The Ashes 2015

supercity88 said:
I agree that there's no standout replacement... I don't think you need to look too closely at form though, for me opening in an Ashes is about mentality. Lyth has tried to be play his natural game and got out cheaply, he's tried to be more conservative and done the same. He's doubting himself and is suffering. He hasn't shown the bottle to cope at test level.

I would start off by writing a letter to a Mr. Trescothick and asking if he fancied one final hoorah! Realistically though - Trent Bridge is the home ground of a certain Alex Hales. His form isn't great with a decent knock amongst several single figure scores but I think he has the mentality to succeed as an opener in test cricket. He's been good at the shorter format and he knows the standard he'll be up again and I think he has the required aggression and mentality to open the batting. Only one way to find out but now is the time to do it.

Bottom line, with no Jimmy we'll need runs and I'd be sticking with the side as is. I feel a bit sorry for Ballance as he's got a good average but Bairstow deserved the call and hopefully responds in the next test. I'd replace Jimmy with Wood as he deserves to come back in if fit. Cook, Hales, Bell, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Broad, Wood, Finn

It's too early to promote Root to opener. He's scoring well down the order so keep him there. I would look to test him as an opener soon though, then you have the likes of James Taylor and Gary Ballance potentially coming into that middle order (keeping Bell and Bairstow in there too). Good options for England down the order... I'd try Hales next up.
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I like Taylor and Hales generally. Just a shame neither have scored particularly heavily this season.
 
I'd keep lyth in the team, he is the best of a bad bunch at the moment. As for replacing Jimmy, wood is the obvious choice but as bumble tweeted yesterday it should be a like for like swap. If that was the case then rushworth deserves a mention. He has had a great season so far.
 
foetus said:
Well at least we can't get much worse than that. Series shaping up nicely (well more so if you're English). Still confident the Aussies can get out of first gear.
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And then slip into reverse hopefully.

You ought to recall Border and Waugh - it would make no difference to the average age of the team.
 
Lancet Fluke said:
I think they ditched Nick Compton a bit too early. I know he wasn't pulling up any trees as it were but I think he could have been given more time. He seems totally out of contention now though. other than that it is either Bell or Root back up there which would be a mistake imo. We are now getting to a generation of players brought up with T20 and none of them know how to open an innings properly.
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Compton talks to the press too much.

There may be a case for Moeen opening like he has done before. Ok, he's batting well at no 8 but he's too good a batsmen to stay there. Would free up a space for Rashid who deserves a chance. Maybe too much of a risk at this stage though.
 
So chuffed for Finn. He is a rare success story just like Anderson who were promising youngsters who the ECB thought would be a good idea to tinker with their run ups and bowling styles and ended up nearly ruining their careers. God knows how many other promising youngsters their coaches have fucked up cos they think they know better.
 
damn , i was bored today as no day 4 :(

Anderson will be sorely missed though for test 4.

Will be interesting to see if Michael is dropped or not.
 
Two poor sides in a second rate series, South Africa will be pissing themselves.
 
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