There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought that they might have brought Bell back if it was a big series coming up. At home to SL, they might go with a player for the future. But, still, I wouldn't be surprised if it's Bell.

[Making_Splinters]

As always, the first innnings of the summer gets completely over blown in terms of international selection. How many would be seriously claiming Duckett or Jennings should be playing Test cricket this summer before this round of games?

I'd like to see Vince get the nod this summer, albeit with not a great Div 1 record, but I expect if Bell can score another ton or two he'll get the nod. Far too many Sky commentator contributions for my liking. Don't follow the County game then a single innings turns a decent player into a great one!

[braveneutral]

Reckon it will be Vince or Bell and nothing any more dramatic.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Duckett's been talked up for a while, But I imgine Bell or Ballance are most likely.

[alfie]

Agreeing with Arthur here : If it were an Ashes Series up next - or a return bout with SA - I think a recall for Bell would be logical. As it is ; no disrespect to Sri Lanka intended but I fancy this might be a good time to try a new man who might be around a bit longer if he comes off.

Of course the counter argument is that if Bell is still committed it might be foolish to discard a man of his talents when he could still offer plenty for another couple of years at least . (Australia have shown recently you can get good value from "mature" batsmen). And the top order isn't exactly settled yet , so they may prefer someone with experience at five as insurance.

Don't think it is cut and dried yet . Selectors may go either way based on form over the next few weeks - Bell's and that of other prospects...

Ballance might find this a good time to score heavily ...he might prefer the number five spot to coming in at first drop.

[sussexpob]

I think Bell is a victim of workload over many years, so a bit of a rest away and a few county runs will be good for him. He is worth another shout in the future without Taylor in contention, but he probably did need to be shown the door to get the message that his consistent underperformance spanning near 2 years wasnt on.

Ballance for me has technical problems that were exposed in test cricket, and its time and time again that you see guys put straight back in but the issues arent gone. Id hope the selectors are looking at his technique issues when they are assessing his worth, not just runs on the board. Runs at county dont seem to mean much for some people, but better bowling highlights issues.

Duckett needs to prove over this year he is good enough, one innings wont do it.... but he also keeps, so if Bairstow fails and Buttler is playing T20 cricket, he might be the next cab off the rank later in the summer.

[Making_Splinters]

Bell likely out, probably opens the way for Vince.

[Alviro Patterson]

With Jonny Bairstow being the Division 1 leading runscorer (as I type) and looks in imperious touch, there is more than a case of him to bat at #5. Aside from the volume of runs, he would be batting alongside Joe Root where they have batted together for Yorkshire since age group cricket.

Question is whether James Taylor's replacement bats at #7 or at #6 with Ben Stokes moving down one place, which seems harsh in one respect since he recently smashed a double test century.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bairstow has been a big county scorer for years without translating the runs into an international setting. After a breakthrough in SA, surely he will stay at seven. He's not established himself as an England player yet.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I've got a hunch they will bring back Robson, move Hales to three and drop Compton in another round of musical chairs.

[sussexpob]

Legitimate case for this Sri Lanka bowling attack being the worst in my memory representing what I would class as an established International nation.

Id back England U21 to score runs against them

[hopeforthebest]

Westley batting at 3 has just scored a century against them as he did against the Aussies last year. He's a free scoring batsman very much in the mould of the type of player everyone's talking about.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Selvey is now trailing Robson's return. He usually vanguards England and ECB changes. He seemed to be still prepping for Taylor to be dropped even while reporting on his illness and retirement.

[Making_Splinters]

I suppose it depends on how much time the ECB are prepared to give players under Bayliss. It would seem madness to me to bring Hales and Compton in against South Africa away from home to promptly drop them for the home Summer.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I agree (the skipper didn't have a great series either). But Cook very definitely ended the series saying Hales, Compo and Taylor needed early season runs. Hales has been on holiday. Compo's been struggling.