England test team of the last 40 years: the middle order

[bigfluffylemon]

There's a lot of possible options here, so I'm sure I missed someone. At least one option should be nailed on, but I'll be curious as to whether my top 3 is the general view.

[sussexpob]

Graham Thorpe spent all of his career as England's most important bat. His turn in SL in the early 2000's will remain one of the best batting performances of any player, regardless of team, I have witnessed. Against Murali, on turning sideways pitches, he was supreme.

In fact, imo Thorpe, Root and KP are the best batters in my lifetime for England, so that was pretty easy.

Hard on JT, but he burned brightly only briefly.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think the adulation of Root currently is a bit overheated. He went several years unable to convert starts which is getting forgotten. But he gets in, though at three where his record isn't as good as Trott's. KP is an automatic pick. Thorpey was crucial in England's recovery as a Test team around the millenneum and played some of the all time great England knocks (in Pakistan and SL).

Gower's record at three is extremely good, from memory. But I rather resent how amateurish that generation was. And how he and Botham mocked Gooch's professionalism.

[Gingerfinch]

KP, Root and Gower. Thorpe was unlucky to miss out.

[sussexpob]

KP, Root and Gower. Thorpe was unlucky to miss out.

Im sure Gower makes an exceptional case, but once again, just a bit before my time to appreciate his career in full.

[Gingerfinch]

KP, Root and Gower. Thorpe was unlucky to miss out.

Im sure Gower makes an exceptional case, but once again, just a bit before my time to appreciate his career in full.

The summer of 85 was probably the only time when Gower scored a bucket full of runs in my lifetime but he was of course great to watch.

[Durhamfootman]

Gower was simply the most gloriously talented and attractive to watch England stroke makers I've ever seen, yet I wasn't sure whether to include him, because his record (which I haven't checked) might not stack up as well as others. Gower could be frustrating to watch as well and I'm not 100% convinced that he made the most of his exceptional ability, but in full flow it's hard to think of a more stylish number 3 not called Lara

By the time Root finishes his test career, he's going to end up being the most prolific and reliable runscorer England will have ever produced.... ever! No way I could leave him out

Pietersen.... no brainer. His skill set was so good it bordered on the outrageous....... and it's hard on Thorpe who was a terrific number 5, but like England in 2005 I'm going to leave him out to make sure I get KP in. If he hadn't been given the armband at such a toxic time in English cricket, I think he might have turned out to be a very good captain too

[Arthur Crabtree]

DIG played attractive innings. Thorpey played heroic innings.

[bigfluffylemon]

Got to say I am a little surprised by the relative lack of support for Trott. Being an instrumental part of victories in South Africa, Australia and India, the hardest places to tour of his era, count a lot for me.

Gower was no doubt the most naturally gifted batsman of his era and great to watch (whereas Trott was one of the least aesthetically pleasing), but I always felt that Gower didn't make the most of his great talent, whereas Trott made the absolute most of the more limited talent he had. Gower's record against the best team of his era (West Indies) was indifferent, whereas Trott's record v Australia, the best team of his era, was outstanding (even if they were on the wane). But to be fair, Gower's record in Ashes cricket was very good too.

I went for Trott, but it was a tough call between those two for me. But I am a little surprised at so little support for Trott, unloveable character though he may have been.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Trott was my three until Root. But Root has done better at 4-5 than he did at three... Still, I want KP and Thorpe in there.

[DiligentDefence]

I've had to overcome my dislike of KP and concerns about his behaviour but he gets in with Trott and Root.

[alfie]

You could make a fair case for most of these ! But I want to enjoy watching this team play and I can't go past Gower at three followed by Root and KP.

Thorpe hard to leave out. But I think it was him or KP at five ; and the latter is impossible to go past. I am picking this whole outfit with no regard for possible dressing room altercations