in that there's been little reverse swing for anyone. The new ball has got the wickets, and they've not been that near the new ball.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Problem with selecting bowlers is that they get the new ball for their counties, but never get it for England.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Bell looks bereft of confidence. I expect he could make runs. He looks cowed at the moment though, like he's not sure he belongs there.

A cowedbell?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Momentarily He may be a great oak at Edgbaston.

[KipperJohn]

Probably the biggest call for the selectors is to decide just how 'temporary' is form and how 'permanent' is class.

Frankly I'm not convinced by the argument of juggling the batting order.

If you look at the 2013 home Ashes the batting order was Cook, Root, Trott, KP and Bell. Bell was effectively playing the recovery role Root is now (although in a different way). Ballance, until lately, was hailed as an effective replacement for Trott , we have a new opener in Lyth and Root is pretty much playing 'KP style' cricket.

The argument for moving Bell to 5 doesn't really wash as you can still be 3 down for very little batting at 4, so the same pressures still apply, as they did yesterday.

It was pretty obvious yesterday that whilst Ballance and Bell were aware of the pressures to make a score (there should be always) they were trying to get through the new ball and rebuild. There were, however, few if any loose deliveries to score and it didn't work. Credit to the Aussie bowlers for that.

Some of the fatuous comments I've seen are neither helpful, constructive or a correct interpretation of a player's attitude or demeanour. If Haddin dropped the Ashes in the first Test, you might as well say Bell dropped them in the second!

We played poorly, Australia played well and we got stuffed - simple really

[Aidan11]

Taylor & Bairstow putting themselves in the test shop window at present.

[Aidan11]

Too late for Gordon Muchall.

[GarlicJam]

Reports on the ABC say that Haddin is in line for a recall for this test. Very hard on Nevill(e) who had a very good debut.

I can only hope that if Haddin is reselected, it is a matter of the selectors 1. showing loyalty, and not wanting to 'drop' him after his daughter's illness, and 2. thinking that he is going to retire in 3 more tests time anyway.

I remember when Gilchrist was first selected (for the Gabba test), there was great hoo-haa about Healy not being given a farewell test on his home ground. Gilchrist was even booed by the Gabba crowd (bloody Queenslanders!, imagine that, Australians booing Gilly!?), but he soon won them over. My point being that selectors have proven in the past that there is no room for sentimentality, they should keep that mindset, imo.

Although...... showing loyalty/gratitude/respect IS an admirable trait.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I know what you mean about the Gabba crowd. They even booed KP.

[The Waugh Twins]

If they haven't fired you then they have to take you back after a leave of absence. I think that's fair enough even though I would love Neville to stay.