There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[m@tt]

It was a bizarre argument from Berry. The argument against Bell that does make a lot of sense is the level of his recent England performance - he averaged 26 across 13 Tests in 2015 and looked a shadow of his old self. And aside from the lack of runs, they came slowly at a SR of 44 - not that this is an issue in itself, but it shows his lack of fluency.

That said, I wouldn't be against a Bell who, following a decade of touring, is now refreshed, recalled - but only if he was in form for Warks and he's not having a great season.

[DiligentDefence]

Read the article, my only thought was ' pension off Berry please'.

[alfie]

Did cross my mind earlier that Bell might have been a decent choice for the Oval Test (had England been properly focused on winning the series against Pakistan as they should have been , rather than continuing the trials of the underwhelming Vince) but picking him for an Asian tour seems less likely.

Batting does look a big problem at the moment : you won't win many series with three of the top five misfiring. I get they don't want to revert to the bad old days of the nineties where players were popped in and out of the team on a weekly basis ; but I fear they are going to the other extreme in persevering with players who just don't appear to be learning much from their failures.

A couple of handy players have been introduced to the team for the first time on tours of India ( Cook , Root) : is there a new rabbit ready to be produced from a hat this time ?

[Slipstream]

Well the Bangladesh tour is going ahead. Cook's wife is having a 2nd child at that time and he might miss one or both Tests. Then some players might decide not to go to Bangladesh.

Guardian
It is understood any such withdrawal would not in itself be held against a player in terms of future selection. However vacating a spot would carry the risk of seeing a replacement make it their own and mean going into the two-month tour of India that follows immediately afterwards without match practice, given their are no warm-up fixtures currently scheduled prior to the five-match Test series that begins on 9 November.

[Dr Cricket]

Crazy decision not to play any game in india or even arrive early considering the players not going to Bangladesh would not have any practice game or preparation in Indian conditions.

Cook probably won't be going to bangladesh since I suspect Root with be used to see if he can be a captain, would be carnage for england if couple of players pull out.

[Dr Cricket]

Some barmy army fans are so deluded and stupid as if ECB were going to cancel the tour which could cost 60-70M just because it won't be safe for 500 or so english fans probably even less.

Barmy army don't actually have to follow every england game abroad.

would have been an idiotic decision to cancel the tour if the actual security for the players and media is safe but cancelled because fans might not get safe accommodation and travel plans.

[Dr Cricket]

In terms of selection very tough decision for the selectors considering if any players misses the bangladesh tour they won't have any game practice for a long time before the 5 tough india test matches.

Must be the first ever 4 or 5 test match series with no warm up games and literally arriving to the ground 4 days before the game starts.

[Dr Cricket]

Also England lions or england 11s are playing a T20 warm up game in late sept and an 2 day warm up game against WI in Dubai in early october.
be jokes if that is all what England lions are getting this winter.
Come on ECB make a deal and you can get far better games in the winter.

[Slipstream]

I am sure we will have enough players on tour to have a game (I can't think of replacements for Hales, Vince, Ballance at present) We will have to hide some fielders.

Cook Hales Ramprakash Vince Bairstow French (keeping coach) Ali Wood Finn Anderson Farbrace
v
Root Ansari Ballance Patel Taylor (fielding coach) Buttler Rashid Woakes Gibson Broad, Bayliss

Umpire - physio

[Making_Splinters]

Cook missing a Test or even the whole series would actually be a good thing in my book. We desperately need to have a look at another top order batsman and this would be the perfect chance, either that or give Root a break as he's played the most international cricket of any player this year.

[alfie]

Cook missing a Test or even the whole series would actually be a good thing in my book. We desperately need to have a look at another top order batsman and this would be the perfect chance, either that or give Root a break as he's played the most international cricket of any player this year.

While I don't mind the idea of letting Cook or Root have a break , I would suggest that there are plenty of other options for having a look at another top order player ! I can think of three batsmen who might very easily be replaced without much risk of the batting being weakened...

[Making_Splinters]

Cook missing a Test or even the whole series would actually be a good thing in my book. We desperately need to have a look at another top order batsman and this would be the perfect chance, either that or give Root a break as he's played the most international cricket of any player this year.

While I don't mind the idea of letting Cook or Root have a break , I would suggest that there are plenty of other options for having a look at another top order player ! I can think of three batsmen who might very easily be replaced without much risk of the batting being weakened...

Well considering that Rashid needs to fit into the line up and England are unlikely to go in with just two front line pace bowlers, that actually only leaves two spots. It would seem pointless to bring Ballance back for a single series then drop him again without anything being proved either way and Hales should get the winter to make a definitive as well.

[ianp1970]

If Hales and Ballance are going to remain in the side, then the team for India pretty much picks itself:

Cook
Hales
Root
Ballance
Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

[alfie]

Fair points , MS

But I'd imagine Rashid replaces Finn in the XI ; so there would still be room for another batsman : I am not sure I'd be automatically endorsing Ballance for a place , especially given the way he was getting out to Yasir . Of course I admit some bias here as I would still prefer to see Root back at four so would like to see if an alternative three could be introduced. I think a lineup of Cook Hales ANO Root Stokes Bairstow Ali Woakes Rashid Broad Anderson could be viable if the number three were fit for purpose...and would just need the swap of a third seamer for Rashid when out of Asia. Less sure about Root at three and Ballance - or someone else - at four as I don't really want the all rounders in too early on a regular basis.

I won't too be surprised if Cook elects to give Bangladesh a miss for family reasons , so it is quite possible another opener may need to be tried...which of course might conceivably end up putting pressure on Hales...

[Dr Cricket]

Jheez look how hard the journalist are trying to get out of touring Bangladesh.
Sam peter basically reporting this today on the mail.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83 ... ernational

The Daily Mail reported the Australian Government received intelligence before their team's proposed trip last October of a plot to attack captain Steve Smith's team during a reception with the Bangladesh players in Dhaka.

Apparently Australia pulled out last year because ISIS threatened to attack the captain.