There may be troubles ahead: England selection issues.

[andy]

For me, Ballance is a no-no, hopefully they give someone new a go before going back to him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I agree. But Ballance has some obstinate supporters (Andy Flower).

[Alviro Patterson]

From what I have seen of Ballance, he has been going front foot more often and a lot ruthlessly in his strokeplay and a lot less of being so deep at the crease.

Personally I want Ballance away from the England team, but I back him to make a success of any recall like Bairstow has done two years ago.

[rich1uk]

From what I have seen of Ballance, he has been going front foot more often and a lot ruthlessly in his strokeplay and a lot less of being so deep at the crease.

Personally I want Ballance away from the England team, but I back him to make a success of any recall like Bairstow has done two years ago.

i haven't seen alot of him this year but if he has fixed that issue then i wouldn't be unhappy to see him get another chance as it was that problem that led to his struggles

what i liked about Ballance during the spell he was so successful was how disciplined he was and that he seemed to have a very good handle on shot selection, he lost that when he started to allow himself to get trapped right on top of his stumps as because of that poor movement he was leaving himself with nowhere to go. to me part of being successful at test level is that mental discipline and patience as much as pure technique, he obviously reached the point where the technical problems got so bad that it didn't matter how good his mental approach was but the technical problems can be fixed, and hopefully have been, its alot harder to teach someone the sort of discipline that he had

[sussexpob]

As I said, Gary has been vocal about not changing anything, and most reports available suggest he is batting in the same way.

[Arthur Crabtree]

An academic argument currently, surely, with Moeen probably keeping a top five spot after a good batting year and Livingstone, I presume, next in line. But that may change.

GB is a three time loser at the moment for England. I think it makes sense for him to show years of better form, rather than one month. But he is at least scoring fc runs, which he hasn't for a while.

Yorkshire were saying that they are making provisions for his recall though, so maybe they've heard something. Promotion now would be crazy. maybe the selectors are aware that his recall last summer (then dropping) and his recall last winter (and dropping) are currently filed under 'stupid gamble' and it is better to keep twisting rather than have that on their record.

[Alviro Patterson]

As I said, Gary has been vocal about not changing anything, and most reports available suggest he is batting in the same way.

In what way is Ballance supposedly batting the same? Two immediate changes I picked up from last year are Ballance not being entrenched at the crease, (especially when Yorkshire have been on the back foot) and meets with the ball when playing a shot, rather than tentatively play. Keeping the same technique is one thing, but Ballance is certainly not playing in the same mindset.

The only thing Ballance has been vocal about is delivering as captain and batsman for Yorkshire.

[sussexpob]

Take it with Gary and all the cricketing journos saying it. I'm merely repeating their words

[Aidan11]

Anderson looks to be a doubt for the first test.

[andy]

Can't rely on him anymore for fitness can we..finally his body is starting to say no unfortunately..its lucky that Chris Woakes has really stepped up so he can take new ball when Jimmy isn't around...guess that opens a space back up for jake Ball in the side.

[andy]

And as i post that, Woakes goes down with a side strain

[andy]

The struggles of Jason Roy continue..he needs runs soon or the axe could come down on him..

[m@tt]

Useful unbeaten 38 for Hameed. His first innings was said to be good too, before getting a good ball. Not sure how many more games he has got though - would still need a big score.

[ianp1970]

Useful unbeaten 38 for Hameed. His first innings was said to be good too, before getting a good ball. Not sure how many more games he has got though - would still need a big score.

Man in possession (injured, not dropped, over the winter) surely keeps the position for the start of the test summer?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe depends how much England want to play Livingstone. If he's in, one of Haseeb and Jennings might not get in.